Training

I haven't really said much about training in a while. If at all actually ...

Right now, I'm in the best shape of my life. Honestly. I can run 5 miles, I can do 50+ military style push ups in one go, I weigh 203lbs, and have 21% body fat.

It's all rather new to me - 2008 has been the year I went from 255lbs (more in 2007), 35% body fat index, and last January I managed a whole 7 push ups in a fitness test, when I did the "Biggest Loser" program at the gym (I came second place in the guys team). Summer of 2006 my doctor told me I was at risk of high blood pressure. At 27.

I have a personal trainer, Matt, and a work out buddy, Michelle. Matt hooked us up, and I don't think he knew what he was going to create when he did - we motivate each other, push each other and keep each other honest about our food and our exercise. We even have the same birthday.

Recently, Michelle and I talked at a weight loss seminar held at our gym, as a favor to Matt, and have motivated a bunch more people to push themselves beyond the limits they set in their head.

Next January, both Michelle and I will be doing the Biggest Loser program again, but not to loose weight ourselves - this year we will be captaining teams, and providing motivation - we both think it's important for the people in the program to see that *real* people with *real* weight problems can not only lose the weight, but become so passionate about keeping it off.

There are talks of doing a triathlon next year, but I'm not sure I'm strong enough in the swimming to train for that - I may just have to bite the bullet and try.

Yesterday, I donated 6 pairs of 38" wasted jeans. They were replaced with a pair of 34" waste jeans. I have XXL T Shirts that are sitting dusty, and now I have L shirts.

Before 2008, and even during the first quarter of 2008, I never would have thought I could write a post like this. I've got the bug to work out. I've got the bug to get, and stay, fit. Food will *always* be a struggle for me, for whatever reason, but with Dancers help, and good planning, I'm getting better. I still refuse to call my new eating habits a "diet" - I hate that word.

Go me.