Marshall Ramsey

The humidity was back this morning and today’s run felt like a four-mile slog through syrup.  I got back to the house at 5:30 a.m. and thought to myself, “Why am I doing this?”

Here’s my answer to myself:

1. Weight loss/control. I weighed 248 lbs. last December. On my 6’1″ frame, that means I was obese.  My waist was a 41 inches. I was miserable.  Today, I’m 198 lbs. and have a 34 waist. I am no longer miserable.

2. Energy. Like you, I’m a busy guy.  Before I started back exercising I drank sugary sodas and ate junk food for energy.  It was like pouring sugar in my gas tank.  Now I can plow through my 13-hour workdays. Exercising and proper diet (a key), have made a big difference in my energy levels throughout the day.

3. Reduced stress. My hour of exercise every day is my version of Xanax. It allows me to handle the changes I’ve had to face the last year and a half.  (and being a parent). While I run, I pray, think about challenges and disconnect my mind from the world.

4. I look better. Sorry to go vain on you there, but I at least want to look nice for my wife of 18 years.  And when I’m speaking, I want to present the image of someone who is energetic and fit.  Fit Marshall is a better looking guy than Fat Marshall.

5. Social opportunities. When I did the Paul LaCoste training, I loved my group (and I miss them).  When I run on the trail on Saturday, I like running (no pun intended) into people I know.  Races are fun, too. When I rode in a weekly bike group, I loved the friendships I made.

6. Reduced Medical Expenses. My anxiety is lower (no need for drugs). My cholesterol is in check (no need for pills). My blood pressure is low (no pills needed, either.). I don’t have diabetes and my risk for cancer is reduced.  My heart is in good shape (no blockage in my arteries).  And my immune system must be stronger: I haven’t had a cold in over a year. Sure, I might need a knee surgery some day — but all and all, I’m coming out ahead.

7. And I sleep better. My sleep apnea has evaporated with me losing 50 lbs. And when my head finally hits the pillow each night, it is lights out immediately.

Goal weight: 195 lbs.

Time is at a premium right now. I’m working two jobs and have three projects in the hopper.  Not complaining — oh, no. Everything is a blessing. Just saying that I’m busier than I have ever been in my life.  It would be oh-so easy to skip exercise because “I don’t have enough time.”

That would be a fool’s decision.

I remember watching a motivational speaker do a trick with a jar, rocks and sand on stage once.  You know, the one where he tries to put sand and rocks into a jar but it doesn’t fit — until he put the big rocks in first, followed by pebbles and then sand.  SHAZAM!  It magically fits!  The magic is placing priority on what is truly important in your life. When you are busy, you schedule first things first. Family. Health. Work. Those are the big rocks in the jar.  Exercise is one of those big rocks. Without it, you don’t have the energy and stamina to be able to accomplish the rest of your to-do list. And you lose the most healthy form of stress relief around.  I can cut an hour of pebbles and sand out of my day to make room for an hour of exercise.

Yesterday I chose to draw instead of run.  I finished the drawing in the time I would have done my morning exercise — and I hated the drawing.  I had to start over, wasting the whole hour.  I should have run.  This morning, I put that rock in the jar first thing.  I ran 5.03, saw the sun try to rise, four deer and a rabbit. I burned 800 calories and burned a lot of stress.

I’m determined to accomplish great things. But I need to be in great shape to be able to have the stamina to do it all.  Now to put the pebbles and sand in the jar. I have a busy day ahead of me.