The Fitness Race - How I lost 140 Pounds Eating At McDonald's: October 2006

The Fitness Race - How I lost 140 Pounds Eating At McDonald's

...And you can too! In the fall of 2004, I had had enough. I knew I had been morbidly obese for years, but the grim reality of a short lived future slapped me in the face. After years of hearing what the doctors told me about my weight, I actually listened to what he said. He told me I wouldn't live much longer, and when I did go, it would be a "drop dead" event. The following is a short description of my story, and the journey I followed to go from where I was to where I wanted to be.

About Me

Name: Mark Little

Location: Schaumburg, Illinois (888)467-8593, United States

After struggling with his weight for more than twenty five years, in Nov 2004 Mark McKenna Little made up his mind that being unhealthy was no longer acceptable. Through sensible eating and increased physical activity (absolutely NO drugs or surgery) he lost 140 pounds and now does four triathlons per year. Early in 2007 he challenged a group at his church that if they were serious about losing more than forty pounds each... he would mentor them to make a total body transformation. SO, THE 2007 FITNESS RACE WAS BORN... Mark Little owns an unrelated business, which he operates, but is mentoring 15 individuals to make similar health and fitness transformations in their lives by September 30, 2007. Many of those in this group have well over 40 pounds of excess weight, but have set a goal to get light enough to do the 2007 Accenture Chicago Triathlon with Mark on August 26, 2007. FOLLOW THEIR STORIES BELOW

Friday, October 20, 2006

I joined the South Barrington Club (just a few blocks from Willow Creek)... it's perfect!

It has a full gym... stationary bikes, treadmills and a 50 m heated indoor swimming pool.

If I find a personal trainer who meets my lead trainers' criteria as far as education and experience and certification, then I'll be in business.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Today was a HUGE milestone in my life!

I finished a triathlon in San Diego (Mission Bay) with four other friends... one of whom was Bill Bachrach (pictured on the far left next to me). Bill was the friend and mentor who supported, motivated & challenged me for several years leading up to my decision in November 2004 to "make up my mind" and take charge of my weight and health problems (see the very first entry to this blog: October 2004). He was the catalyst for the many health and fitness improvements I now enjoy and here we are swimming, cycling and running in the same wave of a triathlon in San Diego just twenty three months after I weighed 313 pounds (I'm now 176 pounds). I'm very grateful to Bill and his wife Anne (who is my weekly Accountability Coach).

On my other side (red & black jersey) is my good friend Les Lyons who lives in San Diego (and who also happens to be an associate of Bill Bachrach's). This particular triathlon started with Les sending me this email on August 14:

"Hey Mark - come do this with me - what do you say???? Congratulations on your triathlon!!!. - Les"

Les had never done a triathlon before, so remembering how exciting it is to experience your first "tri"... it sounded like fun so we both signed up.

OK, confession time (this is my story and I'm sticking to it). My understanding was that Lynda Carpenter (pictured on the far right.. a friend and another associate of Bill & Les') was doing this Mission Bay triathlon with us. Lynda had run a marathon and I thought I'd seen an e-mail where she had agreed to do the triathlon with us. I say all of this because I was up on the platform giving a talk to a large group of financial advisors about how to better serve their most affluent clients when I spotted Lynda & Les in the back of the room. I then launched into a story about how big goals are nothing more than small goals linked together culminating in a large accomplishment... like the triathlon Les, Lynda and I were about to do in a few weeks. Well... I get off the stage & Lynda gives me a funny sideways look. I smiled and asked, "You are planning to run the triathlon with Les and me... aren't you?" She now smiled and said, "Well I guess I am now. Nothing like being held accountable by well over a hundred witnesses." Lynda proceeded to volunteer her husband Eric (pictured next to Lynda), to further prove that life's not always fair.

We all had fun, Bill tells me my performance was strong and that my run was at an "8 minute mile" pace. We enjoyed the beautiful San Diego day with each other and I count this as a significant milestone in my journey. I finished a sprint triathlon with my Ironman buddy Bill Bachrach. Get out!!!!!!!!!!!!