Project Bob
In high school his big frame allowed him to make the varsity football team. In college, being big, was never too much of an issue because he was young and athletic. After college, the party continued for a few years and he never thought too much about his health or fitness. Then real life kicked in. Kids, mortgages, work, and starting his own business took up all of his time. One day he woke up, and 45 years had passed. In those 45 years, he tried to do the right thing, but never prioritized getting in shape or thinking about what was right for him. This is the story of Bob Manning.
What I saw with Bob is the same thing I see in so many people in todays world. I mean, he is and was a great guy. He was just fat, and it depressed him. And everywhere he looked there was just bad answers. The 24 Hour Fitness provides no hope and is just another roadblock. Getting a pizza and having two beers at night doesn't seem harmful until you have done it for ten years. Getting fat isnt something anyone wants but the habits that create the problem are so hard to break. So many people wake up, go to work, get the kids, pay the bills, and go home without ever taking an hour in their day and prioritize themselves. There is a small part of this story that really hits home with me. Had I made a few different choices in my life, I very easily could have been stuck at a job I hated, living for the weekend, and waking up one day, 45, overweight, and unhappy. I see how easily this happens to people. It happened to Bob and it was our job to show him how quickly we could change everything around by moving diet and exercise up a little higher on his daily to do list.
Bob Manning came to CrossFit PB in November of 2013. I knew I could connect with him and we could right the ship. We sat down in November and had a meeting; I called it “Project Bob.” Project Bob was a lifestyle transition plan that we came up with focused around his specific goals. Bob came to us just over 280 pounds with a goal to be under 215. This project was not only about weight loss. We also set lifestyle goals. Bob wanted to be able to run and play with his two girls, and to regain that youthful feeling he felt inside, but was unable to display due to his current lifestyle choices. Many years ago, when Bob was at 215 pounds he purchased a surfboard that he has never been able to ride because of his weight. We set a benchmark that we would paddle out after he lost 40+ pounds and celebrate his success.
On May 19, 2014, 6 months after we started “Project Bob”, Manning and I paddled out into the Pacific Ocean carrying 50 pounds less weight than when we set out on this journey. Bob has put over fifteen pounds of lean muscle and lost nearly 65 pounds of fat. The once chronic knee pain that sidelined him from playing with his girls is nearly gone and he is now starting to ask questions about running races. The biggest transformation with Bob has been watching his confidence grow. Understanding that he controls his own fate has empowered a lifelong change.
I have seen the changes happen first hand. Bob and I often discuss some of the changes he has experienced. When Bob starts talking about his future plans it really starts to hit home how much we have accomplished. Yes, he still wants to lose another twenty pounds, but the lifestyle has taken over. There is hope. He can control his own destiny. Bob knows if he just stays the course, prioritizes himself for one hour a day, eats well, and goes to bed at a decent hour, he will be better than he was the day before. I have had a few project people in my life. Some of them fade out and are not mentally capable of getting over the hump. This is my proudest moment though with Manning. He has not only overcome the mental hurdles but he is a completely different person.
Congrats to you Bob. Your commitment and success make me so proud of you. I am thankful you let me in your life 6 months ago.
