Sergeant Tony's Blog

Sometimes I look at my high school classmates on Classmates.com.

You too?

We’re all a little curious about how our fun, life-of-the-party, krazzy, athlete buddies are doing these days. How they’ve morphed into … well … something else.

Or we want to know what the girl who wouldn’t give us the time of day, back in the day, looks like to-day.

But I often scratch my head in disappointed confusion when I read about the lives and lifestyle that some of those childhood friends are leading. Sometimes I’m encouraged, inspired, and genuinely happy. But most of the time I feel a little sad.

It’s sad to read that your friend peaked in high school. That they decided to settle. They settled on a life that the trajectory of their high school days didn’t predict.

Settling.

“Our youth is fleeting
Old age is just around the bend
And I can’t wait to go gray

And I’ll sit and wonder
Of every love that could’ve been
If I’d only thought of something charming to say.
… this is the sound of settling” — lyrics by Death Cab for Cutie

“Where have our days gone?
Have they gone south with other wings?
I’ll just learn to settle on
slightly lesser things.” — lyrics by Floater

Gradually, probably without meaning to, (though sometimes I think it’s on purpose) we can settle … into a rut … into the comfort zone … into mediocrity … into materialism … into consumerism … into a life of ever narrowing margins and ever decreasing joy.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! We can break out of all of that! We can choose life! Said another way, we can choose to live!

You can find new adventures and cool experiences! You can turn 30 and enter your first triathlon! You can turn 40 and buy your first road bike! You can turn 50 and hike Mount Kilimanjaro! You can turn 60 and mountain bike the mountains of Colorado!

And that’s EXACTLY what some of you guys have done! Those weren’t just imaginary examples! Four of you Boot Campers have recently done those things!

And happily, those Boot Campers are NOT alone! A LOT of you reading this have refused to settle!

And how about Dara Torres, the “refuse to settle” 41 year old mom going to her FIFTH Summer Olympics! She’s qualified to be on every USA Olympic Swim Team since 1988! Dara Torres is a woman who doesn’t settle!

And neither should you!

Refuse to settle!
Refuse to yield!
Give no quarter to old age, frump-ism, shlumpadinka-ism, or anything that robs you of vitality and life!
Don’t go easy into that good night … go sliding in at Mach 2 with your hair on fire and “Stairway to Heaven” blarin’ on your speakers!

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UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!! Please see the change in the weight requirement.

$5,000 COMBAT THE FAT WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE — Second Challenge

The success of the First Challenge has inspired me to launch the second challenge beginning in September. This first challenge has been one of the most awesome things I’ve ever been a part of. Lives are being changed!!

To date, the 10 members of the First Challenge have lost over 475 pounds!!!

That’s right, FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE POUNDS!!!

In September this first six month challenge will end and the winner will receive a check for $5,000!!!

That’s right, FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!

I’m taking applications for the Second Challenge! I’ll conduct interviews during the month and the Second Challengers will be selected in early August with the Challenge officially beginning on September 6.

Do you know someone who should be in this Second Challenge?

Briefly, here are the UPDATED details:

- The Second Challenge will be limited to 10 people.
- Men must be 65 pounds or more over their ideal weight; women must be 50 pounds or more over their ideal weight, each knowing that those who are heavier have more to lose and a slight advantage.
- Each Challenger chosen will be required to get their doctor’s okay to participate in the program.
- Entry fee is $1,000. Each Challenger must get at least $500 of that entry fee from at least 5 sponsors: family, friends, co-workers.
- Entry is open to ALL, Boot Campers and non-Boot Campers alike.
- The Second Challenge is a six month program beginning on September 6 and ends on February 28.

Pass the word!! Forward this email to someone who might be interested in this highly successful, life altering, awesome program!!

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COMBAT CHALLENGE #1 — PROGRESS REPORT FOR July 11, 2008!
End date: September 6, 2008

1. Lady Bug - down 53 pounds, 22.55%, 6x plus Friday evening!

2. Heavy G - down 77 pounds, 22.47%, 3x

3. Dumplin - down 52.6 pounds, 20.49%, 2x

4. Lunchbox - down 60.3 pounds, 15.35%, 3x

5. Houdini - down 48.9 pounds, 14.76%, 4x

6. Puddin Head - down 37.6 pounds, 13.84%

7. Drake - out of town

8. Gurkha Woman - out of town

9. Bubbalicious - no report

10. Rising Sun - no report

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USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP — COLLIERVILLE!

Battalion Commander Sergeant Les Bonnett launched USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP — Collierville on July 1 at Faith Lutheran Church, at the corner of Byhalia Road and White, is the location; this is just down the street from The Home Depot. There is currently one class there at 0530, Monday through Friday!

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USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP — MIDTOWN!
at Evergreen Presbyterian Church, 0530 to 0630, Monday through Friday,
under the direction of Battalion Commanders Theresa Andreuccetti and Holly Guthrie!!

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BLOGGED

You’ll find a couple of articles on these two subjects on the blog: http://usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/

1. Heart rate monitor training and tips.

2. Alcohol and weight loss.

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“When you stop moving, it’s over.”
~ Don Wildman, 75 year old athlete and adventurer

To your continued good health and fitness!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
5358 Denwood
Memphis, TN 38120
901-644-0145

www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com

www.shaklee.net/tonyludlow/main