In the past six or so weeks that I’ve been blogging my health and exercise updates, I’ve become keenly aware of the people and things I have been influenced by, for better and for worse. In 27 years, I don’t know that I’ve been involved in anything so life-transforming as the past six weeks. Surely, some might doubt that, and that’s okay, but let me break it down in terms of some ‘causality’ that my little journey is experiencing…
I am happier than I’ve been in a long time. I have more energy. I have a more positive outlook on life. I have spent years being skepitcal and nonchalant about exercise. But let’s face it…the hardest thing I have had to admit is this: I am was lazy. Nobody ever likes to admit that. Now, that’s not a universal laziness…there were some things that took a rather high priority with me that I ensured never fell by the wayside. Such an example would be my schooling, which, for the most part, I have always taken very seriously. Some time ago, a friend of mine asked, “Why can’t you apply that same drive you have for knowledge to your health?”
Sadly, I never thought about it before, thereby making me realize it had never been that important.
What?!
Seriously, I needed to change. And the time was then, is now, and will be in the future. This is not a fad diet. This is not me slimming down to look good for a 10 year reunion. This is for life.
Having more energy will allow me to work more efficiently and will allow me to accomplish more, and in turn will hopefully make me a better husband and father, a more productive scholar, and hopefully a better friend. Losing weight and exercising…let’s face it..the more of that I do, the longer I have on this earth. I really do believe it to be that easy.
I have had so many inspirations and good influences that it would be nearly impossible at this point to stop and ever go back to my old self. You — readers, friends, family — have all been of tremendous positive influence, and I can’t thank you enough. My initial design was to keep this blog on the down low and not share it with any friends and family. Believe it or not, I was embarrassed…only of myself…because so many people have seen me fail, I didn’t want this blog to chronicle yet another flop. But I’m invested. I’ve heard from many of you through comments, blog posts, e-mails, etc. on how I’ve inspired you in some way…and it is so very humbling. All I can say, is thank you for believing in me, but more importantly, thanks for believing in yourself and recognizing that you too…anyone…can make these changes. I promise you they will be well worth the challenges, pain, tears, frustration, anger, difficulty…and sheer joy of what you can accomplish.
You will not see me flop. You will see me succeed. I will be challenged, but I will seek creative ways to overcome obstacles. I will move more, eat better, improve, and dammit, I will endure like I never have before.
Thanks to all of you who have inspired me and influenced me for the better. Thank you for not giving up on me, and for continuing to cheer me on.
And even those of you who lost track of me, who aren’t reading this, who made fun of my weight as a kid…thanks for your juvenile remarks and cowardice. They only made ME stronger.
The time is now 3:04 EST. Who’s up for a run?
9 comments
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July 23, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Lynn
Sounds like you’re on the right track!
I know how you feel; it took me quite a while to share my blog with the people I know (and supposedly trusted!) but it was perfectly OK to share it with total strangers.
And still, the sense of community here, it’s just incredible.
July 23, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Annette
it is nice to take a moment and think about how we really got here……the whole process.
Being honest with yourself is the first step. I avoided the scale at all costs……..if I didn’t know what number I was……then I couldn’t be fat
July 23, 2008 at 9:11 pm
AndrewE
Way to go mate!
July 24, 2008 at 8:16 am
johnisfit
That a way Johnny – we can do this!
July 24, 2008 at 8:23 am
TB--Milwaukee
It helps to have friends.
July 25, 2008 at 1:45 am
Tony
I fully support public transportation
July 25, 2008 at 1:46 am
Tony
whoops wrong post lol.
July 25, 2008 at 3:25 am
Simon Anderson
Why not buy a bicycle with the money that you save, and use that to commute instead of the bus? That way you lose weight and benefit the environment.
Keep up the good work.
Simon.
July 27, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Johnny
Thanks, Lynn — you’re spot on. It was very easy to share with total strangers, but the family that has discovered the blog has been so supportive. Why not be open about it at this point, right? And, yes, the community is so incredibly supportive…everyone who’s dropped in to say something has been so great!
Annette, Andrew, John and TB – Thanks for the cheerleading…you guys are great inspirations, and if you weren’t equally engaged, I probably would have lost interest in doing this in the first place! Thanks again!
Tony – I think it will be a good option for me. And heck, feel free to comment on any post regardless of topic.
Simon – You have a great point. I own a bike (that needs work), and I think that when I get to a certain weight it might be a more viable option for me. I hate to wimp out, but I don’t know that I’m ready take on some of the hills between home and campus on my old mountain bike. But it’s definitely something I’d love to do in the future.