Sometimes pictures show it best...
Me at 476 lbs:
Me at 299 lbs:
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
I was inspired today!
Today I volunteered at the Brooklyn Half Marathon as part of my 9+1 fulfillment. Honestly, even if it didnt count for anything, I wouldve been glad to have done it.
I was posted at the approach to the boardwalk in Coney Island, right at the very end of the race.
Race started at 7:00 AM and at 8:04 the first runner came ZOOMING by, each step that runner took looked EFFORTLESS! I was in total amazement that a human being is capable of such speed after running 12+ miles.
Soon after all the elite runners finished up their race is when I truly was inspired... I saw men and women shooting for their personal record, some in pain, some looking like they could go another 13 miles easy! I saw teenagers and I saw the elderly. I saw a blind man being helped along. I saw people of all shapes and sizes.
I cheered out loud for all of them, and I even got many thanks and high fives in return. I was letting them all know the finish was near and that they could do it and to finish strong!
As much as these people may feel that they were thankful for ME, i was equally as thankful for THEM. Watching and seeing everyone completing their journey of 13.1 miles today kept the fire inside of me burning. Inspiring ME to keep on doing what I'm doing and I know that one day soon it will be ME completing that half marathon, and ultimately one day achieving my dream of the FULL marathon!
I was posted at the approach to the boardwalk in Coney Island, right at the very end of the race.
Race started at 7:00 AM and at 8:04 the first runner came ZOOMING by, each step that runner took looked EFFORTLESS! I was in total amazement that a human being is capable of such speed after running 12+ miles.
Soon after all the elite runners finished up their race is when I truly was inspired... I saw men and women shooting for their personal record, some in pain, some looking like they could go another 13 miles easy! I saw teenagers and I saw the elderly. I saw a blind man being helped along. I saw people of all shapes and sizes.
I cheered out loud for all of them, and I even got many thanks and high fives in return. I was letting them all know the finish was near and that they could do it and to finish strong!
As much as these people may feel that they were thankful for ME, i was equally as thankful for THEM. Watching and seeing everyone completing their journey of 13.1 miles today kept the fire inside of me burning. Inspiring ME to keep on doing what I'm doing and I know that one day soon it will be ME completing that half marathon, and ultimately one day achieving my dream of the FULL marathon!
Goodbye 300's, Hellooooo 200's!
I had set a goal for myself to reach the 200's by my birthday (June 11th). Well today I reached that goal with a few weeks to spare! Stepped on the scale and weighed in today at 299.4!!!! Wooohooo!!
I honestly dont remember the last time I was in the 200's, most likely it was at some point in High School because I was already over 300lbs when I went to college.
To date I have lost 177 lbs, and I already have my eyes set on the next goal...
By the end of the summer I hope to be down 200 lbs!!!!
Thanx for everyones support including my family, friends, and those of you following my journey.
I honestly dont remember the last time I was in the 200's, most likely it was at some point in High School because I was already over 300lbs when I went to college.
To date I have lost 177 lbs, and I already have my eyes set on the next goal...
By the end of the summer I hope to be down 200 lbs!!!!
Thanx for everyones support including my family, friends, and those of you following my journey.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Small Changes
A fellow Weight Watcher reminded me this morning of something very important, and a helpful reminder for anyone looking to lose weight or improve their health.
When starting out, whether it be to lose 20 or 200 lbs, or to run a 5K or greater, you may seem to think that you will need to adapt some sort of BIG CHANGE in your life in order to attain that goal.
I can say without a doubt, that in order to get where I am now, it didn't involve any BIG changes, but rather a LOT of small changes!
To get to where I'm at now, down 175 lbs, was to take small gradual steps to improve my overall lifestyle. Gradually learning how to change my eating habits, not by STARVING myself, but learning its OK to enjoy food, but to not let the food control me. Learning that its not eliminating the foods I like from my diet, but just eating less of it.
To get where I'm at now as far as running, I didn't just get off the couch one day and start running 5K's. That's whats so great about the C25K program, and I highly suggest it to anyone thinking of running for the first time. When doing the C25K, you start off gradually, and build up the endurance to run a 5K. Again, no BIG change, just several SMALL changes to attain your goal.
So just remember, there is nothing wrong with thinking BIG when it comes to setting goals for yourself, but just keep in mind that rather than needing to make any BIG changes, its just gonna take many SMALL changes to attain those goals!
When starting out, whether it be to lose 20 or 200 lbs, or to run a 5K or greater, you may seem to think that you will need to adapt some sort of BIG CHANGE in your life in order to attain that goal.
I can say without a doubt, that in order to get where I am now, it didn't involve any BIG changes, but rather a LOT of small changes!
To get to where I'm at now, down 175 lbs, was to take small gradual steps to improve my overall lifestyle. Gradually learning how to change my eating habits, not by STARVING myself, but learning its OK to enjoy food, but to not let the food control me. Learning that its not eliminating the foods I like from my diet, but just eating less of it.
To get where I'm at now as far as running, I didn't just get off the couch one day and start running 5K's. That's whats so great about the C25K program, and I highly suggest it to anyone thinking of running for the first time. When doing the C25K, you start off gradually, and build up the endurance to run a 5K. Again, no BIG change, just several SMALL changes to attain your goal.
So just remember, there is nothing wrong with thinking BIG when it comes to setting goals for yourself, but just keep in mind that rather than needing to make any BIG changes, its just gonna take many SMALL changes to attain those goals!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wall Street Run - Part 2
First Mile took us right past Ground Zero which i took a short walk break to salute and say a prayer. We then turned into the financial district, first mile marker was right before Wall Street, clocked in around 14:30. Second mile was mostly winding thru the streets eventually getting to Water Street, clocked in around 30:00. Final Mile took us past the Staten Island Ferry, and Battery park, final stretch running up the Hudson River.
I definitely wasnt looking to PR this course because of a few reasons:
1) I was really enjoying the course
2) Although traffic was closed off, pedestrians werent, and had to weave around people crossing the streets at several spots (including a pregnant lady who almost got trampled!)
3) Potholes! Yes, the streets of downtown manhattan suck bad, and the potholes can be dangerous, so was careful to avoid them!
Official finish time was 46:19
Im so glad I got to run this race, this was definitely my favorite one so far! As a native New Yorker, it really was a profound feeling for me to be running thru the streets of downtown Manhattan. I kept thinking back to when I was almost 500 lbs, and even passed the building I used to work at, and I would remember how much of a laborous task it was to go for a walk 2 blocks during my lunch break!
I definitely wasnt looking to PR this course because of a few reasons:
1) I was really enjoying the course
2) Although traffic was closed off, pedestrians werent, and had to weave around people crossing the streets at several spots (including a pregnant lady who almost got trampled!)
3) Potholes! Yes, the streets of downtown manhattan suck bad, and the potholes can be dangerous, so was careful to avoid them!
Official finish time was 46:19
Im so glad I got to run this race, this was definitely my favorite one so far! As a native New Yorker, it really was a profound feeling for me to be running thru the streets of downtown Manhattan. I kept thinking back to when I was almost 500 lbs, and even passed the building I used to work at, and I would remember how much of a laborous task it was to go for a walk 2 blocks during my lunch break!
Can You Eat That????
One of the things that people say to me, and probably to anyone who may be on a "diet" is, "Can You Eat That??"
I really get a kick out of it when people ask me this because I LOVE being able to respond, "well yes, I Can!"
What a lot of people dont realize that being on a "diet" or trying to lose weight is mostly in my experience, not WHAT you eat, its HOW much you eat..
Im not saying that you can go out and eat whatever you want, because that got me to be almost 500lbs. What I am saying is that there is nothing wrong with going out and enjoying something once in a while as a treat.
One thing I would NEVER give up is Pizza. I still go out and have pizza for lunch/dinner. Not all the time though, and when I do have pizza, im not eating half of a pie!
So basically, what Im trying to say is, if you are trying to lose weight dont be afraid to treat yourself with foods that you wouldnt normally consider eating on a "diet". Rather treat them as well, a "treat" and have them once in a while in moderation.
Losing weight to me is all about Moderation NOT Deprivation.
I really get a kick out of it when people ask me this because I LOVE being able to respond, "well yes, I Can!"
What a lot of people dont realize that being on a "diet" or trying to lose weight is mostly in my experience, not WHAT you eat, its HOW much you eat..
Im not saying that you can go out and eat whatever you want, because that got me to be almost 500lbs. What I am saying is that there is nothing wrong with going out and enjoying something once in a while as a treat.
One thing I would NEVER give up is Pizza. I still go out and have pizza for lunch/dinner. Not all the time though, and when I do have pizza, im not eating half of a pie!
So basically, what Im trying to say is, if you are trying to lose weight dont be afraid to treat yourself with foods that you wouldnt normally consider eating on a "diet". Rather treat them as well, a "treat" and have them once in a while in moderation.
Losing weight to me is all about Moderation NOT Deprivation.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wall Street Run - Part 1
So this morning when I woke up, I seriously didnt think I would be running anywhere tonight but HOME after work... Maybe that had something to do with the fact that it was thundering and lightning and got drenched on the way to work...
But I guess the weather gods heard my prayers, and someone upstairs said LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Son of a gun, when I got off the path train and made my way to the starting area, I saw a sight i hadnt seen in a few days, the SUN!!!!!!!
Shortly after, my wife and my friend Troy came and met me before the race.. Below is me and Troy
Check back tomorrow for the rest of the race report... Official time hasnt been posted yet and honestly, its been a long yet exciting day, so I'll have tonight and tomorrow to gather my thoughts for a great race report!
But I guess the weather gods heard my prayers, and someone upstairs said LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Son of a gun, when I got off the path train and made my way to the starting area, I saw a sight i hadnt seen in a few days, the SUN!!!!!!!
Shortly after, my wife and my friend Troy came and met me before the race.. Below is me and Troy
Around 6:30 I made my way to the starting area to wait for the start of the race:
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