Got Push-ups?

Well, as I sit here, sore, reflecting on how this 25 day challenge has made me realize just how out of shape I am, from where I used to be, I am forever grateful for my wife!  Today could have been an ugly day.  Trying to get all of this stuff lined up and make it part of our everyday life.  We needed to slow down today and put things in perspective.  It's not going to happen over night. We needed to hear how the other one is taking it in.  What they see. It is just as much mental as it is a commitment to going on the walks. Working out. Morning push-ups, squats and cowboy crunches, then the night push-ups, squats and cowboy crunches.  Shoot, today, I did my morning strength rebuilding in a room at my work.  It's located by a couple of offices that are used for guests that come to visit for a week from another site, or other things.  This room in particular is used as a ping pong room and an office chair graveyard.  But, sore I am.  But the soreness does not even measure the appreciation I have for my wife.  It is a lot to take on and ad to what seems like an already busy life between kids, daycare, work, doctors, etc...  But communication is key, to one self as well, to your spouse.

So, back to how things are going since I mentioned that I was beginning to feel overwhelmed.  Well, tonight, right before my 35+35+35 nightly strengths, Katie and I listened to the Shark Tank podcast.  It is available to listen to.  But I was just wanting to find out what Coach Cowboy was up to.  I get emails from him.  He shoots me inspirational messages and asks if I have questions.  Tomorrow I have a conference call with other clients that get to drill him with questions.  But tonight I was truly astonished.  Heck, I teared up some.  Katie always likes to see her man shed a couple drops.

In the podcast/interview, he is about 20 minutes in, talking about his path and his passion and why he wants to do what he does.  He flat out says that nobody ever really gets what he is about. They all think he is out there to make money.  At first, 20 years ago, maybe.  He got his college paid for by an invention that he sold.  Didn't strike it rich, but did fine.  Free education is always good.  But now, this is different.  I didn't realize that he really is invested in me.  He is wanting to help change my lifestyle.

BOOM!  The bomb drops.  He says, "I'd like to talk about my passion real quick.  I got a guy from Utah who reached out to me the night my episode of Shark Tank aired....."   What?!  Katie knew it right away.  She was giddy.  "He's going to talk about you!!!!"  No way.  I didn't believe what I'd just heard.  Coach goes on.  He says, "He told me about his back and hurting.  He told me that he'd reached out to some of the celebrity trainers and exercise gurus.  They didn't even give him a "no."  They just flat out never replied to his messages.  So he told me, "If you're not interested in pointing me in the right direction, with me being willing to give you my success story to help sell your DVDs, then please, at least reply to let me know that you've read my message."  He then went on in the interview to discuss about how this is motivation and inspiration that people all across America need.  If you're trying to shed 40 pounds and think "Oh I can't do it!!", well then explain to me how this guy "Nick" from Utah is swallowing his pride and asking for some help at a critical point in his life, being Type II Diabetic, 460 lbs and agreeing with a word of mouth that he's going to Cowboy Up and follow my lead...."

I just wanted to share with ya'll that I am sold on the passion alone.  I have dropped 13.5 inches.  I am going in to be weighed on this Thursday, which I'll post the result in a blog.  Frankly, tonight, I don't care what I weigh.  I know that I am learning.  I know it b/'c I am talking about it with other people.  I feel something different this time around.  The yo-yo dieting and starvation does not work.  Really, I've tried.  It sucks.  And you know what really sucks? Living the rest of your High School days, and going to your brothers' football and basketball games without your dad.  Or your mom.  You constantly wonder if what you're trying to do is enough for them.  Well, I know that I don't want to live like this.  I don't want to sit here, knowing that anything can happen to anyone.

You are all probably thinking, "Well, geez, Nick is right.  All of our days are limited.  Everyone's."  But that is not what I'm talking about.  Yes it sucks losing your parents.  My wife never met either one of them.  My kids never met them.  But when I say anything can happen to anyone... I am talking about me being a simple guy from Montana.  I may not be the most shy or the most outgoing.  Some of you might cringe when you hear that I weigh 460 lbs.  I don't even like hearing the number.  But I can tell you this.  I'm sore today and I'll be sore tomorrow.  It's a good reminder that I am still alive, doing something about it. Striving to make better choices.

If you would like, here is the web address to the podcast from the Shark Tank.  My blog address will be showing up there in the "notes" section soon from what it sounds like: http://www.sharktankpodcast.net/stpi-006-ryan-the-cowboy-ehmann-thats-what-im-talking-about/