August 2015 – A Healthy Living Journey

I work in a building with thousands of people and multiple elevator banks. My office is on the 16^th floor so it’s not uncommon to be on a “local” elevator when heading to the ground floor. On those off-peak hours when everyone is in meetings, I almost expect to take an express ride.

Today, I got into the elevator and went down to the 10^th floor. Okay, not so bad…could be worse. A colleague gets onto the elevator and proceeds to hit the button for the 9^th floor! Are you kidding me? For the time you waited for the elevator, you could have taken Stairwell A, B or C and reached your destination faster!!! Are you that freaking lazy???

All kidding and frustration aside, walking the stairs is a great way to get in some extra steps, get your body moving after sitting for what could be hours and burning off some of that lunch you just ate in your office.

There’s a group of women at work who take 15 minutes out of their day to climb stairs. Some make it to the 10^th floor while others make it all the way to the 32^nd. So, of course, I had to try it. By the time I got to the 16^th floor, not only was I out of breath, my glutes were screaming! And I run 4 to 5 days per week!!!

Take note fellow readers, before getting into your next elevator, think about taking a flight instead!

Here are some fun facts about taking the stairs: http://gethealthyct.org/documents/Fun-Facts-about-Taking-the-Stairs-FINAL.pdf

Ever since I started my “Healthy Living Journey” on March 9^th, my friends, family and co-workers have noticed the transformation. Almost daily, I’m asked questions about what I eat, how much I’m exercising, whether or not it’s difficult to keep up, etc… I get, “I didn’t recognize you” and, “I didn’t want to say anything in case it was something bad…”

Although, in my mind, all I did was shed over 50 lbs., buy new clothes (and then have them taken in), eat healthy and exercise, people want to hear about my journey.

Yes, the results are incredible. Yes, the combination of “diet” and exercise is what led to the significant changes. However, those are just activities based on the more challenging and realistic aspects of my transformation: What’s motivating me to make the change? What’s driving me to follow a healthy lifestyle? Why now?

In short, at only forty-four, I knew I was a heart attack or stroke waiting to happen, and worse, I was an incredibly shitty role model for my kids and increasingly difficult to my wife. I was on track to losing absolutely everything and I’m sure I would have if not for turning my life around! So, if that’s not enough to get one in the right mindset and committed to change, I’m not sure what is!

The journey began on March 9^th, 2015 and I’ve never felt better…

My goal for this blog is to share my thoughts and experiences of striving to be a better version of myself through a positive mindset, setting challenging yet realistic goals and being inspired by those around me.

Please join me on this journey by following, commenting and sharing your own stories and experiences.