That was then. This is now.

As 2010 ends and 2011 begins, I'm looking back on this "journey of health" I began in September 2009. I was trying to figure out how much had changed between then and now. Here's a few highlights:


Weight

• Then - 321lbs
• Now - 216lbs

Waist size:

• Then - 48in
• Now - 36in

Shirt size:

• Then - 3XL
• Now - XL (a couple are L)

Exercise

• Then - None
• Now - Run 3 miles 3 times a week

Money raised for Love146

• Then - $0
• Now - Over $1400 (and counting)

It doesn't look like a lot when I type it out (well, except for the money for Love146!) but I gotta tell you it is HUGE. My everyday life is so very different now. From tying my shoes to playing with my kids (Nerf guns rule!) to exercising... it's like I'm a new person. It's so hard to describe to someone who hasn't been, effectively, held captive within their own body. The liberation is absolutely amazing!

So, where to go from here?

As far as weight goes, I'm targeting 200lbs. I want to be at or below the 200 mark by July 1. Doesn't seem so hard: less than 20lbs in 6 months. One thing will be different this time, though. I plan to start adding strength training into my schedule. Not body building stuff but I really need to get some muscle tone and strength back.

There was a time I could bench press around 350lbs. I'm not going for that kind of thing but I figure I should at least be able to bench my own body weight a few times. I also found out recently how bad off I was when I failed to even do one "regulation" pull-up.

So, I'm looking at a few things along with my weight target:

1. Run the Bridge (10K over the Cooper River bridge here in Charleston in the Spring)
2. Complete 100 consecutive push ups
3. Complete 200 consecutive sit-ups
4. Score 150pts on the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (3 mile run in 27min, 10-12 pull-ups, 50+ sit-ups in 2 min).

I'm not necessarily shooting for July on all of these items. Obviously, the Bridge Run will happen before then but I don't know about the other yet. And I'm not joining the Corps but the USMC PFT is a daggum good measure of physical fitness so I figure it's a good goal to shoot for (300 is a perfect score on the PFT, by the way).

So, here's to a stronger and healthier 2011. If any of you have done these sorts of things before, I'd love to hear about your efforts and victories. Also, if there is anything that I can do to help anyone in their efforts or fitness goals (I'm no expert but I am willing to try to help) please let me know.

Happy New Year!

Photo credit to kconnors.