Day 148 Exercise Progress and Lyrical Interpretation

Day 148

Exercise Progress and Lyrical Interpretation

Today and this evening was very busy. Before we could get to the YMCA they were closed. But, the walking trail never closes, so Courtney and I did a very nice 5K walk instead. That's a total of three 5K's in three days for me. Me! You know, the guy that could barely walk a quarter mile 148 days ago without fear of collapsing. That's 9.3 miles walked on the trail plus 2 miles on the treadmill Saturday for a total of 11.3 miles in three days! And a racquetball workout to top it all off. That's taking it up a notch my friend! It's amazing how good it feels out there. I'm telling you, I'm proof positive of starting extremely small, doing only what you can, and it naturally gets easier and easier! I certainly don't mean to sound boastful, I'm just so proud and really happy about this progress. I'm emerging from a twenty-five year imprisonment inside morbid obesity, so it's hard to contain my enthusiasm for my new found freedom.

As I walked tonight I listened to a couple of songs that you wouldn't really consider “workout songs.” There are no rhythmic beats to Christopher Cross's “Sailing,” but that song has always been special to me. It stirs my emotions with it's lyrics of hope and freedom. I heard Christopher Cross once say that “Sailing,” was literally about sailing, but to me I interpret it metaphorically and apply it to my journey. “Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see, believe me. Sailing, takes me away to where I've always heard it could be, just a dream and the wind to carry me, soon I will be free.” That's powerful stuff! How inspiring! When I listen to REO Speedwagon's “Time For Me To Fly,” I'm singing right along, directing all those lyrics not to a person, but to obesity. “I've been around for you, been up and down for you, but I just can't get any relief. I've swallowed my pride for you, lived and lied for you, but you still make me feel like a thief. You got me stealing your love away 'cause you never give it, peeling the years away, and we can't re-live it, oh I make you laugh and you make me cry, I believe it's time for me to fly.” That's awesome. Music is a powerful influence and can often be an incredible source of strength. It certainly is for me.

After sharing the story yesterday about giving my blog address and phone number to a complete stranger whom I couldn't help but approach, I wanted to say something extremely important. I sincerely appreciate the number of people that tell me how inspiring my journey is to them, it makes me feel so good inside. And I never really anticipated that happening, I just wanted a way to keep myself on track, and this blog is doing that and so much more. But I know that it is and always will be up to the individual to really succeed. I can set an example, I can keep on doing what I'm doing, and I hope you continue to read and do what you do, but I'll never take one ounce of credit for anyone's success but my own. What started out as a way to motivate and inspire my family while losing weight and getting healthy once and for all, has blossomed into something I truly cherish. I don't know if that young man I met yesterday will decide to change his life now or not, but I'm here to tell him he can, he can do it, and I hope he does, but it wont be because I approached him, it'll be because he decided. You know that I'm a big believer in the power of a decision. And that's what it takes. A decision that is personally enforced regardless of everything and any excuse that tries to get in the way. When I wake up in the morning, I don't know what the day will bring. It may be an extremely stressful day with deadlines and various commitments that must be met. I may need to become a magician by the end of the day to magically make it all work, but there's two things I'm completely sure about. Number one: I will survive. Number two: There's not a circumstance I will allow to break my stride. It's been decided. I will be successful this time. I will continue to learn along the way. I will not allow excuses to impede my progress. The days of “why I can't do this” are over and done.

I learned of something very exciting today. Ponca City Medical Center is starting a fantastic new program called “Lose To Win.” The more I learn about the program, the more it completely fits the approach, philosophies, and truths that I've embraced so far on this journey. I look forward to learning more! I can't wait to share more details of this amazing program, and very soon I'll have the opportunity to promote it on the radio and participate on one of two Team Radio weight loss and fitness teams. I'll have more details in the coming days.

It's very late and the alarm is set to go off really early. Thank you for reading my blog. Good night and...

Good Choices,
Sean