Day 1
For those of you reading this, welcome. I’m no sure what brought me to do this, but my goal here is simple. I am going to lose 100 lbs, and your welcome to join me. Let me start by telling you a little about myself.
My name is Joe and I run a small Custodial business. I served in the US Army from 1999-2003 and have since come home, finished college, married, started a business, and managed to pack on almost 100 lbs in five and a half years. My current weight is 275lbs and I’m only 5’6”! I’m scared. Although only 28 years old, I know that if I don’t change my lifestyle, I’m at serious risk for a plethora of diseases.
I used to be a skinny guy. Hell, believe it or not, I ran Cross Country and Track in my High School days. I’ve always had issues with my weight, and I always thought I was fat, even when I was very skinny. This self-image persisted and is a problem I really struggle with to this day. Even when I was at my healthiest, I never really appreciated it, or saw myself, or my weight, as acceptable. At 165 lbs, "I was fat"; at 185 lbs "I was fat"; at 215 lbs "I was fat"; and soon I really was fat.
I gave up and grew depressed and when I’m depressed I eat. Nothing new, it’s a common response. The more the weight packed on, the more depressed I became, eating even more. Receding into the comfort of nachos and pizza and beer. Worst of all, I added smoking to the mix. (I will chronicle that effort as well) Eventually I was overweight, and then, extremely overweight. I suppose some men are often loath to admit, or notice, when they have self-image issues. They can and they often do. Eating disorders of many types run in my family, and yet I never made the connection. Well, now I have.
For anyone who has weight issues and is reading this, let me say you’re not alone. I understand. I really do. I’m not looking for a quick fix. I know this will not be easy. I plan on doing this slowly, overtime, by changing my diet and exercising. No pills, no frills. I understand this is less a diet and more a change in habits. I estimate that this could take me up to two years, maybe more. I’m ready for the fight. This is a War! In the end, I WILL WIN!
I’ll post all my successes and my failures for you to see. I’m going to screw up, everyone does, and I’ll tell you all about them. But, continuing with the War analogy (I was in the Army guys; it’s the way I think. Sorry), battles may be lost, but they don’t mean you’ve lost the war. Learn from me. Learn with me. Give me advice.
