2012 - 12 Ton Challenge

So…I know I’ve completely stop writing for the last two years. Trust me, nothing has changed. I still feel as though I need to lose a lot more weight. The largest hurdle for me to overcome is setting a goal and sticking to it. I might fall back into the same boat, and put my weight loss on the back burner. That may or may not happen. This year I think I will have a fighting chance of meeting my goals. I have found some help!

If anyone reads this blog than they would have seen that I’ve been posting videos of the “12 Ton Challenge”.  I originally heard about this challenge from a friend at work. I thought to myself this could really make a difference in the way I have been going about things. It makes me realize that I need help if I really want to make a difference in the way I work out. 

For the last three to four years I have been spending money on gym memberships for the winter, and I find myself going and sticking to the same old run on the treadmill. When my membership runs out I tell myself I will walk every night. This lasts for about a month, and then it goes down to 3 times a week and whenever I get to it.  

After watching all the links about the “12 Ton Challenge” it got me thinking. This could be the step that would kick my ass into getting my workout routine and health on the right track. Hell! I am never going to be thin; I just want to be around to enjoy the rest of my life as a happy healthy man!

So enough about me… 

The Chatham-Kent “12 Ton” Challenge

A local personal trainer and emergency room doctor are leading the charge to have Chatham-Kent residents lose a total of 24,000-pounds in 2012. Check it out if you have the time -> www.12tonchallenge.com. 

Ben (Personal Trainer) has offered his time and work out space to offer free classes to get people moving. He also has started offering a free “Your First Workout Program” every Sunday in January to beginners.  A great way to get a rundown of things you can do a home to help with getting fit. He’s also got a FREE “Life Change” fitness class to those who are over 330lbs. I.E. Me. This runs at 8am Monday - Friday and after a quick talk at work. I was able to get my hours moved around and make the time to get in on this. The “12-12-12 Crew” are committed to helping us and all they ask of us is if we start the program we commit to ourselves, my family and the 12 Ton Challenge and continue the program and let it help us change our life’s.

Sounds easy enough… I have re-arranged my work schedule so rather than 8am-5pm I am working 9:30-5:30 pm to accommodate for the Boot Camp workout in the morning.  Maria (my wife) has been shopping and cooking to help support me along the way.

So it all started last week January 4th 2012. I stopped in at the Wednesday night weigh-in after the gym. I signed myself up for the upcoming 6 week Boot Camp workout. They took my measurements, weight and blood pressure. They had one of those generic digital scales, which wouldn’t show me my accurate weight. Ben the trainer asked if I was going to make it to the life change class. I wasn’t able to make this with my work schedule, but told him I would be there for the Sunday workout. 

Friday night I feel was the best way to start this whole process. I decided to have Chicken Strips and a Thai fusion soup from our local Crabby Joe’s. Well I guess when I was hugging the bowl at 1 am, I shoulda went with the damn Burger and Fries. Needless to say I spent the next 24hrs sicker than a dog with food poisoning. Sunday afternoon it was time for the workout class, I still wasn’t 100% but I made it through the hardest 45-minute workout I have ever done. Even though I wasn’t feeling too great, I a glad I pushed myself through it!

Day 1 

Monday morning and my first life change class came. Still not feeling 100% from the weekend’s adventures. But I went and pushed myself through the 45-minute class. My legs were aching and my stomach was sore. I tried my best, but man I am outta shape! Going from the usual 30 minute walks on the treadmill to this….Big adjustment!

Day 2,3 & 4 

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are a different story.  My legs were really stiff, I could barely walk, stand or breathe the wrong way and man I was hurting. 

I can admit things are getting easier. Ben did tell me day 2 would be tough, but it will get easier. 

This Friday, Ben has planned for us to chase him around the track at the local High school. We have 45 minutes to pull just one flag off of him. It’s not one each, its one in total. This is a good way to end the week; he has put a spin on this to give us a good outlook on this class. I think its all good as long as we are moving. Can we do this, I think we might have chance, we have an X rugby player in our group. 

This is just the beginning; I can’t say how long I will stick to this. 

BUT

As long as I can keep pushing myself to go to each class, it might just be that kick in the ass I’ve needed for years. 

… I’ll try to keep you posted.