The Forum

Just thought I would share some of the changes I've experienced in the last year after losing 74lbs. Maybe this can help motivate you if that's what you are looking to do.

1. Walking up and down stairs with no breathing problems. A year ago, I would walk upstairs to speak with my boss and literally have to wait a few seconds to get my breathe. It was embarassing. That's no longer an issue.

2. New clothes. I've gone from a 40 waist to a 32 waist in the last year. I've gone from a XL-XXL to Medium-Large in the last year. I've had to completely turn over my wardrobe which isn't cheap.

3. By eating healthy, your digestive system seems to get more on track. Maybe thats a little TMI for some of you but was a problem for me for a long time. That tends to be the case when you over indulge on fast food all the time. No more rushing home to the bathroom after a meal at a restaurant.

4. My energy level is much more consitent. I would say before I got healthy, I had sufficient energy about 10% of the day. The rest of the time I was lethargic. Not anymore. I'm pretty even all day.

5. Less medication to keep an obese person living. I'm down to 10mg of Zocor and quite honestly, that probably won't change. We tried to take me off that but high cholesterol runs in my family. The good news is, its been lowered from 40mg to 10mg . No more BP medicine. Running has been an absolute savior for my BP, which was the problems that got all of this started.

6. Overall confidence. I've never really lacked in the confidence area too much, but I noticed myself pulling back after I picked up weight. Not growing up obese, I didn't really see the guy everyone else was seeing until I looked at pictures. Woo! That was always a wake up call. I remember really dreading seeing people I hadn't seen in a while because I was fat. Most people I grew up with don't remember me being fat. Its really awkward when people say, "I didn't know that was you".

7. What I like to call the honeymoon stage. When the pounds start to drop, people take notice and you get quite a few compliments for a while. Its nice when people notice. Here is what is important though, I got in this to get healthy and stay healthy, not because I thought someone might think I'm hot!(kidding, haha!) Eventually, the compliments will stop because people get used to seeing the new you. When that happens, put it to the side and keep going to remain healthy. Keep your eye on the prize!

Just thought I would share!!!