Week 1 - New Beginnings

The title is not a typo. I've taken some time to re-evaluate all that has happened over the past three months and file it away as a life experience. A great experience. I've made new friends, met people with similar goals and dreams, and inspired others to pick up the crusade for healthier living and fitness. In doing so, however, I lost sight of my own purpose, my own focus. As I began to document my most recent struggles, the same people I'd initially inspired reached out to me, offering advice that struck a striking similarity to the words I had spoken to them only a few months prior. It was a much needed wake-up call. Family and friends alike, extending a helping hand to get me back on my feet, a reminder that there's always hope, always another chance to try again. It turns out that I wasn't yet mentally prepared to deal with the ever-mounting challenges, my over-analytical nature choosing to create mountains out of molehills. My mind began to sabotage itself into thinking that not only did I not want to do this, but that I was no longer capable. It was as if I drifted away from the reality of the situation to hide from the world. Having made my issues public, however, didn't allow that mindset to fully grab a hold of me. There was nowhere for me to hide from the barrage of support from family, friends, and loyal readers, and for that I am eternally grateful.

I had discovered that I was putting FAR too much pressure on myself to not fail, rather than focusing on being successful. Negative thinking greatly hinders achieving a positive outcome, and I was getting down on myself for every misstep that was being made. It got to the point where I wouldn't even try anymore, because I had already defeated myself in my mind. I had forgotten that I actually enjoy being active and exercising, because I'd convinced myself it was just too difficult, and I shouldn't bother since I'd be much happier just lying on the couch for the evening. I needed to inspire myself again, this time I've enlisted the help of some people.

I found that I'm best motivated when I'm being pushed by an outside source. A competitor, a competition. Firstly, I'll start with the friendly competition. Someone I've met through my writings is nearing the homestretch, and we've put our pride on the line. I'm sure by the time of this writing he's likely surpassed me, but we're approximately the same weight (though he's taller than me), and we have very similar goals. We'll both be running in the Manitoba Marathon this summer (likely the 1/2 again for me), and we would both like to weigh around the same when the loss finally settles on a number. Check out his blog here, he's a great inspiration.

Secondly, some contests with more on the line than just getting healthy. My lovely wife has agreed to tackle her own demons and fully make this a family affair, involving the two of us. The premise is simple, whoever between the two of us can lose the highest percentage of weight by February 3rd, 2008 will emerge victorious. No need to discuss the finer details of the prizes here, but let's just say that I'm VERY motivated to win. Actually, let's say I don't much care for ballet and leave it at that. After the final day passes, we'll begin yet another round of competition with similar rules. It's always much easier to stay motivated when you're competing with a loved one in the same household. And as an offshoot, I've got a side bet with another friend with the same rules and regulations attached. Thankfully there's no ballet trip on the line, but the stakes are still high enough to keep me honest. I'm trying to get my brother involved, and my wife and I are considering getting a group of people together for the next round. It's a lot of fun so far, and I think immersing even more people would be great.

So that's about it for now, starting over again has never felt so good.