Day Eleven...

So it's Day Eleven now. Today, I had some interesting observations that I threw out on Facebook. Perhaps, I'll get more comedy out of them for my act. One idea for a joke was that we could fix our economy by franchising swear jars across America. I got the idea for that one, because I ended up substitute teaching today, and I saw a jar on the teacher's desk. At first, I thought it said it was to help cure cancer, but upon further observation, it was a swear jar. I've heard of them, but never actually saw one.

I'm proud to admit I abstained from one of my all-time favorite fatty foods today... Penn Station Freshcut Fries!!! I must admit, I've actually ordered two large one for myself before. Considering they only taste good for about 30-45 minutes after they're made, that meant I had little time to stuff my face, and feel like there was another World War which took place in my stomach. I'm not so sure if I buy the Taco Bell Drive-Thru Diet, but I did enjoy a fresca bean burrito, which was way more satisfying then all the grease that fries are cooked in.

I haven't weighed myself in a few days, but I know I've lost at least five pounds. So far, I haven't introduced as much exercise into my new lifestyle because it was hard enough getting used to eating differently. However, tomorrow my world will change drastically. I'm officially starting the P90X!!!

If you think you hear a lark singing in the morning, it'll probably just be me weezing afterwards...

Thank you for all your encouragement!! I'm confident!!

1 Corinthians 9:24 - "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."

ABIDING,
Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Day Ten...

As I sit here knowing that I've made it to Day Ten in this quest to reach my ideal weight, I feel humbled. It's as thought I'm seeing how other people might have seen me. While my perceptions are always mine, it's a wonder that I give them to other people when I convince myself what they think of me. This journey is causing me to look deeply inward at the source of everything I do, which is my heart.

Today was much better than yesterday. I had some wonderful encouragement from my awesome girlfriend! She's very special to me, and even quoted scripture. To quote from my favorite book on the subject of what I'm going thought, "My Big Fat Greek Diet" by Dr. Nick Yphantides, "Diets don't work." You have to change the way you see things before you can change your appearance. My eyes are really opening to all this.

I have a t-shirt that says "Procrastinators of the World Unite!! Tomorrow..." That's been my attitude for so long. I've put things off, as many people have. It's definitely easy to do. I remember a cartoon where Goofy was trying to lose weight. He tried everything, as his reflection in the mirror was coaching him. In the end, he got up in the middle of the night to get food, and the reflection had already taken it. Then he said "Eat, Drink, & Be Merry... & Tomorrow We'll Diet". The point I want to make is we are only guaranteed today. Let's make it count!

So far I've lost five pounds. I haven't weighed myself in a few days, but I know I can do this, because of all your encouragement! Have a great day!!

James 4:14 - "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

In Him,
Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Day Nine...

Apologies for not blogging this yesterday. A lack of time management on my part. Upon first glimpse of my blog you might get the impression, I'm going to talk about my "diet". Food and lack of exercise has definitely consumed my desires for quite some time. However, I wouldn't say that it's the cause of how I turned out. As I embark on this quest to reach my ideal weight, I find myself looking more inward at who I am.

On the way to work (my substitute teaching position), I was listening to a song by Big Daddy Weave "Audience of One". The lyrics nailed my heart which bled tears from my eyes. If I wasn't driving, I would've burst even more.

I come on my knees
To lay down before you
Bringing all that I am
Longing only to know you
Seeking your face
And not only your hand
I find you embracing me
Just as I am

And I lift these songs
To you and you alone
As I sing to you
In my praises make your home

To my audience of one
You are Father, and you are Son
As your spirit flows free,
Let it find within me
A heart that beats to praise you.
And now just to know you more
Has become my great reward
To see your kingdom come
And your will be done
I only desire to be yours,
Lord

So what could I bring
To honor your majesty
What song could I sing
That would move the heart of royalty
And all that I have
Is the life that you’ve given me
So Lord let me live for you
My song with humility

On a personal note, actually very personal, I did a show recently where I was to do all-new material. I felt very discouraged by the material. It wasn't all bad, but I think I hit a writers' block in my comedy writing. I received a few laughs, but I felt so vulnerable to the audience not laughing. Personally, I feel my style has gotten a little more meaner. I like to poke fun at certain people, but I try to keep it within the boundaries of being clean, and appropriate for the whole family.

Most comedians will attest to the statement that "Comedy is pain". Whether it's the comedian talking about an experience where they were duped, or someone they know did something really dumb, there's always a statement of someone or something being the punchline. I recently did a joke about Susan Boyle that some people got on my case about. The only reason I chose her is because I had the idea for the joke, and needed someone everyone would know. She was a very easy target. As I write this, I would like to issue an apology for anyone who might have been offended by my joke about her. I want my comedy to mean more.

Day Nine was probably the hardest day I've had so far, because I felt so depressed about my life in general. Today is a new day, and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you so much for your support!

Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

ABIDING,
Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Day Eight...

On the eighth day God made (insert a heavy person's name here)... I've heard that line a million times, not always aimed at me, of course. Day eight has come and gone, and nine should be here soon. It's awesome to think that what I'm doing has even remotely inspired anyone to consider changing their lifestyle to live more healthy.

I was reading a great American classic today, during my spare time at school. The infamous "Godfather" by Mario Puzo. Can't say I've ever read it before. I didn't even see the movie until I was in college, but it's been ingrained into my favorites forever. Of course, the book is much different from the actual movie. There's a bunch of side stories with Johnny Fontaine, as well as Luca Brasi. One line that just jumped out at me, and I posted on my facebook is

"There's no greater natural advantage in life than having an enemy overestimate your faults, unless it's having a friend underestimate your virtues." - Don Vito Corleone

What intrigues me the most about the character of Don Corleone, is as ruthless as he is, he's equally if not more generous in his virtues. He always wants the person he helps to return the favor at a later point, but he always gives way more generously than what he receives back. I appreciate all of you encouraging me on this journey! I would love encourage you all as well. Thank you for being the accountability I was looking for! You guys are like my Don Corleone, except I doubt you'll have a horse's head put in my bed...

Life is good! My next big show is June 5th in Middletown, OH. Keep checking back for more info!

Proverbs 27:17 - "Iron sharpens iron,So one man sharpens another."

Peace Out,
Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Day Seven...

Can you believe it? It's been a week! I've heard if you can do something for three weeks then it becomes a habit. See me in two more weeks and I'll tell you if it's true or not. I went to the store with my Dad earlier. It isn't a church, but I would classify Trader Joe's as holy ground. I totally applaud their customer service. They have the nicest, consistently friendly employees, at each location I've ever been to, then any other store I can think of. If they sold electronics and Diet Sunkist, I would probably never go to any other store. I bought some Pink Lady Apples from there which rock! An apple a day certainly keeps the Dentist away... Especially if you launch it right at his head. That's a new one!!! I just came up with it, here & now...

I've felt challenged this past week, since I admitted that I want to retire my comedy material on being overweight. It's challenged me to replace the material, by writing my heart out while God tranforms my life on this journey. So be prepared to hear some new stuff!

I noticed one thing I used to do, was if I slipped up and ate something unhealthy, I figured "Well, today's messed up, but I can always go back to eating healthy tomorrow. Do you ever catch yourself doing that? I'm reminder of biblical account of Daniel when he chose to eat vegetables and water. His opposition, sure must've ate the fatty meat, and drank wine for himself. I only imagine what they would've ate, had their been nutrional information listed on the food. That's a luxury we have in our country, that many choose not to take advantage over. I just want to encourage you to hold strong, and hold fast!

Daniel 1

11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

Thanks again for tuning into this blog!!!
Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Day Six...

Yeah, I would've posted a few minutes earlier, but I'm addicted to The Godfather video game for X-Box, and I couldn't pull myself away from protecting the Don at the hospital. Day six has come and gone. Today, I refrained from the usual 2-4 cups of cappaccino that I would usually get for free at church, plus the bagel that always waits for me each Sunday. Instead, I enjoyed a nice diet mountain dew, and treated myself to a subway sandwich after church. I made sure to overload it with vegetables. It's been a great feeling leaving the meal satisfied as opposed to bloated.

The last few days I've been reminded of an instance in the famous classic writing of C.S. Lewis. This next except is from the first letter in "The Screwtape Letters". Screwtape is a senior demon writing a letter to his nephew Wormwood, who is a young demon, giving him advice for how to handle mankind.

One day, as he sat reading, I saw a train of thought
in his mind beginning to go the wrong way. The Enemy, of course, was at his
elbow in a moment. Before I knew where I was I saw my twenty years' work
beginning to totter. If I had lost my head and begun to attempt a defence by
argument I should have been undone. But I was not such a fool. I struck
instantly at the part of the man which I had best under my control and suggested
that it was just about time he had some lunch. The Enemy presumably made the
counter-suggestion (you know how one can never quite overhear What He says to
them?) that this was more important than lunch. At least I think that must have
been His line for when I said "Quite. In fact much too important to tackle it
the end of a morning", the patient brightened up considerably; and by the time I
had added "Much better come back after lunch and go into it with a fresh mind",
he was already half way to the door.

Basically, Screwtape told Wormwood, that one of the ways to pull us away from God was to get our minds off of God by telling us that we are hungry. It's insanely on the money at times, because how often are we in church while the pastor is preaching, and we're wondering if we'll get out in time to beat the Methodists to the Cracker Barrel??? (I find Methodists aren't as big of a threat for me at Cracker Barrel as much as Senior Bus Tours...) Just some food for thought. Thank you guys for all your encouragement!!

Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

God Bless!
Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Day Five..

Welcome friends & family!

Today is my fifth day standing-up to the weight. It's almost been a week since I started, and it's already feeling easier to keep my mind off of gorging myself with food. I managed to stay away from Chinese food yesterday (my vice). As I've established I discovered I tend to order a lot of food from places geographically exclusive to certain areas, because I know I can't always get it. It reminds me of the biblical passage from Exodus 16:13-20 discussing manna & quail...

13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was.

Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer [a] for each person you have in your tent.' "

17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.

19 Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning."

20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

This change in my life is teaching me to view food in a new light. Now that the fifth day is over, I'm proud to announce I've lost 5lbs aready this week! Thanks again for all your encouragement! Also, thank you for praying for my Mother! She was released from the hospital this afternoon, and it while they're still unsure as to what it was, they said her heart is fine, with no troubles!

God Bless!
Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Day Four...

Howdy folks!! Day four has arrived, and I feel fine. You'd think it was the end of the world or something (cheap R.E.M. reference)... I substitute taught today, and found myself embraced in a conversation about Five Guys Burgers & Fries with two fellow co-workers. It's amazing, because they're food tastes really good, but upon further research, I found out that Men's Fitness Magazine has their french fries listed as the fourth unhealthiest food in America. For something that's so bad for me, it's easy to work up a smile when they pour the extra tray in the bag after giving you your ordered size. I admit, I've craved their food before. I can recall each time I've been there it's been such a blast, but whenever I finished my food I always felt sick. Then later I craved it again. The question begs, "Why do we let ourselves go?"

Please be in prayer for my mother, Carolyn. She was admitted to the hospital today for chest pains. They are keeping her overnight. I found out they need me to watch my Grandma tonight. One of the first things that popped into my head upon finding out I would be in Columbus tonight, is "Golden Chopsticks is close by, awesome!" That's one of my favorite Chinese places. Then I realized that I've over indulged at places that are local to certain areas, because I knew I wouldn't get much of a chance if any to come back. Like if I was in California right now, they'd have to lock down all the In-N-Out Burgers, cause I'd be all over that.

The idea of my mom in the hospital also felt like the stress could only be relieved with eating something. As one of my comedy mentors, Jeff Jena once said "Nervousness is just energy. Channel it into something positive". He meant on stage to use it when I have butterflies, but that can be used in any and all walks of life! My singles' pastor, Max Boothby also says that "Worry is practical atheism." Why should we be worried when Jesus has overcome the world?

I weighed myself this morning, and it appeared I had lost a pound. Thank you guys for all your prayers and encouragement!!

Matthew 6:25 - "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

Peace Out,
Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Day Three...

How's it going folks? I've made it this far. Taking into consideration what one of my friends said, I tried to view food more as fuel today. This will sound funny, but as a reward, I decided to have some rice cakes with a berry flavor. It was on route to judging a contest speech event, which I agreed to do after a audience member from one of my recent shows jumped on the opportunity to snatch me up as a judge, when I admitted I was involved with the National Forensic League in high school. I actually had a great time judging. I was told beforehand they would feed all the judges. The only fear I had was this was for the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association. In my culture whenever food is mentioned "CHRISTIAN GROUPS PROVIDING FOOD = CHICK-FIL-A". That would be hard to say "no" to. I was fearing the worst, or I guess the best.

Without mentioning the organization, cause I don't want to be banned, I attended a Christian-related conference last year that provided Chick-Fil-A as one of the meals. They didn't have anyone guarding the table (why should they? It's only Christians!!!), and as expensive as Chick-Fil-A normally is, what was I to do?!? I must've downed at least four sandwiches, and took one with me. I wasn't even that hungry, but the normal higher cost, plus they were free weighed on me to do so, before & AFTER!! It also seems like I tend to want to eat more than I should, especially if I know I won't get to eat for a long while. It's shameful to admit now, but I discovered today after observing my rice cake eating that I also fall into another food trap, "Mindless Eating". I want to eat cause it's there, and I get bored. Today was great because I kept busy, and didn't think about it. I also chewed sugarless gum which kept my mind off of eating when I wasn't hungry.

By the way, they didn't have Chick-Fil-A so it was an answered prayer. Instead I enjoyed a few vegetables & a Coke Zero. Looking forward to tomorrow!!

Job 34:21 - "His eyes are on the ways of men; He sees their every step."

Day Two...

There must be a million blogs on this site of people claiming they want to lose weight. So thank you for coming to my page. This is more then a "Diet" to me. I've been overweight more then half my life. I wouldn't say I'm obese, but I'm sure other people would. Too bad, I'm losing weight or else I'd use that joke.

I've been doing comedy for almost five years. A good portion of my act is based on being overweight. I get a lot of big laughs from these jokes. I'm willing to trade them back for my health. I'm 255lbs as of today. I would like to be down in the 170-185lbs range by the end of August 2010.

In August, a group of fellow graduates and I are planning a high school reunion. It's unofficial, but I would love to look different. It's about 109 days away, and sort of a motivation for me, but I don't want it to end there.

Technically this is day two of the "life-style modification". I didn't post anything yesterday because I wanted to be sure I would make it through the entire day.

The opportunity presents itself for me to perform at a lot of churches and religious functions, while I'm not always asked to preach, I would love to share this message with you. We weren't designed to be overweight. God loves us, and He wants us to take care of the life He has given us.

Thank you guys for checking out the page, and keep coming back to view my progress. Kudos to a lot of people for encouraging me!!

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Thanks guys!!
Comedian Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com