Hi there. I know its been a long time since I’ve posted anything. Today I am starting a new series of posts entitled #Chasing25. Chasing 25 is something I created a couple of months ago as a tongue in cheek tag line to describe the new fitness journey I had begun back in March of this year. As I was working out one morning I had one of those laugh at yourself kind of moments, as I looked at myself in the notorious mirror doing arm curls. As I was looking at myself I had the thought – look at you, a 52 year old chasing a 25 year old body.

In that moment I had a rush of other thoughts stream into my head. Why am I doing this? I should be happy with who I am and just enjoy life. I don’t look that bad for being 52. I’ll never stick to this, I don’t have the commitment and on and on and on it went. I literally paused mid rep and sat down on the bench. Why was I doing this? I knew in that moment I had to answer that question before I could move on. Was I really committed to this or was it just another hobby or past time I was going to do for a little while before moving on to something else.

My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 at the age of 69. If hereditary the sobering reality is I could possibly have the disease in 17 years. And truth be told, mom probably had the beginning stages of the disease 2 years earlier. Now, I know it’s possible I will never have the disease but I am acutely aware that its probable that I will at some point, face the same diagnosis. Dad found out he had liver cancer at the age of 75 and was giving 2 years to live. Both of my parents battled health problems all through their 50’s and 60’s, everything from High Blood Pressure to Diabetes and a myriad of other ailments.

With mom passing in April of last year and dad losing his battle to cancer in July three months later (he fought and survived for 4 years!) I had already begun the process of changing my diet and trying to eat healthier but I knew that I needed to start exercising more frequently to improve my overall health. In April of this year both Lisa and I had made a commitment to really change our eating habits and really become healthy eaters. We have come a long way over the last several months but reality is this will always be a challenge for us.

These were some of the things going on in my brain as I sat on that bench. I also contemplated what my future might look like if I really committed to becoming healthier, how long could I extend my life?, maybe I can live into my 90’s. In the meantime, what if I could achieve a 25 year old body, how awesome would that be? So the fitness journey that I had somewhat embarked on became a full commitment that morning as I sat on that bench. #chasing25 will be my personal pursuit.

I hear ya, that’s great Scott but why all the instagram, facebook and now, wordpress blog posts? We really don’t need to see any more pictures of you at the gym! I totally understand the sentiment and if I have people who choose to unfollow me or unfriend me, I’m totally cool with that..But I do want to hopefully explain why all the posts. For some of you this may be twisted logic but its working for me thus far so I plan to keep posting. For me, its a way of holding myself accountable. I know if I don’t keep posting the pics then I will be failing in my commitment. Like I said, twisted I know but its working for me.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I will continue to post pics or something when I’m at the gym. It’s amazing how this little thing of taking a pic at the gym has motivated me to get my lazy butt out of the bed and make my way to the gym. I do however, have good news for my friends on facebook, I will no longer be sharing these pics on that platform.

Going forward I will only post my #fitnessjourney and #chasing25 updates on Instagram and Twitter so if you want to follow along, please join me there:  twitter.com/JScottDorsey or instagram – www.instagram.com/jscottdorsey

I would like to thank all of you that have been supportive and encouraged me thus far on the journey. I have also enjoyed hearing stories of the journeys that you all are on and hope that continues.

Last thing. Physical health is only part of the equation. Our spiritual and mental well being is just as crucial as our physical health, especially our spiritual health. Without spiritual health, the rest of everything else really doesn’t matter. I don’t plan on preaching to anyone going forward but I will be sharing snippets into my spiritual walk as well (hopefully, this is already happening).

I would love any and all feedback as we go along and would count it as a blessing to hear about your journeys as well.

Take care and thanks for reading,

Scott