Startin’ 2016 With a Bang!

2016 is off to a phenomenal start! If the beginning of the year can predict how the rest of the year will go, then I cannot wait to see what is in store. At the beginning of January, Lynchburg Living -- my favorite local magazine, released their Best of 2015 edition featuring yours truly. (Check out the issue at the bottom of this post, pg. 37!). It was such a wonderful experience to have been interviewed by one of my go-to reads for all things going on in the greater Lynchburg area. And to put the cherry on top the response has been astounding. I am grateful and humbled by the people that have reached out to tell me how the article has impacted their lives.

Towards the end of last year an old roommate called to invite me to Las Vegas for his birthday in mid-January. Little did I realize when I accepted the invitation that in order to complete the journey I would have to confront one of my biggest fat person fears… can I fit in an airplane seat? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE... not only did I fit in the seat, but for the first time in my life I crossed the United States and DID NOT ASK FOR A SEAT BELT EXTENSION!!! After this momentous occasion I realized on the way back, I accomplished one of my annual goals for 2016. CHECK OUT #3 OF MY GOALS FOR 2016 ... Winning!!!

 

Lastly, I have been encouraged weekly by the incredible people competing in the Bubba’s Pound Shredders initiative -- these are some of the most dedicated and hardworking people I have had the privilege of getting to know. Participants range from the New England states to Florida and out to the mid-west.  By the way, they have dropped over 100 lbs in nearly three months! Humbly bragging on them of course! Simply AWESOME!!!

Keep crushin' those goals!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

Be sure to follow me on Social Media!

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Registration Opens - Bubba's Pound Shredders

How many folks would like to lose a few pounds? How many of yawl would like to live healthier lives? Imagine if your bodies could function better. With a little dedication and determination throughout 2016, that could be possible…

I am so excited that the day has come to announce that the registration for Bubba’s Pound Shredders is now open! To register, please email your interest to bubbasodyssey@thewillsgroupllc.com. Registration is open from 01/04/16 through 01/10/16. Hurry to register because the first weigh-ins are due on Monday 01/11/16.

Bubba’s Pound Shredders runs through Monday 05/09/16. The participant that loses the highest percentage of body weight will be eligible to win a grand prize valued at approximately $100.

I look forward to hearing from you and cannot wait to start this adventure with you! And remember, let's claim 2016 as the year we hit our goals!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

Be sure to follow me on Social Media!

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Bubba's Goals for 2016

If you know me at all you know I hate the word, "resolution," especially pertaining to New Year Resolutions. Why?! Because New Year Resolutions never stick, right? I prefer setting goals for myself and the great sense of accomplishment I get from meeting those goals. Last year, I set seven goals for myself and hit six of them! Not too shabby if you ask me.

My goals for 2016 are:

1. Get rid of another 60 lbs. reaching my ideal body weight of 238 lbs. by December.
2. Run/jog the Virginia 4-miler by September.
3. Attempt to fly a long distance in an airplane without using a seatbelt extention.
4. First of three skin augmentation surgeries by December.
5. Continue to help others to start their own lifestyle journeys of fitness, health, and wellness.

Now, let's review last year's goals!

1. Lose another 60 lbs. hitting the ultimate goal of 300 lbs. lost. (I hit it briefly, but have gained a little bit back. Still trucking though!)
2. Participate in my first 5k. (Check! Such a fun experience!)
3. Begin regularly swimming and biking training for stage one for marathon prep. (Check! Just need to make it far more consistent.)
4. Run/jog the Virginia 10-miler (Check! Welp, I walked it, but I finished and can't wait until next year.)
5. Be taken off all prescription medicines, except for one. (Check! All of them are gone!!!)
6. Skin augmentation surgery. (Postponed until next December for fundraising opportunities.)
7. Continue to help others with starting their weight-loss journeys. (Check! Looking forward to what is in-store in the future.)

Throughout my weight-loss journey I have had a friend refer to me as "Bubba, the shredder of major L.B.'s," something about it always got me PUMPED-up. Therefore, in 2016 I would like to encourage everyone to become shredders of major L.B.'s with me. See my future video or facebook announcements about how to join, Bubba's Pound Shredders. Together, let's claim 2016 as the year we meet our goals!

Happy New’s Eve, yawl!!!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

Be sure to follow me on Social Media!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!

THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US… anyone else feel like you’re already running around like “chickens with our heads cut-off?” Don’t answer that, it was rhetorical. Hahaha!

This can be a stressful time of year for anyone; traveling, making arrangements, cooking food for guests, cleaning our homes for guests (hence why I don’t host holidays at my house), shopping like maniacs, and of course the cherry-on-top is good ole family drama. However, we often fail to think about how this is the time of year that we plan on overeating. All the while, thinking and hoping, “gosh, I hope I don’t gain too much weight during the holiday season!”

Those New Year’s Resolutions are forthcoming, aren’t they? How many of you love/hate that feeling of being too full after Thanksgiving Dinner? Or think to yourself, who has time to go to the gym with so much to do?

The answer is, find out where your priorities are. It’s true, “failing to plan, is planning to fail.” I encourage you to create a holiday eating gameplan. This is where you will take a few moments to sit down and think about what will be offered on Thursday for dinner, then decide if that is what you should eat or not. This plan can easily be reused or adapted later for Christmas. The truth is, Thanksgiving can be the easiest holiday to maneuver through since most of traditional foods are poultry, wild game, roots, and veggies - well, that’s at least how we do it in the south!

Let me encourage you, NEVER feel ashamed to explain to a family member (someone that loves you, right?) that you are trying to change your life and that’s why you brought some food for just you or to explain why you are not eating their food. The keys to surviving the holidays are; be prepared, do not find yourself alone with the food – especially the desserts, and make going to the gym or doing a recreational activity a family event. I asked my cousin to go to the gym with me last month sometime. I wanted to make sure that was booked!

A lady in my office hates when I say this, but just think to yourself, “after we gobble, let’s go wobble!” That could manifest itself as taking a walk around the neighborhood, shopping (yes, Black Friday shopping!!!), or playing some football in the front yard.

Let’s be determined to enjoy the holiday for its real reasons, not suffering the consequences of over indulging ourselves.

During this season of thanks, I want you to know from the bottom of my heart, I am thankful for you!!! Thank you again for coming along on this journey with me, almost three years strong!

Happy Thanksgiving Yawl!!!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

Be sure to follow me on Social Media!

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Aha Moment: Announcement

Hey guys!

I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU so much for helping me over the last two weeks with the My Aha Moment contest; voting and sharing. I have been truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support.

Some of the words that you have written about me when asking your friends and family to vote and share have been both encouraging and inspiring. There are so many people that I did not realize that my story had touched their lives as it has.

It is with a heavy heart that I must now inform you that I was not selected to be in the Aha Moment Commercial. Although I am saddened by the outcome, I am happy for Apollo's achievements and I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity to be one of the 10 finalist selected by Mutual of Omaha's Aha Moment Tour.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support and make sure to follow, like, or subscribe to the social media below - because Bubba's Odyssey CONTINUES!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

Be sure to follow me on Social Media!

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YouTube

TOP 10 Finalist!! I NEED YOUR HELP

Aha Moment SocNet Initiative

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I received some PHENOMENAL news last week -- I hope you are as excited as I am... my story has been selected as one of the Top 10 Finalists in the Omaha Mutual My Aha Moment!!

What does this mean you ask? Well, I NEED YOUR VOTE!!! From Monday, until October 16th (this is the last week!!) people can vote for their favorite story. The winner will be featured in a national commercial campaign for next year's Aha Moment tour.

So, PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK, find my video, and vote!

To vote, click on the ‘VOTE’ button in the lower right corner of my photo. You can also click my photo to play the 30 second video and vote using the 'VOTE' button at the top of the video player.

You can vote once per day per IP address. This means you can use multiple devices (ex. phones, tablets, personal computer, work computer, etc.). So, set a daily reminder. Share it with your friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else you can think of! Feel free to use social media, such as Facebook and Twitter!

Your help will be instrumental in making my dream to tell my story become a reality. This is truly a game-changer for me.

Thank you for your continued support. I know I would not be here without you.

LET'S DO THIS!

PS: If you are having any trouble with the link, please follow the link below:

http://bit.ly/BWSMI_My_AHA

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

Be sure to follow me on Social Media!

Twitter

Bubba's Odyssey | Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Another Race = Another Milestone

Last year I participated in my very first VA 4-miler, but this year I am upping the ante by participating in VA 10-miler. Wahoo! 

If you haven’t read about my 4 Miler adventure CHECK IT OUT! 

I predicted that I could complete the VA 4-miler in roughly 72 minutes and I beat that prediction by 4 minutes. Huge personal triumph for me as I was reflecting on the fact that I had to walk with a cane a mere 18 month prior to last year's race.

This year I am staring down the last 40 lbs before reaching my ultimate weight-loss goal and having already accomplished losing a grand total of 300 lbs, so far. I am predicting that I'll be able to complete the VA 10-miler within 3 hours and 17 minutes.

I am looking very forward to Saturday and getting quite excited for the race!!! I also have a group of great friends that will be participating with me this year. So stoked about that! I learned last year, that participating in a race is as much mental as it is physical.

If you are in the central VA area this Saturday between 8am-12pm, feel free to stop by and dont forget to wear your “No Fluff All Buff” shirts so I can find you in the crowds...

And I'll see you at the finish line!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

Be sure to follow me on Social Media!

Twitter

Bubba's Odyssey | Facebook

Instagram

YouTube