A big belly full of change

“If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” ~Mary Engelbreit

This is not a self portrait!

About nine years ago, I was sitting on my couch, watching television.  Something just snapped in my mind, as I looked down at my big belly, which was staring back up at me.  I had had enough  Over the course of the period of time from which I graduated from high school to that moment, I had let myself go physically.  I grew from about 150 pounds to about 250 pounds at my heaviest.  I did lose a little weight from my all-time high, but back then, in 2002, I was still around 225 pounds.

I couldn't stand it any longer.  I was so sick of what I had become, and what I had tolerated all those years.  It was time for a change.  I didn’t like who I was, and I was going to do something about it.  I immediately got up from the couch, grabbed a phone book, and found a gym that was close to where I had lived.  I called, asked about joining, hopped in my car, and drove to the gym.  About a half hour later, I was the newest member of the gym…I went to the store, got some exercise clothes and shoes, and began my transformation.

One year later, through much dedication and hard work, I got myself down to my all-time low, which was 148 pounds (don’t worry; I am about 20 pounds heavier than that now).  I actually was working so hard I had a hard time stopping the weight loss!  I had to order pizza and other similar foods to try to stop the decline.  I can remember feeling so awesome and full of energy and life, and I felt like I was “myself” again.

I am happy to say that eight years after getting my weight back down, I have managed to keep it off.  I still have to be disciplined and active, and I still love sweets (they are my major downfall), but I feel great!

What would you like to change in your life?  Is it a habit you would like to break?  Is it a new career?  Is it how you approach your relationships?  Whatever it is, go for it!  The only thing that is holding you back from making a change is your willingness to do so!  It takes courage (kind of like jumping off a diving board the first time) and hard work.  I know a major motivation for me as I felt like I was going to die, running those laps in the gym, was visualizing how I was going to look in the future after losing weight, and how good I would feel about myself after accomplishing my goal.

The time is as good as any for change in your life!  You can accomplish anything you put your mind to!

I wish you the best!

-Victor