Why I do what I do.
At the same time it motivates me to keep moving forward and doing the best I can. I started swimming just a few short weeks ago and have worked up to 1,750m in 50 minutes with only one 5 minute rest in the middle. That makes me feel really good - for a lot of reasons in a lot of ways. And a lot of what got me inspired to start and to keep working at improving is because of what I've seen you and some of the other guys on this board doing. Keep up the amazing work!
Steve 
AJ,
I can relate to all of that. In the same four year period, I participated in mountain and road bike races, swimming competitions of various lengths, triathlons, long and short, and used rollerblading, weights and skiing for cross-training. One main reason I did all of these activities and read as much about the equipment and fitness training was to learn as much as I could. Of course, I was struggling to keep the weight off, but I really wanted to expand my horizons by learning as much about the fitness, equipment, people and events as I could.
Multisport widens your base of knowledge and experience more than anything I have experienced.
Enjoy,
Dave
AJ, Great answer. Glad that you found some splinter of substance in that event. I didn’t. The original reason for that ?????????????Topic Question?????????? I do see guys go from total couch potatoes to nearly obsessed fitness fiends. Sometimes, moving into ‘over-training’ where they are doing themselves actual damage. Similar to Anorexia for those who catch the ‘Holy-Ghost’ about eating less. There was a ‘seminar’ at the Lexington Convention (by a Psyche-Doc-ess, that was a little hottie) that pushed the notion that "Everything We focus Intense Energy into-Post-Op" maybe Addiction-Transfer. A 50/50 mix of Truthful Observation and Bull-Sh*t. For some, it’s just a case of doing for the Thrill of it. I had a bit of running for the thrill of it (got all the way to a 5K last summer) but then I had a break from it for PS, and suddenly ‘the thrill was gone.’ There was about half a year where I loved it because it was something completely new for me. Like suddenly getting wings. For me, it wasn’t about getting fit, it wasn’t about proving anything to myself, --just the thrill of being able to run without the limits that had always been there in the past. I asked because it always puzzled me that I found it So engaging and consuming at the time. I wondered if you might have a clear idea of what the attraction was for you. What was "The Goal." More curios because I think "My Goal" has always been a little skewed from the beginning, due to my complications.
So many seem to be "Driven" after their weight loss. Lists of goals- "I want to _________" Everything from "ride a roller coaster," to "Run a Marathon."
I think it’s all wrapped up in what we see as "The Goal." Once I had committed to surgery, but while a Pre-Op still, "My Goal" was to "Not Be Fat Anymore!" I think there is a different approach for those – Who have been Obese all of their Lives, -VS- Those –Who were normal once, and Obesity came on later. Headed for the Goal of "Not Fat," was primarily what I was after. I had just had Heart Surgery to correct a Life long problem, and actually, already felt better than I had for my whole life. I had little to no co-morbidities (except GERD) but, I had witnessed generations of family members suffer all of the ills that accompany Morbid Obesity. So, "My Goal before surgery was to be "Not Fat," mostly. Post-Op, I had really bad complications and immediately my "Goals" changed. At first my new goal was to –"I want to Live, Not Die." This Goal slowly altered to- "I want to Walk!" Which eventually grew into -"I want to be Healthy/Healthier." For the past 2 years, it’s grown into just wanting- "More, More, More Life!" My "Goal weight" did figure into it but only as a "measuring device," not the actual Goal itself. I started at 385+lbs. and was aiming to get to 185lbs and a BMI below 24.9! Just wanted to be "Normal," at least on paper. I made tha****er mark, but kept on going to 179lbs and a BMI of 23.6. I’ve been holding at that 185 and lower weight for over 2 1/2years now. (Give or take 5 pounds depending on the time of day) I do believe it’s going to take some time to get used to this new body. Having been Obese as far back as I can remember makes this a Daily new experience. I think that if I had a memory or experience of being relatively normal sized in my past the change would be different for me. More like a person getting glasses after loosing nearly all of their sight over a number of years. "Yes! That’s What I remember!!" But for those who have never had this at all it’s a little like seeing for the first time ever. It’s a Whole New World. (thus the ‘Thrill.’) So I think my present "goal" is to hang on to this ferociously and never let it go, and that does mean, Striving to live healthier, Thus- Longer, than would have been possible before. Unlike some, I have gone for some Plastic Surgery. Now that I’ve had a "Taste," I want it ALL! More Muscle, More Stamina, Great Clothes, More Activity, More Speed, More Life, More, More, More!!! I don’t think it’s "addiction-transfer" on my part either, Just a New Appreciation of Living. I keep asking myself and others the questions though. (Maybe I'm addicted to questioning?????) Best Wishes- Dx
