"Drop(pin') It Like it's Hot!"

Day 71: Tuesday January 17, 2012; 3:03pm:  Well let's get through the particulars first.  I weighed in at Fat Camp (Aultman Weight Loss Center) last night (Day 70).  I lost 4.2 pounds bringing my total loss to 38.0 pounds and I sit currently at 237.0 pounds!

This was a big week, and to reference this post's title, I truly am "Drop(pin") It Like It's Hot" - Snoop Dogg.  From dropping the lb's to literally having a pair of pants fit so loose it would be obscene not to wear a belt - I am beginning to see a true physical transformation.  The loose skin I referenced in a previous post is starting to tighten up thanks to workouts, the pants are quickly becoming too big and I am rapidly becoming more realistically healthy shown in updated blood work results, physical appearance, and emotionally as well!  I truly am excited about the new look and am so motivated to stay focused in eating and in my workouts to see how I look at the proverbial finish line,... no pun intended.

Before I go into a truly wonderful experience I had at our work event over the weekend, allow me to point out that the finish line for my weight loss is only the very beginning of the lifestyle change to maintain the weight, and healthy outlook.  Work outs and watching what and how I eat is going to have to be a permanent habit and a constant work in progress as I am quickly coming to realize.  It has to be habit if it is going to be sustainable.  I can indulge occasionally in my favorite foods (beer and pizza), but I can't make it habit to fall back on those out of laziness and apathy.  But at 34.5 years of age - I think it is necessary to see that I reach age 70 in a proper form of health so as to not be hooked up to machines in a hospital for abusing my body.  I am ready for this, and I am "running" toward my future without looking back and without hesitation.

Now allow me to divulge an experience both my wife and I had this past weekend, in different places.  We held a health and fitness expo this past weekend to promote our brand, races, and health and wellness as part of the New Years' Resolutions we are all so apt to make after the holidays get the better of us.

At this expo, due to some publicity for both the marathon and my weight loss journey has created through this blog and other outlets, I spent a significant amount of time being recognized and even posed for a picture or two.  It was great to see people take an active interest in the Canton Marathon, my progress, and even the Aultman Weight Loss Program, as they and my little blond dietitian friend were present at the expo.  Three things took me back that I have to share.

One: People I have known for most of my adult life walked past me and did not recognize me due to the dramatic physical change in my appearance (no I have not gotten any better looking, but my body as mentioned above has truly changed and tightened up to a degree).

The second came from a couple of people that stopped by our booth and either deduced from the publicity who I was, or saw my before pic at the Fat Camp (Aultman Weight Loss Center) booth and did a double take. Once they realized it was the same person, they literally came back to the other end of the expo to A.) Congratulate me, and B.) remark as to the significance of the change.  WOW!!  People are actually taking time to recognize and congratulate me on doing what I am supposed to, take care of my self.  It is so inspiring, and humbling to have random strangers do such things.

The third actually made me (the most sarcastic person I know) blush, and happened to my wife as well. I was at our booth during the expo, my wife was in Cleveland with her sorority sisters for a reunion.  A lady recognized me and congratulated me.  I thanked her and did my best to answer questions about my journey and greet others coming to the booth.  I got distracted with some greetings of old friends and spoke to them.  The lady who had originally walked up waited until I finished the impromptu reunion, then re-approached.  She stopped just momentarily and said "You look EVEN better in person than you did in your pics. I just felt you should hear that." With that she walked away to a formally stunned, humbled, and gratified "thanks SO MUCH!" from me.  In the mean time, in Cleveland, my wife walked through the door of the house and was greeted by 7 of her sorority sisters to "Wow!  Jenna, you LOOK GREAT! Are you n Rob's diet?"  As she has continued her journey for the wedding and is at the lightest of her adult life, and healthiest according to her physician during a yearly physical.

Neither of us notice our own progress, but have taken keen notice of each others'.  We each constantly compliment the other on the progress, but I think we have each, to a minor degree, not fully accepted it as gospel because we love each other so much, I truly believe the other would say it regardless.  And while that may be true, I can honestly say that it truly amazes and humbles us when others take time to notice and compliment us.

I am doing this for me, yes, but for her mostly for reasons mentioned frequently here.  But to have others show such kindness and shower me with such praise is awe-striking.  It motivates me through positive reinforcement and fear of failure.  But to have a couple of people thank me for "putting myself out there and walking through and verbalizing thoughts others have, but don't feel comfortable putting in digital print" is something I hoped for, but never expected.

Yes I am thrilled I can entertain folks because I have always been a little ornery.  And I am thrilled that so many have taken an interest because the folks at fat camp and at Canton Marathon deserve so very much credit for my results and providing healthy options for people.  But to motivate, even in a rare case inspire someone to consider or make positive changes by showing things like this while scary to approach and admit that we have flaws we are not proud of, is so very much worth the journey, trials and tribulations that come with it, and of course the rewards you have the opportunity to reap along the way:  Well, for once I am at a loss for words.   I have truly gotten and continue to have the opportunity to experience the very best in people.
  
Yep, I think I'll leave it at that.  Thanks all, truly , for such amazing encouragement, support, and praise.  I'll do my best to not anyone down!