Joe’s Journal: Day 54 – The Rugby Shirt Challenge

As soon as I got off the phone with Phil I booked my flight to Iowa. I had asked Phil if he would agree to let us film his progress and he’d saaid yes, so when I returned to the United States a few days later, I gathered up the crew and we set out for Sheldon, Iowa. I’d wanted to bring him something that would be meaningful and represent a challenge, so I’d purchased a rugby jersey in the colors of the Australian flag, size 2XL. I guess that Phil was probably closer to a 5 or 6 XL, which was where the challenge would come in: is first goal would be to fit into that shirt.

When I pulled up in front of Phil’s house I was feeling better than ever. I’d continued to lose weight and was maintaining a vigorous fitness routine. I’d made good on my commitment to adhere to a micronutrient diet until I was 100% Prednisone-free and hadn’t had any outbreaks since the Reboot. All of this made me feel confident that my experiment would work for Phil.

Phil stepped out of his front door to greet us and I immediately handed him the shirt. He’d gotten even bigger since the last time I’d seen him and was wearing the same kind of oversized, baggy t-shirt as before, which was clearly meant to disguise his bulk. It wasn’t working but I knew from experience what he was going for! He held the rugby shirt up to his chest. Next to him, it looked like a kid’s shirt.

Have you been following my past journal entries? Make sure you catch up here.  I’m sharing these thoughts with you as part of the 2nd Anniversary celebration of Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead so I hope you are either able to relate or be inspired by my journal entries.