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18 Week Challenge is Over
I am sitting here with mixed feelings on my challenge. On one hand I exceeded anything I could have possibly imagined. The flip side I feel I failed myself.
I like to start with the positive. When I started this I was in bad shape.....Mentally. I had just quit my job and blamed SSI for it. I was depressed, negative, and self destructive towards my family. I had no direction in my life. To sum it up I was Miserable!
I started by taking a hard look at myself. I didn’t like who I’d become. The first thing I did was stopped being negative. I started looking at the positive side of things, {sometimes I really had to look hard for some positive). But I always found it. Before I knew it, I wasn’t depressed anymore. I was still missing direction and passion in my life. With my son being Autistic, I realized I did have a passion. I decided to do something to help out. I started www.Autism-Hope.org When I first started, it was just me and an idea. It has grown. I now have over 40 families in this with me. I have enlisted the help of our Hope Community Center. We now have a nice, new facility to hold our classes and fundraisers. We are growing and I don’t see it slowing downIn the beginning, I made a promise to myself. When I go back to work, I am going back to help out, not just to make money. I got a job with Goodwill as a Job Coach for adults with disabilities. I had no idea the level of compassion I had. I don’t consider this work. I see people every day that have been dealt some harsh blows in this life. We have people working with just about every disability from physical to developmental. My life has been Blessed to have the opportunity to get to know these people! They are amazing! I have worked one on one as a coach to 3 young adults. I have seen the improvement they have made with my help. It’s a great feeling. I start working with a 16 year old boy with autism this week. He has never worked before. It’s my job to teach him the skills that will help him to be self sufficient one day. Not only will I get the opportunity to help this young man, I am learning the skills to help my own son one day.
This part of my challenge has far exceeded any expectation I had!!
When I started I wanted to get back into shape physically. My gut was 44 inches. My goal was to get down to about 36. I did great for the most part. I lost about 4 inches. I was working out and eating right. I wanted to quit smoking. The last month or so, I let myself down. I blamed it on being too busy. When I wasn’t working, I was working on Autism Hope. I slowly started skipping workouts. Not planning my meals, thus messing up. I can't blame things on anyone else anymore.
I am in better shape than I was when I started. I didn’t gain it all back or anything, I just know where I’d be today if I would have stuck to the program.
I am starting my 2nd 18 week challenge! The way I’m looking at it, the 1st one was more Mental….This one is all Physical!
I’m where I want to be mentally!
Bill, I’m not entering my final essay. I don’t feel I deserve to.
Lookout on this next challenge. The changes coming up are gonna be GREAT!!
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Thank you so much for the friend invite and well done on finishing your first Challenge! I look forward to doing the same in '09. You've made such a wonderful transformation and you've only just begun. -Karyl
AWESOME post! You are an inspiration. Everything you wrote about I related too, what incredible inner transformation you have made this past 18 weeks. When we work on the inside the outside is sure to follow, you will see. I too feel like it was a lot of inner work, but that is exactly what I needed! The next 18 weeks, who knows what it will bring, what I do know is it will bring the change I need at that moment! Congrats to you, celebrate your victory! BJ
i think you need to fill out the final questions. you have done amazing in transforming your inner self...answer from that standpoint. you deserve closure. there is something that will be missing if you don't. great for starting again...but...finish what you started. you have made progress...its not about perfection. no, you may not get picked as TRANSFORMATION KING...but...you have made progress and your answers count...and maybe help with the next round of transformers as the T. Team learns where the pitfalls and traps lie so they...and we...can help steer others away from those destructive landmines. You have done amazing things with your foundation. now...buddy...get back on the wagon and lift them weights and plan your meals.
I am so proud of you:)
Congratulations finishing your 18 week challenge. I know how you feel. I pulled a muscle in my lower back during week 13 and it knocked me out of the saddle. But like you I made great progress during this first 18 week challenge and I'm ready to start again. Keep up the great work and effort. Steve
I want to thank you for this blog! It was just what I needed to read. I work 3 days a week with a woman who is developmentally challenged. I have been working with her for 4 years now, and I often feel frustrated with having to "pick up the slack" for her. I needed to be reminded just how lucky I really am, and I was able to read that in your words. I too am lucky to be able to work with her, and thank you for helping remind me of that fact! Patty great job on your 18 weeks, and I'm glad you're going for another! Send in your packet! You DO deserve to!
Great job Buccaneer. You have done an incredible transformation. I highly encourage you to complete your packet. You do deserve to and there is something way powerful about finishing what we start. Great job with Autism hope and your new job. Change can take time to settle into and I believe life is about balance. Happy to hear you recommitted to showing up for you.
Like with smoking never stop trying to get it right.
I am so proud of you. Way to go for continuing the race. Anita