Year Two....BRING IT!

This post is a little late in coming. Nothing new there! Anyway, last week marked one year of my weight loss journey and personal training endeavors. There have been many ups and downs - more ups than downs, for sure. If you would've told me a year ago what a wild ride this past year would be, I'm not sure I would've believed you.

Starting out my weight loss journey at 459 pounds is absolutely crazy. I had an emotional addiction to food. I admit it. I'm a foodie. I'm working on that every day - some days are better than others. I was looking through some pictures from an open house we had at work in May 2012, and I'm appalled that I did not realize how heavy and unhappy I'd become. If you look closely, there's no happiness in my face - it's all a facade.

May 2012 - Open House

 

I was miserable. I was depressed. I felt alone. Now, a year after my journey started, I feel alive.
 I can do so much more than I ever thought possible. Things are still a struggle for me - but that's what makes them so special when they are achieved.

Dude, that slam ball is heavy!

Flipping tires up Mt. Trashmore ~ March 2014

I still struggle with food - I think part of me always will, but it's definitely MUCH better than it was. I still struggle with being in bondage to the scale - again, I think part of me always will, but I'm working on things one step at a time.

Here's the thing. There's always something we can improve. I could drink more water. I could eat less sodium. I could be more exact with my calories. I could bump up the intensity of my cardio workouts. Whatever the case may be, I could do more. It's my mind that refuses to do it, and as a result, my body listens. We don't realize how capable we are of things until we are forced to do it.

So, here's my second year resolution - I'm going to make this year be the best year. It's going to be hard to top last year -- that was pretty special. This year, I want to:

(1) Reach my goal weight prior to surgery (210) and after surgery (170ish);
(2) Climb Jockey's Ridge in half the time it took us last year;
(3) Run a 5K;
(4) Completely nix my addiction to fast food (and yes, this includes Subway...);
(5) Eat clean for one solid year (except for planned cheats).

Lofty goals? Yes. But, if you don't reach for the stars....well, you know the saying. I am not willing to let anyone or anything drag me down. I will fight to get what I want - and earn every cut, scrape, bruise and callous to go with it. Bring it on, year two - let's show 'em what we're made of!