Crossing the Abyss
Okay... here goes. I am creating this to chronicle the before and after of one of the greatest endeavors I've ever embarked upon--Body for Life. Each day I'll record my thoughts, discuss my challenges, describe my workouts, and maybe even inspire you to do the same! Each month, I'll update before and after photos, so you can visually see my transformation right before your eyes.
Prior to this, it was almost exactly one year ago when I first started my complete 12-week transformation. It was Feb 15th, 2004 when I realized that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Fed up, I put down the double cheeseburgers and picked up some dumbbells. Through the 12-week process, I overcame obstacles that I didn't know existed prior to my journey. On May 10th I stood before the mirror, a champion. My head held high, I breezed through life's challenges and attained goals I once thought were insurmountable.
During the course of the my last Body for Life Challenge, I overcame a stressful and foreign environment in blustery Wisconsin, working at a job that I didn't particulary enjoy. I was away from my love (at the time), who lived back home in Florida. Upon learning of an opportunity to move back, I quickly arranged for an interview and flew back, only to be dumped two weeks into my Body for Life Challenge by my longtime love (and Body for Life Challenge partner). Bewildered but not broken, I let that fuel my desire for completing the challenge. Upon landing the job, I moved cross-country to my beloved Florida. There were times I thought I would never finish, and times were I was tempted to throw in the towel, but I pushed through it and built character during the process.
Months later, Florida was ravished by hurricane after hurricane. My faithful gym was destroyed, and so was my daily routine of eating right and exercising. I have now gained back 15lbs of the 32lbs I once shedded. More importantly, however, I no longer feel the empowerment I once did as I stood there that May morning. Granted, one year later I am no longer 202lbs and over 20% body fat, I still feel like my best days are behind me. That is, however, if I choose to continue the slide. Hence, that is why I am creating this blog.
I needed an imputus to change. Experts might say that I need an emotional reason to experience real change. Something that will make me stick to my new lifestyle or the first temptation to go back to my "old ways" will rear it head. For me, there should be many reasons to push forward and re-dedicate myself to Body for Life. I have goals! I have a dream list!
Prior to this, it was almost exactly one year ago when I first started my complete 12-week transformation. It was Feb 15th, 2004 when I realized that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Fed up, I put down the double cheeseburgers and picked up some dumbbells. Through the 12-week process, I overcame obstacles that I didn't know existed prior to my journey. On May 10th I stood before the mirror, a champion. My head held high, I breezed through life's challenges and attained goals I once thought were insurmountable.
During the course of the my last Body for Life Challenge, I overcame a stressful and foreign environment in blustery Wisconsin, working at a job that I didn't particulary enjoy. I was away from my love (at the time), who lived back home in Florida. Upon learning of an opportunity to move back, I quickly arranged for an interview and flew back, only to be dumped two weeks into my Body for Life Challenge by my longtime love (and Body for Life Challenge partner). Bewildered but not broken, I let that fuel my desire for completing the challenge. Upon landing the job, I moved cross-country to my beloved Florida. There were times I thought I would never finish, and times were I was tempted to throw in the towel, but I pushed through it and built character during the process.
Months later, Florida was ravished by hurricane after hurricane. My faithful gym was destroyed, and so was my daily routine of eating right and exercising. I have now gained back 15lbs of the 32lbs I once shedded. More importantly, however, I no longer feel the empowerment I once did as I stood there that May morning. Granted, one year later I am no longer 202lbs and over 20% body fat, I still feel like my best days are behind me. That is, however, if I choose to continue the slide. Hence, that is why I am creating this blog.
I needed an imputus to change. Experts might say that I need an emotional reason to experience real change. Something that will make me stick to my new lifestyle or the first temptation to go back to my "old ways" will rear it head. For me, there should be many reasons to push forward and re-dedicate myself to Body for Life. I have goals! I have a dream list!
posted by Mike Mastando at 2:49 PM
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