Look into my eye.
Chapter 3: Magic Numbers. Or, to be more precise, the magic number. The magic number for the moment is 300. I will soon have to find a new magic number, but right now, 300 it is. Since we started the journey at 375, and I want to lose 150 pounds, 300 represents my weight to-be when I will have lost 75 pounds... halfway to goal. Doesn't that sound great? Halfway there!
This is going to be a (short but) positive chapter, with very little discussion of the gnawing problems that I aired out in 1 and 2. it's time for a little review of just how well the program is working. The only mildly negative thing I will write is that I have been to the mountaintop twice, and both times found myself a ways back down... looking at the summit with my left eyebrow raised. Skeptical. I thought I just got to you, pinnacle called 300... how did I get back here again? BUT! I am running at it again, and this time you are with me. I will get over this little bump very soon, and when I do? Time to set a new magic number!
On to the good stuff. Let's talk about what it means to lose 70+ pounds. That's a huge amount of weight to lose. I have lost a medium-sized dog, or a small child. That box of books that nearly compressed your spine last time you moved? I lost that. Walk around for one full day with a 70 pound pack lashed to your back. Then take it off at the end of the day and run around for a bit. That's kinda how I feel. My neck came back. There is now a mild distinction between my face and neck... the beginnings of a jawline. I no longer have to paint it on with a beard. I'm so happy to see the skin-wings on the bottom of my arms, I can't tell you. I can walk for miles. I can run, if pressed, for 2 minutes. A slow and ponderous run, to be sure, but a run nonetheless.
It will soon be time to set a new magic number, my friends. What a wonderful feeling. Writing this, and having it read by you, has renewed my resolve. What do you think of 275? That has a nice aspect, a lean and hungry look that I find appealing. Since I have reached the current MN twice before, I want to be there and below for a week before I set the new number. So it's not quite time yet. It will be soon, however.
Long day at work today. It will be another test, but I really think that this writing project may just be the tool I need to give me the extra edge. I look forward to tomorrow, and telling you the results of today.
Steve "Big Daddy" Hodgson
February the third
300.6 pounds
Big Daddy! I am so proud of you! I know you can do it. I'll be cheering for you. xoxoxoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteP.S. It's Katrina, in case you don't recognize my super cool nickname.
ReplyDeleteI just went and read the first two entries and want to tell you again how awesome I think you are. It takes real courage to commit yourself to change for the better. I have faith in you.
I'm so proud of you. Keep writing and keep going. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteKeep on rockin Big D !!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. This is your new minion.
I'm not a morning person so I won't see your blogs till afternoon. Changing bad habits is so difficult and I hate it when I can't zip up my size 14 jeans without great effort and strain. So I figured if you can work in a pizza joint and still lose weight then I can do the same...I started a serious effort yesterday with the goal of 40 pounds. Saw a young kid the other day I haven't seen in over a year and he has lost so much weight it blew me away...he was moving and running on stage and I thought of the slug he was in the last show...another inspiration! You have many people who love you and want you to be happy and healthy - your not in this alone. When I stopped smoking in 1988 it was with the constant efforts of the people in my work force that kept me going...baby steps, baby steps! :)
ReplyDeleteKeep up the amazing work:) I really love reading these daily inspirations and inner thoughts of yours:) I wish I could give you a huge hug right now, though a virtual one will have to do (::HUG::). Love you!
ReplyDeleteLast year I read a book called Lone Survivor, about a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan. One of the beginning chapters was about the rigorous training the SEALs go through. If they decide to quit, they walk away and ring a bell that announces to everyone that they're quitting.
ReplyDeleteExcept, they have one chance to try again, if they want to. The SEAL who wrote the book said that almost zero of the SEALs who try again make it, because they've already thought of quitting. They've let the idea of failure enter their heads. You've altered your idea of what failure is, and I think that's brilliant. Just keep making forward progress, and be good to yourself.
That's how I try to structure my goal setting. 'Maybe' changes to Inevitability. That's how I see you now.
Know that every single thing (big or small) you do during the day gets you back toward the mountain top. You will make it. You're on your way. There's no other option. You'll do it. You'll win, and it will be great.
For reference, Kagu is 70 lbs. You have lost my crazy ass dog. I am so very very very proud of you. Even 5 lbs is no small feat when you think of it as a small sack of potatoes. Walk around a while carrying a 5 lb sack and it will grow cumbersome. Fifteen sacks and counting my friend.
ReplyDeleteYOU. ROCK. I'm catching up in reverse, wish I'd found this earlier my friend. I hope I get to see you soon.
ReplyDelete300....THIS IS SPARTA!
ReplyDeleteKeep on kicking butt. I love you...and I've seen you in rotary action, my helicopter friend.