Is it easier....

So what do you think, is it easier?

Fast honest answer...no it isnt easier. Reading your stories and the journey from past to present i truly can say i understand both sides of your fitness universe. In my youth (im 27 and 1/4 btw) i was just like you, active in almost every sport possible, biking, hiking, balling, chasing cousins and running from the rabid dog in the neighbor (still have nightmares). So saying that is my body is naturally small and use to constantly being moved in some manner. But when i moved away from my family and home to pursue my career about 4 years ago, i fell into a deep depression that i never realized until it was too late. I became an emotional eater, i stopped working out, and i became a huge homebody. When i finally realized what i did to myself, i wanted out and to get back to the man i once was. I started doing all the things i did when i was younger since that was all i knew and i could barely do it. I was so winded and exhausted from a simple run down the street and that made my depression much worse because i thought i lost my life. So during my 3 year journey of going back and forth losing weight and gaining it right back i finally found my spark and i decided to pursue another career path that i wanted badly and that was to join the military. So i pushed myself daily even when it hurt me the most just to past TAPES so i could get in, then when i finally made it through Basic training i had regained my old self again. All the energy i had prior if not more, my strength my metabolism, everything! The morale of the story is that it took many many years for me to see results and then it took an even more extreme step as going to basic training in a structured environment secluded from EVERYTHING for me to get back to a stable life again and by all means i REFUSE to go back to the depressed me. The best thing you can be for your friend is his biggest cheerleader as well as his greatest judge. When you see him falling off, rush to him and get him moving. Never allow him to become unmotivated. He is making valid points but never say never. No one is destined to be a big person he just needs the extra push to keepg going and make the life change. He can still enjoy his video games and relaxed way of life because i am doing it currently. But i always slot time for me to workout and stay fit and when im home playing games and enjoying time the best way i know how i control what im putting in my body so that i dont fall backwards.

Sorry for the dissertation thesis but i take this subject very very very close to heart and am very passionate about helping others pursue their dreams the way i did.

If you guys need anything please dont hesitate to ask, im definitely here for you both.

- James

thanks guys, this all really helps. I'm just going to keep helping when and where I can and when he asks me. I'm going to keep emphasizing to him that he can't compare his weight loss to mine and that his 20 Lbs thus far is great and point out all of the little things he's changed over this last year or so and push him to continue to make those incremental changes. I'm going to try to keep him focused on the bigger picture...that he's creating a new lifestyle and that takes time, especially when you're doing it from scratch. I just have to keep emphasizing the positives with him.

That is the kind of stuff my family has been doing for me, and it is what I lean on when I feel like falling over. Great stuff Wolfman.

Interesting thread, glad you posted it. I'll be back around to catch up!:drinker:

I started by walking to the 1 mile marker at my local park. Of course I was happy to make it there (plus I had to walk all the way back), but I felt like a schmuck when other people would keep going. You really begin to question yourself in those kinds of moments. Why can't I go all the way? Why can't I be that person jogging the whole 4 mile trip? Why can't I be that skinny b**** running along the side of the road when I drive to the gym (see my profile about the skinny b****, lol) Why, Why, Why? And then it struck me. All of these people started somewhere. Did they start at the same exact spot as me? Maybe, maybe not. But the point of it is, to START and keep going.

That's great...and it's good that you realize that everyone starts somewhere and that you just keep going because really, you're never done. I'm pretty fit at the moment and I'm training for a metric century right now...and I'm like "dammit...why am I bonking at 32 miles?" For other cyclists, that's just a "well it's Saturday, better get out for a ride."...for me, it's a long ride right now...in a few months, it'll be more or less child's play.

moral of that is, as awesome as you are...you can always be more awesome and there will always be someone more awesome than you...which is what is the thing that drives me even greater heights of awesomeness.

Exactly. I don't even bat an eye at that 1 mile marker anymore. It was such a big deal then, but now it's a thing of the past. It's a great feeling. You just have to keep going and keep challenging yourself. It doesn't matter how athletic you are, just keep going and keep building it up, and before you know it, you ARE that athletic person.