Last time we talked, I left off with the cliffhanger of a lifetime. It had been a month since I quit drinking alcohol and started my sugarless dit. I stepped on to the scale and was pretty much astounded. I had weighed as much as 315 pounds...I now weight almost 280. For those non-math majors, that's 25 pounds. I on' know what took over me, but from that point on, I was sold and I was hooked.
The days stated flying by, along with the pounds. I had a trip planned to Las Vegas with some friends in March and my goal was to weigh 250 pounds by the time we got on the plane. Lofty goal, considering I only had a month and a half to get there. But, that was the goal I set for myself and I started to visualize it coming true. February finished and we got on the plane out to Vegas...and I weighed 265 pounds. I hadn't reached my goal, but I ad lost almost 50 pounds in just over 2 months. For whatever reason, I wasn't satisfied.
I went on the trip, enjoyed myself (sometimes a little bit too much), and when I got home, I got right back on the weight-loss train.
To cut a long story short, after 9 long months of alcoholessness and nearly no sugar, I hit my first true goal: I had lost over 100 pounds. I weight 215 pounds.
You don't know the true feeling of redemption and validity until you truly accomplish something that you never thought was possible. Never in a million years did I think that what I had done was even possible. If you had told me in November of 2009 that within the next year, I would weigh less than I EVER weighed in high school, A) I'd probably have been too drunk to comprehend that statement and B) if I had been able to process those numbers, I'd have told you that you were an idiot.
I sit here now, reminiscing about the self control, patience, discipline, and oftentimes feelings of weakness and wanting to give up that it took to make a complete 180 degree lifestyle change on the snap of my fingers. And like I had said before, I have never considered myself to be an inspiring person. But thinking about the 100% life change that I have progressed through over the last year and a half...it astounds even me.
I don't write this to "toot my own horn". I don't write this to show off. I don't write this to gain your respect or your admiration. I write this to just pass the message along to someone, anyone, that you can truly do anything that you set your mind to. If you want something bad enough, work at it, commit to it, and BELIEVE in your cause and yourself, you can make anything happen. Take it from me, it won't be easy, it will be painful at points and you'll have to make sacrifices that you never imagined. But, if it's worth it to you to think about making changes, all of those things will be worth it in the long run.
Be thankful for what you have, the people that have supported you along the way, and that each day, you get to wake up and choose the way you want to life your life. And, as always:
Peace Be The Journey.
A blog dedicated to those who have discovered that the obstacles in life are endless...These are the situations that we face and through passion, dedication, and integrity, we can shape our lives to overcome the roadblocks ahead.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Three Pillars: Pillar No. 2
Dustin Coats
“It’s going to be a beautiful day!”
I find the quote above to be very comforting—especially on those rainy days when I don’t want to get out of bed! Dustin Coats was a childhood friend that has taught me the importance of enjoying life to the fullest. It is all too often that we, as individuals, are given opportunities in life that we do not accept. Whether it is because our minds tell us that we are not prepared for the challenge, or maybe we just don’t think it is the right time in our lives to enjoy what has been given to us. What if things were different though? What if you could honestly understand the concept that tomorrow was not promised to you? What if you were given a small window of time to actually enjoy life? Would you do everything you could to make a positive impact on the lives of others, while constantly working hard to become the best person that you could possibly be? My childhood experience with Dustin demonstrates the importance of understanding the fragile nature of life.
At an early age, it seemed as though Dustin Coats and I were destined to hate each other. Being a wild and rambunctious child starving to be the center of attention, it was easy to see why a very quiet and conservative child like myself could not get along with him. Apparently it was cool to pour Gatorade all over your head after a baseball game; I didn’t see the appeal of having sticky hair. We definitely had one of those love/hate friendships. Being very shy, it was easy for him to embarrass me with suggestive remarks about certain classmates of the opposite sex. What is even more embarrassing is when you go home and ask your mother, “What does it mean to Wednesday a girl?” Confused by this? It is a bit of a thinker, but I want to keep this blog post as G-rated as possible. Anyways, boys will be boys!
Throughout middle school, Dustin and I became somewhat closer; maybe it was because we really didn’t see each other much off of the basketball court. Rather than loving-to-hate Dustin, I guess it is safe for me to say that I hated-to-love the guy. There is definitely something to be said about growing older and learning what it takes to impress a girl that really impacts the behavior of a young man. Dustin had calmed down dramatically; he graduated from being overly rambunctious to what I would like to call charismatic.
Freshman year of high school was the defining point of our friendship. We were very similar in physical appearance; therefore, our basketball coaches frequently mixed up our names. We were both very passionate about basketball, so we strengthened our bond by becoming unified under the Gordon Central High School Warriors Baskeball brand. We ran together; worked on our jump shots together; and we even sat on the bench together.
During our sophomore year of high school, I decided to take a year off from basketball and focus on other aspects of life. I took up the hobby of collecting autographs from professional athletes. I often found myself traveling to Atlanta almost every other week to attend a sporting event. I attended so many Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks game; however, one specific game sticks out in my mind the most. The Washington Wizards were set to take on the Atlanta Hawks in Phillips arena. Michael Jordan had previously come out of retirement, so I planned to attend the game in hopes of getting his autograph. I knew that this would be a memorable experience, and I wanted to share it with Dustin. The only problem that Dustin faced was that the game was on a school night, so he would have to miss basketball practice in order to go to the game. Dustin was very committed to the team, and he worked hard to earn every minute of playing time that was given to him. I honestly did not think Dustin would go. He surprised me though by saying, “this is a once in a lifetime opportunity; I may never get another chance like this—I can go.” Truer words were never spoken, and I never knew that these words would be so significant in my life.
It was only a few months later when it happened. I was woken early in the morning by my mother. Just another school day I thought, but it was much more. My mother sat me down and explained to me that there was an accident the previous night. A few of my friends had gotten in a wreck on their way back home from Kennesaw--one of my friends had gotten killed. As soon as the name Dustin Coats came from her mouth, I was hit by the coldest chill that I had ever felt in my life. I had experienced the death of loved ones before, but his passing was so different. He was so young; so full of life; he was like a brother. I could not get a complete understanding of the situation; however, I was led through it by the strength and compassion of my mother and mutual friends.
Unless you have been in a similar situation, you could not understand what it is like to bury a close friend at the age of 15. Honestly, I hope you never have to face this situation. There is not a day that goes by that Dustin does not come across my mind in some way, shape, or form. I am so thankful for having Dustin in my life, and for having the opportunity to grow and learn with him. He will leave an everlasting impact on those who knew him, and he will be forever missed. I have learned so much through this experience, and I have a much better understanding of the value of life. I will be forever humble, and I will take chances on opportunities that come my way.
“It’s going to be a beautiful day!”
I find the quote above to be very comforting—especially on those rainy days when I don’t want to get out of bed! Dustin Coats was a childhood friend that has taught me the importance of enjoying life to the fullest. It is all too often that we, as individuals, are given opportunities in life that we do not accept. Whether it is because our minds tell us that we are not prepared for the challenge, or maybe we just don’t think it is the right time in our lives to enjoy what has been given to us. What if things were different though? What if you could honestly understand the concept that tomorrow was not promised to you? What if you were given a small window of time to actually enjoy life? Would you do everything you could to make a positive impact on the lives of others, while constantly working hard to become the best person that you could possibly be? My childhood experience with Dustin demonstrates the importance of understanding the fragile nature of life.
At an early age, it seemed as though Dustin Coats and I were destined to hate each other. Being a wild and rambunctious child starving to be the center of attention, it was easy to see why a very quiet and conservative child like myself could not get along with him. Apparently it was cool to pour Gatorade all over your head after a baseball game; I didn’t see the appeal of having sticky hair. We definitely had one of those love/hate friendships. Being very shy, it was easy for him to embarrass me with suggestive remarks about certain classmates of the opposite sex. What is even more embarrassing is when you go home and ask your mother, “What does it mean to Wednesday a girl?” Confused by this? It is a bit of a thinker, but I want to keep this blog post as G-rated as possible. Anyways, boys will be boys!
Throughout middle school, Dustin and I became somewhat closer; maybe it was because we really didn’t see each other much off of the basketball court. Rather than loving-to-hate Dustin, I guess it is safe for me to say that I hated-to-love the guy. There is definitely something to be said about growing older and learning what it takes to impress a girl that really impacts the behavior of a young man. Dustin had calmed down dramatically; he graduated from being overly rambunctious to what I would like to call charismatic.
Freshman year of high school was the defining point of our friendship. We were very similar in physical appearance; therefore, our basketball coaches frequently mixed up our names. We were both very passionate about basketball, so we strengthened our bond by becoming unified under the Gordon Central High School Warriors Baskeball brand. We ran together; worked on our jump shots together; and we even sat on the bench together.
During our sophomore year of high school, I decided to take a year off from basketball and focus on other aspects of life. I took up the hobby of collecting autographs from professional athletes. I often found myself traveling to Atlanta almost every other week to attend a sporting event. I attended so many Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks game; however, one specific game sticks out in my mind the most. The Washington Wizards were set to take on the Atlanta Hawks in Phillips arena. Michael Jordan had previously come out of retirement, so I planned to attend the game in hopes of getting his autograph. I knew that this would be a memorable experience, and I wanted to share it with Dustin. The only problem that Dustin faced was that the game was on a school night, so he would have to miss basketball practice in order to go to the game. Dustin was very committed to the team, and he worked hard to earn every minute of playing time that was given to him. I honestly did not think Dustin would go. He surprised me though by saying, “this is a once in a lifetime opportunity; I may never get another chance like this—I can go.” Truer words were never spoken, and I never knew that these words would be so significant in my life.
It was only a few months later when it happened. I was woken early in the morning by my mother. Just another school day I thought, but it was much more. My mother sat me down and explained to me that there was an accident the previous night. A few of my friends had gotten in a wreck on their way back home from Kennesaw--one of my friends had gotten killed. As soon as the name Dustin Coats came from her mouth, I was hit by the coldest chill that I had ever felt in my life. I had experienced the death of loved ones before, but his passing was so different. He was so young; so full of life; he was like a brother. I could not get a complete understanding of the situation; however, I was led through it by the strength and compassion of my mother and mutual friends.
Unless you have been in a similar situation, you could not understand what it is like to bury a close friend at the age of 15. Honestly, I hope you never have to face this situation. There is not a day that goes by that Dustin does not come across my mind in some way, shape, or form. I am so thankful for having Dustin in my life, and for having the opportunity to grow and learn with him. He will leave an everlasting impact on those who knew him, and he will be forever missed. I have learned so much through this experience, and I have a much better understanding of the value of life. I will be forever humble, and I will take chances on opportunities that come my way.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Three Pillars: Pillar No. 1
Robbin Herrera
"If you believe in yourself and work hard toward your goals, then you can accomplish anything."
My parents were divorced by the time that I had turned 1 year old, which left my mother, Robbin Herrera, with the challenging task of raising me. This is not to say that she didn't have a little help from my grandparents, but she worked harder than anyone else just so I could enjoy life and have the things that I needed and wanted. I can honestly say that she was my #1 fan; she always supported me in whatever I chose to do, and she never missed a single sporting event or extracurricular activity in which I participated. I could talk to her about anything, and I could always trust that she could give me the advice I needed to guide me through any difficult situation.
On February 28, 2007, I faced a situation in which I would have to figure out how to solve without my mother's guidance...or so I thought. At the age of 44, my mother passed away due to complications with liver cancer. Being 19 years old and a sophomore at the University of Georgia, I was still learning about life and needed my #1 support system to help me along the way. How could I ever go on without her? I began to reflect a lot about life, and I needed to know what it would take for me to keep pushing forward and to become the person that my mother would want me to become. I had to find a way to look back upon the lessons and values that she had taught me over the years and find a way to apply them to a new phase in my life--a time without her.
No one said life would be easy, and life is definitely not fair either. As individuals, we must find ways to cope with the everyday situations that we face and constantly move in a direction that allows us to become a better person. Throughout life, my mother always challenged me to set high goals for myself and to "be a leader, not a follower." Now, I am trying to be that leader; a leader that demonstrates how positive work ethic leads to achieving one's goals. To honor my mother, I did exactly what she wanted me to do after she passed away—I kept going. I graduated from the University of Georgia in May of 2009 with a B.B.A. in Business Management and a B.S.Ed. in Sport Management. I am now creating my own path to success by starting my very first business, which is known as Athens Inspired. My success this far in life is a result of the confidence and determination that my mother has instilled within me. Because of her, I have the ability to turn any dream into a reality.
"If you believe in yourself and work hard toward your goals, then you can accomplish anything."
My parents were divorced by the time that I had turned 1 year old, which left my mother, Robbin Herrera, with the challenging task of raising me. This is not to say that she didn't have a little help from my grandparents, but she worked harder than anyone else just so I could enjoy life and have the things that I needed and wanted. I can honestly say that she was my #1 fan; she always supported me in whatever I chose to do, and she never missed a single sporting event or extracurricular activity in which I participated. I could talk to her about anything, and I could always trust that she could give me the advice I needed to guide me through any difficult situation.
On February 28, 2007, I faced a situation in which I would have to figure out how to solve without my mother's guidance...or so I thought. At the age of 44, my mother passed away due to complications with liver cancer. Being 19 years old and a sophomore at the University of Georgia, I was still learning about life and needed my #1 support system to help me along the way. How could I ever go on without her? I began to reflect a lot about life, and I needed to know what it would take for me to keep pushing forward and to become the person that my mother would want me to become. I had to find a way to look back upon the lessons and values that she had taught me over the years and find a way to apply them to a new phase in my life--a time without her.
No one said life would be easy, and life is definitely not fair either. As individuals, we must find ways to cope with the everyday situations that we face and constantly move in a direction that allows us to become a better person. Throughout life, my mother always challenged me to set high goals for myself and to "be a leader, not a follower." Now, I am trying to be that leader; a leader that demonstrates how positive work ethic leads to achieving one's goals. To honor my mother, I did exactly what she wanted me to do after she passed away—I kept going. I graduated from the University of Georgia in May of 2009 with a B.B.A. in Business Management and a B.S.Ed. in Sport Management. I am now creating my own path to success by starting my very first business, which is known as Athens Inspired. My success this far in life is a result of the confidence and determination that my mother has instilled within me. Because of her, I have the ability to turn any dream into a reality.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Three Pillars
Who is it that truly inspires you the most? When I ask myself this question, I realize that so many people have made a positive impact in my life. No matter how large or small the contribution, I respect each individual who has given me valuable insight, which has molded me into the person I have become. I am dedicating my next three blog posts to the individuals who are the inspiration and motivation for everything I do; I call them My Three Pillars. Although each individual has one specific message that I have ingrained in my mind, all three individuals have demonstrated these concepts in his/her respective life.
My Three Pillars
Robbin Herrera Dustin Coats Michael Davenport
My Three Pillars
Robbin Herrera Dustin Coats Michael Davenport
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Here's The Skinny...
Skinny:
-adj; very lean or thin, narrow or slender
-noun; accurate information, facts; news
Wordplay is fun, isn't it?
As I'm writing this, I realize that someone along the way may not know what kind of changes I've gone through over the last year or so. In November/January of 2009/10, I weighed 315 pounds. I had just graduated from the University of Georgia, or so I thought (but that's a different story), and had too much free time on my hands. So I did what nearly any red-blooded American college student living in Athens would do: I drank way too much. It almost became a nightly occurrance and at a point, didn't even require other people to be around. I'd start drinking, and if other people came along then I'd hang out with them...if not, I'd drink by myself. It was a pretty dark place with more factors than I'll get in to right now, but suffice it to say, it was ugly.
And, as anyone who's done their fair share of drinking knows, when you drink late at night, you get hungry. So I'd eat at 2:30, 3:00 in the morning and go to bed...the easiest combination to gain weight extremely quickly.
So, February rolls around and I go to live back at home where my mom surprised me with an idea. She had just received a book called the "Belly Fat Cure" by Jorge Cruise and wanted me to join her in trying out the diet guidelined by Mr. Cruise in his book. He stressed what was, essentially, a sugarless diet, as well as as low-carb as possible. That was it. There was no counting calories, no deciphering fat content. Just stop eating sugar. So I decided to give it a try, but in the back of my mind I was thinking that I'd do it for a week or so and just give up. You know, the usual outcome of diets that restrict rather than encourage.
To tack on the this newfangled diet, I decided that I needed a life change as well. I was in the midst of planning a trip to Las Vegas with some of my best friends. So, I told myself that I'd stop drinking until the Vegas trip, just to prove to myself that I could.
I'm sure that most of you are thinking that this was too much to take on all at once, especially being a "cold-turkey" quitter of borderline alcoholism, but in all honesty, it wasn't too difficult to stay on board. And the first month's results were pretty astounding...but I'll get in to that next time.
-HW
-adj; very lean or thin, narrow or slender
-noun; accurate information, facts; news
Wordplay is fun, isn't it?
As I'm writing this, I realize that someone along the way may not know what kind of changes I've gone through over the last year or so. In November/January of 2009/10, I weighed 315 pounds. I had just graduated from the University of Georgia, or so I thought (but that's a different story), and had too much free time on my hands. So I did what nearly any red-blooded American college student living in Athens would do: I drank way too much. It almost became a nightly occurrance and at a point, didn't even require other people to be around. I'd start drinking, and if other people came along then I'd hang out with them...if not, I'd drink by myself. It was a pretty dark place with more factors than I'll get in to right now, but suffice it to say, it was ugly.And, as anyone who's done their fair share of drinking knows, when you drink late at night, you get hungry. So I'd eat at 2:30, 3:00 in the morning and go to bed...the easiest combination to gain weight extremely quickly.
So, February rolls around and I go to live back at home where my mom surprised me with an idea. She had just received a book called the "Belly Fat Cure" by Jorge Cruise and wanted me to join her in trying out the diet guidelined by Mr. Cruise in his book. He stressed what was, essentially, a sugarless diet, as well as as low-carb as possible. That was it. There was no counting calories, no deciphering fat content. Just stop eating sugar. So I decided to give it a try, but in the back of my mind I was thinking that I'd do it for a week or so and just give up. You know, the usual outcome of diets that restrict rather than encourage.
To tack on the this newfangled diet, I decided that I needed a life change as well. I was in the midst of planning a trip to Las Vegas with some of my best friends. So, I told myself that I'd stop drinking until the Vegas trip, just to prove to myself that I could.
I'm sure that most of you are thinking that this was too much to take on all at once, especially being a "cold-turkey" quitter of borderline alcoholism, but in all honesty, it wasn't too difficult to stay on board. And the first month's results were pretty astounding...but I'll get in to that next time.
-HW
Peace Be the Journey
I've been informed by a few people (sometimes repeatedly) that I should start writing a blog. I was never quite sure why anyone else would care enough about my life experiences and stories to take time out of their own day to read about mine. But now, due much in part to Dakota actually asking me to contribute to something that clearly means so much to him and numerous other people, I've decided to take the plunge and join the ranks of the faceless merchants of free stories and life lessons: the bloggers.
As my inaugural entry, I was required to develop a title for my contribution. I thought that, considering the blog's title, it would only be fitting to settle upon a line from , as well as the meaning behind the title of, my favorite movie, Cool Runnings. Cool Runnings is, has, and will most likey always be my "go-to" feel-good movie. There's just something about that ragtag group of Jamaicans that makes any worries I've accumlated throughout the day just seem to vanish. Plus, the soundtrack is solid, which is just an added bonus.
Being that our blog is based upon sharing inspiring anecdotes that we have seen and lived, I feel like these four words have done a lot to inspire me as I've lived my life. Having just left home for what is really the first time, and moved to Orlando to start my career, those four words selected to represent my ideas and my life in internet form are ringing even truer. You have to enjoy the simple things in life, treasure your family and loved ones, an as my boy Yau-Man from Survivor:Fiji pointed out, "Love many, trust few, and do harm to none". Peace Be The Journey. During this past holiday season, I realized that if you can live your life along these guidelines, you'll appreciate everything that makes life the greatest gift you can receive.
So, until next time,
Peace Be the Journey.
-HW
As my inaugural entry, I was required to develop a title for my contribution. I thought that, considering the blog's title, it would only be fitting to settle upon a line from , as well as the meaning behind the title of, my favorite movie, Cool Runnings. Cool Runnings is, has, and will most likey always be my "go-to" feel-good movie. There's just something about that ragtag group of Jamaicans that makes any worries I've accumlated throughout the day just seem to vanish. Plus, the soundtrack is solid, which is just an added bonus.
Being that our blog is based upon sharing inspiring anecdotes that we have seen and lived, I feel like these four words have done a lot to inspire me as I've lived my life. Having just left home for what is really the first time, and moved to Orlando to start my career, those four words selected to represent my ideas and my life in internet form are ringing even truer. You have to enjoy the simple things in life, treasure your family and loved ones, an as my boy Yau-Man from Survivor:Fiji pointed out, "Love many, trust few, and do harm to none". Peace Be The Journey. During this past holiday season, I realized that if you can live your life along these guidelines, you'll appreciate everything that makes life the greatest gift you can receive.
So, until next time,
Peace Be the Journey.
-HW
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Patience is a Virtue
This is the first post to my blog, but I must warn you...it is far from inspirational. Instead, it is more about a lesson that I have learned at an early age. One of the keys to a successful life is patience. I have been working on starting a business for the last 5 months with almost nothing to show for it...or so I thought...
How 'bout for kicks we analyze my situation in another context. Tonight I did something that I haven't done in a long time; I counted all of the coins in my "Rainy Day Fund" and rolled them...Cha-Ching! It took me almost 7 months to hit my goal of cashing out with $100, but I did it. How did I manage to complete this task? Simple, I set an attainable goal, and I diligently worked toward it. With every coin I put in the plastic jar, I got closer and closer to my goal.
Not all tasks are as simple as dropping some loose change into a plastic jar--mine even counts the money for me! Each day I put forth an effort to turn my business ideas into reality. Sometimes it even feels like my progress has taken a wrong turn and is steering me in the opposite direction. Throughout this blog, I will share some of the challenges that I have faced and continue to face as a young philanthropreneur. I will also introduce you to a few people who have been my inspiration throughout life and have motivated me to dream boldly!
Although my business plans have not reached fruition, I have learned a lot of lessons along the way and there will be many more to come. I have also revamped my business strategy to put myself in a better competitive position when I launch my new venture. This is only the beginning; my passion drives me to succeed no matter what challenges I face. If my "Rainy Day Fund" is any indication of what I can expect out of my business venture, then I will exceed my expectations by about $18.49.
How 'bout for kicks we analyze my situation in another context. Tonight I did something that I haven't done in a long time; I counted all of the coins in my "Rainy Day Fund" and rolled them...Cha-Ching! It took me almost 7 months to hit my goal of cashing out with $100, but I did it. How did I manage to complete this task? Simple, I set an attainable goal, and I diligently worked toward it. With every coin I put in the plastic jar, I got closer and closer to my goal.
Not all tasks are as simple as dropping some loose change into a plastic jar--mine even counts the money for me! Each day I put forth an effort to turn my business ideas into reality. Sometimes it even feels like my progress has taken a wrong turn and is steering me in the opposite direction. Throughout this blog, I will share some of the challenges that I have faced and continue to face as a young philanthropreneur. I will also introduce you to a few people who have been my inspiration throughout life and have motivated me to dream boldly!
Although my business plans have not reached fruition, I have learned a lot of lessons along the way and there will be many more to come. I have also revamped my business strategy to put myself in a better competitive position when I launch my new venture. This is only the beginning; my passion drives me to succeed no matter what challenges I face. If my "Rainy Day Fund" is any indication of what I can expect out of my business venture, then I will exceed my expectations by about $18.49.
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