Fit to 100: Our Journey to Lifelong Fitness!

Lose weight, feel great… We’ve all heard the cliche’ on losing weight. 

It’s been pumped into our brain like how to respond to those radio preparedness tests “…had this been an actual emergency…” For those who have suffered the ill-effects of yo-yo weight gain, we can relate. More than once, we be damned ourselves and packed on an extra 30, 40, 50 lbs. at different points in our lives.  The biggest struggle came in our 40’s and 50’s.

Let’s face it, life can be tough.  We get stuck in a rut, seemingly, a routine we can’t get out of.  Our weight loss struggles feel endless. 

Like a bullet train on a moonless night, I remember looking in the mirror one morning to notice those extra pounds mysteriously creeping on overnight. I had to be honest. Those endless strings of pizzas, burgers and those bedevilled fries, had a lot to do with it.  So did the lack of exercise and the half-hearted workout routines.  Who was I kidding? 10 minutes of walking on the treadmill and a few arm curls?  Pleeease!!!

I remember asking myself, “What have I done?” How in this short 18 months, could I have gone from Air Force Fit to Corporate employed and Fat? 

Believe me, it happens. Anyone that remembers President Bill Clinton after leaving public office will understand how easy it is to gain weight in just a few short months. In this day and age, the Office of Presidency requires a trim and fit incumbent. The President is by defacto officially representing our Country. The same holds true for any man or woman “in uniform.” Whether military, nursing, law enforcement, the airlines, fire department, etc. – a fit and trim image inspires confidence and skill. Have you ever seen an unfit Marine? 

Belly like a puffer fish.  Standing in front of the mirror like a balloon busting from the seams. My over-inflated belly.  What the heck!  After 56 (mostly overnight) trips to Kansas City in just 12 months – the long days and nights of work, the traveling, eating out every meal, late night dining with the execs, the zero to low workout schedule – the pounds packed on fast…and… Quality of Life really began to SUCK!” 

Stiff joints, exhaustion, the headaches. Elevators replaced stairs. Jack Stack BBQ replaced home-cooked meals. Diet Coke replaced H20. 70 mph on I-29 replaced 70 minutes on the treadmill. My life had become route.  I’d “Supersized” myself into a walking heart attack. Even the rare moment when I found time to exercise, strength was replaced with injury. Aches and pains in the neck, hips, back, knees, elbows and shoulders. I remember thinking, there is no way that in 18 months your body can just fall apart by itself. “You Did This!” and “You Can Unravel This!” 

If a picture is worth 1,000 words.  If someone tries to tell you that in your 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s or beyond…that you can’t make a difference in the way you look and feel, well…they are simply, misinformed. Today, I can proudly say that 90%-95% of my daily aches and pains are gone. 

At 53, I work out harder than when I was 23. I’ve recently battled back from a torn ACL, the result of not taking better care of myself.  I’ve healed myself with no surgery.  No doctor.  Just better nutrition.  Babying my knee.  Following protocol and disciplined physical therapy.  Gaining weight doesn’t happen overnight.  Neither does losing weight or recovering from an injury.  Fixing our weight gains, our aches and pains and injuries, took careful research and a change in diet.  A change in diet that got us both in shape and looking our best in our 50’s. Like many of you, we are not without daily struggle.  Tune in to see our journey.  Learn our secrets to losing and keeping the weight off and looking your best.  Let us help you stay motivated and let us cheer each other on! 

Stay tuned for more tips and insight at My Road My Story!