Marshall Ramsey

As I made the first turn around the track, my lungs were burning from the 22-degree cold (and the toxic diesel fumes from the nearby JTRANS buses). It’s hard to believe that another 12 weeks of Paul Lacoste’s Fit4Change has begun. I looked at all the new faces huffing and struggling their way through the mile test with me. And I had empathy.

I used to be just like them. It was the beginning of 2012 and I had gained 50 lbs. in one year. I was obese, sedentary and making bad food choices. I was heading at warp speed toward my first heart attack, diabetes or worse.  I hobbled around the same track and prayed I wouldn’t throw up.  My running partner was embarrassment — embarrassment that I had gained so much weight in one year. He stayed with me every painful step along the way. I had gone from running a marathon in 2010 to barely being able to run a mile.

That 12 weeks I lost the 50 lbs. And have kept most of it off since.

This morning was the fit test.  It’s series of benchmarks so we can compare our progress.  I did 55 sit-ups, 22 pushups, ran the shuttle run in 22 seconds, did plenty of step-ups and squats and ran the mile in a pokey but OK 8:53.  I have plenty of room to improve, and will.  Because I need to.

Yesterday was my annual physical.  My cholesterol has crept up to a high (for me) 169. My weight is up a little, too.  My blood pressure was a little high for me, too.

My goals for the next 12 weeks:

To lose 20 pounds.

To run a 7:30 mile.

To do 100+ situps

To do 75 pushups.

The rest will take care of itself.

Paul Lacoste talks a lot about the next level. I’ll explore what that means to me in future blogs. But let me just say that if I push myself hard when exercising, it will carry over throughout the rest of my day. 2014 will be a break-out year. But I need the physical and mental stamina to make it happen.

I finished the mile cold and a little tired. I saw hello to old friends and looked forward to making new ones. I smiled at coaches I haven’t seen in months. I know the next 12 weeks are going to change my life for the better.

The Holidays got the best of me: Too much travel (book tour), too much need for sleep (no running at 4 a.m.) and too much delicious food all played havoc on my waistline. Add to that a nasty case of bronchitis and I now run like a 95-year-old chain smoker.  I’ve gained a few pounds, too (206 to 215). I’m in crappy shape.

So what shall I do about it?

Easy. I’m starting another 12-weeks of Fit4Change bootcamp at JSU Walter Payton Center.  So while you’re sleeping, I’ll be sweating the fat away and having Paul Lacoste motivate me toward my goals.

My goal is to weigh 185 lbs. by April 1. That’s a pretty tough goal for someone of my advanced middle-agedness. It will take a deft balance of diet and exercise.

But it’s important I nip this weight thing in the bud now. I weighed 248 two years ago. And I don’t want to go back.  So tune into this blog as I fight obesity one push-up and mountain climber at a time.