Highlight over the last two weekends!

Time to get busy and throw those excuses away. It sure is great to be out and active. Last weekend Dwight and I did a four hour spinning relay at the Kirkwood YMCA. It was great but extremely tiring (although I think Dwight could have gone another hour). Over the past month at the office, a co-worker has been trying to get me to start running. I didn't know until this morning whether I had the guts to attempt the Logan House 5k run. I started the race hoping that I could finish in 45 minutes, not blow out my knee, or get real sick during the race. Well, this morning I completed it in 36 minutes. It was really cold. My nose was dripping, legs were tired, but it is a great feeling when you run up the last hill. My co-worker came back to get me after she finished and pushed me along the last part of the course. Without her egging me on, I probably would have stopped a couple of times. Luckily, except when I ride with Dwight, I am in the unique position of always being first in my category: Male, Over 50, and gastric bypass. The most disappointing part of the race is that the only thing at the end of the race was beer, pizza, and bagels. Since those are three things I no longer indulge in I had to settle with a gallon of water. Next year I hope to break 30 minutes since I seem to be getting younger every I get older. I really believe that losing weight on this journey is the easy part, getting fit takes a lot of commitment but it is really fun when you endure. Rob DE ObesityHelp Chapter Leader

What a great highlight! Getting fit is a lot harder on this journey then most would want to believe. You do need to push yourself all the time because as we all know the body adapts to changes quickly. So if we constantly do the same routine over a period of time it no longer is effective for our bodies. Although we say to ourselves but I worked out why am I not losing??? So if you are walking 2 miles add a little more to the routine every other week. Maybe you do some situps with that walk, or you do some weight training. Just make your workout routine a little different. Rob you have done a wonderful job mixing it up. I am working on it as well. I have not gotten to the point where I want to say....I will run yet...but its a goal! And goals are what we need to say focused! Keep up the good work! Debbie

Hey Rob, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Actually, you are the one I am trying to keep up with. The trick to getting fit is to find things that you actually enjoy doing, find something (walking, swimming, cycling) that you can start and KEEP Doing -- then add something else. I started walking after my surgery and very quickly found that I didnt like it. SO I changed to the eliptical machine at the Y and then added the cycling. Keep changing what you are doing, the gyms have lots of diversity -- keeps you from getting bored with the work out. Always keep in mind that you are not in competition with all those sweaty bodies in the gym. You can always compete with yourself, but remember why you are doing the exercise. If you hurt yourself, you cannot continue. Your diet and exercise are the tricks to losing weight and more important keeping it off after the honeymoon for our medical miracle is over. I keep telling myself that the hardest part about a workout is getting started. Dwight

Rob, Wow you go guy!!!! We are defintely on the same track. Soon as my knees mend, give me 9-12 months, I'm gonna try cycling and probably a little more. This past 6 weeks has been torture not being able to do my complete workouts at the gym. Oh I was there and did my upper body, but can't do the legs yet. Finally last Wednesday I was able to get back in the water. Go****hought I died and went to heaven. Only can do about 10 laps, the legs need to build back up again. I'm will perservere and get back my 60 laps. Elissa De ObesityHelp Chapter Leader

Hey Rob, Way to go! You and Dwight sure turned into the Dynamic Duo over the past 2 years. I swear, you keep it up and you will need capes! Seriously, you have really made a full and complete commitment on a level that is incredibly hard to acheive, let alone maintain at that level! All I can say is wow, truely and insiration and you give us all an example to follow and a goal to shoot for. Linda ( ok, so how many of you are picturing Rob and Dwight running or cycling through the Delaware countryside....warm spring day...red and blue tights...capes flapping in the breeze...packet of protein powder hanging out of the back pocket....wait, does spandex even have pockets?...ok, I'll behave LOL )

Linda, Now I can't get the picture of Rob and Dwight in spandex outta my mind! Thanks!!! You guys Rock!!! You both have definately found the keys to success.