For most of my life I have been over weight.
I wasn't born overweight and made it to somewhere around 7 years old as a healthy child with a healthy weight.
Then that year, my Private school closed and I was transferred into the Public School System. And after that, I don't recall being a very active as a child nor was I very involved in anything.
I would spend my summers in Puerto Rico with my father's family but I don't remember much of anything.
Actually, after that point all I recall is sitting in front of the TV, playng Mario Brothers on my Nintendo or going to get Malta and Mazareal's with my grandfather.
Something changed.
I'm not entirely sure what (and I am not venturing to accuse the Public School System).
After that, I did not become active until I started college. At which point I was quite overweight (Obese on the BMI scale) and my first year I decided that I would signed up for a Judo class.
I surprised myself.
I was never a brave soul and I half expected to walk in and have the class be canceled due to lack of participation.
But to my surprise it wasn't ... and that's where it all began.
I even started to compete (Here you see me after a Sunshine State Games Competition where I got 2nd Place. Top Row 4th in from Left to right with a Brown Belt.)
I started to lose weight.
Not a lot but enough for me to find the bravery to sign up for the FIU ROTC Program. This is where RUNNING and I were formally introduced and started our on-again off-again affair.
I wasn't very good but I managed some 8 minute (first) miles in my PFT Test runs. I was able to keep up with my designated "Slow" group and I occasionally went on runs with other JUDO members when they wanted to pump up their training.
I SAW RESULTS.
I set goals and started to realize my dreams. I became a Judo Instructor, a Firearms Instructor and Substitute Teacher. I picked up several hobbies including but not limited to: Photography, Running, Working Out and overall fitness, Traveling, Writing the All-American Novel ... and so much more.
Then I graduated from College. Got a SLACKER JOB at the Gun Range and a second Job as a Cyber-Journalist for a local TV Station. I moved out. Made some mistakes and ended up MARRIED!
Three years later.
I had a couple of bumps in the road and I ended up back at the beginning, actually much worse than I ever thought possible. My top weight was 242 pounds on my 5'6" frame. My doctor told me I was putting my life at risk being so overweight.
I didn't know where to begin.
So I took some sage advice from a childhood movie:
"When it all goes wrong, go back to the beginning"
- The Princess Bride
I started with what I knew. I joined WeightWatchers.com and diligently tracked all the foods I ate along with my workout (a session of Billy Blank's Tae Bo every morning, even Sundays).
After a year and without really noticing, I had lost 50 pounds.
My life really turned around.
But as time passed, I seemed stuck.
Now a year has come and gone and I've been stuck at the same weight. I've had multiple personal trainers and never managed to lose more than 10 pounds which I quickly gain back once our training sessions are over. Not that any one of the personal trainers wasn't great but I think my problem is something that a personal trainer can not fix. I've been working out albeit not consistently or regularly or even to the degree that I should be working out.
So I am pressing the reset button.
In 2009, I've started learning to play guitar, learning to play drums, learning to play the piano, returned to my hobbies of Photography and Running and even starting to write again.
I am determined to kick-start and start reaching my goals again.
In March of 2009 I started training for the
Seven Mile Bridge Race.I started running longer and longer distances and I got hooked.
I started signing up for Races.
I wasn't going out to set any records but just to be other there with other people running is a wonderful feeling!
Then I took the plunge and went for a half-marathon at
13.1 Fort Lauderdale
Next, I'm signed up for the ING FULL MARATHON!
Wish me luck!
