Friday, February 4, 2011

What Motivates Me

As I sit in bed sick, I am reminded of two years ago when I was trying to lose weight.  I got really sick and gave up on my weight loss goals and just put all my weight back on and then some.  So I have been reflecting on what has helped me stay motivated in my life change.  I am almost 5 weeks in I sometimes still think about eating my weight in Chinese food. 

The video that started it all

Ben Davis at Christmas promised his grandma that he would get his life back.  Called his brother who is a football coach and asked him to help get his life back.  He started a blog on tumbler Ben Does Life so his grandma and dad could follow his progress and help him stay accountable for his promise.  He had lost over 120 lbs and ran a marathon within that year.  Later the next year he did a Ironman with his dad and brother.  Following Ben's blog and facebook also helped me find another blogger who has lost a lot of weight as well.  She is a great resource, check her out.

He has been an inspiration to me.  Saw it last December when I was trying to figure out how I was going to lose weight.  I have started running and signed up for my first 5k.  I am even seriously thinking about running the Bass Pro Marathon this November.  I know if he can do it, so can I. 


The Program

To train for my 5k, I have started following a program called Couch to 5K.  I am on week 4 and could not believe that I am doing it.  I am very slow, but I am doing it.  I know that if I can do it so can you.  I know that I will be able to go to my 5k and be confident in my ability to at least run a good majority of the way.  I have joined the Couch to 5K group on facebook and the Couch to 5K group on Spark people and everyone is great!

I highly recommend you following this program if you ever thought about running.  We have a group of people running the 5k with us on March 5th.  My friend Bill Peterson is also a big guy and started training for it.  We are going to rock it!

I also mentioned that I am thinking about doing a Marathon this November.  At my fitness center there is a group that does the Jeff Galloway program for training for a marathon.  It is a long 6 month program and includes lots of cross training and run walking.  Check out the website and see if there is a group in your area!


My Family

I could not of done this without the help of my family.  My wife has been a great support to me and has believed I could do it.  She has been great trying to find us healthy meals and supporting me when I leave early to go workout.  She wakes up with me at 5am to help me make sure I do get up and go to the gym.  She then does P90x at home.  She is a rockstar.

My brother Steven has been running with me since I started.  He has done great!  We help push each other and we have been having fun while doing it.  He said he will keep running when he goes back to Idaho... I am holding him to it!

My mom and dad has been a great support.  Mom has been able to lose the weight and keep it off.  I know that she is always ready to help when she can.  She helped me get to talk to a nutritionist to start my healthy eating.  I also see her and my dad most mornings at the fitness center.  They have helped me stay motivated.

My grandpa.  The first week of my life change.  My grandpa Ron was told he had 24-48 hours left.  I spent all day with him before he died and I promised him I would lose the weight and live a long healthy life.  That was very hard on me.  I will not let him down or myself.

My Friends and this Blog

The best thing I did was tell everyone I am losing weight and that I started this blog.  It keeps me accountable.  If I quit now, it will not just be me quitting and moving on with life.  I will be quitting and all of you will know that I am a quitter.  That thought right there has helped me some of the mornings crawl out of bed, or not eat that extra serving. 

You all have been great and have said some amazing things that have helped me stay focused.  I have also seen several of you start working out and eating healthy.  That is amazing!  I know I need to stay on track to help you as well. 

You all have been such a great help.  Lets keep going and working towards our goals. 

2 comments:

LILIA said...

Sabes que Chris? no nos hablamos por mucho tiempo, sin embargo, eso no quiere decir que te querramos menos, por eso estamos aqui apoyandote, nos sentimos bien orgullosos de ti, porque sabemos que puedes hacer eso y mucho mas! Es dificil hacer las cosas que verdaderamente valen la pena en este mundo, como haber estado en la mision, tener una familia, sostenerla, ser ejemplo para tus hijos y tu has hecho todo esto, por eso creo que puedes lograr esta meta y todo lo que te propongas...pero lo mejor es el ser humano que eres: tu sentido del humor y de la resposabilidad, tu proposito de mejorar y tu resolucion, ese eres tu con libras de mas o de menos, pero claro, por tu salud son mejores las libras de menos, aparte de que te veras mas guapo!!!

Anonymous said...

YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY CHRIS! GOOD FOR YOU! FLORIDA IS ROOTING FOR YOU!!!