Morning of Mixed Emotions.

This morning I was thinking about my week and the wins I have had since my last weigh in and what I would write about in my blog today.  I have had a great loss on the scales (1.3kgs) and now have lost a total of 10kgs so far this round.  I am getting near the 40kgs lost mark, which will be a big thing for me as well as almost at the BMI of an overweight person not fat.  This is also I am keen to see on my stats page.  I ran a fun run of 8kms in 31 degree heat, ran a second 8km yesterday in 25 degrees at 6:30am as well as cycled 130 odd kms over the weekend as well as a SSS of a 5km run and the usual garage session.  Huge week for me to be honest, but whilst thinking about what I was going to write today and what message I was going to try and put out there about my week, learnings I may have come across or feelings I had, I heard some news that put things into perspective for me.

Sadly my wife has a very close friend who lost her mother overnight.  She had Motor Neuron Disease and her battle against this horrible disease was lost far too quickly.  This is a shocking and horrible thought and my heart goes out to this wonderful lady who is always there for her friends, their spouses and children whenever they need it.  She is a remarkable lady and now has to deal with laying her mother to rest.

I sit here writing this trying to think about how horrible it would be for my children to have to do that when Julie and I pass away.  Yes I know we all do at some stage, but this mother wasn’t old, she was just cut down at a time in her life when she should be enjoying grandchildren, retirement and quality time with her family.  Over the last 10 months I have been consumed with losing weight, training well, eating well, sleeping well and making sure I am around for a longer period of time for my own benefit, but also my family.  This is a good thing, but at any time you can be stopped in your tracks by some affliction which is totally out of your control.

Some of you may be aware that I rode in the Ride to Conquer Cancer last year with Julie and a group of others, which we call Team Fighting Back.  This was to raise money for Peter Mac and cancer research.  This is a cause close to our heart due to Julie’s dad fighting this disease at present as well as her sister being in remission at the moment.  Another horrible disease that doesn’t discriminate when it selects those it wishes to latch onto.  Doesn’t matter how fit you are or old, if it chooses you bad luck.  This put things into perspective for us a few years back, but today probably shocked me into thinking about things again.

I am sorry if this post is coming across as a little morbid, but at the end of the day, this is more about the big picture for me today and whilst I was ecstatic about my weight drop this morning and how well I have gone, today is a perfect reminder of all that is happening around us as well and how we need to remember the people that are in this fight with us and supporting us and loving us for who we are no matter what the scales tell us (good or bad).  So with this in mind I want everyone reading this to tell their spouse/partner and kids how much they love them and thank them for their support.  Do it now, because there is not point waiting until it is too late.  Sadly our friend can’t do that any longer and my heart goes out to her.

Life is too short to worry about little things.  Do what you have to, be who you have to and never regret what you have done if it is the right thing to do for you and your family.  For me, this journey of losing weight, becoming a better father, husband and person is part of that journey.  I have been fortunate enough to meet some amazing people on this journey (many of which I train with each weekend) and others I keep in touch with interstate whom have all been amazing and I want to thank you all now.  My wife, you are an amazing person, strong (grumpy at times) and a wonderful mother whom I love dearly.  I know I don’t tell you enough but it is now out there.  My 4 kids, the best in the world (truly they are) I know love me dearly and the cuddles and kisses prove that.  You are the world to me and I dread the day that you have to face what your mother’s friend is doing today.  We will make sure that in the meantime we have the best time together possible, doing as much as possible and loving unconditionally until that day arises.

Sadly this is not the sort of blog I want to ever have to write, but I am glad that at times you are forced to look at the big picture and put things into perspective.  One bad day on our journey is not the end. So what if you had a chocolate bar or a beer, get back on the wagon and kick some arse.  At least you have the chance to go again.  Others are not that fortunate and we need to be grateful for every day we have on this planet and make the most of them.  For me that is to train hard, eat clean and love like there is not tomorrow. Just put things into perspective please!!!