Since I play the fool the other 364 days of the year, let me take this opportunity to be completely, 100% serious…Twelve months ago, I felt both terrible and terrible about myself. Believe me when I say that it’s not a nice combination.
Somehow, some way, I brought my life back in check. I committed myself to a massive reclamation project... vowed to eat better, eat less and start moving my jumbolicious ass.
You see, I came to the realization that there were some real addictions in my life. Big ones like out-of-control snacking and secret eating and some not-so-major (but still disturbing ones) like drinking diet sodas and coffee every day. I can’t say that I never have a snack when I shouldn’t, and I still enjoy a cup of coffee every now and then, but it’s been just about a year now without a binge and without a diet soda. Go me!
And six days out of every seven, I get my sweat on like you wouldn’t believe. People who haven’t seen me in a while marvel at what I’ve accomplished. I feel good… and I feel good about myself. Believe me when I say it’s… well… you know.
And this blog… this ridiculous timewaster of kooky stories, lame jokes, Braveheart-style speechifying and the occasional WTF moment (see yesterday's post)… sometimes I want to hug this blog like a new puppy because I think it’s helped jumpstart my journey in a real and profound way. I’m not sure I would have gotten this far without it.
Play jokes on your friends and your co-workers today if you like. Pull a mean-spirited stunt on someone if you feel you must.
Me? I’m going to take a minute and reflect on how good things are.
Right. This. Moment.
No joke.
I don't think I knew you'd given up diet soda a year ago! And no binge for a year??? That REALLY is something to celebrate! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteI gave up diet soda almost 2 months ago, after drinking it quite regularly for about 25 years...I started around the time diet Coke first came out (am I THAT old???).
I never thought giving up diet soda would have any effect...but it has! It has definitely accelerated my weight loss, and I somehow feel better.
You're no fool, Jack! Thanks for another great post!
Yep, Jack, it's been a wild, great, wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteBraveheart-style speechifying, indeed!
I did not realize it has only been a year for you Jack. Even with all your fun craziness you are an inspiration and proof that determination and drive can go a long way.
ReplyDeleteHappy April Fool's to you!
you have accomplished so much, you have so much to be proud of, we all love you but honestly Jack, I was kinda looking forward to your April fools shenannigans :-)
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't been a year, just 3 full months and I feel so much better, thank you for this post. The scale was slow today and it bums me out sometimes, but it is a journey and it takes time. I need to get my sweat on MORE! Maybe this will kick the scale to move more. Thanks Jack you help me so much, and make me smile....
ReplyDeletetruely Thank You
Way to go Jack!
ReplyDeleteI know that YOU are thankful for your blog, but just know that we are immeasurably thankful for it (and YOU) as well. I bow down to your creativity. And to your commitment.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely two things I'm aspiring to achieve more in my life.
You rock, and that's no joke. :)
Jack, you should be so proud of yourself, I know we all are. It takes a very brave man to take on his own demons and an even braver man to fight that fight for over a year.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you have inspired so many of us weight-losers and we look up to you, not only for your health/exercise knowledge, but also for your humor.
You keep it real and you keep up laughing.
Jack, you are amazing! (No April Fools joke there!)
Julia
http://jewliagoulia.blogspot.com
Jumbolicious almost sounds like a good thing! Ha!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you! You're doing AMAZING.
Bless you.......
ReplyDeleteI THOUGHT I recognized you dancing across my grass the other night in those tights and turned-up elf shoes! Hubby said I'd been consuming too much of that green sh*t, but I just knew it was you...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the good stuff.
You're really a prince, you know...disguised as a joker.
Timewaster, yes. Great, inspiring and amusing. Also yes. Thank you for sharing the journey with us. No joke.
ReplyDeleteJack! Happy loss-a-versary :-) Your achievements and jaw-droppingly outstanding. You have displayed extreme self-discipline and perseverance that we all covet. Way to go buddy!
ReplyDeleteHere's to the rest of your life :)
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for your blog too. Thanks for writing it :)
ReplyDeleteYou have accomplished much in a short year! Congratulations on that!
ReplyDeleteThank you for inspiring me in your own mixed-up bag of tricks and truths way.
The irony is so thick in here, I may need to get my boots out.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Congrats on a great year.
I so look forward to your unique brand of inspiration each day, that I'd like to give your blog a *hug* too. Congrats on 365 days of Reclamation or as F Daddy called it Recombobulation.
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly come far Jack. And like you I feel like my blog was a major part of how I got where I am. It has been interesting to see how you are using yours to help you now.
ReplyDeleteLove this post Jack...I love the honesty, and I applaud you on being binge & diet soda free for a year! :) Who needs those nasty habits anyway, right? :) YIPPEEEE
ReplyDeleteIf your blog had lil bitty blog arms it would hug you back!! :) hehe
What a great post.If you don't drink diet soda do you drink regular?? You have come such a long way. Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteJack: It's pretty incredible what you've accomplished. I might not comment on your posts much anymore but I always find them motiviating and funny. Thank you for inspiring so many of us on a daily basis!
ReplyDeleteIf you hug a puppy too hard, you'll snap it's neck! ha. ha. Just a little April Fool humor.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYour accomplishments are amazing and inspiring. Especially when it comes to my biggest vice: diet coke. Diet Coke is to me what actual crack is to Lindsey Lohan...
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the other 364 days of your foolishness. :)
You rock. And how appropriate to be all serious today since you're usually hilarious! Happy "don't believe what anyone says today" day to you! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're still my favorite blogger named Jack :)
ReplyDeleteYou are quite the inspiration! Keep up the awesome work! Your blog is a treat to read. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Your blog is seriously hilarious to read. I'm new to blogging and your little shpiel about how great blogging is definitely makes me excited!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary, Jack! We have the same one :) I have only recently started reading your blog from the very beginning and I really wish I had been with you from the start. Thanks for this blog and for making me smile every time I read it. I am happy for you and proud of your progress. Keep it up, and please, PLEASE keep "playing the fool!"
ReplyDeletejack, you are an inspiration.. although I have not overcame all of the demons I would have like yet... I will have a diet coke tonight and make a toast to you, jack.. because it will be the start of my decline in diet coke from 4 a week to 2!! CHEERS
ReplyDeleteThumbs up to this, my friend. You and I are on a similar wavelength today.
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot to be proud of. What an amazing year you've had!
ReplyDeleteWell done Jack - on the weight loss, the fight to fitness and your blog.
ReplyDeleteI use my blog as a kind of therapy at times. I can have a primal scream on it, have a good rant. And I know I will get support from my fellow bloggers. And sometimes blogging helps me to work out a problem.
I am sure blogging has kept me on the straight and narrow. And no doubt it has helped you the same
Congrats on your one year reclamation project...my anniversary is coming up and I plan on doing it up big.
ReplyDeleteFeels good, don't it.
Me, too. Although I hurt my back last week and had to take a break from workouts. I tried yesterday and am really sorry. Ouch. It'll be better soon. It's just muscles. Then I'll get back at it. I can still go out for a walk.
ReplyDeleteI finished my second novel today though. Hoooo! Life with health rocks.
Way to go my friend you have come so far and you are continuing to inspire us all to do better, I'm grateful, thanks.
ReplyDeleteAmazing post for an amazing year of accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteCongrats my funny friend!! What a fab year you have had:)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my blog - it meant alot to me that someone still reads it hehe..I responded:)
And, just an FYI..I've gone back to day one to re-read your blog. Just, because it feels like the right thing to do.
thanks again
xo