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.

2012 Valentine’s Day Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em

Second time I have run this race. I was tempted not to run this race because I was not feeling very well. Once I got warmed up, I started to feel better. I did not run the whole race. I did run the first 2 miles though. This was not my best time since I started doing 5Ks but still pretty good since I have not been training.

Jason Lee Bowen

bib number: 1641

age: 36

gender: M

location: Seattle, WA

overall place: 2057 out of 2360

division place: 222 out of 236

gender place: 694 out of 754

time: 46:32

pace: 15:01

gun time: 49:28

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.

01/09/2011

I went for a walk today. Found a path through some woods that started at St. Marks. I know I took a picture of the sign at the top of the path but I can not find the picture.

The path had some nice switchbacks but the footing was fun. And by fun I mean muddy, leafy, and slippery. All the water from the hill was running into this stream.

One of the two bridges I encountered on this trail. One of the many logs across the path down the hill.

All the way at the top of the hill is St. Marks Cathedral.

This was a plant along the sidewalk near the University Village Shopping Center. I walked out there to get a Jamba Juice. And killed 45 minutes at Office Depot playing Angry Birds on a device similar to an iPad.

Then I went and caught a bus back to Capitol Hill. I went grocery shopping then went to the bar for dinner and a beer.

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.