Goal Weight: 195 lbs.
Today’s weight: 209 lbs.
Workout update: I’m out of exile and back with my awesome line. We did eight stations today and spent most of the morning on the move. My improving improving fitness made this morning so much less painful that the first week. And I know I worked five times as hard. One of my beginning group teammates was declared cancer free. I’ve mentioned her before — she has been battling breast cancer. I’m SO proud of her. And completely understand the relief she feels today.
I’m holding up four fingers. I have only more four weeks until the end of my program. That’s four-days a week for a total of 16 sessions. And in those 16 sessions, I have 15 pounds to lose. It’s the home stretch. It’s the equivalent of the fourth quarter. It’s time to get serious. And get lighter.
A few years ago, I was sitting in UAB’s Sports Arena. My cousin Dave Ramsey had just put on yet another marathon Total Money Makeover seminar (he speaks up to five hours during one of his live events and anyone who speaks knows how draining speaking can be.). He had just come from taping a pilot for television and of course, had worked all week on his nationally syndicated three-hour program. He was tired. I could tell it — but no one else could. He was on and was as amazing ever. After we finished signing books, I asked him, “Dave, how do you do it all?” He looked at me and said, “I run five miles in the morning.”
Yesterday I got what he meant. Here was my schedule:
4:30 – 5:30 a.m. — Ran 5.5 miles.
5:30-6:00 a.m. — Ready and to work.
6:00 – 12 p.m. — Work at The Clarion-Ledger.
12 – 3:00 p.m. — Show-prep at SuperTalk and business lunch.
3:00 — 6:00 p.m. — On-Air on The Marshall Ramsey Show.
6:00 – 10 p.m. — Emceeing the Mississippi Nurses’ Nightingale Awards (two hours standing and talking).
11: p.m. bed.
3:30 a.m. — awake and to work out.
I worked 16 hours yesterday. Yes, 16 hours. And I had as much energy when I was emceeing the event as I did when I woke up.
The old fat me could NOT have done that. I would have been drinking Cokes to try to prop myself up. And while I had a few glasses of tea, I was careful NOT to eat any sugar. I steered away from cheap, quick energy. I avoided crashing and managed to plow through the day.
When I was driving home last night, I understood what Dave meant when he said, “I run five miles.” The effort I put into physical fitness paid huge dividends. Now, if you excuse me, I think I’ll fall asleep at my desk.