First of all let me say I never thought in a million years I would be writing a testimonial on my weight loss journey. I knew I had put on a few pounds since my fit fighting shape of my military days when I was a slim 6’2”, 220 pound athletic specimen. But all good things must come to an end.
After 8 years in the military, I decided I need a new career, something that kept me closer to home and my new bride. I had a new job, a new wife, and a pretty healthy lifestyle. Slowly my activity level started to change, and due to events around me I was no longer able to hit the gym, play basketball, and run, as much as I used to. My eating habits were getting worse and it was starting to show. Slowly but surely my clothes were getting a little tighter so I would go up a size. I would lie to myself, “No biggie, what’s one size? You can work that off this summer.” I realized something needed to be done.
My doctor put me on cholesterol medication, and I was starting to have back and knee problems. I tired Weight Watchers and lost a few pounds but that was boring with no real visual gratification. I needed something else. I tried running and lifting weights on my own, but I only got heavier and hurt my knees even more. The final straw was when I was going through some old pictures and began to ask myself “What has happened to you?”. I then went and really looked at myself in the mirror, and I was angry and upset that I had let myself go so far. I told my wife that I needed help and I guess you could say it was my first step towards admitting my problem.
My wife suggested I try a yoga class with her and I did, not knowing this was her way of getting me to meet the person that would start my body reclamation. After the first class I must admit, I felt a lot better and told Karen I would be back!
My wife then told me that Karen did personal training, and she asked if I would be interested in doing a few sessions. I was a bit hesitant at first because I knew if I said yes, it meant I was making a commitment to someone other than myself. The next time I saw Karen I told her I needed help, and we sat down to talk about what prompted me to make this decision to change, as well as what I expected from her as a personal trainer. After our discussion, I agreed to start the sessions, and haven’t looked back!
I was 298 pounds at my heaviest and I can proudly say that I am now down to 273 pounds, with my goal weight being 220 pounds. It hasn’t been easy, and there have been days where I just don’t want to work out or cheat on my “eating lifestyle”, but in the end I realize I can’t go backwards. Over the last few months I have more energy, I can see the results in the mirror, and my clothes are almost falling off me. No more buying bigger! Most of all, my friends and family are noticing which makes me feel GREAT!!
Thanks Karen so much for getting me turned around, but we are not done yet. We still have a ways to go. So let’s “Git her done”!
