Thanks to Jack Sh*t, Gettin’ Fit and his 5k Challenge, I will be participating in a 5K on November 14th. I say participating and not running because I’m sure it will be a hybrid run-walk for me.

I don’t run for exercise. I am more of a elliptical and weightlifting guy. When people ask me if I run, I usually tell them “run only when chased”. But Jack set forth a challenge, and for me, being challenged it what it takes to get motivated. In fact, I don’t think I would go to the gym every morning if I didn’t challenge myself to get better every day. I need a challenge, and that is why I think I got overweight in the first place.

I never challenged myself in the past when it came to physical fitness. I always thought that I could do it later. But then it hit me that later is now and I set forth a challenge to myself…Lose 54 pounds by the end of 2010. I need a challenge, I want a challenge, without it I get lazy.

I’ve realized that accepting challenges goes way beyond running a 5k or going to the gym. Accepting challenges impacts almost every facet of my life. Step up and be great is what I hear in my head when I hear a challenge being thrown my way. Now that I have accepted the weight loss challenge that I gave myself and am successfully conquering it, I know that I can accept any challenge in any facet of my life and conquer it. This is why I have accepted Jack’s 5K challenge without really being a runner. I know I can do it…I will do it!

Pushing yourself and challenging yourself everyday is a vital component to succeeding. This is probably true in many regards, but especially true when trying to lose weight. Could I have lifted 10 more pounds, could I have done one more rep, could I not have eaten that small bowl of ice cream. These are all challenges that I give myself everyday to try and conquer the next day. This is what it takes for me to stay on my weight loss journey.

Pushing yourself to be the best everyday is the only challenge you need to loss weight and be healthy. I can do it…you can do it!