Starting Weight: 288.6

This Weeks Weight: 259.6

Down 29 pounds

Time Spent: 18 Weeks

Next Goal: 40 Pounds

On Saturday, my wife and I decided to go on an adventure. With the weather fully cooperating we made the trek through Fredericksburg to Enchanted Rock for the first time.

Upon our arrival, the pink granite boulder could be seen towering over the Hill Country – with multi colored ants crawling all over it.

Once we were at the park we had to decide which trail we wanted to take; the 4-mile loop or the steep 0.6-mile summit trail. After some discussion, we decided to follow the rest of the trailblazers to the summit.

As we began our little adventure, the climb was rather exciting and incredibly easy. My wife and I enjoyed some small talk about what a beautiful day it was and bantered with folks returning from the summit.

However, things began to grow increasingly more difficult and the slope of our hike became even steeper.

Occasionally I would glance up the rock just to see pure granite. I was short of breath, and the ominous task before me seemed incredible. I couldn’t help but think of how symbolic the hike was in comparison to the Johnson City Experiment.

In the beginning, I looked at Enchanted Rock as a personal challenge that I needed to climb. I didn’t think of how much work would be involved – in fact, it seemed like it would be a lot of fun, and besides that, there were a ton of other folks already climbing the rock. How hard could it be?

The same thoughts ran through my mind when I began this journey. It’s a personal challenge for me to lose 100 pounds and live healthier. But, I thought it would be a lot of fun, and besides there are a ton of other folks who do this sort of thing all the time. How hard could it be?

But as I began both adventures – all of the “fun” faded, and it became more work than anything else, but the personal challenge remained. Although on the rock I became tired, and the summit looked like miles away, I continued to push myself.

As long as I didn’t focus on just reaching the summit, but rather focused more on what my next steps were going to be – I didn’t feel nearly as overwhelmed.

In fact, while hiking, I would choose little landmarks such as a small rock, or a crack, or even a bush as my next goal. I would hike to that outcropping and rest. I would turn around and enjoy the view of what I had accomplished thus far.

It took us almost 45 minutes to reach the summit and although the view was amazing – I was even more proud of myself for making it to the top. I did it. I set out with a goal and I accomplished it. It wasn’t easy, but the feelings of success gave me an incredible rush.

Since my last article, it appears I may have hit a plateau of weight loss. However, even though each step through this weight loss hike becomes steeper – I’m just focusing on my next step until I reach the summit. I know the view at the top will be amazing.

OK – I can’t begin to tell you how truly excited I am. This past week, I literally hit the track or the gym every night. Tuesday night I called family in Arizona to catch up while I was walking the track. I was out walking for an hour and a half, and made the lap seventeen times! If one mile is equivalent to four laps– that means I completed 4.25 miles in one night!

I can literally feel my metabolism picking up speed, and I’m not nearly as tired as I used to be. One of the biggest differences that I’ve noticed is how I feel psychologically, and emotionally. Seriously, I just feel happier about myself and about life in general. I’ve always heard that you feel better when you work out, but I have been downright hyper lately.

Disclaimer: The previous paragraph sounds like I’ve replaced my body fat with estrogen, so I’d like to take a moment to inform everyone that I’m going to a college football game, as well as a hunting/fishing trip next weekend in order to try and redeem some level of masculinity.

In any event, my favorite part thus far has been the comments that folks are making around town. Friends and family are starting to tell me how much better I’m looking – which is a very dangerous statement to say to a person who already has a healthy self-esteem. I don’t know how I’m going to get my head through the door of our house sometimes.

Another perk has been fielding questions from folks asking me “what’s your secret?” Or my absolute favorite statement thus far is “you’re inspiring me.” Imagine that! Josh Gissel actually inspiring people to become healthier! I never would have dreamed such statements were being directed in my direction just four short months ago, but it’s really happening.

Weight Watchers Online has a star program that they use in your “weight tracker.” Every time I lose 5 pounds – I earn a new star. It’s become a bit of a contest for me personally to try and earn my next “star” –almost like I’m in elementary school.

From the first day I entered my weight, Weight Watchers calculated what my first goal should be. The first goal weight they wanted me to achieve was to lose 10% of my total body mass. This is known online as the Weight Watcher 10% Goal. Creative, eh? In any event – my 10% goal weight is 259.8.

I fought hard for it this past week, watching my points closely and working out every day – and I fell just short of said goal at 260.2. I missed it by about half a pound. But that’s ok. In the past week I dropped three pounds total, and I earned it.

I’m doing exceptionally well in the temptations department also. If you will recall from the first Johnson City Experiment article, I was drinking three to four cans of Dr. Pepper a day. I’m averaging about one can per week now. No headaches, no attitude problems, and no rolling around on the floor while frothing at the mouth chanting “carbonation.”

What it boils down to is a word that I learned from one of my favorite teacher movies, Stand and Deliver. That word is “ganas”. In the film, Jaime Escalante, a Math teacher to lower socioeconomic students in Los Angeles, states “If you don’t have the ganas, I will give it to you because I’m an expert.”

He goes on to explain to the students that “ganas,” is simply the desire, or will-power to be successful – regardless of what others say about them, and regardless of what the students believe about themselves.

When we began this little experiment, it sounded like a fun, new attempt to tackle a health problem that had me knocking on the door of 300pounds.

Since then, my own personal “ganas” has grown exponentially, and I’m setting new goals for myself.

Once I accomplish the 10% total body mass goal – which I predict will be this week sometime – our next major goal will be 50 pounds lost by New Year’s. That means I need to lose 21.6 pounds in 12 weeks. This would break down to be approximately 2 pounds per week.

Another goal I have is to participate in a 5k Run/Walk before the New Year. A 5k is only 3.1 miles – or about 13 laps on a track. In fact, I’d like to organize a 5k Run/Walk for Johnson City in the spring.

I know there are other folks in the Hill Country area who are struggling with their weight just like I am. I know you are getting sick and tired of being “sick and tired.” Why are you waiting until those inevitable “New Year’s Resolutions” before you decide to get your rear in gear?

Come join me. Totally free. No strings attached. Send me an email – let’s go for a walk, or a hike, or let’s rent some kayaks on a Saturday and go for a trip down the Guadalupe River.

You bring your friends, and I’ll bring mine. I love meeting new people, and by helping you – I get to help myself as well!

Money’s not an excuse any more – because it’s free to go for a hike with your friends.

The biggest hang up everyone seems to have is “time”. “I just don’t have the time to work out,” you say. Well friend – as long as you stay too busy to take care of yourself, you won’t have much time left to be too busy. So come on! Grab a fistful of ganas, and hang on – we’re going to prove to everyone you’ve got what it takes.

If you’re ready to get started on your journey to a healthy new lifestyle, email Josh Gissel at MrGissel@hotmail.com.