Everything starts somewhere

So I sat down yesterday, ready to pour out a kick ass blog and unleash a slew of thoughts.  Then realized I didn't know at all what I wanted to say. I took a day to think about it and have decided that if I am really gonna do this then lets go all out, be completely honest and open.  So here it goes;

Hello there, My name is Howie.
This is me about, oh say 11 years ago or so.  To say I have been a heavy/fat guy for a wile is an understatement. I have been overweight and a "husky" guy since the 3rd grade. (I would insert pics of me from that time here, but nobody wants to see that).

So in these pictures here, I was close to quitting a job that was driving me insane. I found out at that time when i went to a physical for my new job, that I weighted 321 lbs. I started a job where I was walking  5-10 miles a day. and in 2 months lost 20lbs. I was then approached by someone who wanted to do the Jenny Craig program.  (knock it all you want) I agreed, and I achieved my greatest weight loss in my entire life.
So after 1.5 yrs on the Jenny Program I lost over 130 lbs.I got down to 200 lbs. had some ups wile on the program, but mostly a constant drop in weight. I was doing kickboxing, running and walking to work on the regular. I was down to a 38 waist, had some awesome definition going on my body that I had never seen before, and was on track to go into the Air Force. Then my Back blew out, I ruptured a disc and part of my vertebra broke off. I got cleared after my surgery to go back to doing what the activities that I was doing. But I was scared, I had lost almost all feeling in my right leg when it was rupturing, and not being able to feel it or even use it 30%. I let myself go, I blame no one but myself , I tried in a few half ass attempts to start a program back up but to no success. 

This is me now, last time I weighed myself I was 350lbs.

So Here we are now, I know I weigh at least 350. I will admit I don't want to weigh myself again, i just know I have to do something and now. I am tired of how I am, how I look, and how being this size affects me, socially, personally, and in just everyday life. It can be embarrassing some of the ways my size affects me. I would love to do the Jenny program again but it costs too much money. I have also come to the realization that as well as it works I can't live on their meals for the rest of my life. So I have to change up my lifestyle and learn to live a healthier life style with out some program. I have some awesome people who are willing to support me  in this endeavor(including the person who started this blog).  It is time to start in earnest this time. I've come to a point in my life where I have started a new chapter. What better time to do it than now.

So here we go people, everything starts somewhere, and this is where I start today.

190 minutes a week? I can do that!

After 7 years of taking classes, working full-time, and being a mum, I don't feel super confident jumping into a Zumba class, but walking...? I can do that.

Check out how much benefit you can get form just doing a bit of walking every week. I especially dig the pants fitting better bit. Visit NPR for more info on this story.

Power Poses

I have a dear friend (we'll call her Sun Spark in honor of the superhero theme) who introduced me to the idea of "power poses" when you are in need a bit of confidence. If you've ever watched a superhero movie or read a comic (and you know you have), then you will immediately recognize these poses. The power pose is open, strong, powerful. It can be legs spread and hands on hips (a la Superman) or a looming pose strategizing over a battlefield map.

Even the cocky villain leaning back in his or her chair with their hands behind their heads and their boots on the table is engaged in a power pose.

So is Storm's iconic stance, arms raised, often feet apart, calling down lighting and asskickery. 

And even the Joker's manspreading (thanks to the NY subway system for giving us that delightful term) is a power pose. 

What do all of these poses have in common? They take up space, lots of it, shamelessly and without apology. This is a concept that's hard to embrace, especially if you are a bigger person and already feel like you take up more space than your allotted share. I assure you though, it's worth getting over your need to be smaller and try it. Take a few moments to feel like a superhero or a villain before you go into ask for that raise from the boss or talk to a girl you like. You don't even have to take  my word for it. Psychology Today will tell you all about the science behind why this works.

This blog, The Superhero Within, isn't about shrinking or becoming smaller, it's about confidence. Confidence to wear your spandex proudly, to walk across a convention floor in a costume you've poured sweat, tears, love, and sometimes blood into with your shoulders back and your head high. We'll talk about weight loss and exercise, but we'll also explore self-love (not the dirty kind ;) ) and self-esteem. We will strive to remind you and ourselves that we aren't alone in our journey.

On that note, I'll end with a power pose of my own (in spandex no less).

Higher, Further, Faster, More...

Mara