Todd Smoot
May 04, 2008 12:10 am
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I stood there looking at the mirror. What I saw looking back was a 5-foot-9 male over the age of 40 who weighed 205 pounds. I was not happy with the heavy feeling I had all the time.
I was a workaholic who was tired from the moment my head rose from the bed to the moment the head touched the bed later on that day. I liked my empty calorie sweets, sodas and fast food. For some reason, I was caught in a rut, and decided that I was supposed to be at this weight, have this appearance, feel this way and just go with the flow. I had stopped taking the magic pill.
I can only tremble to think of what my beautiful wife thought of my weight gain over 12 years, appearance, lack of energy and my being OK with it all. When we met, I was a 5-foot-9 male below the age of 30 who weighed in at 128 pounds when I was in my best shape, 132 pounds most of the time. I was still a workaholic, but I had seemingly endless energy, had a sweet tooth, but ate wholesome food and I took good care of myself. I had a high quality of life. I was taking the magic pill at this time.
November 2004 was the month I was no longer satisfied with the way I looked or felt. I started an exercise regimen that worked on the entire body to condition and improve myself. I started slow with walks and slow runs, sit-ups, weightlifting, rowing machine and watching the types of foods I consumed. I felt I had more energy during the day almost immediately. My resting pulse rate proceeded to get lower every couple of days. My disposition changed from grumpy to a few steps above a grump. Though the scales did not show much weight loss, there was an appearance change that was appealing to my beautiful wife, and the kids noticed, too. I started to take the magic pill again.
At this time, I am in my mid-40s, weigh in at 135 pounds, have boundless energy and enjoy life each day, and have rarely been sick while being on the magic pill.
I share this to demonstrate that everyone can get to a point when you are satisfied with the status quo. I was satisfied and decided I was supposed to feel and look the way I did – I was supposed to be satisfied with not liking my appearance and how I felt each day. Balderdash! I was fed up with being fed up with being tired and unhappy – a solution had to be available. I knew what the solution was in general, and I then had to make the commitment to be a part of the solution. The hardest step was the first one — after that, it has been easier and easier. There are days that I can not get the entire workout I want. However, I am able to get back to the routine and feel good. The actions are habit-forming and positive.
There is nothing special about me. I have the same strengths and weaknesses, just like you. I have some activities that peak my interest, while others bore me to death. I like watching some TV and also like working in the yard. I happen to really enjoy running as an activity; you may like ballroom dancing. The point is that if I can make the change in my life, there is nothing that is stopping you from the same type of change…except you. Once you make the decision, take that first step – have the commitment and desire to make sure nothing stays in your way. Find out what it takes, use the resources around you to make an informed decision – then stick to it. These are the simple steps I and many others have taken to get where we are today.
Are you ready to be part of the solution, or are you satisfied with the status quo?
More information about events in the surrounding area of South Georgia include:
May 10th – Colony City Chase 5K and 1-mile in Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald Rotary Club presents the event to raise money for Rotary projects. Applications are available at Get Active – Running and More. Get Active Finish Line will be at this event.
May 17th – Run for the Children – 5K and 1-mile events for the whole family. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center for Lowndes County – a non-profit organization that strives to promote prevention and awareness of child abuse and to minimize the trauma to children who have been abused. Get Active Finish Line will be at this event.
May 26th – Cordele Kiwanis Memorial Day 8K held on Monday, Memorial Day. Use the Kiwanis web site to locate more information – www.cordelekiwanis.com or e-mail tanreb@planttel.net. Get Active Finish Line will be at this event, and the discount will apply to Monday and Tuesday.
All of these events will be good for the entire family to be involved. Be sure to put the dates on your calendar right now. Applications are either at Get Active, or will be soon. You will find how much fun and encouraging these events are, and you will want to participate in others coming in May through July 2008, including Baytree 8K on July 4. Make the decision to be a part of these events. Raise your bar.
When you participate in an event where Get Active Finish Line Services is the timing group, you can bring your race number to Get Active – Running and More on that Saturday or Sunday and receive 10 percent off purchases of in-stock items regularly priced. This is a small way to say thank you for participating in the events in our area. The 10 percent discount is not to be combined with any other offer.
There are weekly, free activities for runners and cyclists in the area. Runners can show up at Get Active Running and More on Saturday and Sunday morning at 7 a.m. for all-comer runs from 4-8 miles. For more information on the runs, check out the Web page www.getactivevaldosta.com, call or send an e-mail.
If you have questions about your walking, running or other training, drop me an e-mail and I will do my best to answer your questions. Check out www.getactivevaldosta.com to get connected. Listen to the Get Active South Georgia radio program on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. on Talk 92.1 FM to receive more information.
or to ask questions.
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