| In 1988, I decided to resign my regular appointment in | | | | the track. |
| the United States Air Force to work in private industry. | | | | On day four I went to my aerobics class and rode the |
| Corporate America came knocking on my door, Mobil | | | | stationary bike. After work I ran three miles. |
| Oil Company to be exact. | | | | Day five I rode the treadmill, stretched and rode the |
| After working for Mobil Oil for one and a half years, | | | | stationary bike. After work I ran four miles around the |
| the Air Force made me an offer to return to military | | | | track. |
| duty. I thought about it a bit and then I asked the only | | | | I continued this process for three consecutive weeks, |
| question that needed to be asked. Where will I be | | | | this is called progressive training. Do you think you can |
| assigned? | | | | guess how much weight I lost? The bottom line is I lost |
| The Air Force wanted to assign me to the Pentagon. | | | | 33 pounds. |
| How could I refuse this offer, I accepted it. A few | | | | The morning of my physical exam with the Air Force, I |
| things had to take place prior to returning to duty, things | | | | ran two miles, rode the stationary bike for 30 minutes |
| such as a background check, physical examination, | | | | and went in the steam room for a half hour. |
| and coordinating with movers. | | | | The first thing I told the doctor to do was to weigh me. |
| The background check was no problem because I had | | | | I got on the scales and was within my allowable |
| a clean record. Coordinating with the movers was a | | | | weight limit. Immediately after the weigh in I drank as |
| piece of cake and I hired a property management | | | | much sugar filled drinks I could find. |
| company to find a tenant for my house. The challenge | | | | My determination to return to the Air Force was not a |
| for me came with losing weight. | | | | game for me, in fact had it not been for my decisive |
| For those of you who don not know it, Southeast | | | | action, likelihood is I would not have retired from the |
| Texas has an eclectic list of foods to eat, notably | | | | military four years ago. |
| cajun foods. I gained over 30 pounds in less than two | | | | You do not have to take your weight lost goals to the |
| years because I stopped working out. | | | | limit like I did, however through consistent focus you |
| My challenge was to lose 30 pounds in three weeks. If | | | | can lose any amount of weight you want. |
| you betted against me, you would have lost. I took on | | | | The best way to approach weight lost is one day at a |
| what is the ultimate weight lost challenge and I went to | | | | time. You must be willing to sacrifice the goodies, for |
| work. | | | | me I stopped eating fast food, fried food, candy, |
| On my first day of training I went to the gym and | | | | sodas, and I did not use any condiments on my food. I |
| weighed myself, then I rode the stationary bike for 30 | | | | took away mayonnaise and substituted it for mustard, |
| minutes and stretched for 30 minutes. Mind you when I | | | | salt and sugar were also replaced. |
| commit to something I go all the way. | | | | I advise you to drink lots of water, fresh fruits and |
| The next morning I went to the gym and participated in | | | | vegetables without a lot of the salad dressing. Last but |
| a aerobics class for an hour, then after work I ran a | | | | not least get plenty of sleep because you can lose |
| mile around the track. | | | | weight while you are sleeping. Have a great attitude |
| On day three I lifted weights, stretched and rode the | | | | about what you are going to achieve and do not |
| stationary bike. In the evening I ran two miles around | | | | waiver. |