New Years Day 2008 Weigh In: 278.5
New Years Day 2007 Weigh In: 345.5 (67 pounds)
So many things to say today. First off, my second season starts today. As you can tell by the scale above, I lost 67 pounds last year. I've thrown out "100 pounds" quite a bit, so when I put it into a calender year, 67 seems so much smaller. But it's nothing to shake my head at.
The last few months have been the off-season. I'll be completely blunt and honest - I haven't been able to put a strong month together since August. October was OK, November was dead, December started off great, but it was like I got knocked out of the playoffs in the second round. I didn't finish. I just didn't. Honestly, I could get a ton of comments about how I have choked out December - how I didn't do what I could do. I know I need to 'brush it off' and keep moving. The bottom line is, I fell short of the finish line. The good news is, the race ain't over yet.
Just like any other freshman in sports, I started off strong. I got some momentum, it carried me through the All Star Break, and then I fizzled out. But I look back, and there's a ton that I learned about myself, and this whole weight loss thing, that I'll be able to take into my second season.
1: It's not easy. You have to really commit to it. I am unable to find a 'sweet spot' and just coast my way through and find success. That may work for a week or so, but if I don't have my head into it 100%, I'll fall through the cracks.
2: It's not hard. It's a matter of eating what I know is right, avoiding what is wrong, and exercising - finding SOMETHING to do, each and every single day. Weight loss is the greatest motivator for weight loss, and if you're doing it, someone else is passing you by.
3: It takes goals. Set them. Follow them. Chase them. Do whatever you have to do, but I'm like those greyhound dogs. I will just sit down and relax until that rabbit comes out - but when I have something to go after, I chase it until I get it. I need to always have a goal in front of me.
So, my first full year is over. The offseason (the holidays) are over, and opening day is tomorrow morning. So what do I do? How do I earn that second contract? How do I avoid the sophomore slump?
I set goals.
So here they are. Call them resolutions if you'd like.
1: Quit fast food. It's too easy. If it's the only option, then it becomes a matter of making the right choices while I'm there. Avoid the stuff I know is bad, and make sure that the best choice is ALWAYS made. This leads to number 2.
2: Plan more meals. I was given a subscription to Men's Health for Christmas this year, and there are a ton of tips on meals, snack and meal replacement ideas that make a lot of sense. I'm going to read through and implement a ton of these. There's no fat guys on the front of that magazine (hell, Jim from the "Office" is this month, can't beat that) - there's a reason for that.
3: Goals aren't just for eating. I've also included some fitness goals for this year. It's not about "how fast I can run a mile" this year. It's not how quick, but how far I can go. Here's a few goals for this year, athletically.
- Run THREE 5k races this year. I already know that one of them will be the "Race for the Cure" in May in downtown Detroit. I will find two others during the course of the year, and run them.
- Train and participate in the Susan Komen 3-Day Walk. This is 60 miles of walking in 3 days, and will happen in late September. Training will include long walks, up to and including 20 milers.
- Participate in a HALF-MARATHON. I know the Detroit Free Press hosts a half-marathon later in the year. This is 13 miles. Maybe I'll be able to run the entire thing, maybe it'll be a walk/run/jog thing. Either way - I want to feel the accomplishment of actually FINISHING it. This will be my next step - last year, I felt the rush of success by just finishing a 5k run, and now look how far I have come. This year, it's the half-marathon.
My weight loss goal is to lose 60 pounds this year. I am at 278.5 this year - and 60 will get me into the 2-teens. To be 218 pounds would change my life forever. Cosmetically, I want to be able to walk on the beach this summer with a shirt off and not be embarassed of what I see in the mirror.
Last year, it was about saving my life from hopelessness. Last year, I was 345 pounds - and it wasn't a matter of taking my shirt off - it was a matter of not dying from a heart attack before my 40th birthday. It was about being able to tie my shoes without having a shortness of breath.
So maybe I didn't hit all of my 2007 goals. Maybe I fell short the last few months and wonder where I could have been. There's a lot of "should haves" in my life, but this is one thing that is certain. I have come too far to stop now. I have already transformed my life from what it was in the past. I have proven that weight loss is something I can do on a long term basis. I have shown myself that losing weight does not have to be a yo-yo dieting thing that results in failure after failure.
2008 continues the legacy. When I write my January 1, 2009 blog, I will be under 220. I will have a t-shirt in my closet from a half-marathon race.
I will have my life back.
Welcome to the Second Season.
11 comments:
Here is to an awesome 2008!!
Looks like the second season is starting out right. I hope 2008 is great!
Good to have you back man. And it's good to be back myself.
It was weird - I found myself resenting the fact that I was on vacation. Like, my 'relaxation' was screwing me out of my health.
That's a good way to look at it, as opposed to last year, I suppose.
good for you, rob. can't wait to see the results from your "resolutions"
You know your body much better than I do, but 218 on a 6-5 frame seems low to me. it might be 3% body fat and you'll look like Mr. Olympia. If that's the case, forget I said anything. But I just thought I'd toss it out there.
When I move back, we're playing flag football every Saturday morning.
Flag football sounds good to me. I also have access to the church gym (full court) - so you know where I'm going with this.
I think once I get down into the 230s, 220s, I might not NEED to get down to 218 to be happy with where I am at, but I think it boils down to "that's a problem I'll deal with when I get there". I have no idea what 218 really looks like, but I'd love to find out.
Gotcha. Kind of like me and my new 235 goal. I don't think I'll need to go past 245, but I won't know that until I see myself in the mirror.
and I haven't played basketball in four years, though I used to be pretty good. It's gonna be ugly.
You have so much to be proud of. It sounds like 2008 is going to be a big year for you, with lots of challenges and accomplishments. I look forward to reading all about it. Happy new you!
Kev, when you're 6'100" like you are, you don't need to be good.
Hey man, you will get there. I think this time of year is the best for making goals and the next twelve months are for keeping them. That is where all of our focus needs to be now, on today. Look at the goals weekly (or daily, monthly whatever) but be sure to know that everyday you are going toward them and not away...but you already know this, so good luck in 2008!
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