Not The Biggest Loser, But…
Well, this past week marked the one year anniversary of my original proclamation of being sick and tired of being sick and tired. It was definitely TIME FOR A CHANGE, and I coined the term “GOYA”(Get Off Your Ass). It became my battle cry(click). For me it was just that simple. Of course, I also had to make some changes in my eating habits as well. As of this day, March 28, 2011, I have lost 62 pounds and still going. I wanted to take this opportunity to list some of the lessons I’ve learned so far, in what has truly been a lifestyle change, not just a diet. I will go in to more detail in the coming days. I’m actually looking for some before pictures and will be adding some after pictures also.
The first thing I did was walk out the front door. That first night I bet I only walked a 1/4 mile when my calves cramped up. As I limped home, I thought holy crap, how did I get here!? The answer? Years of apathy. One huge lesson from this past year is that APATHY is as significant a problem as any fast food establishment you might want to point a finger towards. In fact, as time has gone on, GET OFF YOUR APATHY has become interchangeable as a more G-Rated battle cry.
Getting back to walking. Within a couple of weeks I was walking a 2.5 mile loop near my neighborhood. That coupled with cutting back on portions was working like a champ. At the six week mark, I posted this update(click). Going in to the summer, I had hit a few plateaus, and wrote this update in early June. This basic approach was actually working but I had a few plateaus and challenges at this point.
I was feeling great, and looking better(not difficult), and another lesson hit me one day while walking. I was very tempted to jog a little ways. As a former “athlete”, I felt like I could do more and could reach my goals faster if I was jogging. Then it hit me. Hey, I’m 51. I have chronic injuries that feel better because of less weight to carry and the relatively low impact of walking. It made no sense to “push it”, because then the risk of injury goes way up. Just stay the course!
That’s when I coined the phrase “Extreme Moderation”.
Extreme moderation is a complete focus on doing the right things every day. It could be the exercise or what you eat. I believe one huge obstacle to a person’s ULTIMATE success in their fitness is the focus on results that are fast, not results that last.
Results that last, are never fast.
I see all the infomercials that claim fast weight loss and/or the programs that reshape your body in 90 days. Things like P90X work, but is it something that you do long term? I have done a very modified version I like to call P90Rex. The old P90Rex was more of a jaw workout as I ate my way through life. The NEW P90Rex is a program I could do until I’m 90, if it’s God’s will.
That’s a huge distinction. When you rely on pills, extreme diets or workout programs, there is no ultimate success. The ultimate success comes from good decisions made day by day by day. And when you do have that “off day”, don’t freak out, just get back on track. Even when you eat out, there are always better choices to be made, we just don’t always make them. The word apathy always creeps back in. The fact is , most of us know the right things to do, we just “don’t care” enough to do them. Get Off Your Apathy, and make some simple changes.
This week I will fill in the blanks of what has helped me get this far in my recovery. My fitness recovery. Many of you have encouraged me along the way. I thank you from the the bottom of my somewhat healthier heart.
Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing. you inspire us all.
March 29, 2011 at 11:46 PM
Rex- I admit that I haven’t been a fan, but could become one with this sort of personal success. In my late forties did the same thing and lost 40 lbs in 3 mos. My exercise was running and cross-country skiing (in Illinois). Dieting consisted of salads and when I felt like I deserved it, fried chicken, pizza or another good tasting protein.
Discipline is the key to maintaining the change in lifestyle. Quit beer, but not alcohol. Drank white wine when group skiing at night once a week. Didn’t miss the beer , but gradually over next 10 yrs began to appreciate Canadian and Belgian brews. At 70 I now have back problems and shin splints when exercising that is due to my behavioral recidivism. I’m changing my lifestyle for a long and painful haul to better health while my vital signs can withstand it. Pain is familiar whether resting(or trying to sleep) or moving. The amount of pain is just tolerated since that’s the best choice vs pill addiction(and that is what would happen since it is constant). My goal will be to crash through the pain barrier. It will eventually go away.
I’m writing this to reinforce your resolve to continue by letting you know it gets much tougher later if you ever think you have it licked. Good for you and what you have accomplished thus far. Everything you wrote rings true. Your will power will see you through to your 90s. Your article should be inspiring to many overweight Dawgs, now and in the future. Congratulations thus far. Can we hear again just before the first game this year? That would be a good break sequence to everyone telling us what formations Bobo and Richt should use and the other useless wannabe drival that begins to crop up.
Go Dawgs! and good luck.
March 28, 2011 at 6:33 PM
Congrats Rex,
You nailed it.
Riding a bike is a great low impact activity too. Let me know if you ever want to hit the trail.
March 28, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Thanks Tommy! I have considered a bike. I will let you know!
March 29, 2011 at 2:46 PM
Way to kick apathy in the…! No doubt you are inspiring many.
March 28, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Thanks Jennifer…I have kicked my apathy squarely where it hurts actually. lol
March 29, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Congratulations Rex!! Not sure what impresses me most, that you’ve lost weight the right way w/ lifestyle changes, or that you’re dead set on pushing for more. That’s fantastic!
March 28, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Thanks Ally. Someone asked me a while back how much more I wanted to lose. It occurred to me that when you set a hard and fast goal, it creates a “finish line” that I don’t want. I just want to learn to do the right thing every day and when I don’t, get right back on track. I hope you and your Bama fella are doing well.
March 28, 2011 at 12:10 PM