The "Real Me"

On the way back from the gym, I realized one of the key reasons I'm so stoked about my fitness program. Certainly, losing weight and building fitness are of huge importance, but there's something even bigger driving me to give it all I've got... I'm simply ecstatic to get back to being the "real me"! Ever since illness starting dominating my life in the summer of 1996, I've been determined to get back to the bike rider, the athlete that still lived inside... Even when years had passed and I had been too sick to ride my bike... even when I was 330 lbs and couldn't walk 50 yards without taking a break... Even after countless setbacks and doctors telling me I just needed to be more "realistic"... And even through the last couple of years when it just seemed impossible to get my confidence back - looking in the mirror at a body so far away from that guy that used to routinely ride 50, 60, 70 miles... Worldly logic says that because of my age and illness that it would be understandable if I just threw in the towel and focused on "taking it easy and just enjoying life" the rest of my days... But my heart just can't go for that because it will never let me forget who I am - an athlete. I've always been an athlete... and I always will be an athlete... Admittedly, an athlete who currently isn't well and carrying a lot of extra weight... but an athlete nonetheless... ♥