Wednesday, April 25, 2012

#18 - One Year ..... Many Accomplishments.

April 12th, 2012.

"An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow."                                                                                 -- Author Unknown

As you may or may not have noticed, I mentioned that I started my journey with Mr. Marty on April 12, 2011. This makes today particularly significant in the progress of my journey. One year. An Anniversary. A chance to reflect on how far one has come and where one wants to go.

First, I must apologize. It has been a great amount of time since the last entry. I can only blame a fantastically busy life at Square One. Recently, Marty and Square One were featured in the Omaha newspaper (yours truly was also quoted, but I won't let it go to my head). This article set off a firestorm of interest in the club. We have been inundated with people who want to be a part of something this special. In just a few short weeks, we filled up to capacity by increasing our number of clients by 110-120%! Now we are awash with plans to expand so we can continue to grow. We have maxed out on Marty's time so we will have to get some new trainers. We have maxed out on space so we will have to look at new locations. It is a large amount of work, but it is definitely the way we want to be headed.

Back to the anniversary ....

Before After
550+ lbs 392 lbs
Unable to walk without pain Recently did a 4.4 mile hike
9x shirts, 58 waist pants 4x shirts, 52 waist pants
No work outs, but started with 2 a week working out 6 times a week (at least)

These are just markers of the true benefits received.

I have talked before of the incredibly wonderful change in attitude and esteem received simply by worked towards health instead of towards death. One might say that is overly dramatic wording, but it serves to show how I really felt at 550+ pounds. On this day, I reflect of the difference in my daily life. 

 I was alone. Eating junk food 100% of the time. Unable to move and depressed. Sitting in the recliner and watching hours of TV.  I was so out of shape that despite crushing depression and loneliness, an invite to get together with family and/or friends had to be seriously considered because it was a huge exertion of energy and a tremendous amount of pain.   I used to scoff at the people you would see who were bedridden and unable to move.  How could they let themselves get to that point?  How could they live like that?   Fortunately, I bypassed that stage (barely) but I can see how one would get to that point.   It sneaks up on you.  Today's decision not to force yourself out and about, not to incur the pain movement causes is one step closer to being stuck.  

Now, I am eating healthier.  I am moving without difficulty.  I am happier with a new mission of helping others.   I have a new group of friends to supplement my loyal friends of the past.


I cannot tell you how happy I am that these changes have been made.


Sorry this post is so short.  I promise more is coming.  I have two ideas that I intend to write this weekend.   One will discuss the mental side of this journey.   The other will be my soap box moment on obesity, specifically with regard to it being one of the last acceptable prejudices. 


"The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving."  
                                                                                            -- Oliver Wendell Holmes