On September 25th I embarked on a weight loss journey that was far too long overdue. Today, I begin publicly documenting this journey - an endeavor that is also long overdue, but, as was the case with my weight loss efforts, never too late to undertake.
The impetus for the desire to make changes were plentiful, but included a marked loss in my physical ability, as well as and a fear that continuing along my previous path would result in my death sooner rather than later. I've no idea if the last several years of letting myself go have resulted in any sort of irreversible, permanent damage, or if the losses in physical ability and vitality (not to mention the weight gain) can be corrected.
On the day that I decided that changes were needed, I weighed 330 lbs. I'm 5'9"- at my healthiest (some 17 years ago) I weighed 185 lbs as a non-competitive power-lifter, so that was with me carrying a considerable amount of muscle with a very low body fat percentage. Due to what I've only recently grown to understand were exertion headaches, I quit power-lifting in the year 1999. Also around that time I got my first desk job, which added to the considerable decrease to my overall level of physical activity.
A few years after I stopped heavy weight training I managed to get my body-weight down to as low as 160 lbs by following the principles of low-carb routines such as Atkins and the South Beach Diet. During that time I also had a short-lived career change to a job that kept me very active (think eight plus hours of constant walking, lifting, bending over and squatting). Unfortunately, that path was altered by an auto accident that left me unable to work for several months; I would never again achieve that level of sustained fitness.
In the years following my recovery from the accident I remained active, and still exercised somewhat regularly. However, a cerain spark had been lost, which I struggled mightily to reclaim. I thought that I'd accomplished as much through a found love for the sport of tennis; and while I was able to achieve an impressive level of endurance, my appearance and body-fat would never approach the levels I'd achieved in years past. My body-weight would hover in the 190-205 lb region, though, and I felt in no way physically limited or worried about my overall health.
Everything changed in 2009 - that was the year that the wonderful girl who is now my wife and I began dating. At that time I'd advanced enough as a tennis player to begin playing in local USTA tournaments but, given the time investment involved with practicing and playing tournament tennis and my future wife's lack of interest in the sport, my participation in it began to wane. Within a year I'd stopped playing altogether, begun working yet another desk job, and the rest as they say is history. We got married, had kids, bought a home, and my weight - much like my personal life - achieved heights that I'd never before known.
I've no designs to try and bench 400 lbs ever again; additionally, my primary motivations are not akin to those of the young, single, free-spirited guy that I was all those years ago. However, I do wish to reclaim one big thing that I was in possession of back then, and that's my health.
As of right now - 42 days into my current efforts, to be exact - I'm down to 288 lbs (down 42 lbs total). I'm doing cardio and working out twice daily (early mornings on an empty stomach and evenings after work). I've cut out refined carbs and sugars - no white bread, white rice, very little white sugar. I've drastically reduced the amount of meat that I consume to no more than 2 3-4 oz portions daily. I eat between 4-6 mini-meals, and I do my best to avoid eating at night (5 is what I prefer, but 7 is my hard cut-off). And I consume, on average, around 128 oz of water daily.
This is, without question, one of the most challenging things that I've ever done, and I've so very far to go to achieve my long-term goal of 170 lbs. My body responds to everything very, very differently than it ever has in the past. My metabolism is slower, my joints achier, and my willpower is diminished. However, I've been consistent during this current trek, and my dedication has not wavered.
I plan on using this blog as a means of keeping myself honest, as the fitness gains have slowed. I attribute a lot of the initial weight loss to the re-programming of my digestive system, which seems to have benefited my liver function and expelled a lot of intestinal bloat and extra water.
If you happen to read this and wouldn't mind taking a few moments to share your own thoughts, experiences, etc., please don't hesitate to leave a comment. And if you yourself are thinking about beginning your own journey (maybe you've taken the first steps, too), then please - walk with me on mine for a bit.
If one of us gets tired, maybe we can lean on one another : )
