For the last several months all of my focus has been on training for Kona and completing an Ironman. Now that it’s done I have found myself asking what’s next?
I know I need to have a goal to work toward to stay motivated and on track so over the past couple of weeks I have been doing some self evaluating. The number one thing that has kept surfacing is my weight.
I figured that training to do an Ironman would naturally bring my weight down. It did a little, but not like I had assumed it would. So now it is time to go to work again. This time there won’t be any cameras or a ranch, but I do have some great tools.
For starters, as many of you know, I have used hypnosis as a way to get back on track. I just received an updated version of Enjoying Weight Loss by Dr. Roberta Temes Ph.D. I am going to be using those discs along with a sensible eating plan and exercise regiment. I will be posting pics on the site as well as my workouts once a week. It is also time for me to start writing about how I am really feeling during the process.
Since I was on The Biggest Loser, I have felt like losing weight should be easy for me. While I have an advantage in that I work from my house and can have more time than most to train, I still face many of the struggles that others do. I want to help those who are going through a transformation see that they are not alone.
I am not going to turn this into a weight loss diary, I am just going to openly share what is going on with my weight loss.
On the triathlon side of things, I will use this time to improve my skills in all areas and work toward my goal of winning some clydesdale (200 pounds or more) division races next season. It looks like almost all of the Ironman distance races are full for 2010 so I probably won’t do any full Ironman events in 2010. I am looking at a couple of 70.3 races and a full summer of shorter distances. Suzy is going to be doing more events this upcoming season so I will need to be able to give her time to train for her races.
In the mean time I will also begin wrestling again. I put that on hold to train for the Ironman and now that it’s done I can focus back on wrestling as well.
I guess my focus isn’t really flashy, but it is what I feel I need to do in order to acheive success in all areas of my life. I think that now, with no cameras in tow, is a great time to focus on the little things that will lead to the big successes.
#1 by John W Brown - November 6th, 2009 at 09:54
Post-Ironman depression is a real problem, especially for first timers. Setting a new goal is essential, it can be hard to motivate yourself after spending so much time training and sacrificing for that goal. By the time, I did my Ironman I had gone through 50+ goals. I am still having trouble figuring out “what next.” I had planned to focus on open water swimming, but that goal has been sidelined. I am signed up for Ironman St George, but I am struggling to get back in the groove (and it is only six months away!). My point is find something soon. I emailed you sometime back and recommended another Ironman along with Suzy…just a suggestion. Good luck Matt, keep focused.
“…In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or brilliance. They either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not.”
John Brown
#2 by Tom Davies - November 10th, 2009 at 14:04
Hey Matt -
Tom Davies here….Maybe you might remember me from Ironman Hawaii (maybe not) as we passed each other a few different times on the road to Hawi and a few times on the run. I was the guy with the “Big Sexy” & “Size Matters” jersey. Huge fan of you and Suzy and it was great reading your blog on the race! Made me remember a few things and stirred up some of the same emotions you had blogged about.
Good luck to you in your upcoming races, Clydesdale divisions are much more fun to compete in. Even’s things out a little bit!
Like you I have often been thinking about what is next….Something completely different from triathlon this off-season. Ever think about indoor rowing? That’s whats on tap for me. Clydesdales rule here!!! Cant wait to see how I stack up for a 2000M race.
This might be a fun one for you to check out…..
http://www.nwergomania.org
#3 by Susan - November 13th, 2009 at 18:58
Matt,
I started watching Biggest loser regularly the season you and Suzy were on. I was honored to meet and talk to you at the Northwest Women’s show right after you learned you were going to have a second baby( congrats by the way). We live in the Seattle area.
I continue to be inspired by your candid take on this journey. I recently made the decision to create a life plan to finally achieve the goal of releasing myself from the 50 lb prison I have been carrying around the past 15 years. I have lost up to half of it before then proceeded to gain it back. I believe I had an epiphany
the other night while watching BL .Jill was talking to Shay and said that it is in this moment that we create our future. I had not seen it that way before and it gave we a whole new perspective this week. Then I found your site. I too need goals to stay motivated. I have walked the 60 mile breast cancer walk 2 times here in Seattle so my next goal is to start running in 5 and 10 k’s. I have never been much of a runner but I think it is time to begin a new chapter so my goal is to run a 5 or 10 k in April. I started training yesterday. Any tips or timetables you can share that helped you?
Looking forward to updates from you and I will send you some of my updates too.