The Journey Begins, or More Accurately, Began

"Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time." -Mark Twain

What journey, you ask? Probably the most difficult journey I'm ever going to make. Sure, I've gone through some tough times, and I've had my ups and downs in life. But this is different because I'm now fighting my number one enemy: myself.

Why now? Many reasons. I got married, and suddenly it wasn't just about me anymore. I got sick of making excuses. I saw and experienced too many young people dying of obesity-related diseases and disorders and saw myself going that route. I just didn't feel healthy anymore. Luckily, I have no diseases or disorders that I know of, but I am bringing on all sorts of bad stuff if I stay at this weight. I already know I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and I've been told in the past that my weight puts me at a risk for onset diabetes.

I'm not a complete stranger to this weight loss stuff. I lost around 70 pounds in 2001, but I gained it all back and lots more. I've always had trouble limiting what I eat, and my picky eating habits don't help either. Plus, just the thought of any form of exercise makes me cringe. I've just never been able to keep any sort of weight loss. But the fact that I have previously lost weight makes me believe that I can do it again.

I have a lot higher aspirations this time around. I have a set weight goal. I'm not embarrassed to be honest and realistic about my weight. I have a lot more support this time around. I have this blog. And I'm going to run the 2012 Boston Marathon.

Wh-wh-WHAT?!

I think people who know me just laughed out loud reading that statement because of its incredulity. People who don't know me will probably think I'm crazy or wasting my time. Hell, I sometimes don't believe that I have set such a ridiculous goal. But I believe that this goal is giving me that extra motivation that I need in order to lose weight and keep it off permanently.

The journey began on Monday, June 22, 2009, and the journey will end on Monday, April 16, 2012 for the 116th running of the Boston Marathon. My start weight is 315 lbs. (ouch...it hurts to read that). My current weight is 305.2 lbs. My first step is to lose 5%, which would put me at around 299 lbs. My ultimate weight loss goal is to be 180 lbs. when I start training for the marathon, which would require me to lose 135 lbs. (ouch...it hurts even more to read that). I'm using Weight Watchers Online for food and weight tracking. I'm exercising 30 minutes a day using EA Sports Active and Wii Fit for the Wii video game system; I'm not yet in the right state of mind to be exercising in a gym or in public...too embarrassing for me right now. I'm hoping that will change as I lose weight.

I hope people will follow my progress and find this blog interesting to read. I encourage everyone to make comments and suggestions, both positive and negative. I need all the support and criticism I can get. I also hope people will be motivated and inspired by this blog to make positive changes in their own lives. Even if only one person is inspired, I will consider this blog a success.

Let the transformation from fat guy to fast guy begin...wish me luck! I'm gonna need it...