I can’t say that I was especially happy with the results from the last weigh in. I know I slacked off during the week and it showed in my weight loss compared to the week before. So I will be doubling my efforts and putting in that extra time at the gym, the extra climbs on the equipment at work and watching what I eat even closer. The other teams are doing spectacular and I am honored to be with a group like this, not to mention the support and guidance we are receiving from Dr. Krider, are nutrisionist Melanie, Susan from the Daily Press, and everyone else.
I am also proud of my teamate in this contest. There was no question in my mind that Ronda and I had to do this together. We both needed to do it for the same reasons, our kids. At the same time it is nice to show that after a break up Ex’s can get along. By the reactions we are getting it is less common then it should be. I personally couldn’t imagine it being any other way.
A few days after the contest started it stopped being about winning a car for me. It became just about losing the weight and what that will do for me. I am so looking forward to the doors that will be opened. Doors to activities with my kids (being able to fit on some of these rollercoasters again), doors to projects and advancements on the job (because hey those of us who are there, know that there is fat discrimination on the job). Someone I work with made a comment the other day about another employee, about his weight. I am sitting there in the room and he is making dispaging remarks about a guys weight, a guy who weighs at least 50 to 80 pounds less then me. It made me wonder, and remark, about what is said about me when I am out of the room. Even if someone likes you, if they feel that way about those around them who are overweight, they will treat you different then if you were “in shape”. I can hear it now, “some of my best friends are fat”.
My goal for the competition is to get down to 220 lbs. That is a big loss. Around 140 lbs. That comes to about 20 lbs a month for the duration of this adventure. I am on track for that so far and I plan on staying there. Car or no car there is no way I wouldn’t be walking out of Sunland Ford on December 6th feeling like a winner when that goal is achieved. But I have another personal goal besides that.
I have always wanted a bike, a Harley Davidson. Well I am going to give myself what I always wanted. I plan on taking my weight down under 200 lbs. Close to what I weighed back in my Marine Corps days. When I cross that weight threshold I will cross the threshold of the local Harley dealer and buy me that bike. I am thinking a Fat Boy would be fitting, instead of being the Fat Boy I will be riding one. Pretty ironic huh?
I want to thank everyone who is behind me in this endeavour. Your support, your comments, knowing that you are there wishing me the best means a lot and keeps me going when I am ready to call it quits at the gym early, and stops me from making that turn into the drive thru.
One last thing. As the lone single male in the Slimdown Challenge I feel an obligation to all the single women out there watching the contest. So I am now taking applications for groupies. Please no shoving. There will be room for all of you.