Team Pink

If you don't know much about my team, let me introduce you:

There's Morgan. She's one of the younger contestants this season and is full of energy. She is usually at the front in our workouts, and she goes tirelessly and at full speed. She's our Energizer Bunny.

Caleb is a machine. He looks quiet until the workouts start, and then it's like a switch was flipped and he transforms into some incredible singing, shouting, calorie burning machine. He's a no-excuse guy who works a real hero's job. So, we've got a transforming, machine-like hero? He's clearly our Optimus Prime.

Stacy is married with two kids and teaches school. I can understand how difficult it is for her to do FWSW, and she's killing it. In my opinion, FWSW is harder on moms than dads, so I'm even more impressed with her success. She is indefatigable! I've thought about this one for a while, and I think she's our Wonder Woman.

Taylor? She's our Statue of Liberty. I know that sounds weird, so bear with me. She constantly upholds a high standard that makes others want to be a part of her circle. Her example is a shining beacon. I work harder when she's watching because I don't want to disappoint her. When I grow up, I hope to match her enthusiasm and sweetness of spirit.

So ... that's my team.

Birthday party

Something cool from work: one of my coworkers turned forty this week (he is so old!) and his wife planned a surprise party for him at work. She wasn't there, but prepared the whole thing by recruiting various folks to help with all the details. There was cake, party favors, decorations, etc., and he had no idea what was going on. It was a brilliantly executed plan.

I wasn't too worried about being tempted by the goodies and was going to take an apple to the party. It turns out that I didn't need to do that. His wife knew I was in FWSW and she went the extra step to include a special low cal snack just for me. It had my name on it! How cool is that?

One obstacle people face when trying to get in shape is that they're afraid other people will make it difficult for them. I certainly was. I was always making fat jokes about myself and "bragging" about my junk food diet and no-exercise lifestyle. Early on in FWSW, I wondered what people were going to think when I claim to be making good fitness choices? Would they make fun of me or call me out as a hypocrite?

That certainly has not been my experience so far. Maybe I'm just crazily, exceptionally blessed, but everyone I know has been really helpful. Not only have my friends been great, but as I've got to know my teammates, they've been great too. If this is your fear too, remember my coworker's wife. You'll find many wonderful, thoughtful and amazing people just like her coming out of the woodwork to help you succeed. We don't have to do this alone.

Shaving time

On April 14, I ran the Formula for Life 5k at St Francis in 49:37. Not a great time, I know.

Tonight, I ran an hour on the treadmill and made it 4.5 miles. I know that's not an amazing accomplishment either, but what I'm particularly proud was my time at the 5k mark ... 42:55.

In less than three weeks of training, I've shaved over six minutes off my time!

Kissing another man

It's been a full month since our first group workout, and I can't believe the changes. I would have never guessed that I could run so far or for so long (well, it's still a walk/jog, but let's not quibble). I'm eating better, feeling better, sleeping better. Clothes no longer fit like they used to fit. It's all good.

The weirdest compliment I've received so far? My wife told me that my skin feels ... wait for it, wait for it ... luxurious. Seriously? Is that an adjective any burly man has ever wanted to hear used of himself? I didn't ask for clarification, but I got it anyway. She continued, "your skin used to be rough and scaly. Your elbows in particular were abrasive. But now? You're skin so soft. And your skin color is better too. You used to have dark circles under your eyes, but they're fading. And I can tell you're getting a lot thinner. Don't take this wrong, but when I kiss you, it almost feels like I'm kissing another man."

Ok ... not sure what to do with that. I'm glad she's noticing the improvements. I'm also glad that she stopped short of comparing me to the ugly duckling and a beautiful swan. If she were to compare me to a bird, I would have wanted to be compared to a pterodactyl. They're cool.

My favorite compliment ever

Here's a nice little follow-up to yesterday's post. Nikole, one of the alums, was looking at photos on the FWSW FB page and came across one that was taken just after Kasi's workout. Everybody in that picture is smiling ... well, almost everyone. There's one pasty, sweaty bald dude in the back looking like he'd been ran over by a bulldozer (that was me). Nikole showed the picture to her young daughter who apparently knows quite a few folks in the program. She pointed at me and said, "Is that Rick?"

Booyah me! How cool is that? It's been at least a week (maybe a wee bit longer) since I've been compared to someone with the physique of a Michaelangelo sculpture. I was standing next to Rick when Nikole told him the story. We all know kids say the darnedest things and I thought we'd all chuckle a bit. I fully expected Rick to say something very funny.

What he said wasn't funny ... instead, it made me a tear up a little (bald guys apparently are prone to this). He said, "Really? That is awesome. What an honor for me that someone thought I was you, Frank!"

Is this an incredible program or what?