The end of the Show - Lessons Learned

So the Resolution Solution is now over. kinda sad (as sad as getting a Tim's tea in a brown cup again). Last night we enjoyed a meal at the Mediterranean with the staffs from Crossfit and Simply for Life as well as the Silver Team and Green Team members (missed you being there Cheryl and Carol).

The night was an interesting night. Of course the green team won - duhhhh, but its why we won that matters to me. The entire final team (love you guys - Parris, Lisa, Shirley and Karlene) from day one had no quit in them. I feel quite comfortable saying that each and everyone of us knew that winning entry into this contest was a golden opportunity to radically change our lives, and change them we did. I truly feel that I have made some good friends and can not wait for some Simply for Life BBQ's this summer with the entire groups (even some silver members hopefully) where we put some exercises to the time test.

Karlene is clearly an athlete, and I feel she would say that what she got out of this program was more than physical fitness, but the mental ability to realize her potential. Each and every time we were at Crossfit together she always has a smile on [even when collapsed on the floor] and always cheered on her team mates and competition.

Parris is a monster. For someone to drop 40+ pounds in 8 weeks and change his look the way he did (a Silver member did not actually recognize him after week 4) is a true testament to the successful combination of Crossfit and Simply for Life. The nutrition program packed with plentiful delicious healthy choices that never left you wanting and the exercise experience of a program without routines made a full body change in Parris.

Lisa reminds me so much of me. Mentally tough but not in the shape she wants to be in. Like myself, Lisa showed that no quit attitude despite the natural set backs that happen. Lisa and I had a strong bond in this contest, often communicated by glances at each other which usually meant "is Mike f%#king nuts thinking we can do that". Lisa was there the day I managed my first unassisted sit up and she was as excited about it as I was. I was there when Lisa finally manged hers and on testing day with an original score of 18 sit ups using a ring to help pull herself up, Lisa managed to perform 474 sit ups unassisted. If your reading that, you should gasp. Its a feat to tell the grand-kids about.

Shirley, in my opinion, was always a member of the team despite starting as a spare. I think Shirley reminds me of my wife a lot. Fun, full of positive energy and suffering the side effects of children. Like myself, Shirley always saw the fun in every exercise. I think for me that's why Crossfit works so well. Its always fun. For being a rigorous random exercise routine, there is always that social aspect that leaves you smiling (sure your exhausted but you always love it).

That leaves me - time to self reflect. I, in case you missed this earlier in the contest, am a 36 year old short obese male. I can not even remember a time where is did not think that obese was the defining word about me. Like many obese people I used it as the excuse for any and all failures I might have had in life. I ate at wrong times, ate wrong foods and exercising meant having to go get the remote if I could not get someone to get it for me. Previous to this contest I had every excuse in the book related to being too fat for doing nothing about it and honesty believed nothing could be done. I accepted probably dying one day of a sudden heart attack and worried about leaving my wife and daughter unsupported in the future.

My last measurements were taken in September and I was 260 pounds, 46 inch waist and at my "roundest parts" I was 60 inches around - that's right 5 feet. As of today I am now 209 pounds, 38 inch waist and 45 inch gut. Unless you have been as big as I was, its almost impossible to fathom the change I have undergone. I can honesty say that despite still being in the obese category (well that's only stats anyway isn't it) I no longer feel like that is who I am. I feel 100% (no more than 100% students!!!) like a new person. I feel that I am now on my way to a new body and I can actually see my "future" shape in the mirror more that I can see my past shape. I now envision my future as being long in years and glorious in activity. I am not ashamed to be outside working and sweating or wearing shorts (something I would never do before).

I had an intersting conversation with Mike from Crossfit the other day about my original attitude vs my new attitude on the subject of exercise. Originally my attitude was clear. Exercise was a punishment we did to ourselves for past discretion's on nutrition. MAN I WAS SO WRONG. Now I love the workouts at Crossfit and actually get disappointed when I miss one. I have started to purchase equipment for my home to follow along (none of this fancy stuff - basic things like skipping ropes and kettle bells is all you need) and can not wait to get running as a regular part of my routine. This attitude change is to me the results of the connectivity between the two programs. I was never left on my own to figure out what to do. Bruce (SFL) and Mike (CF) were always available to answer questions, motivate me and help me. I could go on for days about the power of this combination, but hopefully you will give it a go for yourselves.

I would like to thank all the sponsors of the contest including the ones that surprised us with some extra goodies on the final day. An amazing thank you to K100 for getting involved in the lives of some of their listeners. You may never realize that you have made a permanent change that will effect 100's in the long run for each and everyone of us.

A very special thanks goes to my colleagues and my students that asked me about this contest every day and encouraged me each and every time they saw me. Having 100 people want to know about getting healthy and encouraging me to get healthy made a large difference.

Well now its all over and I will be continuing with both Crossfit and Simply for Life . My goal: get healthier... get into the body and weight I deserve to have\be (150-160 pounds, < 34 inch waist) and get rid of my gut in the long term.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog... and don't forget listen to K100 - Today's Best Music .... they might just change your life forever like they changed mine