Sure, winning the pot at work puts $400 in my pocket plus major bragging rights, but that's not my goal. I'm now 36 years old and 201 lbs during my first weigh in. I have a beautiful 4 year old daughter, a handsome 4 month old son, and a loving wife. I want to be healthy and I want to live longer for them and also for myself.
Just like my college days and the years post-college, I took partying to the extreme. I got drunk an average of three times a week. I'd blow all my money on booze and cigarettes. And at that time the purpose for drinking was to get completely obliterated. I'd wake up the next morning with a headache, the runs, an empty wallet, and absolutely no memory of what happned the night before. When Haley was born in 2007 my spare time for partying got cut down by 100%. At first I was resentful, but it took me about half a second to realize that I'd rather spend time with my family than out with the boys at a bar. This change was basically forced upon me, but now I welcome it with open arms. I want to stop poisoning my body and live longer for my family.
Just like alcohol, food is a big addiction of mine. My favorite food: cheeseburgers! I could eat it every day! But it doesn't stop there. There's fries, pizza, pasta, bacon, anything fried, anything with gravy, and basically anything that a doctor would not recommend. But just like alcohol, I've had my day in the sun. I've had my fair share of gluttony and binge eating. And just like when I stopped partying, I want to stop eating like a pig. It's time I grow up, take responsibility of my life, and be a real man for my family. This change is a choice of mine and I welcome it with open arms. I want to stop poisoning my body and live longer for my family.
Last week I heard that my Tito Roger had a stroke. Doctors gave him a 50% chance of making it. He's in the Philippines, so I haven't seen him in a while. He's 78 years old, but he looks much older. He still eats poorly, continues to drink and smoke. Let's take a look at his younger brother, Tito Charlie. He too had his day in the sun when it came to food, but he decided to make a lifestyle change. He is now exercising by doing a ton of walking and he watches what he eats. He looks fantastic and doesn't look a day over 65. He turned 75 years old yesterday. Happy birthday Tito Charlie!
Our family is stricken with grief over Tito Roger. He has a ton of brothers and sisters, a ton of kids, and even more grandkids. We are all worried about his health, his life, and there's also a monetary issue as we are trying to figure out how we can help pay for the angioplasty and bypass surgery that he needs. We worry because we love him. When I'm 78 years old, I don't want my family to worry about me like that. I don't want to put stress on their hearts and burdens on their shoulders. My family deserves better than that. So I'm making it a goal to live for forever so I can enjoy my time with my kids, my grandkids, and my great grandkids.
I'm doing this weight loss thing not as a temporary solution, but to change my complete lifestyle. I'm not saying it'll be easy and I can't do it alone. But I'm determined and my family is my source for strength to help me succeed.
My weight loss goal? I dunno. According to BMI, i'm obese. In order to become "normal" I need to be 159 lbs, which I haven't been in YEARS. I think it's safe to say that 159 is a very far stretch, but not unrealistic. I blame it on my damn calves. I'd be happy at 170, but who knows. If I can drop to 159 or lower, then I'm all for it. Another goal is to get off of high blood pressure and cholesterol meds.
Now...just gotta figure out a permanent solution on how to make this change...next post!
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