Ran My First 5k and it was AWESOME!

Have you ever participated in a 5k run before? Me NEITHER! Well… not until this past Saturday night!

Let me tell ya, It wasn't just an ordinary 5k either. The 5k I picked for my first one was a night-time glow-in-the-dark color run. It was one of the coolest experiences I have had since losing a lot of my weight.

Saturday afternoon, four friends and myself made our way down to Dinwiddie, Virginia, a small community south-west of Richmond. When I got there they gave me a packet of race swag, which included an official race t-shirt to wear. At the pre-race party we were showered with paint while the music in the background was bumping and freebies (like glow-in-the-dark jewelry) were thrown from the stage. Throughout the race, there were stations set up with misters and more paint… which yes, was thrown on us! WAHOO!!! They had to ensure that we became more colorful as the race progressed. After the race, we were given additional glow packs (dry paint) that they could throw at their discretion. There was also an after-race party where participants were showered with even more paint and given more freebies.

However, things did not go quite as planned with the run. We were still showered with dry-paint at the pre-race party, but a number of storms blew through dumping a great deal of water, voracious lightning, some hail, and large amounts of gusty wind. Now I can say, regardless of rain, lightning, or hail I finished my first run and weathered all of the elements. And I love every second of it!!!

Next time, yawl have to come with me?!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

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Going, going, GONE! -- Blood Presure Meds No more!

I remember the doctor visit like it was yesterday… I was there to ask Dr. V about acne medicine, which I got, but also during that visit he prescribed my very first blood pressure Rx. I was a sophomore in high school.

Like most high-schoolers, I was more worried about my face than I was about my heart. Besides, most of the people I knew intimately in life were on blood pressure medicine as well. I did not find it odd until I got to college and realized none of my friends were on it, I thought it was part of becoming an adult.

For close to half of my life, I have taken blood pressure medicine. Even after I lost over 200 lbs and saw several of my prescriptions fall off my daily regimen, all I wanted to hear my doctor say was that the blood pressure medicine was gone. I started asking him in October 2013 after having lost just 70+ lbs!

It brings joyful tears to my eyes to say that as of May 2015 I got to hear my doctor say, “Do you want to be off of your blood pressure medicine? … It’s GONE!” WAHOO!!! I felt the heaviness of more than a decade fall off of my shoulders, it was as if I could breathe better and deeper all of a sudden.

Don’t be discouraged by not meeting your goals immediately, it’s you being persistent over time that makes victory taste so sweet!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

Be sure to follow me on Social Media!

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Bubba's Odyssey | Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Big Goals for Bubba In 2015

Last year, I committed to making six measurable goals instead of making resolutions. That worked so well, I have decided to do it again. If you have been following my journey, then you have probably heard or read me say, “failing to plan, is planning to fail.”  I challenge you to plan for success in 2015 and to reach out and share those goals with me. My goals for 2015 are:

1. Lose another 60 lbs. by the end of July (taking me to my ultimate goal of losing 300lbs.).
2. Participate in my first 5k by May/June.
3. Begin regular swimming and biking as stage one training for marathon-prep 2016 by May.
4. Run/jog the Virginia 10-miler by October.
5. Be taken off all prescription medicines, except for one by October.
6. Skin augmentation surgery by December.
7. Continue to help others with starting their weight-loss journeys.

Now, let’s see review last year’s goals!

1. Get rid of another 132 lbs. (I got rid of 122 lbs.).
2. Be taken off all prescription medicines, except for one (off all Rx except two).
3. Participate in my first 5k (re-goaled for 2015).
4. Be able to bike from Langhorne Rd. to Percival’s Island on the Blackwater Creek Trail (unable to save enough funds to purchase a bike, but I average about 16 miles on a stationary bike per hour).
5. Participate in the Virginia 4-miler (DONE!!! See blog post from 10/10/2014).
6. Continue to help others with starting their weight-loss journeys (several dozen people committed to starting their own journeys and also re-goaled for 2015).

Please visit ShareTheDreamWith.Me to see my challenge for you in 2015, and respond to me if you accept the challenge. Looking forward to hearing from you and hearing what your goals and dreams are for 2015.

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

Season of Thanks

Fall is one of my favorite times of year; the smells, the colors, and most importantly the focus on being thankful for what we have. Often these smells and colors can lead people like me down a bad path of compromise during the holiday season. I encourage everyone to make healthy food and drink choices this week and holiday season we are entering. Thanksgiving is possibly the easiest holiday to navigate, because traditionally the foods we eat are full of antioxidants, root vegetables, and turkey. Just try to avoid the sugary, salty, and over processed foods and you’ll be great! YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN! (reference previous blog about planning for holiday eating)  Stay strong everyone!!!

As I reflect back over 2014 it has been a bittersweet year and I am thankful for it all! This year I have lost three good friends and my paternal grandfather to death with my maternal grandmother being hospitalized for almost the entire year as well. I have literally had to say goodbye to people that I thought were going to be lifelong friends or I have watched them simply walk away from our friendship. Also this year, I hit my 200 lbs weight-loss goal (currently down 240 lbs), rode my first rollercoaster, participated in a challenge to boost awareness for the ravenous Lou Gehrig’s Disease, made many new friends that love and support me, started a new job, and had many more blessings.

I am truly a man that has more blessings than I can count and completely humbled by the thought that these precious gifts have been entrusted to me and my care. However, I know that my smile and my happiness can easily be erased if I had not first wept and known the intense amounts of struggle and sadness intimately that are required to appreciate when you have something good.

I am thankful for my faith, family, and friends that help inspire me, encourage me, and love me regardless… and I am thankful for you too, I appreciate you coming along on this journey with me and sticking with me through the ups-and-downs.

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

I can’t believe I actually did it! This is a dream come true!

For the last few weeks I have been struggling to hit one of the most important milestones of my whole weight loss journey. Losing and gaining mere ounces dangling just at the cusp of something so desired has come close to driving me insane!

Last week, as I slithered towards the scale my heart hung lower than usual at the prospect of yet another few ounces gained or lost. But as I looked at the scale, I was completely shocked at what I saw. I thought to myself, this must be a dream!

I had lost 2 lbs. But much more significant than those two pounds, was the fact that this very moment, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I looked down and saw that the scale showed I was below 300 lbs! This was a surreal experience and a dream come true!

At that moment, all of the emotions of the last few weeks and the past decade came crashing over me like a tsunami. It was incredible to see two pounds shed. I am finally below what I weighed my senior year of high school. For the first time, the number staring back at me started with a 2 instead of a 3, 4, or even a 5! As difficult as the journey has been at times, this reward makes it so worth it!

As of the writing of this post I have lost a total of 240 lbs. in 67 weeks! Please continue to follow my journey by liking me on facebook, following me on twitter, and much more! Friends, I am not finished yet. This is only the beginning, lets do this!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

The Secret Weapon of Weight Loss: How I Pulled it Off

One of the most important unseen aspects of my weight-loss journey has been the wonderful community support I have received. A few months ago, during the Extreme Makeover event at Crosswhite Fitness, I made the following statement, “If it were not for the motivation that I felt from people around me, supporting me, and encouraging me forward; those moments when I was left alone to make the decisions to get up early to do cardio before work or leave the dessert sitting on the table while instead picking-up an apple would not have rendered victorious results as consistently.” Being able to feel, rely on, and utilize the motivation from others truly keeps me going when I am experiencing a day where I literally want to throw in the towel. Yes, I said it! Even after having lost more than 230 pounds, I still have those days where forging forward seems too hard and stopping or turning around, only for a short while, seems like the best course of action. Don’t believe the lies we tell ourselves! Just when giving into my former cravings seems too unbearable to continue, I get that divinely-appointed call or text from a friend, family member, or my personal trainer that rekindles the flame of steadfastness and I am able to continue fighting the good fight. Friends, this journey is a race and I plan on finishing it strong!

If you are reading this and are an individual that has ever helped me stay the course by providing me with motivation, encouragement, and inspiration; I am eternally grateful for you and extend my thanks to you from the bottom of my heart. You have been instrumental in helping me continually transform my life for the better and healthier! Those of you who have stood with me during this journey have brightened my future and have given me hope. Your support will allow me to be an inspiration and impact the lives of so many people struggling to lose weight.

If you have not already, like or subscribe to Bubba’s Odyssey Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube channel. There are now more ways to follow my journey… I hope you’ll come along!

As of the posting of this blog I have shed a grand total of 234 lbs. in 66 weeks! Thank you for your continued support and joining me on this extraordinary journey!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

A Day of Firsts, Roller Coasters, and Motivation!

Would you believe it if I said I had never ridden a roller-coaster before in my life? It’s true! I hadn't until recently, but on Friday, I DID IT!

As a kid I remembering being so scared to ride one but once I finally mustered up the determination during my teenage years, I was already too big. However, I am no stranger to amusement parks. Each year my life somehow managed to produce the opportunity to visit one, either with my church group or on a school trip. I became really good at keeping the bags safe and dry, and finding the water park in order to camp out there under the shade, all day!

During my senior year of high school, I lost roughly 90 lbs. I was so excited for that summer’s annual mission’s trip to Atlanta because at the end of the week we would get to spend the day at Six Flags over Georgia. This year I hoped to fit, but like many times before, it did not work out. Well, bless the heart of the roller coaster attendant because he worked devilishly hard to fasten me into the seat on the Superman roller-coaster. He was successful at fastening all but one of the bars needed to hold me in place, it happened to be the main bar that holds you in your seat when the ride brings you parallel with the ground and takes off. I remember pleading with him to push harder, I was willing to take the pain and discomfort, or just let me hold the bar in place so I could still go on the ride (obviously an inexperienced roller coaster-rider argument to make). Sensing that I needed to exit the ride because I was now delaying it, I remember thinking to myself, “I appreciate all your trouble bro, but that’s okay! I know my place and it’s with the bags. The skinny kids need to have fun now.” So, I slumped back down the platform to wait with our bags for everyone else to finish.

Ever since I started losing weight, my old roommate, Jeff Brown and I have been making plans to ride roller coasters together when we were both thin enough. A few months ago, he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and those plans were altered. Last Friday, October 10th, 2014, with Jeff in my thoughts and knowing he was there in spirit with me, I rode the first roller coaster of my life and I loved it!!! Each corkscrew, each loop, and each blood curdling scream (issued by yours truly) made me enjoy the experience even more and to add to the experience, I had three great friends willing to ride with me. After the first, I proceeded to ride two other roller coasters for a grand total of five rides before the rain came forcing me to make the dash to my car. I cannot wait until my next opportunity to ride roller coasters!!! Next time, I shall try the old wooden one to see how horrible that feels. Anyways, I had the opportunity to do something amazing, like ride a roller coaster for the first time. Even though it was just an amusement park, it represented something so much more to me. It proved that hard work pays off. And, it goes to show that choosing to live an extraordinary life, though painful, will give you opportunities you never before thought were possible. So cheers to the small things in life that make all the difference; the seemingly insignificant moments that prove to be the greatest motivators!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.

In the Kitchen with Bubba

Taste of Fall Ep. 1 - Pumpkin Spice Latte

Checkout the latest project of Bubba's Odyssey! There's a new vlog series on my YouTube channel called, In the Kitchen with Bubba. 

Take a look and stayed tuned, because there's more to come!

Joshua "Bubba" Wade

No Fluff. All Buff.

Fitness. Wellness. Lifestyle.