Roadblocks to Success

As I weighed myself this morning, I realized that I am now lighter than I have been in 10 years (277 pounds). I thought about why things were different this time vs. all the other times I had started and stopped exercise programs, diets, etc. I think these are the top three roadblocks to my success in the past:

1. Humility

There's that old adage that sometimes you need to hit rock bottom before you can pull yourself back up. It has been humbling over the years to look at myself and the physical shape I had gotten myself into. It's much easier to look away than it is to call yourself out and do what is necessary to get back on the right track. Pride can keep you from looking at yourself honestly and making the tough choices that need to be made.

This time around, I assessed myself honestly and refused to accept any excuses.

2. Patience

Not a big strength of mine. At 310 pounds, the results didn't come as quickly or as easily as they did when I was 235 pounds. And when I'd hit my first plateau, I'd simply shut down and basically give up. I don't think I was ever realistic about the kind of effort it was going to take to lose the weight I needed to lose. Or maybe I did understand what it was going to take and just refused to push myself. Regardless, I never was patient enough in my approach to exercise and nutrition.

I knew once I was chosen for this competition that I wouldn't quit. There was never a doubt in my mind. While I've let myself down in the past, there was no way I was going to disrespect the trainers at Fitness Together that had blessed me with an amazing gift.

3. Fear

When you are on a diet or starting an exercise program, everyone knows it. Your friends, your family, your co-workers. They notice that you pass on that cookie at lunch or skip that next beer. If you fall off the wagon , they're also going to be the first to notice. It's embarrassing. Why start a program if you know that you're likely to fail? They say the definition of insane is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. That was me.

So when I started my current program, I had to admit to myself that what I had been doing didn't work. I was literally a blank slate when I walked in that first day, willing to unlearn all my bad habits and ready to accept new ones. That's tough to do for someone who thinks they know everything.

I know that staying in shape won't be easy; anything you have to work for never is. But I think that continuing to be self aware as my program continues will allow me to identify any new obstacles that come my way and I'll be better prepared to overcome them.

And again, thank you everyone for your continued support.

-Jason