Day 201: Opening New Doors
We all find motivation to get healthy from different sources. Many of us want to live longer, others may want the beach bod, and some of us just plain want to LIVE life.
For so many years I was just coasting along with the flow of life. I did what I had to but not much else. Then one morning I woke up and I weighed 400 pounds. What happened to me? How did this happen to me? The entire time I tried to shut out the voice saying “maybe it was because you ordered two extra value meals at lunch.”
I remember going to Leadership camps and being scared to death of the trust fall. I was never really worried about falling or hurting myself, but I didn’t want to be the guy responsible for crushing Mike from accounting. I was mostly just afraid of getting locked up for attempted homicide.
All through High School and College I would avoid the the activities that required any amount of physical fitness. At the time I would say I had “other plans” or “really needed to do my homework,” but I would never do something else. I would never study or do homework. I’d sit at home sulking with a Big Mac and a TV Guide to keep me company; wishing I could go.
I remember one experience where some friends were going to hike the Y. It’s 2.4 miles roundtrip but it is fairly steep. The Utah website describes it as a “moderate” hike. I decided that I wanted to go so I did. We literally hit the first switchback (a few hundred yards at the most) and I was completely out of breath. What did I do? I did l the same thing anyone does when they realize they’ve done something incredibly stupid and want to get out of a situation; I faked an injury. I can’t remember if I said I had a stomachache or a compound fracture, but I turned down the hill and watched the rest of the group head to the top. I sat in my car and did all I could not to bawl my eyes out. I did not want to be left out like that. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to make me change my habits.
Fortunately, I’m changing my habits now. I’m learning from those experiences and I’m on my way to trying new great things. I had the chance last minute to get SCUBA certified a couple of weeks ago and instead of passing on the opportunity like I normally would have, I jumped at the chance, quite literally. Now SCUBA isn’t something that requires a great amount of strength or agility, but it is something that definitely took me out of my comfort zone. It’s something I would have passed on before but my newly gained confidence made me want to at least try it. I tried it and I loved it! Even though I was just in a swimming pool I still had a feeling of freedom that I had never really experienced before. I passed off all of the requirements for the indoor portion of becoming a recreational diver and I’ll be working on the open water dives soon. I can’t wait!
The next time I get the call from the fellas to hike that mountain or raft that river I won’t have to shy away. I’ll take full advantage and live life to it’s fullest.
What are some things that you’ve wanted to try before but couldn’t do because of some sort of health issue? What small changes can we make now to be able to someday cross those things off of our bucket list? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! As always, thank you so much for reading, I hope I can return 1/10th of what you all give to me with your insight and kind thoughts.
36 Responses to “Day 201: Opening New Doors”
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| Current Weight: | 261.0 lbs |
| Goal Weight: | 225.0 lbs |
| Calories Eaten: | 0 |
| Calories Burned: | 0 |
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Wooohooo scuba!! That’s great that you are doing new things and not letting anything hold you back Ryan. Go you!!
Your bungee jumping post totally struck a chord with me because I had been thinking about this for quite a while. Thanks!
SCUBA, eh? That’s pretty awesome
Not as awesome as that pic, but still pretty damn awesome
One thing I wanna do, but can’t is skydive (again). I went once in 2003 but I have to be down to 220 pounds in order to be able to do it again. I always thought it would be cool to become a skydiving instructor and have that as a part time summer job or something.
I have an insane fear of heights but I think it could possibly end up on the agenda someday. You’re not too far from being able to jump out of that plane again man!
My ‘thing’ may not be weight any longer but even though Im now fit Im still wholly and utterly uncoordinated (amazing how I didnt shed that too huh?
)
Hip hop cardio class.
Even in the BACK I fear Id be too embarrassed…
I’m not even joking when I say I would love to do this. Unfortunately, I too lack the coordination gene. Maybe we can find a place that sells it cheap?
Go on a date, shop in the WOMEN’s section of Gap/Old Navy, look at my body and say ‘you look hot’, get naked in front of someone, wear a two piece bathing suit.
I remember the first time I did a trust fall and actually fell back. I cried, bawled my brains out. Everyone thought I was mental, but it was the first time that I had done something that pushed me into a realm that I had never let myself go before.
Those trust falls really are pretty intense. You’ll for sure be able to get all of the stuff done on your list, you’re totally on your way! Reading your stuff is a total testament of that.
I like to put my work out in more public and powerful ways, socialize more, and am becoming more active with iceskating and cross country skiing for winter.I never liked trust-falls either, still kind of a control freak…maybe someday.
Love your scuba-look!
xox
Lisa
Http://www.IntuitiveBody.com
Breaking The Spell of Overeating
Sometimes the confidence obstacles are the hardest ones to overcome for sure. I think they’re the ones we have to conquer first. Great comment!
I love that picture! I still have not attempted the Y I was thrilled to hike Timpanogas last summer
Believe it or not I just want to go to Seven Peaks and go down the water slides without having visions of the movie where the lady can’t find her bikini bottom under her gut and flies out then end of the slide.
That would be fun!
The Y would be cake if you got to the top of Timp. I totally hear you on the Waterslide thing, they’re still not my friend
Oh I love the pic! You cutie patootie. I don’t know what I’d do. I have a paralyzing fear of being afraid. I can’t do haunted houses, rollercoasters, ferris wheels. Publishers. It would be nice if some of the anxieties would melt away with the pounds.
I totally get that. I’m FREAKING terrified of heights. Baby steps right?
Awesome post! I can so relate. That trust fall was so hard for me, I could never do it. Couldn’t let myself go enough to trust that much! and yes! it came down to many fears. I did climb the pole though and could trust myself!
This is my year to try new things and not hold myself back but it has been difficult. Thanks for your enthusiasm. It starts my day off with inspiration!
It’s definitely a challenge, I totally agree. We all build confidence a little bit at a time. Glad you liked the post!
thank you 2 Mrs. Fatass for introducing me to you!!!!
Love the photo!!! I just want to learn to swim the length of the pool.. actually just swim period. so thank you for inspiring me to NOT be afraid anymore.. I can do it!
We can thank Mrs. Fatass for a lot of things
And yes, you totally CAN do it! Thanks for the comment!
Awesome post! Bucket list? Run a full marathon – it has been over a a three year journey. But this year I will succeed – Chicago 10/10/10.
A full marathon…WOW! You’re a total rockstar! Great work!
I would love to ski. On a really steep slope, really fast, and just fly without fear.
Sadly I will never be able to ski, due to insanely bad knees. I stick to the snowshoes. At least I can have a day outside doing what is physically possible for me.
But man I wish I could!
Yuck, sorry to hear about the knees! The great thing is that you’re doing what you can control. The knees don’t let you do some stuff but you do everything you can. That’s the important part!
I want to go ziplining. Last time I went I was too heavy for it to be safe.
Good on you for going scuba diving!
That sounds pretty awesome. Definitely something you’ll be able to pull off!
Great post.
The first time I almost couldn’t do something because I wasn’t in good enough shape was when I tried to hike Mount Timpanogos. I had heard how cool it was to hike to the top and everyone made it sound like it was a walk in the park. I got about a half mile into the hike and was cramping. I barely made it to the top of the mountain and it took the help of those with me to get me there. I realized then that I never wanted my health or conditioning to keep me from doing something I would enjoy.
It motivated me to lose 25 pounds and start building http://www.IdealShape.com.
Good for you for sharing your struggle man. You made it to the top and this year you’ll be able to run up it
I want to play sports wiht my kids. I want to run, jump and play all the fun kids games.
I love you Ry what an amazing man you are!
I want to do all those things too, won’t it be fun to do them together?
Outstanding! Standing around on the sidelines sucks…
No kidding right? I’ve gotten pretty used to playing right side left out. it’s time for me to get my minutes!
Wow, great post.
And, yes, great pic too
I don’t think anything stands in my way but me. It’s all in my head, lol. I’m starting to realize that I CAN do things, that I am holding myself back. I decided in 2008 no more I’m too fat to… I ran a marathon last may, a bit chubbier than most runners, but I did it.
A marathon is an unreal accomplishment. The truth is, you can do things. For sure!
I totally would take boxing lessons. As in, get in a boxing ring with someone. I have always wanted to be able to do that!
I’ve never done the hike to the Y… and that haunts me a little. I went once, and my sister and I had both just started some medication and WOW… we didn’t make it far at all before we both thought we had heat stroke. I need to take that one again… it’s been YEARS!!!
Loved the comment about crushing Mike from accounting.
I did the trust fall once. Believe it or not, I actually blacked Mike’s eye. True story.
And good for you for the scuba certification.
Congrats on the Scuba certification, that’s great!!
I avoided just about any type of physical activity that people asked me to do. Well, except for bowling, but I’m not sure that counts. lol
A co-worker always used to ask me to go hiking with her. I really wanted to, I’ve always loved hiking, but I wouldn’t because she was in great shape and I was too embarrassed. I didn’t want her (or anyone else, for that matter) to see how out of shape I was.
Hiking is now at the top of my list of things to do this year, as soon as the snow is gone.