Big Goals = Big Rewards

I went to the doctor yesterday for my annual physical (thank God I am not quite to the age when they start sticking fingers and probes into orfaces that should be dedicated as EXIT ONLY), and everything went really well. Actually, it went so well that I will go out on a limb here and say that my health is so good I feel like a 10 year old. In fact, if I look at my check up in 2009 and compare it to this year, as my doctor said, I am a complete departure of who he saw last November. Check these stats out:

2009
Weight: 204
Blood Pressure: 132/94
Resting Pulse: 76

2010
Weight: 166 (yes, that is 38 lbs - GONE!)
Blood Pressure: 118/76
Resting Pulse: 47

WHOA - is that the same person?!?!??!?!?! I don't think it is, because I feel completely different! The reason that I am so excited and proud of myself for the above is because, and I say this with complete honesty, it is the hardest thing I have ever done. I don't really know what happened or what made me start down this path, but I like it a lot. Last year, I worked at Crate and Barrel over the holidays (because that is normal for a dude), and when I quit, Megan asked me what I was going to do with all of my free time. I told her that I was going to work on my body (HAHAHA). I didn't really know what that meant or what it involved, but I knew I wanted to get into better shape, I wanted to be healthier, I mean come on - MY JEANS DID NOT FIT ANYMORE! So I started running, and going to the gym, and biking - a lot. I also set a couple of goals:
1. I was going to run the KC half marathon with my sister.
2. I would ride my bike to Warrensburg.

Ya'll keep in mind, that I could not even run 1 mile. Ever since college I have been living this sedentary lifestyle. But prior to that I always "worked out." The quotes are used because I did it to get big muscles to look good on spring break and, lets face it, that's what everyone was doing. But I was and always have been the complete opposite of healthy.

Anyway I started on my routines and the pain started to hit, and it hit bad. As with everything else in my life i was trying too much too soon. I had severe shin splints, and could barely walk. My arms and legs hurt so bad I couldn't sleep, but I kept going. When I didn't want to exercise, I made myself do more. It sucked, and it sucked bad! That said, it was a perfect outlet. Those of you who know me know that I have an extremely high energy level and if that energy doesn't get burned, I pretty much annoy everyone around me including myself.

Finally, after about 4 months of severe pain my body began to change and I was able to do more without the pain. I could run longer and faster, I could bike longer, everything was good! Megan even noticed a change in my attitude - I was less stressed, more care free, and just had a better overall outlook on everything. The running and biking has allowed me to harness all of that energy and use on something that is good and beneficial. I had no idea that my health would improve so much in a year!

As for the goals I set...I ran the half marathon and I beat my sister (who has run multiple marathons - so suck it), and I did bike to Warrensburg. Actually, I rode 50-60 miles once a week so you could say I biked to Warrensburg probably about 20 times. So, my goals for the next year are:
1. Run the KC Full Marathon
2. Bike the MS 150
3. Start training for 2012 Triathalon ( I can't swim for sh!t)

p.s. As I look through my closet and decide what to wear I realize - MY JEANS DON'T FIT ANYMORE!!!

p.p.s. Anyone who thinks I am crazy (and I have had plenty of comments like "don't overdo it," "take it easy," "you can't do that") can keep their thoughts to themselves.