Greetings! My name is Rich Smith, but I have been known as "Lunch" ever since my freshman year at Luther College. I received that name after eating 13 chicken planks and a double order of fries at Long John Silvers (still my favorite fast food joint), and then meeting my friends next door at McDonald's for a couple of sundaes. And the story begins...
I am 44 years old, married, and have three
Greetings! My name is Rich Smith, but I have been known as "Lunch" ever since my freshman year at Luther College. I received that name after eating 13 chicken planks and a double order of fries at Long John Silvers (still my favorite fast food joint), and then meeting my friends next door at McDonald's for a couple of sundaes. And the story begins...
I am 44 years old, married, and have three wonderful children. My boys are 17 and 16, and my daughter is 13. I have always been active, have played sports my entire life, and coached my kids in sports since they were little. I also like to eat, and I enjoy my adult beverages. Over the last several years I have become increasingly overweight, and even though I tried to work out, I wasn't very consistent at it.
In 2007 I hit rock bottom. Only a couple of people actually know what my weight got to (because I tend to carry it well due to my body frame), but I am going public now. I topped out at 309 pounds, and I am extremely embarrassed to admit that to you. I decided to get back to regular exercise and watching what I ate, and on December 31, 2007 I weighed in at 260 pounds. Well, 2008 saw me put on about 20 pounds, and 2009 wasn't starting out to great. While on a trip to Mexico, two of my colleagues introduced me to P90X. I looked into it, but never really got too serious.
On Easter of this year my mom passed away. I lost my dad almost 16 years ago. Mom was always worried about my weight due to our family history of being overweight. She never nagged, but I knew how happy it made her when I took off that initial weight. My mom and I were very close, and this hasn't been an easy time for me. So, at the end of April, on a Saturday afternoon and with my kids encouragement, I made a phone call and ordered P90X.
It sat in the box for a bit, and then I called my coach, Robert Hudgens, and he took me through the fit test on a Monday afternoon, and I began the program the next day. I started P90X for many reasons, but my primary one is a dedication to my mom. I am committing myself to this program throughout the end of the year as a tribute to her. One last way that she can be proud of me, and I am determined to make that happen.
It has been a VERY HUMBLING experience to start out. I thought I was an athlete, but when I barely made it through warm ups that first week, and couldn't raise my arms above my head, I was beginning to wonder if I was nuts. My family has been extremely supportive of me, and I can't tell you what that means to me. They are what keeps me going some days. I want to prove to them that a fat old guy can change!
This is just the beginning of my journey. Stick around, because it is going to be a great ride!!!
I put it off for awhile, and finally at the end of April, I made the phone call to order it.
