Hey Steve, You've Lost Too Much Weight

For the past few months people keep asking me, "How much more weight are you going to lose?".  I say, "I don't know, my body keeps losing it so why not keep working on it".  Medically I am officially not extreme obese or just obese, I am actually in the category of just being "overweight".  Which is funny to me because I have been in that category for 33 years.  It's funny how people respond to your weight loss.  Some people are jealous and act out, some people think you have lost too much weight, some people think that you are crazy.  Very few know what it is like to obese your whole life.  Very few people understand the struggles of losing weight, keeping it off.  Some people don't understand my new life style.  Some people don't understand what eating clean is.  

For all the doubters and talkers, here is why I have lost weight and keep it up until I know I am an a healthy position.  Yes, I do enjoy running.  Yes, I do enjoy my healthier lifestyle.  But I am doing this for very few selfish reasons.  For myself to live longer and healthier.  I am also doing this for my family.  I want to be able to be a good dad and husband.  

Last week I met with my Family Doctor to discuss my weight loss and where I should go.  We picked my next goal weight to be 200 pounds.  Its scary and exciting all in one.  But the best part was looking at my blood work.  She was super excited how good my blood work came back.  This is why I decided to lose weight.  Since I have been with our doctor, I have only had two tests done.  One after six months of Weight Watchers and one December 30.  My one in April I know was a great improvement from one before I lost weight but the newest test reminds you why you need to work out and eat healthy.  This is what motivates me.  It motivates me to not have to take blood pressure medicine, water pills or any other crap that I would need or have taken already in my life as a 30 something.  Instead I am healthy by eating right and working out.

This is what motivates me on my runs.  To get healthier for my kids and family. I love surprising my doctors.  

Six Years and Running.........

January used to be a really tough time for me.  I don't have many times of the year that are as eerie as January.  I have been pretty fortunate for being my age and not having many major deaths or accidents in my life.  I really can't complain.  Typically, on January 14 I get really depressed.  But this year I woke up being happy.  This is the first time in six years that I am able to say that on this day.  For six years my life has changed dramatically.  This morning I woke up and picked up my daughter when she woke up.  The mornings are the best with her.  Especially when she wakes up.  She is really cuddly and needy.  She just holds on and lays on your shoulder.  This I am thankful for.  Because of her I forgot about what happened on this day six years ago.  But without that moment, I wouldn't have Avery, I wouldn't have my family, I wouldn't be as healthy I am, or anything else I am or have today.  

Six years ago sucked.  Not only did I get hit by a car, I also lost a close family friend and also lost my relationship to my father who was my best friend.  It doesn't matter how many years it has been but those three moments defined who I am.  They made me stronger.  They made me have the balls to move 700 miles away from my hometown, my family, and friends.  They made me become a man, an adult, and change things in my life that I had control over.  These moments made me remember how fragile life is and to not take it for granted.  I was lucky.  The doctors told me any other way that car would of hit me would of been devastating for me.  Just think, I wasn't even suppose to be outside for it, my tiny little coworker was.  But I am thankful that somehow I was lucky.  

I remember waking up the next day not knowing what my life was going to be like.  I couldn't even get out of bed.  I had to use a cane to walk for a few months.  I was miserable.  But I think without these three moments, I wouldn't of taken a job in North Carolina.  I wouldn't be where I am today without these moments.  Three years ago, I would probably be drinking my sadness away.  Instead, this morning I held my daughter and reminded myself how lucky I am.  This evening I am going to go on a run to remind myself that I am lucky I can still walk let alone go on a run.

My knee and hip still ache in the winter.  My mind still remembers the sound of my head crashing against the hood.  My feet still remember the coldness of the puddle of water at 6 degrees outside.  But those are just reminders that I am alive.  

To those two women who called 911.  Thank you.  

January 14, 2009 doesn't define my life.  It started a new chapter.  

I don't know where I will be from a year from now but I know I will be moving forward. 

What A Year Will Do

It has been a very busy past month.  It feels like last week when I left for Pennsylvania to go hunting.  Since then our family has been very busy.  But the holidays are long and gone and now it is time for the "tax season" of New Year Resolutions.  As an avid user and attendee of Weight Watchers now and a 2nd year runner, I know this is the time when everybody gets up and decides to make a new year's goal.  I jokingly told my wife that mine was to stay married.  She didn't think it was that funny.  I didn't really have a New Year's Resolution Per Say thing year but I did sign up for the Detroit Free Press Marathon in October.  I only did it on New Years Day because it was half off.  I decided before I finished my half that if my body liked me, I would run the Free Press as my first Marathon.  It is my hometown and my dad ran it.  Where else could I run in Canada, an international bridge, international tunnel, Comerica Park (Home of the Detroit Tigers), Ford Field (Home of the Detroit Lions), Belle Isle Park and many other great places.

But this wasn't my New Year's Resolution.  Instead I wanted to talk about how happy I am right now.  Looking back at 2014 is just amazing.  Some great things have happened.  The first and foremost is my lovely daughter, Avery, who was born on May 8.  She has brightened up our house and has reminded me why I am so thankful I married my wife and I decided to make a lifestyle change.

2014 was the first year in my life where I decided to be healthy.  During the year, I went from 287 pounds to 219 pounds.  A lost of 68 pounds.  Since I started, I have lost over 110 pounds.  It is crazy to think I went from this to where I am at.

In 2015, I am not only a healthier person but also a happier person.  Its excited to see the changes.  One of the biggest changes is jumping in the deep in and helping the J & A Shamrock Training Team.  Which has been a ton of fun so far on Saturdays.  It is exciting to see all the people coming out to run and enjoy each others energy.  It feels great to be a Pacer.   Not only do I have someone to run with, I also have someone to listen to me talk.

It is only 3 days into this year and I am really excited for the rest.  I can't wait for the journey.

Happy New Year.