Pete's Story

I'm not really sure where to start with this since this is the first time I've ever documented my weight loss since the journey began around 9 months ago. Anyway, my name is Peter. At 26 I tipped the scales at 255 lbs (at 5' 11"). My weight issues had been pretty much a constant battle throughout my childhood and adult life, the latter of which was less a life as a miserable formality. I was bullied in school but was always reassured that my weight was simply 'puppy' fat, or that I'd grow out of it. It wasn't until I reached my late teens that I slipped into real depression. I knew I was damaging my body with my lifestyle, but I was filled with so much self pity that I couldn't motivate myself to make a change. My attitude was self defeating and I could never persuade myself to change my habits. I found it easier to point my finger at things in my surrounding environment - there's nothing wrong with me, people are just too judgemental; it's my genes; it's my parent's fault etc.

The real turning point in my life came in January 2009. At 26 I suffered a mild heart attack. I had no idea that at my age it was even possible. As I looked at myself in the mirror I realised that I was still young, and that in the face of adversity I had to discover motivation somewhere. People the world over make remarkable achievments every single day of their lives. Why can't I shed weight? My very steep learning curve began.

My first challenge was diet. I had been a comfort eater for at least the last decade of my life. From pizza to donuts and everything in between I would eat and eat to deal with my emotional issues. Tackling my binge eating was difficult but I soon realised that most of my eating wasn't motivated by hunger. It was a habit, and nothing else. I would grab a bag of chips each time I sat in front of my tv set and just munch them without even thinking about it. I started to substitute my unhealthy foods with low calorie or calorie free options. I would have a coffee, or even better, a glass of water instead of grabbing the nearest food. Next I started setting quantifiable targets for myself. I would aim to get 3, then 5 servings of fruit and veg each day. I started to find that the more good stuff I ate the less I desired my old comfort foods. I started to feel cleaner on the inside, and the longer I went without indulging in the old junk foods, the more my cravings fell away. In the first few days I can't describe how difficult it was to quit, but in the long run you pickup momentum and it's tough to go back.

I had never been physically active in my entire life. I associated exercise with the feelings of self loathing I experienced as a teenager. I dreaded gym class because of the embarassment and the mocking I endured. My self conciousness made it too difficult to just go ahead and join a gym. I actually began by running the length of my hallway as many times as I could. It was only 12 metres long but I would touch each end and run the length back and forth. The first time I could barely manage a handful. I started doing this everyday and very soon I was starting to gather momentum. Each time I would challenge myself to run one more than last time and within a month I was able to do 30. A small achievment perhaps but it gave me a feeling of progress and self satisfaction I'd never experienced before. I felt a small buzz everytime I broke my record and I knew I was on the right track.

3 months in and around 20 pounds lighter I became totally dedicated to changing my life. I took up kickboxing classes and forced myself through the door despite huge feelings of self conciousness. I also started playing tennis with an old friend and started to enjoy sport for the first time in my life. As I write this I feel as though I am still on my journey. I have turned my back on my old lifestyle and I feel like a different person for it. In October 2009 I am now 195 lbs, and around 80% of the way to my end target. I have a new lease on life and I finally feel self worth. My tip to anyone starting lifestyle changes would be don't give up. Think about the great things in life that you deserve - love, family, health and happiness. Concentrate on what you enjoy. Choose exercise activities you can enjoy. And concentrate on what you can eat, not what you can't. I discovered, for example, that I really liked vegtable soup and stir fry. I wish you all the best on your journey.

Pete.

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