Rethinking Life (Page 3)

I want to thank the BT community for all the words of understanding and suggestions.  I think even as I was writing the OP, I knew what I had to do and was maybe looking for a way out.  Aqual velvo racing is not for me, nor is a relay.  I am a triathlete and triathletes swim, bike and run. 

I have no intention of quitting running.  The doctor said my knee should be well enough in a month or two to run and that's exactly what I plan to do.  My plan is to stay on the treadmill until I get some weight off.  I figure the added coushin of the TM will compensate for the added stress of the weight until I get down to better running weight.

I won't say I hate running on the dreadmill but I will say that I love to run outside.  For me, 72% of the joy of running is being outside in the fresh air with the birds and sun and wind and the various smell of nature.  But ya gotta do what ya gotta do so for now, I am Mr Treadmill. 

The surgeon did not give me a number to shoot for but Jenn did in her post.  She said, basically, swing for the fence...go 'all in'.  And Lord knows, nothing fires me up more than going 'all in'!  So that's it, I'm all in.

I'll resurrect this thread when I reach my goal.

Thanks again for all the kind words, suggestions and sharing of experiences.  I'll post the URL for this thead in my BLOG and read it often as it has been very inspriational to me.

Thanks!

~Mike

PS Note to Jake.  I told you I'd run a 4:20 for you buddy and it looks like God has given me the push I needed.

I just couldn't read the whole post.  Just the first page then the last.

Your last post is awesome, inspirational and I'll look forward to reading about your progress.

Good choice.

Can I offer some encouragement on improving nutrition. Not unlike a challenging workout, there is a pain threshold that one will get over and then it gets better. What do I mean. Reduce, gradually, sweets, fats, and alcohol (surprising amount of calories there) etc. Once the craving goes away, you won't miss these things. And on the occasion when you do indulge, sugary things are so overpowering, fatty things are so hard to digest and heavy, alcohol knocks you on your a$$. You'll get used to eating clean. My experience, at least. 

I applaud your can-do attitude. I just encourage you to consider that the greater challenge is to find a path that does not lead you to an early end to your athletic goals. If you go all in too soon, you may find that you are suddenly out of the game, maybe permanently. Better to slowly play yourself back into the game and patiently wait for your all-in moment.

In listening to you I would be concerned that if you couldn't physically challenge yourself at a high level in the future, that depression could set in (been there, done that). Just my opinion.

First thoughts were "Never forget your beginners spirit" and it mostly boils down to what you truly want and how bad you want it.
Losing weight is not easy but neither is watching a race wishing it was you out there too!

I guess I am biased, but Weight Watchers helped me lose 22lbs  it is not just for women 
It is not a diet as diets = deprivation = binges that is why diets fail.
You learn portion control, no special foods to buy, it works.

good luck to you and with your journey