Why I Am Part of ViSalus
To help myself understand why I'm here and why I am committing to the Body By Vi Challenge, I must review my background with regards to health and fitness, and/or lack thereof. In order to make this work I must be completely honest with you and more importantly-myself.
It has been a good many years since I’ve revealed this much about me; but it is my hope, that should I succeed, many others will believe that nothing is impossible with the right combination.
I was a fair athlete in Elementary and Junior High School and was attending very special schools here in California during my High School Years. After graduating High School, I entered the Construction Trades and direct marketing. By the age of 22, I was a solid 170 lbs at 6 foot 1 inch tall and very proud of my physique and insane work ethic while working hard to keep fit in my younger years. I also took pride in consuming vast quantities of alcohol.
Over the next few years, I managed to reach 180 pounds of rompin-stompin mass and thought I was invincible. I tried to remain in shape but then my drinking career took a toll on me. In 1990 at the age of 33 I decided to quit drinking and try to get back into shape in all areas, mentally, spiritually and physically.
I got back in good muscular, mental and spiritual shape over the next 5 years. That is not the case today. Borrowing a statement from a good friend of mine, I’d say "my cardiovascular fitness is in the toilet". I have gone back to my old routine of not eating right and not working out.
These past five years I have spent mostly in front of a computer during all hours possible. I returned to college and completed 2 more AS degrees in electronics and computers. My daily routine now consists of 90 percent mental work, with very little physical demand. This is not to say that I am not doing any physical work; just not enough to keep this aging body fit.
I and my wife-(God Bless her) have had enough. I am weighing about 238 lbs with the biggest spare tire since I stopped drinking. I forgot to mention; at the time I ceased drinking I weighed in at a whopping 243 pounds! I have decided that once and for all I need to get my body back and my endurance level needs to improve dramatically or I am headed for an early grave. The last 5 years of being semi-sedentary, sitting in front of a computer has taken a toll on me.
Now for the "WHY" in the Body By Vi Challenge? That’s simple; it appears to produce dramatic results.
I have tried dieting numerous times in the last ten years, and managed to shed pounds for awhile. At one point, I managed to get down to 178 and felt faint almost all the time. It seems that 190 would be a very comfortable weight, but I always have a difficult time cutting the "last ten" pounds. Worse, I lack the discipline to keep it up. It’s just too easy to start munching while working in front of a computer.
My goal is to lose 38 lbs to go from my current 238 down to a much leaner and muscular 200. At my age of 53 I am not looking to be ripped; I just don’t want to be R.I.P’ed before my time. I feel that this 90 day Challenge is my best (if not only) hope. The support here is second to none and Frank along with Melanie have been a great inspiration.
Come and join Visalus if you want to change your future well being, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the road of Happy Destiny…
