At 77 degrees on a March weekday, there’s not much more happiness to be had than being outside. Hell, at 77 degrees on a March weekday, there’s not much more that I can do to stop myself from running around the office, pantsless, babbling like an idiot because I haven’t seen more than two consecutive days of sunshine since September. Consequently, I partook in the former, as opposed to the latter, for everyone’s collective sake.

The past two days have been a slow return to glorious weather. Yesterday a more timid imitation of spring, with a bit more clouds and about 10 degrees cooler. Today, though…whooo buddy. Yesterday should take notes from today, so that tomorrow might even pick up some tricks. Or something like that.

After work, this guero headed out to the friendly local airport for a spin on the old skates. Disobeying the “TRAIL CLOSED” signs in favor of rebellion and cardiovascular challenges, I spent about 45 minutes soaking up the rays. Needless to say, the trail was packed with other exercising deviants.

Over the past year or so, since getting outside to exercise regularly, I’ve had the increasing urge to motivate others. It sounds so dumb…but seeing other people out there, huffing and puffing, hating every single step like it was death by cross trainer…it’s truly inspiring. I want to cheer them on, tell them to keep going, to kick into high gear. I’m so inspired by the human will, the resolve to create change against adverse odds.

I’ve been there. Hell, I’m still there. I spent a year and a half rowing in the dark, in my bedroom, with no radio, no headset, no nothing. Just my mind telling me every single second that I should give up. Stop. It’s not worth it. It’ll never make a difference. I never wanted to distract myself, because my mind is my own worse enemy and I know it. If I could conquer that voice in my head, I could do anything. And eventually I got there.

Though I now occassionally listen to my DAP while running or skating, I enjoy the ability to motivate myself. This newfound inner strength is something I’ve not quite experienced much in my life. Admittedly, though, I do still have days where I’ll find every excuse under the sun to convince myself to not exercise. But in the end, the thought of being lazy because “I really should get gas in my car instead” seems stupid.

Seeing people of all ages, all body types, out there in front of everyone, sweating it out and hating every second of it…it’s beautiful. It’s a testament to their desire to change their lives. To take just one reluctant step closer to making a difference in their attitudes and self image is amazing to me. I’ve been there, so I know just how impossibly hard it is to take that first step, and then the 10 more after that.

In two and a half years of taking my health seriously, I’ve had many setbacks, failures and downturns. I’ve taken it slowly, and on an occasion or two slipped into old habits. But with this sensitivity and sweat stained experience I want to steer people clear of my mistakes…or at least help them back up when they themselves stumble. I started this process as a lazy s.o.b. who didn’t care about his future children and grandchildren having him around…and have ended up over 110lbs. lighter and more importantly saving years on my life. The only thing there that’s been consistent is both committment and desire. I want the same for everyone else.

So to all you nameless fellow trail members, I raise my Nalgene bottle. There is no other agent for change but yourself…and there’s no other greater obstacle to your own success.