Spotlight on Health: John

A note from Mari: Over the next few months, I am going to post inspirational stories of successful weight-loss, and good health -- for inspiration, and motivation. (For me, and you!) All of those who are spotlighted will have a different way of accomplishing their goals. I do not endorse, or promote, any particular way to achieving good health, but I DO promote finding what works for you, and DO IT!  My hope is that you will find someone who resonates with you, and if you are fighting the battle, you can do what it takes to CHANGE YOUR LIFE! You can do it!  -Mari 

I particularly love this story, because John is my baby brother. Everything he says resonates with me in a powerful way. If you are looking for inspiration, just keep reading, and you will get it! So proud of you brother! 

John's Jovial Jumbo Journey 

“When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

- Jacob Riis

My name is John. I used to be fat. Some would say “obese”, “plump”, or “rotund”. Now, I’m much more fit (but still far from where I want to be). I’ve lost a lot of weight along the way, but the weight was never really what mattered. Here’s my success story over the past year and a half.

I started around 310 lbs. I made this picture to flaunt my achievement since my dad was trying to beat me to 220 lbs.

Judgment Day (August 2011)

On August 1st, 2011, I went to an allergy doctor to see if he could help with my seasonal allergies. Instead, after miserably failing the “breathing capacity” test, he told me right to my face that I needed to lose 50 lbs. He even included the phrase “Doctor’s orders”.

I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to him for calling me fat. I simply can’t remember anyone ever saying anything to me about it before. I think, when you’re fat, you just don’t talk about it and pretend like nothing’s wrong. I needed someone like him to shatter my personal reality distortion field and kick the truth right in to my face. So, it was time to take action.

A picture of my fat back after taking the allergy “prick test” to see what you’re allergic to (that’s what the black dots and bumps are all about). You can really see the rolls, tootsie rolls, and cinnamon rolls in my love handles.

Setting a Goal

I decided to pick one goal, *just one*, that I figured would best help me pass that stupid “breathing capacity” test when I was going in for a follow-up in 6 months. Since I could watch a 42 minute show on an iPad while “running” on a treadmill, I chose “Running 5 miles in 42 minutes” as my goal.

Just a random fat picture. It’s hard to find pictures of yourself when you’re fat. I think I was always hiding from the camera.

Getting Started (Jan 2012)

In the beginning, I used the elliptical a lot. I would probably “run” (like 5 mph on a treadmill) twice a week then use the elliptical 4 times a week. I would always go for 42 minutes and watch my tv shows. I watched every episode of “Castle”, “Fringe”, “Alcatraz”, “Alphas”, and I think a couple of others that I can’t recall at the moment. I wasn’t anywhere near my goal, but I kept going. Just steady, consistent effort. Sometimes I’d end up going to the gym after midnight. I kept telling Mindy that I’m going to the gym because “This is what I do”.

A random “in-between” photo. Mindy (my wife) looks great, huh?

Failure is always an option, “giving up” isn’t (July 2012)

You’d think I’d be most proud of finally reaching 220lbs, but actually it’s what I accomplished this past summer...

About a year ago, July 5th, 2012, I had eye surgery (PRK). Since the beginning of the year, I had lost about 40lbs (from 310 to 270). Then my weight loss just stopped. I put in my work every day at the gym, but I *never* saw progress. Over the next 3 months I think I gained 8 lbs.

I DID NOT GIVE UP. I kept pushing through knowing that my stomach would soon face a day of reckoning. That day finally came in October when I stopped taking the daily post-treatment antibiotic required after eye surgery (one of the possible side effects was “weight gain”). After that, the weight just started falling off.

Challenges

I’ll freely admit there were days where I had to drag myself to the gym. It’s much easier to sit on the couch and watch TV than to get ready to go, actually go, then push yourself when you get to the gym. You’ve probably heard that pushing yourself physically beyond what you think you can do is when you get the strongest. I firmly believe that same principle applies to pushing yourself mentally over the mental hurdles of simply “going”. The days when you really don’t want to go are the days that you need to go the most.

It’s also worth noting that you will get sick. You will travel. You might even get hurt. You will have plenty of “excuses”. Next time you feel like making an excuse, try watching this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9uUR7w63EQ&feature=player_embedded

Keeping Track (Sept 2012)

The *only* method of feedback that worked for me was writing my weight up on the bathroom mirror. Every Monday I would “weigh-in” and face the facts. It’s always hard to accept the fact that your weight will fluctuate and not simply “go down”, but you eventually “become one” with your body and you can recognize how you feel after eating/exercising and what your body really wants.

You can see the dates and my weights on the left side (ignore the dates/weight on the right) and my belly in the middle. I pushed to get to 250 lbs by the end of 2012.

The Milestone (October 2012)

On October 12th, 2012, I ran 5 miles in 42 minutes. I had been working towards that goal for over a year. Hitting this goal helped me realize that I could truly do anything that I put my mind to (as cliche as that sounds). I kept running after that (although I haven’t set a running goal since) and I’ve been lifting with my weights at home as well. It’s also worth noting that I passed the “breathing capacity” test and my allergy doctor said he was no longer concerned about my breathing.

The biggest change was that now racquetball and basketball were fun again. I enjoyed playing sports and I actually started craving the competition. I was playing racquetball 3 times a week and basketball once a week and running on the off days. Working out becomes WAY more fun when you’re doing something that you enjoy. I just had to get fit enough to enjoy playing sports again (which I believe is the key to a healthy lifestyle). As much as I wish I loved running so that my sister, Kary, and I could chat running goals all the time, I’d much rather play sports.

Me getting home right after hitting my goal. This was one the greatest days of my life.

Changes

1. I don’t snore anymore
2. No more heartburn (I used to eat tums all the time, but that could also be related to eating out in NY when I was travelling)
3. I don’t get winded going up stairs
4. I love playing with my kids (jumping on the trampoline, chasing them, throwing them around) (This is the best part of being in shape)
5. I don’t have to “hide” my shape, or lack thereof, in loose clothing
6. When I travel, I can actually bend over in my seat and reach my bag that I place under the seat in front of me (I specifically remember not being able to do that)
7. I’m much more relaxed (I don’t get agitated as easily as a I used to)
8. My body craves healthier foods (when you’re exercising, you always sorely regret eating junk food that you can *feel* slowing you down)
9. People can reach their arms around me when they give me hugs
10. I can tie a towel around my waist

Now (July 2013)

We moved out to our new house at the end of May. I’ve switched to being a morning person. Now I’m playing basketball Tues/Thurs/Sat at 5:30am and Tues at 9pm. I lift weights in our garage almost every day and I’ll going running the other days to try to get ready for my half marathon.

When I finally hit 220 lbs, I really focused on eating lightly (salads, nuts, berries, etc) and fasting once or twice a week which amounted to losing 15 lbs in June. On the last day (June 24th), I actually started the day at 226 lbs and wore sweats to the gym, ran for 2 hours, then came home and weighed myself. I only made it to 221 lbs, so I went into the garage, jump roped for about 40 minutes, and was able to sweat off the last pound. It was definitely a “last chance workout” approach, but I figured I was within striking range so I might as well go for it.

Going down a notch on the belt is one of my favorite moments topped only by buying a new belt because the previous one is too big (from 44” to 36”)

I think this picture makes me look skinnier than I actually am, but whatever

What’s next?

I’ll be running in a half-marathon with my sister, Kary, on July 27th. I honestly just want to cross the finish line, because I still have yet to enjoy running. I’m just doing it because I love my sister and I know it will make her happy.

Next, I have three goals I’m going to accomplish by the end of the year. First, I will be able to dunk a basketball. I’m really close now (I can grab the rim), but I figure I need about six more inches on my vertical before it’s a good, solid dunk. Second, I’m going to be able to do 10 pull-ups. I’ve never been able to do pull-ups (nor have I really tried). I can currently do two, so I have a lot of work to do. Last, I will weigh 199 lbs. Not because I care about the scale, but I believe it’s a requirement for goal #1 and #2. Besides, a daily weigh-in is the quickest “gut check” and reminder to keep pushing yourself.

Want some advice?

I have no tricks to share. No magical tips. I’ve lost 90 lbs, but it was at the pace of < 1 lb per week (over about 100 weeks). All I did was follow common sense. Just let your internal conscience of “you shouldn’t eat that” win more often than not and you should be ok.

So if you want to follow my two-step program, pay close attention to this very detailed list:

1. Get started

2. Don’t stop