As I begin to formulate my plan for weight-loss, new pieces to the puzzle keep popping up. I have to find all of the pieces and get them put together to create the challenge.

  • First step, scheduling the jump. I have to figure out when I am off work for the weekend around the time frame that I am looking at (October), and call and get it scheduled.
  • Second step, getting this blog up and running. I have to clean it all up, get my initial blogs posted, etc.
  • Third, I have to get my motivation board done. It is a collection of inspiration that I hang on the inside of my front door. I’ve done it a few times, with mild success, and this one is going to be different – it’s attached to this blog.
  • Fourth, I decide to collect money from myself each week to put in an envelope to pay for a new video. I’ve already paid for the jump, but the video package is an additional $150. It has to be cash so that I can see it, feel it. An account online just wouldn’t have the same affect. The cash will be a reward for days I nailed it in some fashion. $1 per day of doing great.
  • Fifth, I need to set a number for the challenge – I weighed 218.5lbs on the scale at the Drop Zone (skydiving place). I kind of cannot believe that I just wrote that, but it does make it more real. My nutritionist says 1-1.5lbs per week is a good estimate for me on weight-loss.
  • Sixth, email close friends and family to either join me, follow my blog and support me, or both!

Taking all of this in, here is the challenge I have formulated:

On October 15th, 2016 I will skydive again. When I weigh in on that day I will be under 165lbs. I will aim to collect $5 per week towards my video package. I will use my Motivation Board to renew my determination, and in addition I will use this blog, and and the friends/family who read it, to keep me accountable.

This is a huge challenge that I am setting before myself. When I think about it though, I really am no stranger to taking on, and winning, a challenge. In the past, I have moved to a foreign country on my own and I have trained for, and run, a marathon.  In my current life, I have moved away from my family and all that is familiar, made new friends, created a new life. I have survived having an organ removed. And we all know, crazy as we are, Johnsons have a hard time turning down a challenge…and we sure do like to win :]

p.s. I kind of feel like that moment when right before I jumped out of the plane – “Am I seriously about to do this? Hell yes I am!”