My Reason Why

Edit:This is actually outdated. I posted this yesterday, today (Wednesday May 13th 2026) I have actually done one lap in 2:06 and 3.08 miles in 33 minutes (4.96 km). However I still wanted to share it with you. 

I took this from my Facebook page but I wanted to put it here for posterity. I wanted to briefly explain why I am doing all of this exercise. 

Today I reached my goal of doing 3 miles (4.84km) in 33 minutes on the elliptical machine. When I first started back in January, I struggled mightily to go a half of a mile (0.85km) in 33 minutes.

For so long, I felt like my health conditions were just bad luck and that I was stuck in the shape that I was in. However, I now know that my progress is up to me. I may very well hit a limit to my progress. However, I don't know where that limit is, I only know that I have not hit it yet. It is empowering to be back in control of my own recovery. After being passive for so long, it feels good to be in control of my progress.

I did not ask for any of this. Nor did anyone expect it. I would not wish this on my worst enemy. However, you have to play the cards you were dealt in life. I believe now, it is 10% a physical limit of how far that I can push my brain and body to recover and 90% my willingness to put in the effort. I am very grateful not to be completely paralyzed or in a coma. My life is hard. However, it is still worth living. I have excellent family and friends. I hope to be around a lot longer. 

It is hard work doing all of this repetitive exercise six days a week. I don't like doing it. However, I know now that I have to keep doing it for the rest of my life if I don't want to lose all of the progress that I have made. It will keep me healthier for longer. So I might as well learn to enjoy it, not dread it. I lost a lot of time due to my own lack of motivation. However, I am now motivated to try and get in the best possible shape not only for myself but for my family and friends. I do regret not realizing this sooner, but you can only change your future not your past.

I have gone through cycles my whole life of being really motivated at first but then slowly losing my motivation and stagnating. However, this time I want it to be different. I want to show my wife, my family and friends that I'm really a changed person. As I mentioned before, I am not working out because I want to. I am working out because I have to. I don't want to make all of this progress, only to get lazy and lose it all. I am motivated to keep pushing, not only for myself but for everyone around me. 

I am doubtful that I will ever get back to 100% normality. But there is a big difference between being cared for lightly and having someone (most likely Jenny Andrea) care for me intensely. I owe it to her and everyone around me (and to myself) to try and regain as much independence as possible. Better late than never. If you are reading this, thank you for your support for the past six years.

That is all for now, Tyler