Yesterday my dad approached me and said that he really cannot wait to start walking again, the cold weather has been a hassle but it will not stop him as the warm weather arrives. He claimed that he felt so much better when he was walking and this off time has caused him to realize a physical and emotional difference, I encouraged him to "get back out there". I am very excited to see what he will accomplish. This project has made him want to take up more activities such as coaching a little league t-ball team for my little sister. He always coached my 18U team every summer but now he has more energy to take on another team. I am very proud of my dad, I cannot even describe my feelings. This project has lead my dad to see what a life without pop can do for a person and whether the weight loss is a simple process or a drawn out one, I truly believe that someday in the near future he will reach his goal weight by pure motivation and hard work.

So I think it is safe to say that as this project is coming to an end, progress has definitely been made. My dad has lost fat in his stomach and sides. Although the physical appearance does not look like much of a difference, his health status has improved and he feels happier about himself. Although it is going to take time for my dad to be 100% healthy again, it makes me so proud to see the effort he has been making. If I could do things differently in the future I would probably choose to do this project on my own in the summertime so I could easily track my dad's progression and have the time to go on walks with him. If I had the opportunity to do so I feel like he would have been more persistent and would have more motivation to walk everyday rather than when he just felt like it. My dad will continue to stick to this "No Pepsi Plan" to improve himself and hopefully he will be able to get his shoulder surgery at the end of summer.

Today Ashley and I woke up and went to Charter gym at 5 a.m. to do a morning training session. Afterwards I felt so energized and happy with myself for pushing through and finishing the workout. When I got home my dad saw the smile on my face and the sweat on my forehead and was really proud of me. He then said "hey Amanda hows the weather?" and I responded with "oh, it's pretty chilly" and he just said how he doesn't care and going to go on his walk on the trail today. Walking truly makes him feel healthier and happier with himself and he has this undying motivation to keep going. I think the hardest aspect of becoming healthier and losing weight is the better food options. It is so hard to change eating habits, especially with a busy lifestyle. If my dad does not change the way he eats and only looses ten pounds in the next few months I will be overjoyed with his success and improvements. my dad has inspired me to keep going even when times are tough. I think we have a way of inspiring each other and that what makes my family so special.

This past winter break was a minor set back for this Almost Famous Project. Unfortunately, against my strongest efforts, my dad still managed to sneak some Pepsi into his day. Also I came across 3 twenty-four packs of Pepsi in the garage when I came home from work. I instantly took the cases and stored them in the back of my car. Then I went upstairs and found my dad with two full cans sitting besides him. I took the cans and poured them down the drain. This caused a slight confrontation, but ended his push for Pepsi for the day. As the break continued, I have to admit I became more lenitent with my dads addiction because I realized I had to use reverse psychology on him if I ever wanted positive results. Whenever I caught him drinking a can of Pepsi I would just say "That's fine dad, do what you choose, just rememeber how amazing you felt when you stopped drinking pop". After my positive attempts to get inside his mind, he decided he disliked the way he felt. After a five day streak of being "pepsi free", an open case of Pespi was found in my dads car. I was instantly mad and quickly went to question him. After this interrogation, my dad's response was "Amanda, I feel so much better, I took that case of pop and passed the cans out to the guys at work for their hardwork". I was so impressed and proud of my dad. I am excited to see how well my dad does for the following months to come

.