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"Always Bear In Mind That Your Own Resolution To Succeed Is More Important Than Any One Thing"-Abraham Lincoln

After struggling to find something to open my first entry on this blog with, I believe I that have found something appropriate in Abe’s quote. A resolution to succeed. This is exactly what this challenge is intended to be, or in my case, to start. A resolution to succeed.

I suppose before I get too far ahead of myself, I should introduce myself. My name is Dan Shelnutt. I am currently a
20-year-old junior at the University of South Florida, attending and living on the Tampa campus. I am an elementary education major, in hopes of someday (preferably soon) graduating and becoming the teacher that people like me remember when they are a decade removed from my class. I’ve had several teachers like that, and they have all had a very profound impact on my life. Perhaps the fact that I have such lofty aspirations is part of the motivation I have to going through with this challenge.

Family is a very big part of my life. I have been blessed with two parents that support me in every decision I make, including this one. It was actually my parents who pointed this out to me one Sunday morning while I was back home for the weekend. I have two younger siblings, a 19-year-old brother and fellow USF Bull, Will, and a 16-year-old sister,Molly. They are also truly remarkable people who have made their presence felt (or rather heard) in the halls of Newsome High School through their accomplishments in the school’s Show Choir. Molly became one of the few people to make the ensemble in only her sophomore year, and Will became one of the first members, and is still involved with the group as an alumnus. I personally chose instrumental music over vocal music, but music is music regardless of the medium.

So in closing, I will leave you all with this:
I am thrilled to be part of this challenge. The people that I am doing this with are all great people. We all have our own stories, from those that have kids and wives and 40-hour-a-week jobs to me, who splits his time between 18 hours of school, 6 hours of an internship and 20 hours of work a week. With all of our differences, however, there remains one common ground: We are all dedicated to making our lives better through this challenge.

Best regards,
Dan

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Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Greetings! My name is Marty Gonzalez. I am here to begin a new chapter of my life.  I am worthy of good health and happiness and so are you. I Ultimately hope that anyone who sees this challenge and who is walking the same mile as I, might find some inspiration and support in reaching there weight loss goals.

I learned this past year that we are not promised tomorrow. I lost my father in law in march, and my father in October.  Both 66 years old. These events made me take a real hard look at myself. I did not like what I saw physically. I wear a size 52 pants, a 3-4 xl shirt, have a hard time tying my shoes, and get winded very easily. I have a beautiful wife of 16 years (my high school sweetheart) who supports me in all I do and 4 young children. God has blessed me with this wonderful family and I really want to grow old with them. I want to show them that I love them enough to make any changes necessary to play d.d.r with Jacob and Jordan(14) dance with Rachel(8) and coach Ben(7) in little league. I want my wife to be able to shop for me in a mall and to see the dimples on my face again. I want my Dad to smile upon me from above with pride. I want my Mom to be joyful in my weight loss and to be inspired. I want so much, but it starts here with me. Now. Too many tomorrows have past. LET’S GO!!!!!

Lord, allow me and my fellow challengers to be a light to your people, to reflect Your Grace, And to glorify you as our loss is Your gain. Amen

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