All in This Together

I just wanted to take a quick break from regular Jack Sh*t, Gettin’ Fit programming to tell you just how choked up, how overwhelmed, how seriously shaking-my-head-in-disbelief astonished I was (and continue to be) at the outpouring of congratulations, good wishes and support I received over reaching my latest milestone.

It was a crazy-ass morning at my casa on Sunday, and then I was out the door and to the gym to work in a much-needed weekend workout. Then I had to run by my parent’s house and help my dad Horace figure out something on his computer. He loves his new laptop, but it’s safe to say that he’s not completely up to speed on all of its features.

Me: Look, if the link doesn’t work, just cut and paste the address in the browser.
Horace: What’s a browser?
Me: Ummmm… the internet holder.
Horace: I don’t think my computer will cut and paste.
Me: I’m pretty sure it will.
Horace: I don’t know…
Me: There. See?
Horace: What’d you do?
Me: It’s a shortcut to cut and paste.
Horace: I don’t know what you did…
Me: Just cut… and then paste…
Horace: I’ll just write the address down on a pad and then type it in.
Me: And that works, too.

Anyway, I ran a few errands after leaving there and didn’t get back home until afternoon. Pisa had a friend over, so I rustled up some lunch and turned on the TV to check out a college basketball game I was interested in. My wife Anita stopped in to see what I was doing.

Anita: Basketball? Who’s playing?
Me: The Tennessee Volunteers vs The Kansas Jayhawks.
Anita: Who are you rooting for?
Me: Neither. I hate ‘em both.
Anita: Why do you hate the Kansas Jayhawks?
Me: Because they spoiled my trip to the Final Four two years ago with a lucky shot.
Anita: Why do you hate the Tennessee Vols?
Me: Because they’re the Tennessee Vols, dum....
Anita: Don’t call me “dumbass.”
Me: I was gonna say “dumpling.”
Anita: So… you’re sitting there hoping that both teams somehow lose?
Me: No, that would be stupid. I’m sitting here hoping that the stadium they’re playing in collapses.
Anita: Dumbass.

She left me to scream my dislike at both teams, and eventually I got bored of it all and fired up the laptop.

There were 80 comments under my weigh-in post, and by the time I finished reading those and hit “refresh”, there were 90. Unbelievable… simply unbelievable.

The support you people have consistently shown me along the way on my weight-loss journey has helped propel me toward, to and past my goals. You’ve been a big part in why I’ve been able to do what I’ve been able to do. All joking aside, I really don’t think I’d have been able to do it without you.

Many of you have told me that you get inspired by this site. Well, know that inspiration is a two-way street. I take in as much as I dole out, get as much as I give.

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to listen to my songs, my stories, my speeches and my silliness. Like you, I’m working my way through this long, difficult journey to becoming healthier and happier the best way I can, trying to make my life be what I want it to be instead of what I’ve allowed it to be up until this point.

I really am touched that you’re all a part of it all, and I look forward to continuing down the path with you by my side.

After all, we're all in this together.