Going Tribal.

     I  recently came across an Ebook on the MyFitnessPals blog that talked about finding a Fitness Tribe.  (Heres a link for ya.  http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/2014/05/myfitnesspal-ebook-the-rise-of-the-fitness-tribe/) "What the hell is a Fitness Tribe?" I wondered. So I downloaded the book and gave it a perusal. It was an easy read and actually got me thinking. Heres the definition of a Fitness Tribe according to MyFitnessPal:
     So basically its your bros or hos that you workout, run, or diet with. According to the research presented in the book simply put, you do better with a support group. Surrounding yourself with a group of like minded people creates a support system, that can prove invaluable. Having people that can back you up and with whom to share knowledge with and be accountable to gives you a better shot at succeeding on your fitness journey.
      I know that for myself I feel more inspired to go to the gym and keep on my diet when I have people overseeing me. Not saying I want people to tell me what to do or hold my hand. No, I mean just having people that I can have at my back or share both triumphs and letdowns with. It helps. Also helpful is having individuals that you can turn to for advice when your unsure of what you're doing. I often feel clueless about exercise, so I am fortunate enough to have some friends I can ask about it. Sure, you can look stuff up online, and that can be very helpful. But being able to talk to someone, one on one and get feedback as to if your form is right or if this routine works or what not can be crucial to your success.
     Its not just support that helps if you have a Fitness Tribe, it can be a lot of fun to do fun healthy activities together. When I go to the gym, I love having someone to go with. I dont need them to be next to me on the treadmill or even helping with the weights. I find it fun to be able to just say "Hey you see the res and sets I just did with the weights.?" Or even enjoying an achievement they may have had. Going jogging, trail running, biking or any other such activity with somebody else 1) Gives you someone to chat with so you do not get bored. 2) It gives you someone to compete against and gage your skills. In short it makes exercising fun.
     Im going to take the advice found in the book and try to put together a Fitness Tribe of my own. I have had success in the past when I have friends on the journey from Fatman to Batman with me before and I can definitely use some more. Whats your Tribe like?

Basically, Run you Clever Boy!

     I had an amazing time at the Color Me Rad Run on Sunday. For those that don't know, Color Me Rad is a 5k in which you are shot at with colored powder as you run. You wear white to ensure that the paint shows up on you. Dont worry it adheres to skin and hair just as well. I loved this run. It isn't timed like other 5ks as the whole point is to have fun as you get blasted with paint. Although from my best guess it took me 52 minutes to complete the course. Not my best but still better than anyone who was sitting on their couch.
     Color Me Rad is important to me because its the event that inspired me to take up running. Roughly 3 years ago my friend Cindy had posted on Facebook that she was going to run the CMR and was very excited about it. I looked it up as I was curious. It looked amazing. I posted a link to it on FB and said that I would love to do this someday but there was no way I could. My friend Amy asked me why not and suggested that I join her at the Spac Rock and Run that year. After talking to my buddy Rob who said that the only way I would know if I could do it or not is if I tried, I signed up. In spite of my apprehension at what I thought would be me making a fool of myself I so much fun. After the race I first experienced what is known as a runners high. I found myself swearing that I would run a 10k in a couple of months, followed by a marathon. Thankfully everyone knew that twas the adrenaline rush talking and didn't hold me to it.
    Because of that run I went on to do the Firecracker 4 where I beat my Rock and Run time. And I also went on to do the Rock and Run again, where I had my best runtime ever of 38 minutes. My success at these events spring from my wanting to do the Color Me Rad. So when I heard that it was coming to town I had to do it. Next year I plan on doing it again but this time with a few people and running at a better pace. It was nice to come full circle in a sense. I had a chance to see just how far Ive come from the Fatman wishing he could do a run, to getting up off the couch and doing them. 

News.

     I want to thank you for being so patient with me being lazy with my blog. But I got some news coming to you. I'm going to be changing the name of my blog. While going from a Fatman to Batman is still my goal, I don't want to get sued for copyright. So a name change is in order. At the moment I have no idea what it will be called. Please feel free to send suggestions to my email stevenbelsito77@gmail.com with the word name in the heading.
     I'm also going to be changing and adding some new things to the blog. Once a month I want to interview people who are changing their lives with fitness. Whether its mind, body or spiritual growth I want to learn. My first interview will be with a yogi. She will be explaining what yoga is and how it can help you. I want to do more things like this so we will see where it goes.  I will be adding recipes, workouts and my misadventures as I travel the road from Fatman to..............well I don't know yet. Send your name suggestion's. 

Fatman to Batman Montreal 5k.

     Its been over a week since I have returned from my Montreal trip. I apologize for taking so long for writing about it. I just felt as if I needed to absorb the experience before I attempted to share it. My time in Montreal was a great eye opening experience, that taught me so much. I had a blast. I have never left the country before so this was a bit of an adventure for me. I went with my friends Brad and Rob. The chuckle heads in the pic below.

This was moments after we crossed the border. We decided to play with an air gun. Yes, we are children. lol. Our first night there was nothing special honestly. Well thats not true, we hit this great little restaurant called The Universal. It was a nice little place, with some truly good food. The service at this little gem was what made it amazing. Our awesome host Raphael took a liking to us because we were from New York and apparently very cool, and because I had a Bat Symbol shaved into the back of my head. Our dinner was entertaining.....well to me. Rob ordered what I told him was french fries with different sauces. The waitress gave him a strange look when he ordered all the flavors. Turns out what I convinced was the french word for sauce was actually the word for mussels. She looked at him like he had four heads as if she brought thatm he would have probably two tables worth of foo. It was good laugh at his expense. (Sorry Bud, my bad) After our first dinner we rode around on some bikes that you can rent. Let me tell ya, I have never had so much fun as riding around a city in the late of the night with my friends. It was exhilarating flying down the hills. Going back up those same hill made me want to die, but I made it. 

          I woke up before the others the next day and headed out to see a little bit of Montreal solo. Its a bit breathtaking to see a city come to life in the morning. People slowly shuffle outside still half asleep and head out for their day. The people watcher in me enjoyed a good 45 minutes of doing so before I met up up with the guys. We jumped on bikes and grabbed breakfast, while we planned out our day. I dont want to bore you with every minute of our day so let me just say that this place is amazing. The Biodome and Planetarium were a blast. The show we caught at the Planetarium was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. And the architecture and art in the Basilica of Notre Dame were absolutely breathtaking. After another visit to The Universal for dinner and visiting a bar called St Bock we retired around 3am. 

     Friday. The day of our run. Also the last day of our visit. It was a little bittersweet. We got to St Helens Isle around noon and began our run. As far as runs I have done it was the most scenic one I have ever seen. We ran finding the course as we went, lol. It was a lot harder for me than other runs I had done. My time was 48 minutes, which I'm actually ok with that. Between having to use a phone to find the course and carrying a backpack I think I did well. When I make a return trip here I will definitely be going back here. I kinda want to just jog around and explore the beautiful grounds of the island.

          I was sad to leave the next morning. After dealing with the fact that someone broke into the car and stole all of Brads things and one of Robs bags, we left. I was lucky and put my bag in the trunk where it remained unmolested. Our ride home was quiet as the guys were bummed about getting robbed. I to was quiet as I was thinking about a couple of things I had learned while there. 

     Would I go again ? OMG Yes. Its an amazing place. In fact I want to go again but this time go solo. Its difficult to try to see all the things you want when you have two other people to consider. At the time I didn't feel confident in my ability to not get lost in a someplace I didn't know well. So I chose to go along with the group decision. I still had fun, and wasn't pressured at all to stay. I was just to afraid to go it alone. But next time I'm going to explore, this is the kind of city you can lose yourself in and not mind it at all. The people we so amazingly nice and friendly. (Except of course for the thief.) It was great to be away from the crazy tourists, and just enjoy myself with my friends. 

     Thank you to everyone whom made this possible. You have absolutely no idea how much it meant to me that you all had my back. Thank you to every one whom donated and who supported me with their belief in me. I have come away from this trip with the knowledge that I can do whatever I put my mind to. But more importantly just how dear the ones you love are to your life. You guys are awesome and I love and appreciate you all. Thank you for you belief in me. It keeps me running. 

Thank You.

"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. " -Henry Van Dyke

     I realized that I have been horribly remiss in thanking people for all their help with my Go Fund Me campaign. But also I have never really thanked the people who help me everyday, and have honestly been the best group of friends anyone can have. I have been very lucky and blessed to know these people. They help inspire me to continue on this difficult and often times frustrating path I have laid before myself. So Im going to thank them all in no order in particular. And if I forget anyone forgive me, I know a lot of awesome people.

     Aunt Deb, your had an outstanding attitude about getting things done. When times are tough only the weak give up. You never did. Aunt B, your frickin nuts and I love you for it. You set your mind to something and get it done. Dad, you gave up being an alcoholic for your family, cold turkey. Our family makes me wanna drink so I don't know how you did it lol. You showed me anything is possible, when you want it bad enough. Krissy-You always make me feel like I can do anything. You saw me when I felt most invisible. Your an amazing soul and Im lucky to know you. Thank you. Brad- You have possibly the most annoying and inappropriate sense of humor I have ever seen. And you make me laugh more than I ever let on. Your also a great friend. Thanks. Maryanna and Scott -you have always made me feel like I am a part of you amazing family. That means soooo much to me. Thank you for all your support.  Rob- Theres a lot I want to say, but thank you is all you would allow me. You're like a brother to me. Thanks for being there. I am glad I didn't get mad when you insulted me the first time we hung out.....or the second (and most likely third). Thank You Buddy. Melissa- You don't know it but seeing you try to better yourself with your yoga training inspired me. Being positive changes everything. Thank you. Tim- Thank you for barely knowing me but taking an interest and giving me some pointers on getting in shape. Your right keeping records and journals helps. Marietje- Your crazy cool and uber shy all at once. Kinda like me ( I hope) We have a lot in common and thats why I think we are good friends. Knowing you have been through the same struggle I am going through helps me so much. Thank you. Squires- You are one of the very few people that my drunk alter ego Stephen Jameson isnt a dick to, so I guess that makes you special. lol. That aside you have always been supportive and a good friend. Thanks. Benn- Thank you for always being paitent when I have questions about running. You are like part crazy running hillbilly and part running Yoda. You inspire me with your determination. Thank You....Hillbilly. Cyran- You were a really good friend when I was in an awful place.Im happy for you and how your life turned out. Congrats man. I owe you. Thanks. Steph- You're a little squirrely, and I like you for that. You're my kinda crazy, the fun kind. Believe it or not you did inspire me when you convinced me to go on that terrifying and short roller coaster with you. I learned to just go with it and you will have fun. Im kinda glad we didn't get our picture from that ride. Thank you. There are countless more, and I thank you all.
     You guys are the reason I find strength to keep doing this. So while I hear from many people that I inspire them somehow, you are the people who inspire me. Thanks to you I can do this. You are the ones who make me want to ditch the Fatman and become the Batman.

Giving Ho Hum the Heave Ho.

     So I had something happen the other say that absolutely mortified me. I was at the gym working on running a 5K on the treadmill. I hate the treadmill. I don't run well on it. And after talking to others I realize I'm not alone. For myself, when I run I'm all over the place. I dont run in a straight line, I zig zag all over. Also When I'm running outside, I can slow down or speed up as needed. I dont have to push buttons and figure out "Hmmm should I run 3.6 MPH Or 4.5"? I just run. Anyway I was on the treadmill, I had reached about 1.40 miles in 30 minutes. Not my best. I ran my last 5k in 38 minutes. So as I'm huffing and puffing along and sweating like a pig. I happened to glance up and looked at the really pretty girl in front of me, I smiled at her in the mirror and then being the suave graceful guy I am, I tripped. Yep I fell and slid down the belt. I was so humiliated.
 I went from

To

I just got my stuff and left.
     I was talking to my best friend about it later. I was so mad and embarrassed that it wasnt funny. "forget it I quit, I don't know what I'm doing, and I can't do it."  were just some of the crazy things I was saying/feeling. My body took no damage but my very fragile ego was cracked. My buddies response? Well it was more or less, "See Ho Hum." (He was referencing a conversation earlier in the day we had about me amping up my gym workout. He had said stop being so Ho Hum and bust my ass if I really wanna do this. He was right. I was being Ho Hum)  "You can either be the joke or embrace the joke". He pointed out. I was a bit annoyed at the time that he didn't see how shattering this was. Sometimes my vanity knows no bounds. After giving it some thought ( and more sulking time than I want to admit ) I saw that my friend was right. So here I am admitting that I nearly busted my rear end checking a cute girl out on a treadmill. If I'm gonna share my triumphs then in all fairness I should share my fails.
     Tomorrow I'm going back to the gym, and I'm giving the ho hums the heave ho. I may avoid the treadmill for a bit though. I learned not to take yourself SO seriously. (one of my biggest faults!) I am a big guy and I wear Batman shirts to the gym. I should be aware that I stand out a bit when I work out. At least this time it was for an attempt at being athletic and flirting. And part of ditching the ho hums is increasing my productivity at the gym while I am there. Come out sweating and heaving or don't go.  So I guess I may have to jump back on the treadmill, if I wanna take my own advice huh?  Damn it!

So Steve? What's up with the Batman Thing?

   

"Tune in Tomorrow same Bat-Time, same Bat-Channel". And these were the words that sent me scurrying to the next room. After looking around to make sure the cost was clear and that no one was watching, I would take my homemade Batman costume from its hiding spot. Hurriedly I would put it on to re enact the adventures I had just witnessed on the TV, with my brothers acting out the parts of villains. I secretly wish I could see that old costume today. I remember it being a Batman shirt, a pair of gray sweatpants (Later, tights that my Dad gave me. Yeah he was cool) with Batman underoos over them.  A pair of blue dress socks pulled up as boots, a pair of kitchen gloves my Nani gave me, and one of my moms favorite big blue bath towels I had cut up to make the cape. Topping it all of was my belt and a Batman Halloween mask. Obviously I have always been a slave to fashion. Then I would race around defending the streets of Gotham, until my Mom told me " For the love of God Steve please stop." My Dad would take on the role of Alfred and help me put the costume away, explaining that if Batman was seen all the time then the villains wouldn't be as afraid of him. Dad encourage imagination like that. He got it.
     Tomorrow is National Batman Day. This character who turns 75 this year has inspired a lot of people over the years. Me (as you well know) being one of them. I get asked often "What's the deal with the whole Batman thing"? My friend Brad once asked " Is it a sexual thing?" No it isn't. (Although I will say that for those who it is, there are at least two adult movies I'm aware of that they should see. For me it was just way too weird. Porn based on the Adam West Batman is just.......wrong.) For me, as a kid my love of Batman started because I could be Batman. He had no superpowers, just some really cool toys. I didn't need to be from another planet, I didn't need to be bitten by a spider. I could be a guy who runs around doing cool things in an awesome costume. As I got older the character changed and so did I. He got darker, edgier. And I liked that. I enjoyed the fact that he was as crazy as his villains. Something about it spoke to me. I also loved the fact that Bruce Wayne was the secret identity, not Batman. As someone who has always hidden my true self in the past I understood this.  Hey we all wear masks.
     So what made me use Batman as motivation for weight loss? Its easy. Batman is just a dude. A dude who worked his ass off to attain physical perfection. Sure he is loaded, and can afford the best toys. But that doesnt matter.My reasons are the same as when I was a child. I can be Batman. With an incredible amount of hard work I too can become more than I am. (There is even a book about what it would take to be Batman, what you would have to be able to do and such. ) Batman has cool toys in his cave that help him fight crime. I have cool toys at the gym that help me fight my own battle. He has an awesome costume that causes fear to criminals. I have some cool shirts that inspire me, and help me conquer my fear of being seen lifting in public. Batman has assistants that aide him in his quest. I have some amazing friends who support me as I embark on mine. Batman is a great example that when you put your mind to something and give it your all. Surrender your body, heart and soul to your goal and you can succeed. This gives me hope and an example to follow. I used Batman as an inspiration just yesterday. I was running on the elliptical and was trying to get a 5k in 30 minutes. I was getting tired and kinda just wanted to stop. I looked down at the Bat Symbol on my shirt and thought " What would Batman Do?" He would keep at it. So I played a game with myself and ran as if I was chasing a criminal. And you know what I ran a 5k in 29.02 minutes. That is my new best time. I felt amazing. Use what inspires you. I hope you all have a great National Batman Day tomorrow. Do something you think you can't, be your own hero.