Turtle Power!
When I started this whole diet quagmire two years ago I mentioned in passing why I began this journey - a few of you might even remember that post – my catalyst for my persistence. Why I abuse myself at the gym and to this point have managed to shed myself to a much leaner – and happier me.
For those that didn’t read – or haven’t read; and for those that have plain forgotten I will re-tell the story to some extent with an addition to the ending to bring it up to date as it were.
The LW and I for the last couple of years have taken an anniversary trip to Puerto Vallarta. What started out as a “let’s go here because it’s cheaper than going here” trip has turned into a seemingly annual must visit – this year being our third straight and plans are already in the works for the fourth – same time next year.
The LW (in her infinite wisdom) is an incredible researcher and trip planner – she may have missed her calling – nevertheless, she had an adventure filled couple of days planned for us that included a leisurely stroll up the beach at sunset to release a newly hatched turtle into the wilds. Being that I am somewhat of an eco-friendly kinda guy – I was all for it and thought it sounded like an awesome way to spend an evening.
The LW’s research indicated that the event took place on or about 8pm approximately a km (a little over a quarter mile for you metric-challenged folk) up the beach – so we set out at around 7pm. It quickly became apparent to me that I was not going to be able to easily make this leisurely stroll. Worse, I couldn’t make it 500 feet.
I watched my LW walk alone with the sunset at her back that evening – to do something that I wanted desperately to share with her and I am sure her with me. My weight had often made things difficult in the past but I had always been able to skirt the real issue – but this was plain and simple black and white – I was too fat to make the walk with my wife. The catalyst was now set in stone – I wanted to release the turtles too…
Year two and I am now about 100 lbs lighter – we return for our annual jaunt to the destination that we both love. I am lighter (relatively speaking – work with me here people) and fitter having spent many hours in the gym at this point – so I am confident that the walk will be a snap this time. Surprisingly, we assume that the turtle release will be in the same place it was last year. What with all the development in the area there is little chance that an under-funded turtle release program would actually have to move – isn’t there?
Well it did – but I made the walk and back…
Year three, this time I am 180 lbs lighter and much more fit – prior to going to Mexico for this trip however, I checked online to ensure that there was still a turtle release program. There was – but it was a little further than the year before last – no problem – I was ready.
We set out on our journey at about 6:30 pm with an awesome couple that we had met at the resort (we’ll call them Brian and Kristin because that’s their names). We gave them the old “it may or may not end up in a turtle release” but they seemed up for the walk regardless. We made it to where they were the first year with no signs of “shelled-life” – so we continued. At about the 3 K (1.2ish miles) mark we spotted the tell-tale signs of turtle camp – we quickly scampered to them and asked where the turtle release was.
In typical Mexican fashion we got the typical response “2 KM’s that way” (he pointed south toward the marina) which was fine – we were already walking that way – so we kept walking –
Easily 5 km’s (2 miles) later we spotted the release camp – I don’t think I could describe the feeling of finally releasing one of these turtles into the wild. To me it meant so much more than that however and if nothing else – it has refocused me and made me realize that in life there is truly only so many opportunities to do things – and making excuses or living life peripherally because it’s easier than admitting a problem or pointing out a weakness only hurts one person – but it affects many.
Thanks for being patient with me Tiiu and trudging endlessly in the sand with me on my quest for the turtle – I wouldn’t want to have done it with anyone else at my side. Next year will be even better and I will be even lighter and fitter still.