new thread
Hello all,
I wanted to blog today to describe a new experience I had. Hopefully you'll find it encouraging.
This morning I went to the gym to workout. Unually I work out in the afternoon or evening. So normally I plan to leave the gym in my sweaty clothes and drive home for a shower. This morning, however, since I left the house with bed hair and face, I decided to shower at the gym. I haven't showered at the gym since I started growing my hair long, mostly because my showers in the past were to wash off chlorine, and I don't swim in chlorine anymore.
I finished my workout, showered and dressed. As I flipped my shoulder length hair to shed excess water (head-banger style) I felt that odd feeling that I was being stared at. Now please understand, I'm a middle-aged, slightly over weight guy. I've lost quite a bit of weight during my journey to healthy living (70 lbs and have about 70 more to go, going from a 52 inch waist to a 40 inch waist). However, I've NEVER felt anyone staring at me unless out of disgust. But today, a 20-something, slim-built, muscular, completely bald guy was staring at me without repulsion! I smiled and said a cursory "Hi" and went about my business, feeling quite awkward. He returned "Hi" and continued with "I like your hair...wish I had the nerve to let mine grow." I thanked him and that was the end of our conversation.
As I drove away from the gym I realized something. I realized that even though I'm changing my physical appearance by losing weight, my goal is not to "suit the norm". My hair is testiment to that fact. I'm pleased that I've been able to perservere the awkward phase, thus far. I've discovered that I've been able to release my fear of not being like the average guy. Instead I'm happy to be a better me.
Woohoo!
Banana
Banana,
What a fantastic story (and a great way to start the day!). Thank you for sharing this encouraging tale with us, and congratulations on your continued progress in body, mind, and mane!
--Val
Thanks for the congratulations!
Banana
Excellent post!
Congrats on the progress you have made towards your hair goals, and especially for the weight loss goal.
My compliments!
Big George
Thanks BG!
Banana
Banana ...
Excellent post my friend.. I congratulate you on your goal to better fitness. Being in medicine, I am happy to see people actually take care of themselves.. You're doing wonderful things for your heart by losing that weight.. Keep up the great work!
As far as you hair goes ... its great to feel like you're winning there as well.. You're stretching yourself out of society's "norm" and it just feels great ... doesn't it??
Be Blessed ... your heart thanks you; as do us cardiac folkes..
Tristan
Thanks for the encouragment Tristan. My heart and blood pressure are encouraged too.
Banana
Hey B. woohoo indeed! Now that is what I call motivating, very good story, thanks for sharing and congrats on your transformation all the way around. Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
Max
Thanks for the encouragement Max. I hope hair growth is suiting you today!
Banana
Hi Banana,
What GREAT news to hear, it really does make the journey to long hair doubly sweet to hear compliments like this from the world around us. Thank you for sharing this awesome story with us on the hyperboard. My heartiest congratulations go to you, both for sticking with your weight loss program, and for continuing to grow your ever lengthening mane.
Keep it growing,
David
David,
Thanks for the congratulations and all the encouragement you give on the board. You're always so positive!
Banana
right on, do it for yourself, always.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Banana
Good job Bananer. It's good to experience these things. A similar experience came to me when a girl asked if she could buy my hair because it is nice hair. Of course, I politely declined but I let her feel my hair...
"...I let her feel my hair..."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We need that story posted!!
Thanks for the encouragement.
Banana
Excellent post Banana. This was a wonderful story of self discovery. Keep it growing and stay happy.
Thanks!
Congratulations to you Banana, its great isn't it when people make comments on ones hair length, (good or bad), as it means you are standing out from the crowd.
Neat little story, thanks for posting.
Regards Dave
Thanks!
Thank You for sharing that great story of progress and inspiration on many levels. And a hearty congratulations.
Walter White Tail
Thanks!
Wow, that's great to hear!
Usually if you get a positive response, it's limited to "I like your hair". Rarely do you find someone sincere enough to admit to something like lacking nerve.
Neat hair story. Maybe that guy is now inspired to grow his out, rather than shaving it off. Another longhair in the making, the collective grows stronger. I've lost 70 lbs too, and am still continuing to lose. Are you doing anything special with your diet? All I did was switch to whole grain, high-fiber, and cut back on sugar. I also just don't have much of an appetite, which might be related to medication.
The weight loss has been slow, a few lbs a month, but they say slow loss is the safest. I don't have a goal weight, whatever it gets down to, I'll be happy with. My doctor worried about my appetite loss, and put me through a battery of tests to make sure there isn't anything physical causing it. (sigh!) Doctors! I thought she'd be happy I'm losing weight, since I _need_ to. The tests all came back okay.
I'd be happy to get down to my Jr. High weight, I don't ever expect to be skinny. I'm aiming for my High School hair length, and I'm confident I can get there. So congrats on the hair and the weight, and continued luck with the future. If only we could trade fat cells for hair cells. :-/