Continuing the Journey in SE Michigan

First of all, I have to say that I really enjoy this site, you people are amazing. I have been lurking here for about 3-4 weeks, so figured it was long past time to introduce myself. My name is Craig and I live in SE Michigan.

I guess my story begins on January 1st, 2003. That was the day that I finally got fed up with being overweight (knees constantly aching, always out of breath, high blood pressure, never having enough energy, ...). Thanks to better eating and ALOT of walking (25-35 a week), I was able to drop 45lbs in one year (290lbs to 245lbs).

Since I have always been gaining or losing weight, I figured learning to maintain a weight was more important than losing more. So, in 2004, I dedicated myself to maintaining my weight. I kept walking and kept eating right and I am accomplished the goal (was never +/- 5lbs from 245). However, I was usually hungry and never really felt 'strong'.

So in 2005, my goal was to start exercising again (more than just walking). Since I have failed miserably everytime I tried to exercise in the past, I decided to spend a couple of months
figuring out how to exercise (it is amazing what they don't teach you in high school phys-ed class). Read books, online articles, and subscribed to 'Men's Health' magazine. Basically came
to the conclusion that I was doing just about everything wrong in the past (working muscles too hard, not resting enough, not enough variety in the workouts, not enough/right foods).

On April 1st of this year, I started exercising the right way. I began with lifting weights twice a week and running twice a week (my first run was a mile and I was wishing I was dead at
the end of it). Slowly built up to lifting three times a week and running/biking three times a week. In early July, for the first time ever, I ran continuously for two miles.

To help keep me motivated, I started looking for 5K races to run, and by accident, I discovered that there were shorter triathlons (only knew about Olympic and Iron Man distances). I thought a sprint triathlon would be a great milestone in my new exercise program. Since I don't swim well, I figured my first would have to wait untill next summer. However, I found a sprint duathlon (5k/20k/5k) on October 2cd that might be doable for me. I've replaced one weight lifting session with another bike session, and I am trying my hardest to participate in that event.

After five months, I feel great/strong and since I can eat a little more, I am almost never hungry. I can now run 4 miles without stopping/walking and I can bike 14 miles. As an added bonus, I have lost another 15lbs. I realize that my weight is going to be a journey that lasts forever, but I like where I am heading now.

--Craig