There is No Finish Line!

“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart; I am, I am, I am.”
—Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

458 days.
1 year, 3 months, and 3 days.
65 weeks and 3 days.
10,992 hours.
659,520 minutes.
39,571,200 seconds.

 458 days.  That’s what it took for me to accomplish the hardest thing that I have ever set my mind on.  458 days.  That’s what it took for me to realize that I really can accomplish anything that I set my mind on.  458 days.  That’s what it took to show me that I am a lot stronger than I think I am.  458 days.  That’s how long it took me to finally love myself the way I should have years ago.  458 days.

On January 6th, 2014, I walked into my basement.  I hated going into the basement.  The steps are a kinda steep and just winded me.  They sucked. But that’s where the scale is.  I pushed the button, watched it hit zero, drew a deep breath and got on.  It took me a few seconds to realize that my eyes were closed. I opened them and looked down. 411.8 lbs. I steps off.  My eyes were welling up.  How did I let myself get here? What the hell am I going to do?  I knew it was time to do something.  As full of life and over the top I am most days, I wasn’t living life. I wasn’t the best that I could be on stage and it didn’t sit well in my heart.

If you are new to the party, and since I have never mentioned this blog directly on Facebook.  Most of the people who have found it are really good at clues on Instagram, actually read, or found me by my address on Twitter, I decided that I was going to lose 100lbs.  WHAT THE F%*K WAS I THINKING? Everything you need, the who, what, where and whys are in this blog.  I started it for me.  It ended up being for us.  All of us.

I thought I could do it in a year.  And when 35lbs had come off in less then two months.  I got cocky.  I thought I had it. I was fooling myself for sure. That’s when it gets even harder and harder. Plateau after plateau.  I tried a quick fix.  I knew better.  But it was back to where I was years ago.  Lose 15 gain 10 right back.  Plateau some more.

I want to write so much today. And honestly I think I need a few days to think and reflect because I am overwhelmed.  I really didn’t think I had it in me.  I am glad I assembled a team for accountability.

When my birthday rolled around this year and I was still 20 pounds from my goal.  I knew I had to make even more changes.  If you are new here please read the last few blogs.  You’ll catch up quicker than me putting it all out here again.  Those changes were the missing puzzle piece.

So now what? Little goals.  My next goal is to get under 300 pounds before I step on stage at Carney’s this summer, Memorial Weekend.  That’s 10 pounds.  So I am going to keep kicking ass.

Well today my eyes are welling up for other reasons. I lost 100bs.  I did it.  There was a sand bag at the gym the other day.  My friend Mike told me that it was 100lbs as he handed it off the me and I struggled with it soooo much.  I was carrying that around with me everywhere I went.  100lbs.  Gone!

Thank you to everyone who jumped on board #teamfranco with me.

Thank you to Amber who has been dragged from workout to workout, walk to walk and everything in between.  You never let me give up.

Thank you to Brandon and Brett who came from college to no snacks, no junk food and not much in the fridge and never complained about the massive amounts of chicken that has been getting served here for the last 15 months.  (Well Brandon complained about the no junk food some)

Thank you to #teamfranco!  You guys know who you are.  You found my blogs, you sent messages of encouragement, Favorited my mindless tweets and helped pick me up when I fell.  I wish I had t-shirts for all of you, because you deserve them.  I couldn’t have done it without you guys.  That’s where putting it out there and being accountable helped me so much.

Thank you to everyone who helped me on my fitness journey and continues to.  Adam, Dan and Erica at Dan Campos Fitness. You guys are my rock.  Dan provided an open door, every single day of the year.  I definitely didn’t have any excuses. #teamnoexcuses

Thank you to my #DCBC family.  You make me laugh, inspire me, encourage me and make working out fun.  You’ve added so many new friendships and the support you give me in all the aspects of my life is overwhelming.

Thank you to my dietitian, Jillian Foley.  She helped me focus my nutrition over the last 6 weeks to help me lose the last 20 pounds along with Nick, Adrienne, and Jenn at Orange Theory Fitness Willow Grove who helped me with the last 12 of those pounds over the last month.  (Love you too Angela G.) I will beat the pregnant ladies on the rowers if it kills me.  (You too, Superman!)

I realized this past week that there really is no finish line.  The only one in the race is me. It’s a long race.  And the medal is a longer, stronger, fun-filled life.  It’s time to live it.  I love you all.  I still can’t believe I freaking pulled this off.  WOW!

I am sorry this post is all over the place.  I’ll do better next week I promise.

Thank you for reading.

Much Love!

Franco