My "one year ago" thread!

Super congratulations!
That is very inspiring.

I love anniversary threads!  Congrats on your wonderful achievements, and I can't wait for the pics.  I also can't wait for your lunch-break musings.

That's awesome!!!!  I love reading threads like this!!!

Congrats bro! Keep up the great work!!

Have you gone back to this doctor just to see the new look on her face? Fifteen pounds? Pshaw? How about 92?! Great job!

Bryan ... you're my hero. I have a very special respect for you. Be prepared for mucho more props on our group page!

That is a great story, thanks for sharing your journey, and congratulations! I am going to show it to my husband to help get him inspired. It's the starting out that is hardest. . . and then it's hard to stop, but that's the fun part!!
-Leslie

Congrats Bryan, did you have to fight through any/many injuries? I'm determined to work through mine.

Congrats. That must really feel awesome.

Any tips or secrets that you can share?

Way to go...great update!!!!!!!!!!

That is fantastic!  This forum attracts so many new folks to the sport and stories like yours are what they need to read for motivation.  I look forward to seeing the pics and send my congratulations to you and your family.

Many thanks to all. I was away on meetings yesterday, and here I am coming back to see all these congrat notes.

A few things:

1. I am not a triathlete yet! I am calling myself a "triathlete in training". At least until September 1st in the afternoon, when I will be wearing my finisher medal!

2. I noticed a few BT's noted they showed this little story to people around them. That's good, but I learned from the start the decision to change must come from within. No matter what others say, it will never HAPPEN if your own mind is not set to start the journey.

3. The "look" from my doctor was yet another thing, but not the main motivator. I was just surrounded by factors staring me right in face that enough was enough. But on that day (call it karma or whatever) when I stepped out of her office and started walking back to my car, everything just "clicked" in my mind. It's difficult to explain and describe, but it's just like I turned a switch to "on" and never looked back!

4. IT CAN BE DONE!

5. Diets don't work. You just set yourself up for failure, thinking of things you can't have, instead of things you can have. It's all about lifestyle choices. You change or you don't. The decision is yours and yours alone.

6. It's 90% mental, 10% physical

7. I guess the biggest thing for me was rediscovering sports and the athlete in me. Honestly, for the past 15 years, it was the "missing" link in my life.

8. Never give up, especially when people around start thinking you are crazy!

Now, time to start the second best year of my life!

And before I forget... some pics can be found here: http://www.vwss.ca/fsgallery/albums/batchadd/bigbry/Various%20shots...

First shot of me about 3 years ago, way above 280 lbs.
Second shot on July 1st last year, at 280 lbs (notice the nice baggy shirt to hide the curves!)
Third shot was taken this evening, in my backyard. I am not wearing anything tight and all, but I guess you catch the drift!!

WOW! Major congrats Bryan! What a great role model for your kids! Good luck in Sept! What race are you doing?

September 1st in Ottawa, Canada (home town).

It will be my first ever tri, and I am starting from the beginning (which actually suits my training time).

It will be 200M/15k/5k. My decision is either I go in the competitive division (called SuperSprint Tri) or the "try-a-tri" for first timers and newbies.

The "try-a-tri" is an open category, with no AG results, and very popular. More than likely more than 200 participants.

The SuperSprint is less popular (it's the first year the organizers are presenting it) and aimed at the more "serious" or "competitive" atheletes. With AG awards, etc.

The SS starts 5 minutes before the Try-a-tri. But once on the bike course, we will likely be mixed with participants from other distances anyways (races go from the very short stuff up to Iron distance).

I am thinking more and more of entering in the SS, just because the swim will be less crowded!

By checking the results over the past few years, my TRAINING times would already place me in the Top 10 overall in the try-a-tri, on my mountain bike.

I still have time to ponder anyways.

WOW, just realized this was a long answer to a short question!!!

Have you had to deal with any injuries?

I say go for the SS! Although it would be super cool to have a high placement in the Try a Tri division, you may just shake out a fab time in the SS... Lots to consider! All good choices...

I am psyched for you! Are you getting in some OW swims? That would be my only hesitation with the SS. You will have to stay in your "own race" and not take off too fast with the uber competitive guys... You will reel some of them in on the bike and run... The beginner race will most likely include some newbies hitting the panic button in the water etc... But the overall pace in the water may be more relaxing... Again, lots to consider!

Either way, you are ready to rock and roll... Have a blast!

Sweet photo collage dude - you should consider posting that in the "before and after" thread... I can't find the link at the moment but hopefully someone knows where it is.

Great job on an awesome accomplishment!

Congratulations!!! You've done fantastic & I'll be looking for your race report in September! Best of luck.

Kristen

Great job and very inspiring. Did you have any issues with lose skin? Thanks again, it good to see that others have made the journey that I have only recently started.

Thanks for that!

I am feeling pumped more and more as the days go by, especially since I feel my training is really coming together in the past few weeks.

Thanks to all to took the time to check in and share some comments!

Year 2 is already great!!