ething happened over the past twenty years. Not overnight, or all of the sudden, or in the twinkling of an eye…no it took place slowly, unnoticed at first, until one day the realization came to me: I weighed 278 pounds. I had gotten fat. For a long while I walked around harboring that knowledge, hoping that no one else noticed. I ignored the looks that I got when I had to ask for handicap seating at the Pepsi Center because the designers did not factor in my keister when they built the arena. I turned a deaf ear to suppressed comments when I squeezed past people in the movie theater. I was sure that I hid my bulk well under my oversized sweaters and baggy pants. No one could possibly suspect my shameful little secret.In the process of gaining all of the weight, I lost a few things as well: self confidence, and pride in my own presentation. I had dreams of being an actor—and not a fat character actor. No, I felt that my dashing good looks could land me a leading man role…or at least a leading man’s good looking, yet goofy, friend. I sang in a band and thought that we could make it big one day. Though I expressed them outwardly, I threw away dreams of stardom. On top of all of that, doctors diagnosed me in 1999 with multiple sclerosis—with the loss of co-ordination, feeling, and strength to my legs I could never sustain a rigorous “Biggest Loser” workout regimen. I had no chance of losing the weight.
In March of 2009 my younger brother, Larry, met with the counselors at Slimgenics (formerly Slim-4-Life). I went to talk with the counselors because I didn’t want anyone taking my brother for a ride and stealing his money. I had secretly tried it all, anyway, and nothing worked. I failed at Adkins. I flunked out of Weight Watchers. I sunk the South Beach Diet. I prove
d that Body for Life did not work on the average guy. I was sure that whatever fake-food diet that came along would ultimately fail, so I came to listen and decline on my brother’s behalf.After a 30 minute question and answer session, I had the feeling that this might work for Larry. Even if he only lost 70 or 80 pounds, it might be enough to build up his confidence. I came out of that meeting thinking that Larry really needed what Slimgenics had to offer, but he couldn’t do it alone. So I selflessly offered to do this program with him for a while to help him get on-plan and get healthy.
Over the first 6 months I followed the plan and stubbornly clung to my belief that this diet might work a little bit for Larry, but it wouldn’t work for me: I had gotten too big to ever be “skinny” again in my life. I watched the scale inch its way downward. Then one morning, six months into the plan, I woke up and did the math: 70 pounds. I didn’t starve. I couldn’t work out consistently. I had done nothing to lose so much weight except keep the plan as the counselors at Slimgenics had taught me. I needed new clothes.
I went from wearing a size 48 waist to a size 38. I could buy off the rack, and things actually fit. I walked around with a smile on my face and in my heart. Unlike getting fat, the skinny seemed to happen overnight, all of the sudden, in the twinkling of an eye. And that quickly I had gained the confidence that I had previously lost. I wanted to wear nice clothes again, comb my hair, and shave my face more than once a week. I cared what I looked like when I went out in public.
Over the first 6 months I followed the plan and stubbornly clung to my belief that this diet might work a little bit for Larry, but it wouldn’t work for me: I had gotten too big to ever be “skinny” again in my life. I watched the scale inch its way downward. Then one morning, six months into the plan, I woke up and did the math: 70 pounds. I didn’t starve. I couldn’t work out consistently. I had done nothing to lose so much weight except keep the plan as the counselors at Slimgenics had taught me. I needed new clothes.
I went from wearing a size 48 waist to a size 38. I could buy off the rack, and things actually fit. I walked around with a smile on my face and in my heart. Unlike getting fat, the skinny seemed to happen overnight, all of the sudden, in the twinkling of an eye. And that quickly I had gained the confidence that I had previously lost. I wanted to wear nice clothes again, comb my hair, and shave my face more than once a week. I cared what I looked like when I went out in public.
Over the rest of the year I went from a size 38 to a size 32 waist. I looked in the mirror and saw the guy that I was in high school…a little older, but still that same guy. The scale said that I weighed 173 pounds…a 105 pound weight loss. From October 2009 to February 2010 I had switched gears from a cynic, to one of the faithful…to a downright believer. I know that by following the plan a person will lose weight. Not just myself—but any person who keeps this plan will lose the weight that they want to lose. If a person wants to lose weight, prove their own inner strength, and improve their over all health, gain self confidence, learn about nutrition and how to care for his body…that is what one can gain by losing. The best part of doing this plan has been the knowledge that I can now pass on to my family and the desire to help others lose what I have lost…so that they can gain what I have gained.
No comments:
Post a Comment