Back in May of 2012 when I hit my highest weight I set the ball in motion with an eye on just losing weight. I was disgusted with myself and I was sick of my joints hurting and sick of getting winded just going up a single flight of stairs. I was sick of being afraid I might break any chair that I sat on... I was sick of not being the person I wanted to be. The first 25 or so pounds came off relatively easy and by December I was looking to cross the threshold of being under 400 pounds for the first time in a couple of years (yes you read that right). It was at this point that I caught a show on the Discovery Channel about ordinary people who were put in extreme situations and were able to survive. The one that struck me the hardest was the story about a father and his two children whose car had gone off the road into a river. The father was able to save himself and both of his children. I felt sick. I realized that if that had been me with my children... yep. By continuing to live in the physical condition that I was (and still am) in I was not only risking my own life, but the lives of my children as well. Maybe I would never be presented with that kind of scenario... maybe. I had to ask myself if it was worth the risk.
I knew then that it wasn't going to be enough to lose the weight... I needed to get in shape.
With this new goal in mind I set a deadline for myself... 2 years. By my 40th birthday I want to be in the best shape of my life. It's not unreasonable, and frankly if I make even a modest effort it's a goal I can hit early. That said I want to wake up on my 40th birthday and put myself to the test.
What test? Well... I'll tell you.
When I was 18 I wanted to join the military after I graduated. It seemed like a good option. It would give me some time to figure out my direction in life and at the same time I would be continuing a long standing tradition of military service in my family.
It didn't happen. I couldn't pass the entry physical.
Now, even though the age limit for enlistment has passed I want to prove to myself that I could have done it. I want to pass the minimum physical fitness requirements to graduate from Marine Corps Basic Training.
Here are the current requirements as published:
- 3 pull-ups minimum (20 max.)
- A minimum of 60 crunches in 2 minutes (100 max.)
- Run 3 miles in a maximum of 28 minutes (18 minutes minimum)
I just want to prove to myself that I was good enough. I want to prove to my kids that goals can be achieved and more importantly, I need to be an example of healthy living to them as well.
So, there it is. Maybe I'm crazy, but I will do this for myself. I have come to the conclusion that the price that I might pay if I fail is far too high.
Hell yes, Jeremy. You get it. I have faith in you, and I know you will succeed. Self-realization is great, acting on it is incredible. I'm proud of you. Flo and I are here if you need absolutely anything. Love you, big brother.
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