Quitters Day
Ah, Quitters Day—the second Friday of January, statistically, when most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions. It’s like the unofficial holiday of half-hearted gym-goers everywhere. So, what better time to give you an update on my 50 by 50 journey? Spoiler alert: It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster.
Goal: Reach 215 lbs. and Achieve 15% Body Fat by October 2025
Consistency is harder than I expected, even though, as a project manager, I live for plans. I know that no plan ever goes off without a hitch—you aim for 50% execution and figure out the rest on the fly. But right now, I’m sitting at a solid 25%. Not ideal.
I’ve made it to a couple of hot yoga classes and squeezed in some gym sessions, but I’ve also become a world-class rester. The problem? Boundaries—or lack thereof. Too often, I tell myself I’ll hit the gym after finishing “just one more thing” at work or bonding with coworkers over dinner.
That habit needs to shift. Future me deserves better. When I’m on the road for work, I need to replace my post-work dinner ritual with something more goal-friendly—like hitting the gym instead of hitting the bread basket. Small change, big impact.
The good news? I’m not quitting. I’m recalibrating. This journey isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Yes, it’s slow, but every step forward is a step closer to the person I want to become.
Goal: Get Re-Certified as an EMT-B
Did you know that EMT certifications expire? Yeah, me too—now. My paramedic certification expired back in 2017, and the process of getting re-certified initially felt overwhelming (and expensive). Utah requires you to retake the entire EMT-Basic course, which would cost around $1,500. Yikes.
Thankfully, the National Registry came through with good news: I only need 40 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) and to pass the National Registry test. So, I decided to take a practice test for fun. Despite not touching EMT material since 2015, I scored 80%! Not bad for someone who’s been out of the game.
Next up, I’ll be registering for CME hours and brushing up on skills like patient assessments. This goal feels tangible and, honestly, exciting. I spent a decade as an EMT-Paramedic, responding to hundreds of calls, and getting back into that world feels like reconnecting with an old friend.
Goal: Get Re-Certified in SCUBA Diving
SCUBA diving is a go... sort of. I bought a refresher course for my open-water certification, but there’s one hiccup: my vision. Glasses and diving masks don’t mix, and my astigmatism makes contacts unreliable underwater. Enter prescription dive masks.
I have an eye appointment tomorrow to nail down my prescription, and after that, it’s dive shop time. Once the mask arrives, I’ll schedule my refresher course and start planning monthly dives. In the meantime, I’ve been hitting the books (or rather, the underwater manuals). Progress may be slow, but it’s happening.
Goal: Learn Photography Basics to Document Key Journeys
Photography sounded simple—point, shoot, post. Turns out, it’s more like point, shoot, and then wonder why your photos look like blurry blobs compared to the pros.
I’m a total beginner and often feel stuck, unsure of how to make progress. My plan? Keep it simple: shoot more and review later. I’ve got training materials to guide me, but the real learning happens when I’m out there snapping away.
I’ll block out time for focused practice sessions and carry my camera everywhere. The goal isn’t to be perfect; it’s to experiment, learn, and gradually build skills. As my portfolio grows, I’ll revisit the training with a sharper eye (and hopefully sharper photos).
This update isn’t just about sharing my progress—it’s about owning the messy reality of change. These goals aren’t boxes to tick off; they’re steps toward a healthier, more intentional lifestyle.
If there’s one takeaway here, it’s this: progress beats perfection every time. So, here’s to moving forward—one imperfect, sweaty, blurry-photographed step at a time.
