So Far So Good... Part 1

Can you think of a moment that has changed your life? I can think of a few that have changed mine, between getting my first job, getting married, the birth of each kid and a few more. But one in particular sticks in my head.

Ironically, I don't remember the date, the day of the week, or even the month. I just remember the moment - the moment I signed up for a weight loss challenge at work. It changed my life. Not right away, but it was the start of a much bigger journey, one that I didn't even realize how life changing it would be.

Let's start at the beginning...

..Or at least somewhere close to it. I was active growing up. I played sports in high school. I worked out a lot, and could eat whatever I wanted. Then college hit and I stopped being active almost completely. My eating habits didn't quit, however. I still ate what I wanted and the pounds quietly crept up on me, overtook me and brought their friends.

As I began to realize (a bit too late) that I needed to make a change, I found myself making shallow attempts at changing my habits. Mostly I'd get up an extra 15 minutes early in the morning, do a couple sets of push-ups, sit-ups and squats and go about my day. I didn't join a gym, I din't change my eating, I made minimal efforts to change. I still didn't really feel like anything was (too) wrong.

Turning point #1

There's a minor turning point that came in the doctor's office. Routine check-up. I had always been a lender kid. I struggled in high school to bulk up as much as my football coach ideally wanted. I had always been about 170 pounds at MOST on a 5' 8" frame. As I stepped on the scale at the office, the first number that showed up was a 2. It hit me hard. I knew I was heavy, I knew I wasn't being as active as I should be. But now I was over 200 pounds. About a half hour later I walked out knowing I had high cholesterol AND high blood pressure as well. I knew I needed to make a change, but how?

Turning point #2

It wasn't until later (weeks or months, I don't remember) my office announced they would run a weight-loss challenge. There was a prize and everything. With my recent medical news in the back of my mind I pondered doing the weight-loss challenge. Even then I was leaning towards not. I texted my wife to let her know about the challenge. There was a $20 buy-in. If I did it, I was invested. Extra motivation to win? But what if I didn't win? Then I was out $20. My wife pointed out that what's $20 if I was able to get healthier. With her gentle nudge and a little more peer pressure at work, I signed up.

Great, now I was $20 poorer and I actually needed to give some effort to losing weight. Now what?

To be continued...