This is the first post in a series that will span quite literally 3 years. Kemme Fitness will be documenting a journey of extreme weight loss. I will still be posting on regular topics and adding to our workout and exercise tool boxes, however, every week there will be an addition to this journey.
It is best to start by introducing my new friend, Randy. Randy and I were in 4 weeks of training for our work over the course of 4 months and I got to know a little about him. He is a very smart man and I have a great deal of respect for him. You are going to have to wait until I post his first journal entry before getting all the statistics and his motivations, but basically Randy is looking to lose around 250 pounds or so (for starters).
Randy approached me the other week and asked for my help. I reminded Randy that I have tons of experience in creating workouts, training relatively fit folks, some not as fit, and have studied and researched concepts in fitness. However, I have no experience in weight loss other than my own battles through the years, which are by no means near what Randy is facing. Randy clearly understood my lack of credentials and experience, but nonetheless, still wanted me to be in charge of the fitness component of his weight loss.
I went home and spoke with my wife (a nurse). She came up with some ground rules. First, Randy had to ensure that his heart was up for the program. Second, he needed to join a program like Weight Watchers to hold him acountable for his eating, since I was unqualified to do so. Finally, Randy had to provide me with feedback on how the exercises were feeling so we did not cause him any injury. Safety first.
I went back to Randy with my requirements. He had already planned on using Weight Watchers and had already cleared himself medically for the task (I told you he was smart). When the topic of surgery came up, Randy said something I will always remember. He said that he worked hard to get as large as he is…so therefore, he will be the one to work hard to lose the weight. Randy is aware of the mental games to follow, especially when he will hit the first week of weight gain. He asked me for a 2 to 3 year committment to do this and I immediately agreed. The reason is because Randy is almost 50 years old. He told me plainly if he were to stay as large as he is, he will most likely be dead in 10 years. It hit me. It hit me hard. It hit me hard because I knew it to be true. This good man standing before me is going to most likely die if he doesn’t take his life back. So if there was any way I could help him-anyway at all-I had to.
So let’s get onto the game plan.
Randy isn’t into swimming, which is a great way for obese people to start, but he does have a stationary bike that he enjoys. Perfect!
Randy agreed to look at the videos and test out the bodyweight exercises and the exercises with medical balls from my Exercise Page. Since I can not predict which exercises will work for him and which will be painful, he is going to have to do his own research. He has two weeks to accomplish this. I told Randy that we need around 12 exercises minimally that he can perform, and together with the biking, I will create at least 12 different workouts. We will of course continue to add to this for variety, especially when we eventually add in physioball exercises.
I will have Randy do workouts 4-5 days a week to start. He can bike extra days if he can. He will let me know which exercises are working and which aren’t and I will adjust on the fly. The goal here to get workouts that are doable, yet challenging. I don’t want him too sore to exercise, but he is going to be uncomfortable. I will provide the accountability and the structure and variety for his fitness program. Weight Watchers will provide him his accountability for his eating and weight loss.
More importantly, this blog is going to provide him with accountability to the overall program. All of you out there reading this are going to be here for Randy. He will know that he can’t hide and that he has made a promise to himself that all of us are going to help him keep!
And now, I have made a committment to Randy in writing for all of you to read. I am now accountable to him and you are all my witnesses. I may not be an expert in weight loss, but I think Randy turned to me with my audience not so much as for my knowledge, but for my support…for our support. I challenge all of you to leave comments on the upcoming journals from Randy. We will welcome tips, warnings, suggestions, critiques, and especially encouragement.
Thank you
Pete and Randy,
I wish you both the best of luck on this journey and have the utmost respect for the work that you are starting. You will be amazed at how much more energy you will have once your a month or two into it.
Now get out there and kick some butt!
Thanks Heath. I appreciate the words of encouragement. However, it is not going to make things easier for you this Sunday when you join us for a group workout! 🙂 Don’t worry, it will be fun, I promise.
Randy, you are going to inspire people. Lots of people. You already inspired me with your comment about surgery – that you worked to get yourself there and you will work to get yourself out of it. Sadly, I know a few people who have had lap band or some other surgery and didn’t lose or keep the weight off. You have the right attitude – you are about to face-punch life and show it who’s the man!
Wow, amazing post, so glad to have stumbled upon it. You guys are doing a great thing together, and I wish you all the best. Randy, my hat is off to you for having the courage to tackle your problem head-on, and for everyone to read about. You guys are going to run into walls – brick walls – as you struggle through parts of this. Get out the hammer and chisel and chip away at them, don’t stop, never quit. Randy, I hope you are going to discover a love (and need) of exercise and being fit that you can take all the way to the grave with you as a very old, lean man. Can’t wait to hear the next update.
Hi Randy! You have picked the right guy for support. Pete is great at listening and workiing hard and following through on things. I am excited for you to reach your goals! I wish you both the best of luck.
Randy good luck in your journey. I don’t know if you’re local or not. If you are and you and Pete ever want to get together for a cup or coffee(no sugar or cream) to talk pete knows hoe to get a hold of me. About a year ago I started from almost the same place you are. I’m down 100 and have 100 to go.
Good luck brother!
Wow Jon, good job. You weren’t kidding about how serious you were. Randy lives a bit far out for now, but hopefully move closer soon. Randy, Jon is a great guy, so hopefully we can take him up on his offer some day.
I’m very proud of you doing this on your own without the surgery. I think to many people are trying the surgery and it is only a quick fix because it’s all about changing your lifestyle and without that change no surgery is going to work. Every 10 pound loss is adding to your life so take it baby steps all the way. Between you, Pete and all the others who will support you I know you’ll get to where you want to be. A 2 to 3 year goal is a realistic goal, it came on slow and needs to come off slowly. God bless you and I wish you the very best.
It’s really an honor for us to be able to witness and support you in your challenge, Randy. Your honesty about where you’re at, where you want to be, and the struggles you anticipate, is surely one of your greatest gifts.
When my youngest child was 3, someone asked me when the baby was due – I remember that moment SO clearly (20+ years ago). It got me to WW that same week. I agree that it’s a really good tool to help you get a handle on food intake, but would encourage you to think critically about the processed foods that make sticking to WW easy. It takes more planning and prep to eat less processed foods, but maybe it’s ok to spend more time prepping and planning and being really conscious of food choices. Even if it’s just a little bit more each week, I would encourage you to make an effort to “keep it real.”
Wishing you Bon Voyage on your journey to good health! I’m excited to be able to share this with you! Go Team Randy