My husband told me he was inspired by my own weight loss progress AND that our children have only known him as the fat guy.

Well, he gave himself one year to lose 100 pounds and joined a popular fitness website and started using the tools of logging in calories, activity, etc.  Started at 52 years old and 280 lbs and about 5’10” this spring.  In October at 53 he was down 60 lbs and entered his first ever 5k race with our then 13yo daughter.  She was upset that her dad had a better time than her and he finished in about 35-36 minutes and was quite pumped and said he wanted to do more as he couldn’t beleive the times of other racers.

Well in November he told me he was entering a triatholon the next month.  I balked at the swim part and told him swimming in the bay was a lot different than a heated pool alone doing laps.  Well he practiced his laps, ran and we just biked recreationally.  Last weekend he finished his first triatholon in Safety Harbour, FL at 53 doing a 1/4 mile ocean (bay here) swim, 10 miles on the bike and then a 5k run.  There were 5 guys in his age catergory and he came in 4 out of 5 and 162 overall out of 163.  I made sure I was there at each transition cheering him on and taking pics. He lost a lot of time in the transition from swim to bike and definitely needs to work on that.  Some bystanders who saw his transition routine and giggled with me afterwards told me to make sure I let him know that just being there was an accomplishment because what were most other 50 plus guys doing on a Sunday morning.  The support of other participants and people waiting near me was amazing.  He was given a lot of tips afterwards as how to adjust his bike, etc and what events he may want to pursue.

I’m very proud of his accomplishment, he was 40 lbs to make his ultimate goal and I am publicly admitting he has passed me by.  So I’ll have to step up my game I suppose.

He has completely transformed himself at an age where people think you can’t.  I also think the law of attraction is at work because if one person changes the other will ineventually change to.  I used to have a partner who’d be buying and eating ice cream as I’m sticking to my food plan, watching tv while I went to the gym, etc. - now we can enjoy biking outdoors, the gym, etc. together.  So believe me, if he can do it or I so can you.  I don’t feel personally driven to complete a triathalon but if you want to all you have to do is move as Scott says.  Its amazing the progress you can make if you stay consistent.

Good story, Linda, and congrats to your hubby!  Thanks!

That’s fantastic, Linda.  Thanks so much for sharing.  The fact your husband became so active, so fast, is really inspirational.

Cheers,
Julie

You just have to want it.

My mother often uses the excuse that she is “53 and too old”, and I know that’s not true. But you know, hearing stories like Deb’s, and now this one(I will surely tell her), her attitude has gotten better. If we think we are not capable, we are not. You gotta believe in yourself and the vital energy of the universe.

Thanks for sharing the success that you both are having. Although you aren’t interested in competing in them, I’m sure you will have the opportunity to do some training together. I do triathlons and my husband does not, however we both ride our bikes together and that is great fun. Even though your husband did the tri, you helped him get there!