The Road to Success.

Uneducatedman · July 2015

First let me tell my story. I like most people have/had a dream to become something that in my mind was my dream job, A professional hockey player. I played hockey for a few years and loved doing so. During what was only my 2nd game of the season my dreams became crushed, a hockey skate blade to the chest. This was not only the 2nd game of the season but it happened during warm ups before the game. What happened was the dude who was stretching in front of me tipped to one side and went down, with not enough room for me to bend up from the stretch and stop I ran into him. Now one more thing, I was a late bloomer and only was 4'11". This was during my freshman year of highschool. Anyways, being as short as I was or whatever it may have been the back of his blade went under my pads and into my stomach almost hitting my ribs. Boom!hopes and dreams gone in a minute. Now you may be asking why does this hurt your goal? Well after the blade came out and I went to the hospital, the doctors found out I was having difficulty breathing. With this they gave me a 3-4 year penalty before I could play not only hockey but any sports or cardiovascular intensive work. Now since I was little it did very little to my weight until I turned 19 and I went from 4'11" to 5'10" then the weight came in. I am 20 years old now. So in that year I went from 173 all the way to 237 pounds.

This is when the road to success starts. It has been 5 years since, however, I still have breathing problems. I decided a month ago not to wallow in my pitty and do something about it. As of yesterday I got on the scale and say I am 206.5 pounds. This marks 2 goals for me 1) according to my doctor I am no longer in the obesity range and 2) My cardiovascular intensity has gone from not being even able to run 1/6th of a mile before my side starts to hurtt like a million like goblins are stabing my side with knifes to the point went I was run/jog 1/4th of a mile. To most people non of these goals I accomplished are a big deal but for a teenager to not have to ability to go ride a bike,skateboard,play football,etc... this milestone I accomplished is a milestone of great proportion.

Now like most people the journey to that point of "success" is a never ending road. I like most on here will be working to the best of my ability to get to that point. However, that goal I have set in my mind does not seem so unobtainable anymore and that alone is what is what drives me and those reading this to keep on pushing.

I have only been using this for about a week on a consistent basis but when I first started and logged everything it opened my eyes to what I needed to change. I will continue to log my daily activities on here everyday till I reach my goal and according this this I am only 5 weeks away. Then again maybe it will just start all over again when I see my self lean and want to get built.

Uneducatedman · July 2015

It's alot to read and I understand those who do not want to read all of it. You did however click on this post and that alone deserves a thank you. To those who read it,I greatly appreciate it. Sometimes just writing things out is rewarding to you because you have the ability to look back and recognize all you have accomplished.

Rebekahl87 · August 2015

I'm inspired by you're willingness to take this challenge head-on. Everyone has different obstacles to overcome on the path to better health and fitness. Do you have a good support system of family or friends to help you push through?

Melvicmurphy · August 2015

Well done, that's a lot of stuff to deal with, logging is an eye opener and I wish you the best in your journey

Crochet180 · August 2015

All the best, you sound positive and focussed. Go for it!

SparkyTinman · August 2015

Just saw your post for the first time. I am a true believer in 'everything happens for a reason', but also a bit of a hypocrite to that line of thinking because I more strongly believe 'your destiny is what you make of it'. Horrible accident, so young in life, to have taken that dream from you, but so, so outstanding that you have decided to no longer dwell on it and move on. That's huge - to gain that insight at 20 and get the strength to show up after a lengthy time on the DL. So maybe the NHL was not what your were meant for - but maybe writing was, or some other great career that you wouldn't have even turned an eye to if you had the full use of your lungs. Time is on your side and you have insight now that some never find. Use your passion now to get healthy and then continue to harness it to whatever career(s) inspire you to greatness! ...and thanks for your post...I actually hadn't realized that sitting here at 45 years of age, wallowing in self pity is actually what I have been doing. Time to be great again! Please post again - reading about overcoming challenges is always inspiring!