About me (long version)

Well, I figured I tell the universe a little bit about myself, my background, and my beliefs when it comes to exercising and how I got to where I am today. I was raised on a corn and soybean farm in a small town called Rockwell City. My parents are hard working people who are still on the farm today. I was involved in athletics up through high school although I didn't have very much athletic ability. Once I entered college, I focused on getting involved in various clubs and organizations and quit making time to work out. The day I graduated from Iowa State University I weighed 225 lbs. I could not believe how much weight I had gained since high school where I weighed 160 lbs the day I graduated. Due to the rough economy, I wasn't able to find a job and so I spent 4 months living with my parents (yes I was 225lbs, unemployed, and living with my parents...I was a real winner) however during that time I started walking every day and got my weight down to under 200 lbs. However, in May I took a job that was not a good fit for me. I was stuck at a desk all day plugging data into a computer. Some people may consider that a career, but it wasn't for me. Before to long the company decided to eliminate my position, and I was back searching for a job. Between the stress of having a job I didn't enjoy and eventually losing that job I gained back about 15 of the pounds I had lost. However, during that time I made the decision to go back to school to get my teaching certificate (youth of America is in my hands.) That new years eve I decided to make a New Year's Resolution to lose weight. I started exercising, but the turning point came after school started when I turned on the T.V. and came across the T.V. show The Biggest Loser on NBC. I saw people who had let their weight get out of control for several years, and had been told by doctors that if they didn't get their weight under control they would be dead in a matter of years. Because of this, they were in the gym working out each and every day under the guidance of trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. Those people inspired me in two ways. First, they showed me that no matter how big you are, it's never to late to start working out. Secondly, it showed me what could happen to me if I didn't get control over my weight. I started walking a couple miles every day and watching what I ate. I don't count calories, but I cut back on the pop, beer, pizza, fried chicken, and fast food (except subway). I started eating more fruits, lean meats, and drinking more water and fruit juice. I am proud to say that I still practice these good habits and have gotten my weight down to under 185 lbs. Now, I have decided to push myself to a new level and starting training for various running events beginning with the Fool's Run 5k which will be held April 2nd here in Cedar Falls, IA. As I stated in yesterday's blog, I hope to turn this into being able to run longer distances (such as a half and eventually full marathon)