I am tired all the time…

I can’t hardly tie my shoes anymore…

I get winded going up steps, even more so carrying something…

I tire of my clothes not fitting good…

These were all the reasons that I started to get in shape earlier this year. The outcome?

I lost almost 40 pounds

I was able to do things that I hadn’t been able to do, like complete the BSA Swimmer’s Test at camp.

I stopped snoring, leading to a better night’s sleep.

I had more energy to do the things that I wanted to do, and with that, did more. I couldn’t just sit on the couch or at the computer anymore; I had to get out and “DO”…

Then came summer…I figured that since I was always on the move, that I was doing fine with not riding my bike, walking or using the Wii Fit anymore. I was active, and that’s what mattered. With being on the move so much, food choices got a little more off for me. A soda here, a burger there, wasn’t going to hurt anything. I was being active, so I would burn it off. Besides, a Coke is better than a Diet Coke, because it’s only sugar and not as many chemicals. The burger? Well, I need to power the Scoutmaster Shawn Machine, so I need the protein from the meat, and the grains from the buns. The fries provided me with the starches that I need for the short boosts that I needed.

Off to camp…on the go, busy, busy, busy…lot’s of walking, so I better fuel up to make sure that I didn’t BONK…pass on the salad bar, gimme noodles and gravy and mystery meat. Gimme Dutch Oven cooking and campfire recipes. I’m workin’ here! Remember? Fuel for the SMSM (Scoutmaster Shawn Machine)!?!?

Then to Woodbadge, then recruiting, more Woodbadge, then the Booyah/Burger sale at the Lodge, meeting after meeting…thing after thing, and it seemed no time to exercise or eat properly. I quickly fell back into my old ways.

Before I knew it, Thanksgiving was here, all my faves were there. Christmas cookies were next (thanks to Great Grandma Bessie’s awesome cookie recipe), pies, treats and all-around num-nums…and still, no moving.

Where am I at today? I dunno…afraid to step on the scale, but I know that it ain’t pretty. My pants are tighter, I don’t sleep well and all I want to do is nap.

So, it’s time. A couple of reasons why…

I don’t want to buy new clothes, I liked it when my other ones fit

I want to get a better night’s sleep and not snore anymore

I don’t want to get winded anymore

I want to be able to keep up with my family and my scouts

I pay for a gym membership…does it make sense to buy LARGER clothes and still have the membership?

So, based on the posts today from Jeff and Bryan, I am getting back on the horse, and I encourage you, Scout Nation, to do so, too.

A while ago, we had the SNFC, Scout Nation Fit Club…it went well for a bit, but then fizzled out like a wet fuse on a bottle rocket. I have all kinds of prizes at home, just waiting to be won.

Once Bryan comes home, we are going to get together and really kick it off, the new and improved SNFC. I don’t want the members of Scout Nation to do it for the prizes, do it for the reasons that Scouter Jeff did…losing 130 pounds and now rock-climbing. Do it like Tico did, so that he could go to Jambo 2013.

I have a ticket item to complete, Skinny Scoutmaster…starting today, right now, it all changes.

Gone are the sodas…now it’s water

No more red meat…chicken or turkey

No more sugar…it’s just not a good thing

Get my a$$ to the gym…yea, it’s paid for, it’s there, and I need to get there and use it

Get off the couch…if I get moving, I will get more fit. More fit=less snoring=better sleep…simple equation

So, diet and exercise…that worked the last time, and I am going to do it again, but this time, really stick with it. I am inviting Scout Nation to come along, earn some prizes and get in shape…

Are you up to it, Scout Nation?