2012 'The Class of Change' (150+lbs with pictures)
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coryhartling
Posts: 16 Member
Today, I sat back and watched the grad class of 2012 complete their journey from K-12. Watching these young-adults move onto the next phase of their life (under the banner 2012 'The Class of Change') got me thinking about my own life.
Some quick background on my connection with these students (so you can follow my line of reasoning). Over the past six months I have worked intensely with a group of 25+ 'at-risk' grade 12 students. My directive, and my only directive, was to insure that as many of these students as possible graduated (and those that weren't going to be able to had a plan). Many of these students have dealt with more in their 17/18 years than most of us will experience in our entire lives. To see them rise to the challenge that I placed before them, and respond to the support that I provided them, has been truly inspirational. These students truly grasped the concept of change in a way that many of us can only imagine (from directionless and switched-off to purposeful and switched-on). Of the 25+ 'at-risk' students all but three walked across the stage today to receive their Diplomas (given that all of these students were, at the start of the year, considered long-shots to graduate...the change is quite remarkable).
Watching these students undergo their process of change got me thinking about my own (although my transformation pales in comparison to what some of these kids have gone through). 10 years ago, this week, I graduated from High School (I felt the gravity of this number as I watched my students collect their well-earned Diplomas). At that point, I was in the best shape of my life (adolescent flab had vanished, I was active in sports and worked out on a regular basis). Over the next 9 years I slowly put on 150+ pounds until, on the day of my wedding, I hit 355 pounds (unfortunately, not all change is for the better).
Last year, I made a commitment that, by June 2012, I would hit my goal weight of 205lbs. The process started slowly (10 minutes walks was about all I could handle) but, to my shock, compounded into much more than I thought possible. I attribute this compounding to: 1) The setting of micro goals and 2) Taking up hobbies. Since last summer, I have become an avid: Hiker, Runner, Mountain Biker and Squash player. Exercise, and moderation of eating habits (i.e. putting down the fork), have become a way of life for me. From my initial exercise goal of 10 minutes continuous walking I can now: play squash competitively, hike an entire day up mountains, mountain bike for 10+ hours and jog over 12km at a time. I know that by continuing to set micro goals for myself (i.e. upping my run distance) I will insure that my life-style change is permanent.
Today, I felt as if things had come full-circle for my (at least physically). I am, once again, in the best shape of my life (far exceeding where I was at in High School). Mentally, I feel symbolically connected with the 2012 Class of Change that I worked so closely with. These students looked at adversity, accepted it's existence, side-stepped the block it had set up and have moved on. I can only hope that their example will continue to inspire me as I work to maintain my newly found lifestyle.
Wedding Day (At my heaviest…but also my happiest!)
At the start of the process (hiking was the first hobby I picked up)
November/Movember (sorry for the moustache)
December (up at the top)
March (the start of my Mountain Biking adventures)
April (even animals are starting to stand up and take notice)
May (with the family)
June (not the end, but an end)
Some quick background on my connection with these students (so you can follow my line of reasoning). Over the past six months I have worked intensely with a group of 25+ 'at-risk' grade 12 students. My directive, and my only directive, was to insure that as many of these students as possible graduated (and those that weren't going to be able to had a plan). Many of these students have dealt with more in their 17/18 years than most of us will experience in our entire lives. To see them rise to the challenge that I placed before them, and respond to the support that I provided them, has been truly inspirational. These students truly grasped the concept of change in a way that many of us can only imagine (from directionless and switched-off to purposeful and switched-on). Of the 25+ 'at-risk' students all but three walked across the stage today to receive their Diplomas (given that all of these students were, at the start of the year, considered long-shots to graduate...the change is quite remarkable).
Watching these students undergo their process of change got me thinking about my own (although my transformation pales in comparison to what some of these kids have gone through). 10 years ago, this week, I graduated from High School (I felt the gravity of this number as I watched my students collect their well-earned Diplomas). At that point, I was in the best shape of my life (adolescent flab had vanished, I was active in sports and worked out on a regular basis). Over the next 9 years I slowly put on 150+ pounds until, on the day of my wedding, I hit 355 pounds (unfortunately, not all change is for the better).
Last year, I made a commitment that, by June 2012, I would hit my goal weight of 205lbs. The process started slowly (10 minutes walks was about all I could handle) but, to my shock, compounded into much more than I thought possible. I attribute this compounding to: 1) The setting of micro goals and 2) Taking up hobbies. Since last summer, I have become an avid: Hiker, Runner, Mountain Biker and Squash player. Exercise, and moderation of eating habits (i.e. putting down the fork), have become a way of life for me. From my initial exercise goal of 10 minutes continuous walking I can now: play squash competitively, hike an entire day up mountains, mountain bike for 10+ hours and jog over 12km at a time. I know that by continuing to set micro goals for myself (i.e. upping my run distance) I will insure that my life-style change is permanent.
Today, I felt as if things had come full-circle for my (at least physically). I am, once again, in the best shape of my life (far exceeding where I was at in High School). Mentally, I feel symbolically connected with the 2012 Class of Change that I worked so closely with. These students looked at adversity, accepted it's existence, side-stepped the block it had set up and have moved on. I can only hope that their example will continue to inspire me as I work to maintain my newly found lifestyle.
Wedding Day (At my heaviest…but also my happiest!)
At the start of the process (hiking was the first hobby I picked up)
November/Movember (sorry for the moustache)
December (up at the top)
March (the start of my Mountain Biking adventures)
April (even animals are starting to stand up and take notice)
May (with the family)
June (not the end, but an end)
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Replies
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Once I get this pictures to link properly it will be great...0
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Great accomplishment!!!0
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Trying to link the photos via dropbox...not working...hmm.0
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I believe you need to change the IMG tags to lowercase.0
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Thanks! Images are up...now I have to resize them apparently lol....great at losing weight...bad at pictures.0
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WOW! That is... amazing! You look like a completely different person, but still so happy. Congratulations, man, that is amazing.0
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Great work! You look completely different
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Unbelievable! You look so much younger, healthier and happier! Congratulations, you obviously did a LOT of hard work, and it shows in spades!!!0
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Congratulations! You look like a completely different person.0
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Amazing accomplishment! Congratulations!:drinker:
Thanks for sharing your pictures and inspiring everyone who sees them!:flowerforyou:0 -
Gratz! The change from beginning to end is amazing!0
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Wowww!!!! That is fantastic! So happy for you!0
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Wow is right!! you look soo much better and healthier!0
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Your weight loss and toning is amazing! I would never have recognised you as the same person.................and your family photo - well - even before I saw the comment saying it was your family - I could see the very strong resemblance. Once again Congratulations on your achievement!!!0
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Wow, what a fantastic transformation well done! Also, congratulations on the work you do with the kids graduating, its really nice to read about! I wish you all the happiness in the world.0
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So inspirational!! My knees hurt me and I hate modifying every exercise that I do but I hope to one day run marathons and hike and enjoy life like you do!0
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In those latest pictures you look like who you are meant to be, if you get what I mean.
Well done!0 -
Wow, you look like a totally different person! Congrats on your loss 0
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Amazing, so inspirational:happy: Awesome job and congratulations!0
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You look fantastic, I've got 78 of my 150 to lose and lost focus over the past couple weeks so seeing this has really inspired me to get back on track
Awesome x0
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