I’ve been a member of this forum for a while now and I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs. Advice from this forum and it’s members have helped me through some dark times.
Now I’m hoping to give something back that can hopefully help at least one person. I’m finally going to open myself up and tell the story that I’ve been wanting to tell for ages. It’s the story of how I went from a former college swimmer to a ~300lb software desk jockey to winning my age group and preparing for Ironman Couer d’Alene and Ironman Florida in '06.
I’m planning on using my daily bus ride to work to craft and share installments of my story. In sharing this with the world I hope to make it interactive because weight loss and the struggles that go with it should be dealt with alone.
Please feel free to read it, leave it, add comments, criticisms, questions, suggestions or anything you feel compelled to share.
Here is part of the first entry to whet your appetite:
The 1st Installment
RT 242 ~7:15AM
Where do I begin the story of this long journey that I’ve been through and continue to go through? I made a decision to change my life the evening of Sept 19th, 2001 and it has been an up- and down-hill battle ever since. I could try and walk you through step-by-step, but we’d all end up hopelessly lost. So I’ll start somewhere at the beginning and try not to hopelessly lose either of us as I wade my way through the middle.
Starting to explain such a momentous life changing experience is not as easy as I’d thought. I’ve explained the story on many occasions and have gotten to the point where I feel comfortable talking about it with most anyone. I never thought this would be the case. I’ve started and stopped, then started again and stopped again. I don’t know how many times I’ve tried to make this a consistent habit and it never gets any easier.
Making the decision to lose weight can be fairly easy given the creation of infomercials selling the latest weight loss craze at 2 in the morning as people are finishing off another pint of ice cream. What marketing genius came up with that idea? I’d like to congratulate them on making what I assume is a large fortune, yet chastise them for preying on the weak. How do I know this? Because I am one of them.
Thank you everyone. It’s been a long time coming and it continues to take a daily toll. But for those out there suffering alone I want to lend a helping hand. Nobody can do this alone, I sure didn’t and the support from ST is why I’m a part of the ST family. Thanks again!
Please leave questions, comments, and anything else on the site http://spaces.msn.com/members/noeasyway so that everyone can benefit from this whole process.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m all of the way out. For instance, just last night I had too much to eat and feel slow and lethargic today. I was frustrated and angry with myself last night, but you know what – today is a new day. I’m going to start again, go to the gym at lunch, get in the pool for a workout (I’d run, but my L hip is injured) and then I’ll try and make smart decisions tonight at the Kangaroo & Kiwi Pub Quiz night. It won’t be easy, but I’m going to try again. Each day is about trying again. Eventually I tried enough and got consistent enough that I could string together enough good days to form a pattern or a routine that felt comfortable and was accepted by my peers.
I liked that paragraph as well, logged on to quote the “Each day is about trying again” line. I didn’t start as heavy as you when I first started training for tris last year, but I have a ways to go to get to 180# myself. I’ll keep that “each day” line in mind when I miss a work out or have that extra soda. Gotta keep trying. Good work.
Excellent insight. With me it was keeping a little towell next to me so i could wipe off the Cheetos lint from my fingers, as I watched TV and my life go by. Way to go!
You guys all truly rock and I appreciate the support. I don’t know what kind of monster I’ve started because I have so many ideas in my head that I want to write about. I start going down one train of thought and then wham, the bus ride is over and they are going to have to wait until tomorrow
Great story my friend, and thanks for sharing. I have had a similar journey that involved a dramatic loss in weight and have been trying for years to help some of my family follow my lead to a healthier way of life. I will share your story with them in hopes that it will help. Thanks again for sharing.
