Getting back in the game

I was working with a friend this week on a special project for him.  He has the opportunity to be a head coach and needed me to put together some documents for a presentation to the A.D., he needed help with his interview answers, and how to "package" his coaching philosophies, etc.  Naturally, our conversation turned to his competition, the men that would also be interviewing for the head coach position. 

And then, there it was. My friend made an innocent little comment that stuck in my brain and challenged me to the core.  In speaking about the man that is in competition for the same coaching position my friend said, "But you have to consider his appearance. He is really overweight, a sure sign to the Board and the A.D. that he doesn't even have the discipline to take care of himself let alone having the ability to instill discipline in an entire football program".  I generally don't care what others opinions are of me, but there was a truth in what my friend was saying.  I do believe that our society looks upon a heavy person as someone who really doesn't have their act together.  I confess that I think that way.  Even though I know it is wrong, I look at fat people in a grocery store and think to myself how sad it is that these people often times fill their carts with terribly fat and unhealthy food.  Kind of strange considering that I weigh 285 pounds and have a 44 inch waist.

I think of myself as being different than the other fat people though.  After all, I have a reason.  I have had several bad years where high stress was the norm.  Every doctor will tell you that stress is a huge fat builder.  And when I look at myself in the shower, I really dont see a fat man.  A little big in the belly but strong muscular legs and strong arms. And then I catch myself.  These are all just excuses.  Excuses that I tell myself in order to avoid the pain and discipline to get back in shape and to lose weight.

So, I think I am ready.  I am planning on going on a no "fake" food eating plan.  What is "fake" food?  No, it is not a wax apple in a display sitting on a table at Pottery Barn.  Fake food is the opposite of real food and real food is food in its most basic form taken directly from nature without additives, alterations, or fillers. So that will eliminate refined sugar, hydrogenated oils, processed grains and any white stuff, pasteurized dairy, conventional meats and eggs, and artificial sweetners (I am going to miss my Southern sweet tea).

So why do this now?  Several reason really.  My boys want to run some races with me and how many more times will I get the opportunity to do that?  My wife says she wants me to stick around a while.  I want to see grandkids sometime in the distant future.  I want to feel good.  I want to hike up the side of Half Dome.  I want to ride bikes again.

But mostly I want to set an example for my boys.  I want to practice what I preach.  I want to show them that no matter how difficult things may be and how far you fall, you can get up, change direction, and get back in the game.