Let us take a little journey back in time. It's summer of 2009. I'm 25 years old (hovering right around the 400 pound mark I feel like a broken record here, but it will come into play a little later). I'm standing in the parking lot of North Country Harley Davidson in Augusta Maine, half listening to Mike who is showing me what my new purchase can do. I was SO excited.
My new purchase? A 2000 Harley Davidson Road King. It's older and it has high mileage but its a HARLEY. A prized possession for a lot of bikers. And it's not just any HD, it's a Road King. A very nice motorcycle. And now, it's MINE. 25 years old, with a Road King. My Dad was in his 30s and had worked his ever-loving ass off before he had the opportunity to purchase a bike that wasn't quite as nice as this. And this beauty is mine. All. Mine.
I loved it. It was so very special to me. Being around Harleys essentially my entire life, to finally own one was very surreal. It's a lot of money, but it's worth it. In Maine you can really only (comfortably) ride it for a couple months of the year, but it's worth it. It can be dangerous, but it's worth it. It's only going to drop in value, but it's worth it.
I dumped more money into this bike. Took some of the lame-ass accessories the older gentleman who owned it before me off. Added 20 inch ape hangers, and white wall tires. Made it really me. Dubbed it Lemmy after the front man from one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Had plans to paint it solid black. Make it even more me. Literally thought I would ride this motorcycle until the wheels fell off.
The Road King AKA Lemmy
Then Kate, my wife, - who also loved riding on the back of The Road King - began working at a hospital. One of her first patients was a man who was in a horrible motorcycle accident. He was in ICU for almost three months. It really, really shook her. She was scared every time I tossed a leg over. But I reassured her that I don't ride my bike the way that guy did. I wear a helmet, I'm not aggressive, I don't speed, I'm extra cautious. I even used the example that my Dad, a man who's been riding for 30 years or so, had been down, but had never been in a serious accident.
Then Dad was in a serious accident. Maybe serious isn't the best word I can use to describe it. Regardless, he was in an accident and despite making a very valid argument to not go, "I'm fine", went to the hospital.
I was a little scared, and Kate was downright terrified of me riding my motorcycle. Lemmy sat idle in the garage for almost two years because every time I even mentioned going for a ride, Kate would well up with tears and a discussion would ensue. And ultimately I would end up taking my truck instead of my bike because that's what Kate wanted.
Some may call that pussy whipped. I call that respect for your significant other. Guys and gals I have to tell you - you should never have to ask permission or grant permission to your partner. That's not to say you should buy a Lamborghini or a plot of land in the Everglades without first consulting the other 50 percent of your income first - but you're in a relationship. Your wife, husband, partner isn't a parent, and you're not theirs. Permission isn't a word that married people should use when speaking about one another.
Whipped
I told you all this back story to tell you something really simple. I sold my motorcycle. And I made enough to do something I've been wanting to do for a long, long time. I put a gym in my house.
I think a lot of meatheads like myself have always wanted their own gym. Something that's yours, built the way you want it. With the equipment that you want. A gym that allows you to train the way you want to train and do the thing that most commercial or private gyms won't let you.
I've been training at my gym for just about a month now. And a few days ago after I had finished my workout, I was sitting on my bench and I was looking around at my gym. I thought minus a few odds and ends, the gym is complete. It's stuff I want, not stuff I need. It really is complete.
HeadCat Barbell - Thank you Lem.
Then I looked at myself. I'm not complete. I had (have) become quite complacent in my nutrition and my training. Going through the motions with both. Hovering around 260 pounds (four pound swing up or down since January) and doing a lot of the same stuff with lifting has left me feeling very stagnant and unhappy with myself. And saying "well look how far you've come" has gotten really old. I don't want to just come this far, I need to go further.
This is why it's Completion: Part 1.
I, like most people, work best when I have a goal and when I have a deadline. So I set one. I'm giving myself until Sunday June 3, 2018 to hit my goal(s). 90 days. I'm challenging myself to become complete. Well, more complete anyway.
The Goals:
Do some form of training every day. (30-60 minutes walks COUNT as training)
No cheat meals until 3/25/18 (20 days) then 1 cheat meal per month.
Lose 15 pounds
Have some form of visible abs by 6/3/18
3/5/18:
260.8 pounds
42 inch waist (measured at navel)
260.8 pounds
42 inch waist (measured at navel)
19 inch left bicep (measured flexed)
26 inch left thigh (measured 6 inches from knee cap)
Perhaps this installment hasn't been filled with as much inspiration or humor as my last few. But I'm putting this out there for accountability more than anything. I don't much believe in putting your whole life on social media, it's not my deal. But I think having 10, 20, 100 or more people taking a look at this 90 days from the start will give me the extra kick in the arse that I really need.
I know, I KNOW that I can hit my goals. I can tighten up my nutrition. I can focus my training. I can do it. I've done it before, and damn it, I'm GOING to do it again. And if YOU need a kick in the arse too, do this with me. Start today. 90 days from today. Take your measurements, weigh yourself twice (now and 90 days from now). Get your nutrition in order and get your training in order. It's a call to arms. It's time to annihilate the gym, eat like you give a shit, smash some goals and take your life back!
So I'm asking you dear reader and friend, please check in with me at the beginning of June. I'm lining them up. Now it's time to knock them down.
"You're either in, or your in the way" ~ Mark Bell
Until next time - stay strong.
-Brann
