Benefits

So like I mentioned earlier today my friend Kristy asked me to compile a list of benefits to losing weight and being health. I can't sleep tonight for some reason so I might as well see what I can churn out.

1. I don't think overweight people ever really view themselves as overweight. I'm mean sure we know/knew we had a few extra pounds we knew we needed to get our diet under control but still when I read those statistics about the majority of Americans being overweight somehow that number didn't include me. I was confused as to why seats were tight. It was weird that all at once manufacturers started making movie theater, roller coaster and airline seats two sizes too small all in the same couple of years. It was also weird that for some reason all clothing manufacturers starting making xxl's so small.

In a way it was good that I never let my weight damage my perceived value or self worth. It was bad that I never was able to see my self for who I really was both in what I really looked like on the outside but also who I was on the inside. It's sort of like those two things were hiding from each other.

2. I think my favorite thing about this process is the energy that I now have. It was a chore to get up and play with Nathan or to take a little walk to the park. Just the little things in life took so much energy. After all it's quite a bit of work lugging around that much weight.

Rarely do I lack the energy to do things now and if I do it generally means I either worked out very hard that day or I didn't get enough sleep the night before. My feet don't get tired, my legs don't get tired and I can literally go all day without a break. It's not uncommon for me to get up and go for a run (5 or so miles), to spend a few hours cutting the grass and other lawn work and still have the energy to spend time with the family. I don't say that to boast but just that I'm still amazed that I don't have the insatiable urge to rest but rather enjoy exerting myself beyond what I have before.

It's all about pushing limits.

3. The final benefit (for now) is health I can be proud of. My resting heart rate is about 54, I have excellent blood pressure and cholesterol. This link is the benefits of running but I believe it would apply to any kind of regular and strenuous exercise. Benefits of Running.