90 Day Challenge Testimonial

Sometime in 2014, I found myself outside the 24 Hour Fitness location near Denny Way in Seattle. It was 3 a.m.. I felt like I needed to do something about my fitness.

There have been two times where I have lost significant weight. At the end of 1999, I was 330 pounds. When I moved to Seattle in 2001, I was down to 250. In August of 2009, I was at 350. By March of 2010, I was down to 295.

At the beginning of 2015, my weight was up to 360 pounds.

In December 2014, Gold’s Gym was sending out mailers. These mailers had offers for 7 day trials and 4 Personal Trainer Sessions for $30.

These offers were enticing. It seemed like everyday I was in the grocery store underneath the gym. It just kept calling me. During the holidays, I was talking to my brother about the mailers and maybe about joining a gym. He offered to help me out financially if I decided to join one. Mid January I got another mailer.

On my next day off, I stopped by the gym. I was given the tour. I liked what I saw and I was sold on the 90 day challenge. I did the personal training sessions and signed up for more. Whenever I work out now, I can hear the trainer's voice saying, "Straighten your feet."

This year I am turning 40. I want to be in better shape for my birthday this year. And for next year, I want to be in even better shape.

It is a slow process. There are many challenges to overcome. But I feel that every day, even if I only do a little workout, I make progress.

On January 31, 2 weeks into joining the gym, I went out to Spokane for my grand niece’s first birthday. I had a beer at the birthday party and since then I have been accidentally sober. February, March, April. Almost halfway through May, and still no beer or alcohol.

For close to 30 years, I have had trouble with my left knee. I know that exercise helps it but I wanted to do more than just adjust it. I want to retrain it so it stops bothering me as much. 

For the past two years, I have been having problems with my lower back. I felt that working out would help that issue too.

End of an Alcohol Streak

I did not realize it but Friday October 21, 2011 ended my streak of alcohol every day. At times I did not have more than a shot of Vodka but I had at least a shot of vodka every day since July 1, 2011. At least one beer or one shot of vodka was the goal every day. I had to break into my giant bottle of Grey Goose Vodka when my money got tight in September.

Thursday night I went straight to Summit Pub after work. I finished the book I was reading and went home. I fell asleep before midnight and just never got moving on Friday. By the time I realized it was midnight leading into Saturday, my streak was over.

I did end up having a shot around 01:30 Saturday. The shot did not help me sleep any but I restarted my drink a day plan.

Month	Days
July	31
August	31
September	30
October	20
Total	112

Midnight to Midnight

Friday passed by

Give me Back My ALCOHOL!

Free Symphony Day

Sunday I woke up and wanted a Bloody Mary. Being that it was noon by the time I started moving, I went over to the Summit Pub. I got my drink plus a PBR. I got to watch some football and enjoy drinking in the morning. After my second PBR, I received a text to meet someone at the Capitol Hill Farmer’s Market. I went to meet her and while I was waiting, I went and got a slice over at Z’s Pizza. They do a good slice plus a beer for an okay price. I got to watch the end of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Scary Movie 2. The station that was on was showing movies with Charlie Sheen. The person finally showed up. We left for Benaroya Hall in downtown. The Seattle Symphony was performing and putting on free events all day. I enjoyed seeing the symphony. Plus there was beer in the lobby.

The Symphony in very casual clothes.

Full crowd for free day

Seattle School of Rock

 

Seattle Symphony

 

At the end of the day, I bought two tickets for Friday October 14. Now I need to find a date.

 

http://www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/buy/single/production.aspx?id=10608&src=t&dateid=10608

Listed as Sci-Fi at the Pops with Special Guest Jonathan Frakes.

Bush with Dead Sara at the Neptune Theater

I did not think I was going to go to the show after all. I had not bought tickets. I had not heard from my brother. Yet tickets were still available. I had a great time at the show.

Bush was one of the first concerts I went to as an adult. I was stoked that Bush was coming to Seattle for a show. Listening to them over the last couple of months on the radio was good. Getting to see them live was exciting.

I had a conversation with the Bush merchandise guy about a shirt I used to own. I wonder what happened to it. It was a green shirt that said Bush in the M*A*S*H style. I may have to update this post later if I find a picture of me in that shirt.

 

Restroom Stall Door

Pre- Show

Balcony

Mixing Boards

Place to get Alcohol – the Bar

Justin and Josh

Bush taking the stage

Gavin Rossdale

 

 

 

 

 

Getting personal with Gavin Rossdale

 

Dancing

Glen and some of his Navy buddies joined me for the show. I drank a lot of beer and had fun.  After the concert, we went over to Earl’s on University Avenue.

I passed out on the bus ride home and ended up downtown. I rode the bus back up the hill to get home.

07/31/2011

I finally woke up for good around 22:00. I got dressed in a shirt, tie, and slacks. I could not decide what to do all day so I ended up sleeping. I finally left the house a little before 23:00. I started walking around Broadway trying to figure out a good place to get some food.

I spent part of my night at the Garage drinking. Then I spent 56 minutes bowling 5 games. I find it hard to believe that I spent 11 minutes a game. And my best game was the 5th with a 149 score.

Game 1 – 96

Game 2 – 110

Game 3 – 109 –

Game 4 - 99 with 2 strikes in the 10th, thought I was only going to get a 90 if I struck out

Game 5 - 149 3 strikes

I ended that 4th game so well that I decided to bowl a 5th. The 5th started well and I did okay. I think I should have relaxed earlier in the night, I would have bowled higher games. Either the combination of relaxation and alcohol or just a little bit more concentration earlier in the night would have increased my scores. At $5 a lane for an hour, I think I should spend more time bowling.

My birthday cake with some candles. I thought I had a picture of the candles on fire but I can not seem to find it. It was quite a blaze.

After bowling I stopped at the Sun Liquor Distillery to get a screwdriver. Then I made my way home.

01/01/2011

Today was a long day. With a lot of walking. Started at a the Promunism Party.  If I remember correctly, Eric at Sun Liquor served me a Screwdriver before I went home. 
I woke up early to go do a 5k race with Polar Bear Plunge. The Plunge was so exhilarating. I am tempted to go jump in by myself later this week.
Wore my business suit to the party and my Santa Suit to the 5k. A long day of suits.
There was a lot of ice out at Magnuson Park for the 5k.
Boat launch area where people will be running into the water soon.The Bunnies with SantaDrinking at the Beer Tent. I met some nice people. Names escape me. I hope to see these nice people again at the next 5k.