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28 Canadian Mennonite September 16, 2013Photos this page by Gerhard EppMe shortly after reaching the summitof Mount Kilimanjaro on July 13. Twoyears ago, I could have only imaginedgoing on such a trip.Me on July 13 at Uhuru Peak, the summitof Mount Kilimanjaro and the highestpoint in Africa.(Continued from page 27)races, appeared on a local televisionstation’s morning news program and participatedin an exercise demonstration,competed in a five-kilometre obstacle/adventure race, and flew to Tanzania thispast July to climb Mount Kilimanjarowith my father.The number won’t tell you thosethings, but they’re all true. The numberalso won’t tell you how I have a lot moreenergy and don’t crash at work in theafternoon like I used to. The numberwon’t tell you how, at least in my estimation,I’m a better son, brother and friendnow.So how did I do it? How did I go froma sedentary couch potato to someonewho’s 100 pounds lighter, enjoys workingout and participates in athletic competitions?People ask me that, and I tell them,“I ate less and I moved more.” And then Ifeel like maybe they think I’m being glib,but really, that’s kind of the answer: I ateless and I moved more.A longer answer to the question, “Howdid you do it?” goes something like this: Istarted thinking about joining a gym; fouryears later, I joined a gym.I went to the gym three or four times aweek. I went to the gym when I felt like it.I went to the gym when I didn’t feel likeit. I did squats, mountain climbers, pushups,ground zero jumps and burpees (acombination of squat, push-up and verticaljump)—a lot of burpees.A few months after that, I slowlystarted changing my diet. I focused onconsuming three meals and two snacksconsisting of protein, produce and waterevery day. I gave up drinking alcohol forlong periods of time and stopped eatingsugary desserts except on special occasions,like birthday parties or holidaycelebrations.I started working out at home. I wentrunning with a friend and I went boxingwith another friend.I fell in love with movement andbecame fascinated with the way my bodyworks. I identified my reasons for gettinghealthier, including, “I want to honourthe body God gave me,” and, “I want goodhealth so I can serve and be an encouragementto others.” I wrote them on arecipe card and carried it around in mywallet. I wrote out a plan for how I wasgoing to achieve my fitness goals and Idid my best to stick to it.To get inspired, stay motivated and toSometimes I made the same mistake twoor three or 19 times before I finally learnedfrom it and did something different.learn, I listened to music, read books andarticles, listened to podcasts, watchedTV shows and movies, and followedpages on Facebook and Instagram thatwere health-related, be it physical health,mental health, spiritual health or emotionalhealth.When I lost a significant amount ofweight and found I was still unhappy, Istarted seeing a counsellor. I prayed. Ilaughed. I cried. I felt sorry for myself. Isnapped out of it.I made mistakes. Sometimes I madethe same mistake two or three or 19times before I finally learned from it anddid something different.I journalled. I had honest conversationswith family and friends. I started thinkinglong and hard about the kind of manI want to be. I got scared. I pretendedto be brave, and sometimes I actuallywas brave. I thought about what I thinkI deserve in life, and how I want to treatmyself and the people around me.I prioritized myself. I worked toimprove my work/life balance. I gave upsome volunteer commitments so I couldfocus on my health. I got more sleep.I went on Facebook less. I tried tostop comparing myself to other people.I eliminated the word “should” from myvocabulary in an effort to place fewerdemands on myself. I became okay withbeing uncomfortable. I explored anythingI was feeling that was unpleasant, andinstead of numbing those feelings withfood, I sat with them so I could find outwhat they had to teach me.