This challenge could not have been more timely for me. After hitting a weight of 248 pounds in December 2012, I decided it was time for a change. I joined myfitnesspal and began tracking every calorie I ate. I joined a gym and kept track of every calorie I burned. Within 5 months I lost 40 pounds and lost another 15 over the next year. After hitting a plateau and being able to maintain my weight for a while, I decided I could do this on my own and backed away from the accountability I had with others. Shockingly (sarcasm included) my weight went back up!
When this challenge began, I was at my highest weight in over two years. My wife saw that I was frustrated with myself and also knew that I stopped going to the gym and that I had thus cancelled my monthly donation to it. She found a great deal at 9 Round, which she had been at before, and asked if I would like to give it a try. My first day was this past Monday and I loved it. I have always liked circuit training, and now I get to punch and kick things too! Double bonus. I am back to tracking every calorie that I eat and burn on MFP, and through this challenge I have a clear and distinct goal and timeline to reach it. I feel like this week has been a turning point for me. I am back on track!
One of my jobs as a law enforcement instructor is to push people beyond the limits they have set for themselves. Notice I didn't say "beyond their limits" but beyond their self-imposed limits. I am guilty of confusing the two at times for myself. I hear people say "I gave 110% percent." I don't believe you can give more than 100%, but I do believe that NONE of us really truly knows our maximum potential, or, what our 100% really is. Throughout this challenge and every day, dig down deep inside yourself and find a portion of you that you didn't know you had, but was there all along.
I wish you all the success that you deserve. Believe in yourself, push yourself, and reward yourself for your hard work.
Bill