First thing first:
I just returned from my morning walk. Today I decided to go the "Big Track". Really it's nothing more than a half mile oval designed for harness racing but I rarely do the 'big track' due to it's a little harder on my feet (diabetics knows) and my Walkman doesn't pick up my favorite classic rock station (down in a valley) so I normally go down there for straight-up pure thinking and solitude in mind.
*makes note: get Ipod back from daughter* (not likely *chuckles*)
I'm on my first lap and a really big man jumps on the track about an eighth mile ahead of me. He's waddler, he's in the morbidly obese category. I know a challenge when I see one. I set sail to catch him. Along the pursuit, he reminded me what it was like to constantly 'hitch-up' your pants. I added that to my mental list of things to be thankful for, really, I didn't realize how that looks in public.
I catch him.
I said
"hey bud, you on a mission??"
He replied "yeah, I gotta get this weight off"
"good for you, how much you weigh right now ??"
"350 or so"
"Well bud, I was 370 less than 5 months ago"
"Holy F**K !! what's your secret ??"
From there, I openly discuss what I've done changing my lifestyle (blah blah blah) I volley ample encouragement to this man (more blah blah blah)....
We're coming up on the completion of his first lap, I see him drifting towards the gate.
I said
"where you going ??"
"I'm done"
"no you're not, c'mon, do one more lap with me, you can do this"
"ok"
We talk about things, I suggest more comfortable clothing for exercise. This man is in like a casual pair of pants with no belt and massive belly pushing down his pants. HEY !! I've been there !! I'm NOT dissin' this guy at all. I feel bad for him. As we walk, I tell him to follow me up to my place after we're done, I have bunches of 3X sweatpants he can have not to mention some shirts and a sweatshirt. He takes me up on the offer. I bag up 6 pair of sweats, at least a dozen T's and 2 sweatshirts. I then show him this website and briefly explain what we do here. Sadly, he doesn't have access to a computer but he still received our missions and goals as his own now. This man is on fire !!
I think I made a new friend
On to the replies:
-Moonie Thank you for the compliment. I hope anything I contribute to your journal leaves you to use your independant thinking. I realize everyone will find their own niche to lifestyle changes. Trust me, I wasn't horrified by your menu that day. I just wanted to challenge you into giving some thought about structuring a menu for success, with that said and knowing you're a college-educated (and obviously brilliant) woman, I have no fears that the information highway of lifestyle change will be a smooth road for you. It will come down to implementation of your knowledge and taking it to the 'doer' level. My only tip is: make it your passion and it will be so.
-Tina Running Down a Dream by Tom Petty (but we can change up songs anytime
)
-F.M.D. ((( HUGS ))) Thank You Pretty Woman !! Yes, I did my Yoda impersonation in my license pic didn't I ?? LoL. I do have to agree that I got some 'color' back into me. I'm taking full advantage of my Northern Italian heritage now and really for being 47 in a few weeks, I think I could look a lot worse.
I don't want to close this being all about me. I wish I had the creative writing skills to fully express what you mean to me. I mean look at you go !! you're a MAJOR inspiration to all who grace this forum. Good things happen to good people but something extra special is waiting for you somewhere somehow someday. I believe this in my heart. Words really fail me...
Thanks for all you do.
