MOTIVATE ME! MONDAY

"I want so say thank you for all you’ve done putting these challenges together and share my results with the two of you.  I know these challenges have to be a lot of hard work and I’m sure there are more than a few late nights that go into this program.  I just want you to know you’ve helped my whole family make changes to live a healthier life style and that I really appreciate all that you do. 

I’ve worked out in the past and have always enjoyed it but ended up “cutting it out” the last several years because I felt like it was taking me away from my family (my wife especially) during the little bit of time that I would have had to spend with them.  When Moose (Celest) said she wanted to do one of these challenges I thought "How is this going to work with our opposite schedules?”  I just want you to know that it’s worked beautifully.  Because we’re on the same team and have made making these lifestyle changes a priority (and a way of earning points – ha ha) we’ve actually ended up having more time together.  We work out together (@ 4AM because that’s the only time that works for both of us.  It’s funny what a person will do for chance to win a competition isn’t it?), we plan meals and cook together, and have been able to encourage and support each other through all aspects of these challenges.  We were even commenting the other day about how, as a result of our slacking off a bit during the rest between challenges, we’ve been missing the time we get to spend together during our bright and ugly 4AM mornings (that’s just sick isn’t it).  I love being teammates with my wife!  Our biggest success has not only been in growing our muscles, but also in growing our relationship closer together.  Thank you for providing us with a platform that could help us do that.  I believe your program is inspired and continue to be amazed by the results people all over have been experiencing.

I don’t mean to drag on but I would like to quickly share some of the other “Benefits” received by participating in these challenges:

1.      My wife thinks I’m smokin’ hot now (she’s always been a little “off”).

2.       My kids have been watching us and have started do the challenges with us. On their own! They’ve even turned down junk food and they never used to do that!  So my family is on its way to being healthier.  (Funny story: I took them to the gym with me one time and they were watching me struggle to do my dips.  I told my 10 yr old boy that they make you have big arms and shoulders and that girls like ‘em, to which he replied “eew”.  When I looked back a little while later he was on the dip bars trying to do some – ha ha.)

3.       My scouts (I’m a scoutmaster) have been watching me and have made changes in their lives as well.  They (the scouts) even asked if I could be their assistant cross country coach for school because “At least you would run with us. Our coach rides a 4 wheeler while we run – ha ha.”  I told them the only thing I could teach them about running was how to do it slow.

4.       I feel so much better about myself and have way more energy than I used to, even after getting up at the bum-crack of dawn.

5.       I’m healthier as a whole. I had fairly high blood pressure before starting the challenges but now am sitting in the healthy range.  My family also has a history of diabetes and I feel I’m doing better keeping that monster at bay and hope to always keep it out of my life.

6.       Have I mentioned that my wife thinks I’m smokin’ hot?  That alone should be benefit enough - hee hee.

7.       Last but certainly not least (I’m sure I’m missing many):  Thanks to Valerie, I’m pretty sure I can look forward to receiving a pink tutu for Christmas.  My kids thought your “if you work hard maybe you could look like The Rock from The Tooth Fairy” comment was pretty funny.  We all did.

Seriously though, thank you for putting this program together.  I’m excited for the next go round and really appreciate all your hard work.  You're changing lives for the better, what a great job you have!"

Your Fan Forever,

Darren

We do have the BEST job ever and also...you KNOW we're going to need to see a picture of that pink tutu!