Taking on 2015!

[Jonathan Blue 311]

As the New Year approaches everyone begins assessing how they have done over the last year and what changes they will make going into the New Year. If you have had surgery in the last year, you have a lot to look back on: all of the changes, all of the pounds lost, and all of the amazing things you are doing now. If you are still trying to decide if the next year will be your year for surgery, I strongly hope that you read on.

As the New Year approaches everyone begins assessing how they have done over the last year and what changes they will make going into the New Year. If you have had surgery in the last year, you have a lot to look back on: all of the changes, all of the pounds lost, and all of the amazing things you are doing now. If you are still trying to decide if the next year will be your year for surgery, I strongly hope that you read on.

At the end of 2013 I was a guy who could barely get up out of a chair, someone who was scared to go down the stairs for fear of getting hurt, was hurting on a regular basis, and dreamed that there had to be more to life than wasting away on the couch. I sat in bed at night dreaming of doing all of the things I never thought I would ever be able to do. Then on November 4, 2013, I took the plunge.

“But your surgery wasn’t in 2014?” you may say.

True, but my journey truly began in 2014 as I has just finished recovering from surgery and was starting to piece my new life together. Over the last year I have seen my body change. I went from being over 530lbs down to a current weight of 310lbs. I still have plenty more to go, but not bad for a year of hard work. During the last year I walked a 5K and walked my first 10K, but that wasn’t good enough for me. I then bought a bike and began biking in events which culminated in a 30 mile ride at Bike MS Venture the Valley and a 38 mile ride at the Twisted Pretzel ride in Germantown, Ohio. Still it wasn’t good enough. I follow the biking up with a three quarter mile swim in the Ohio River. I swam from the Cincinnati side to the Kentucky side and back in under 17 min. I actually got 6^th place in my age group if you can believe that, but it still wasn’t good enough. I could do more. I finished out my year by running my first ever 5K without stopping at the DAV 5K and attempted the Thanksgiving Day 10K with mixed results. I ran 4 of the six miles and learned some valuable lessons on nutrition and training.

Looking back I have had an amazing and productive year. I have done some amazing things that only a year ago I was dreaming about. The problem for me is that with all of those amazing things, it is still not good enough. For me, every time I push myself, I want to find my absolute limit. The problem is that when I get to the end, I realize I could push harder, or go longer, or go faster. I have not yet found my body’s limit. That is just how amazing it is. So what do I do about it all?

I PLAN 2015!

In 2015 I plan on doing more 5K’s and local bike races, but the big events are simple. I will begin training to run the 15K at the Heart Mini followed by the half marathon at the Flying Pig. I then want to compete in my first triathlon. It is an Olympic triathlon in Cincinnati, Ohio. I plan on finishing out my year with a 2.4 mile swim in the Ohio River down in Louisville, Kentucky. I want to continue pushing those limits in 2015 and I have a sneaking suspicion I will still not find my limits.

I strongly encourage you all as 2014 comes to a close to begin thinking about your journey over the last year. Yes there are plenty of other fun resolutions to make like reading more, learning a new language, or taking a chance on love, but for now I want you to concentrate on you and your weight loss. I want you to take inventory of the amazing things that have happened over the last year and all of the area where you feel like you have not pushed it to its limit. Make a list, make it tangible, hang it where you will constantly be reminded of the list. I just want you to ponder it for a couple days. Then you can move on to step two.

Step two is where you begin making your goals and resolutions for the New Year. I want you to make sure that these are goals that you can accomplish with pushing yourself a little. I don’t want them to be too easy or too hard. If you need help with this, my door is always open, shoot me a line. I want you to think of all the things you have dreamed about doing but your weight has held you back from. Make a list of those things and begin knocking things off of the list. This could be things as simple as going down a flight of stairs without help like it was for me at the beginning of the year, or it could be to run a marathon. I do not know where you are in this journey, but you need to make your resolutions ones that are personal to you. If you are not passionate about the things you are trying to accomplish nothing will come of it. I have been working really hard to gain sponsors to help me reach my goals for the next year and for years to come. I got my first one for next year just this week and am super excited, but I am still going to push with my resolution to try and have three sponsors before the end of May.

Remember when you are forming your resolutions that you follow the formula for SMART goals. Make sure they are:

S – Specific – The more specific you are on the details of your goals the easier it is to monitor progress

M – Measureable – You should be able to give a specific number to your goals (distance, time, reps, etc.)

A – Attainable – These should be goals that are feasible to accomplish in a set time frame.

R – Realistic – Being a goal you are both willing and able to work toward.

T – Timely – Make sure your goals have a specific time frame.

I hope this helps you begin thinking of what resolutions you will make with your own journey going into 2015. This last year has been truly amazing and I can’t wait to hear all the amazing stories from readers going through the next one. I strongly encourage all of you to share your resolutions in the comments below so the Bariatric Pal community can rally around and encourage you as your pursue a whole new level of awesome in 2015.

I BELIEVE IN YOU! MAKE 2015 EPIC!

[SuzeMuze 338]

<bursts into applause>

'Nuff said.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Wow! I'd better get off my lazy ass now. Very inspirational!!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

Wow... I can see why you've been so successful!

[Djmohr 6,965]

Way to go on your new life! I know how hard it is to change the way you live and clearly you have done a fabulous job.

Here is to the next year of successful progress!

[Bandista 7,466]

Great piece -- thanks so much and congratulations on turning your life around. I'm looking forward to making my list for 2015. Prior to surgery I wrote myself a letter to be opened at goal. I look forward to reading that.

[Leepers 1,195]

Love, love, love this! As someone who has also taken up running and exercise since my band, I love to hear other people's success stories. I have plans to run the Kentucky Derby MiniMarathon in April, the day before my 42nd birthday. I remember how depressed I was about my weight and health on my 40th birthday. That year, I decided to make a change. Best thing I ever did. And yes, we must always keep pushing, at least a little every time. Best wishes to your success in 2015!

[sunnkistme 76]

Love the goal format. I work with people with disabilities and that is the exact format we use to achieve success when creating plans for our clients. I would add that really short term SMART goals help with success for many of us who have trouble with the long view. (me)

[Jonathan Blue 311]

@Bandista

I am thinking I may have to steal your idea about writing a goal letter to yourself. That is an absolutely amazing idea. That is one I will put into practice with my goals for the next year! Thank you for your support.

To everyone:

Thank you all so much for the kind words and support. Best of luck in reaching your goals in the coming year. I cannot wait to hear all of the success stories!

[MarieMarie 346]

Happy New Year! I am closing 2014 with a 40 lb loss and would love to Celebrate my April birthday with another 40. You have given me inspiration. I have had some small treats this Holiday but they were planned.