I had my annual physical yesterday. Doctor is thrilled. Starting weight in 2011 on doctor’s scale was 270. Weight as of 2/22/12 on his scale was 189. Down 81 pounds! Lean, mean, fighting machine! Ok, not too lean, but real mean… and a fighting machine as you can see by this picture:

Kentucky Boy Cage Fighter

Coach Traci sent us an email with information about the True Grit scale. I think this is the link: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/%7Educkwort/images/12-item%20Grit%20Scale.05312011.pdf

I copied the scale at the bottom of this post for anyone who wants to take it.

Here is message I sent Coach Traci today:

12- Item Grit Scale

Directions for taking the Grit Scale: Please respond to the following 12 items. Be honest – there are no right or wrong answers!

1. I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge.  Very much like me

 Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all

2. New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones.*  Very much like me

 Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all

3. My interests change from year to year.*  Very much like me

 Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all

4. Setbacks don’t discourage me.  Very much like me

 Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all

5. I have been obsessed with a certain idea or project for a short time but later lost interest.*  Very much like me

 Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all

6. I am a hard worker.  Very much like me

 Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all7. I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one.*  Very much like me

 Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all

8. I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.*

 Very much like me  Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all

9. I finish whatever I begin.

    

10. I have

    

Very much like me Mostlylikeme Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all

achieved a goal that took years of work. Very much like me Mostlylikeme Somewhat like me

Not much like me Not like me at all

11. I become interested in new pursuits every few months.*  Very much like me

 Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all

12. I am diligent.  Very much like me

 Mostlylikeme  Somewhat like me  Not much like me  Not like me at all

Scoring:

1. For questions 1, 4, 6, 9, 10 and 12 assign the following points: 5 = Very much like me 4 = Mostly like me 3 = Somewhat like me

2 = Not much like me 1 = Not like me at all

2. For questions 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 11 assign the following points: 1 = Very much like me 2 = Mostly like me 3 = Somewhat like me

4 = Not much like me 5 = Not like me at all

Add up all the points and divide by 12. The maximum score on this scale is 5 (extremely gritty), and the lowest scale on this scale is 1 (not at all gritty).

Duckworth, A.L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M.D., & Kelly, D.R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 9, 1087-1101.

It’s been just over 4 weeks since my surgery. Even more than expected, the surgery literally kicked me in my rear. I am finally feeling close to normal again, yet limiting my sitting. I get to sit on a padded cushion when I do sit. It looks like it will still be a few more weeks before I am back on the bike. The lack of activity has caused me to put just a few pounds back on. I am looking forward to when I get more active to help me get back to normal. This has been a great year so far, and looking forward to finishing strong. Merry Christmas to each of you and your families.

Hi all! It’s been a while since I’ve checked in. I have continued to travel a lot this year on business. I am so thankful for my lower weight and better fitness. That makes the travel so much easier on this old body.

Time to face the music and talk about a subject that is not exactly the most fun to discuss. I have been suffering with hemorrhoids. Earlier this year, I tried to get them taken care of with a series of banding procedures. Unfortunately, that didn’t do the trick. As you can imagine, my riding has been limited due to this problem. However, the bike gives me more motivation than ever to get this taken care of once and for all. This Friday, I am going to have the full hemorrhoidectomy surgery (if I spelled that right, I should enter a spelling bee! spell check doesn’t believe it is a word.) I understand it is a very painful recovery for a few weeks. The good news is that this should take care of the problem once and for all.

I see my primary Doctor for my six week checkup today. I am hoping the news is still good. The last few times I’ve seen him, he told me to refrain from losing any more weight for a few months. That is a first for sure!!!!  I have been able to keep the weight off by continuing to eat well and staying much more active. I hope to report back in soon.

I love reading the other blogs. Keep up the good work all!

My wife and I just celebrated our 25th Anniversary. A friend of ours sent us some “before and after” pictures. It is sort of shocking to me! We feel so much better these days!

Lisa and Bob Before Weight Loss

Celebrating 25 Years of Marriage

Winding down after a great Saturday in Kentucky… After a bowl of oatmeal, I stopped to see from friends (Debbie and Tara) in downtown Louisville. I then met Jeff, Richard, and Chuck for a round of golf in Shelbyville, Kentucky. I played my best in some time, shooting an 82. It must have been the great company! Jeff and I had a healthy dinner, then headed down to the Kentucky State Fair. After petting a few mules, we went to the Midway. We watched kids on rides, all the games, a few bands, and who knows what else! Great people watching. Jeff and I walked at least 10 miles and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We were so proud to pass on all corn dogs, elephant ears, deep-fried butter, deep-fried Kool-Aid, deep fried Oreos, Krispy Kreme Bacon Cheeseburgers, etc. Having eaten a healthy meal before the fair, it wasn’t even tempting to eat such marvelous fair food. What a great healthy, active day with great company… Lucky in Kentucky!

Quick post today… After last week’s phone call with Coach Traci, I am working on both thinking and speaking positively. We moved last weekend. I encouraged my wife (and myself!) to stay positive and enjoy the process. It was a great day. I was delayed for several hours at an airport this week. I called my wife to tell her it would be a late night, but that I was smiling! It is amazing how a little change can make such a big difference. Thanks Traci!

I visited the Doctor this week. It is a lot more fun to see him when making this kind of progress. I am down 81 pounds so far. Doc was shaking my hand, congratulating me, and really encouraged me. My blood pressure was 112/70 and heart rate was 44 beats per minute with no medication for several months now. I am no longer diabetic. I am really enjoying having the ability to participate in life so much more. Next doctor visit will be in late September.

Since I was a young child, I have always been extremely afraid of heights. Some things that you would think would be scary, I can handle. Roller coasters… OK. Plane rides… OK. Hot Air Balloons… OK. However, some things that many would think that NO ONE would fear are really tough for me. Climb a tree… YIKES! Get up on a table or chair… YIKES! Climb a ladder… not too bad. Top step.. NO WAY! Getting down from a roof or back onto the ladder…YIKES! Ski lift going up… not so bad. Ski lift going downhill… YIKES!  Hanging Bridges… YIKES!  The worst of all… FERRIS WHEELS!

So why would I even consider a zip line canopy tour? Four years ago, my wife and I were in Costa Rica. I got the nerve up to try to zip line. I found out that I was too heavy and the company would not allow me to go. Well, who says there are no advantages to being overweight? This time, I returned to Costa Rica with my wife and two sons. We met my cousin and his son. I somehow got my nerve up again to try it. They didn’t even ask about my weight, and at my current weight, I was not even the heaviest guy in our group, all of whom are fit. So, I thought I’d try it. I was tempted to stop when we hit ground at the half way point after about 6 zip lines, but I figured I had made it this far. So, I completed the tour. It was an adventure and actually a lot of fun! I think I have crossed that adventure off my list and doubt there will ever be a repeat performance. However, I am thankful that I was able to do it. The best part was being with family in such a beautiful part of the world and creating a memory we won’t forget.

Yes, I have lost my mind!

Hanging Bridge Costa Rica August 2011

Costa Rica August 2011

This year, my travel schedule is crazier than ever. On top of traveling to New Albany, Indiana for business much more, we added two vacation trips this summer. First, we went to Norway and we just arrived today in Costa Rica for 10 days. The travel schedule makes getting home to ride the Optibike much more special.

In continuing the theme of returning to exercise as “exploring” rather than just “working out,” I have really enjoyed walking, Optibiking, and the occasional attempt at easier rental bike rides on the road. Last weekend, I walked 18 holes of golf for the first time in years. I have been walking only 9 holes at a time. My buddy and I rented motorized “hillbilly” carts to carry our clubs (no Optibike, but cool concept.) We weren’t too sure whether the carts or the golfers were the biggest hillbillies, but it was fun. My buddy snapped a photo when I wasn’t looking. I posted it here. It was a shock to look at my body and see a whole different person!

Today, we walked hills in Costa Rica. We will continue to “explore” while adding more and more activities to our lives. Maybe, I can even find some bikes to rent while we are here?

July 24, 2011 at RSF Golf Club