May 3rd, 2010 - Last blog entry of the challenge! Thursday is and will be judgment day for all of us. This has been an experience for me and I am thankful for everyone involved. In the beginning of this challenge I thought that losing weight was about two things- what you eat and how much you exercise. However, it never crossed my mind that there is a lot more to losing weight than just eating healthy and working out. It’s about your support system and who you associate with that will get you there. In this challenge, the other contestants, trainers, HT and Q100 staff, as well as my family have been a bigger motivator than anything else. What I ate or how much I worked out was hard but, I had people supporting me that gave me the extra push I needed. I found that when you are changing your life as to the way you live you need people to support you. We all have struggles and things in our lives that we must face and I am grateful for this opportunity and everyone that has been there for me along the way. I have said this in the past and I will say it again…there is not one person that was selected for this challenge that is not a WINNER.
This challenge is coming to an end I know that this is a part of my life I will always remember. Without Q100 and Healthy Trim this could not have been possible, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for changing my life. To the Healthy Trim Posse you guys and gals are the greatest. To Idella at Forever Fit…you are the best and thank you for your inspiration. To my family and friends, thank you for being there and to my fiancée Tricia, you are awesome and I can’t wait to marry you!
I hope you are all listening on Thursday morning when Bert announces the final numbers.
April 26th, 2010 - Only one week left for the challenge. WOW!!!! This went by so fast. I just want to say that this has been an experience of a lifetime. I’ve met some wonderful people along the way and every single one of them has been a true inspiration. If it wasn’t for Q100 and Healthe Trim I would still be in the shape I was in before all this happened. I have learned how to lead a healthy lifestyle, make better food choices and realized that you don’t have to starve yourself to lose weight.
I’m by no means skinny and I really don’t want to be… but I know that by my wedding day I will be at a normal weight and no longer considered overweight. It is really awesome to me to see how much other people that hardly know you actually do care. Before the challenge I had a totally different outlook on things. I guess when you start caring about yourself other people do too.
My fiancé and I were driving down the road the other day and she was rubbing my arm and smiling. At first I didn’t think anything of it until she started laughing and when I asked why she was laughing she said I can feel muscles. When we met I was in pretty good shape and worked out… but it has been a long time since you could actually see definition in my arms. Along with the weight lifting and diet I guess this has also been sort of a gift to her as well.
I just want to say that I am grateful for this opportunity and everyone that has helped me along the way. I may not be the biggest loser for this challenge… but I feel like a true winner because I’ve got my life back on track and I now have the knowledge to keep going on my own. This is a chapter in my life that I will never forget. On May 6th I will be weighing-in with 9 other winners and friends who kicked butt for the last 3 months. I hope to continue to update everyone on my progress up to the wedding so if you are interested just look me up on Facebook.
April 19th, 2010 - This week has been great and especially the work-out on Saturday. It is so motivating to get together with the other contestants. We have 18 days left and that should be just enough time to shed a few more pounds. I may not be at my goal weight but, I sure as heck feel better. I was trying to think back to the last time I felt this good and had this much energy. Seriously the last time I felt this good was probably the 4th or 5th grade.
I played sports in high school and didn’t even have this much energy. I literally feel like a 12 year old in a man’s body. One cool thing I also did was look at photos before the challenge and then now…there is a difference for sure. The biggest shocker was looking at a photo and thinking how I let myself get that big. I have taped this photo inside my closet as a reminder of what it is I want out this challenge for myself, which in turn will help the BBA kids.
So, if there is anyone out there that wants to lose weight and needs some motivation, take a photo or use one that someone else took of you. I looked in the mirror every morning before work for years and never once looked at myself the same as I did when I looked at this photo. This picture may change my way of life forever.
Well, until next week. Only a few more days and a lot of work left to do.
April 12th, 2010 - Hey everyone, sorry for not getting my blog up last week. It’s been crazy busy the past three weeks. The closer it gets to the final weigh-in the closer it is getting for my wedding too. My fiance Tricia and I are buying our first home and that is the really stressing me.
We got the final approval today, which was a huge monkey off my back and I look forward to getting back to a semi-normal routine.
As far as the challenge goes I’m still pushing to lose more weight and earn some cash for the BBA kids. Healthy Trim still hasn’t let me down when it comes to energy and it has really helped me power through workouts and everyday life in general. Just to give you an example on how much energy I have now...on Saturday I got up around 7:00 am went and did a 4K with the Healthy Trim posse, which was awesome. Not only did the HT Posse kick butt...but everyone finished. Idella from Forever Fit did the warm-up before the race and as always motivated everyone involved. After the race I worked at the office for a few hours and then went to the Thrashers game. So, before I finally crashed I was going non-stop for 17 hours. After taking HT for the last couple months I am a believer that this stuff works. To be completely honest HT is literally something that people that are already “High School Skinny” should take as well...especially if energy or focus is something you lack.
So, there is only a couple weeks left and then the finale! I must say I will most likely not reach my 80 pound goal by May 4th but, I have no doubt that by my wedding I will be there. I tend to get down on myself because I haven’t met my specific goal and this is more or less making me feel like I’m letting the kids with BBA down. Then I start to think about how much I have already lost and realize that I have lost a ton of weight over a short amount of time. Heck, it took me 10 years to gain what I’ve lost in three months and to me that is awesome. I’m wearing things now that fit like spandex 3 months ago. I am nervous and excited about the final weigh-in that is going to be here soon.
Check out my blog next week also. I hope to have a huge update for everyone!
March 29th, 2010 - Well it is almost April and I am still loving the HT. It feels like yesterday that we started this challenge and to be completely honest I can say my life has changed dramatically. I’m going to keep this week’s blog short and sweet.
I have one more month to kick butt and lose a lot more weight. I have made an additional commitment to myself that for the remainder of this challenge I am going to work out every day and do my morning push-ups and sit-ups. I can notice that my clothes are fitting better and actually some of them I can’t wear any longer. By the time this 30 days is over I am going to be exactly where I want to be. There is nothing holding me back and the finish line is right around the corner. Also…Good job Jay on the HUGE weight-loss…I’m gonna try and catch you man! Thanks for the motivation from everyone this weekend at the gym. I really needed it.
I was watching a documentary the other night called “Killer at Large, Why Obesity is America’s Greatest Threat”. This was a real eye opener to me as far as what types of food choices we make and how the food industry is keeping us fat. I don’t want to get on a soap box here or play the blame game because… I think we all have an individual responsibility when it comes to what we eat and how much, but there were some really shocking things that never crossed my mind before now. One for example is that the USDA requires public schools to serve an approved lunch that must consist of at least 650 calories…you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know it’s impossible to squeeze that many calories out of a healthy lunch. They were also showing how food companies have what they call a NAG factor, which translates to how much a child nags their parents for something in the grocery store based on the advertisements they’ve seen on TV…I’m mean really!!!! The worst was an interview with a middle school P.E. Teacher who said that he has to actually teach his students how to “RUN” correctly due to this never being a part of their daily life. I really recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see what the food industry is doing to sell cheaper, higher calorie foods that are literally killing us. If you want to see the difference just go on a diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, dairy, and meat. It is a lot more expensive to eat healthy…but I’m willing to take on that added expense. Talk to ya next week.
March 22nd, 2010 - My weekly update is I’m down 38 pounds. I was hoping to be down a lot more by now but, I have to say it’s been really easy up to this point.
I have noticed that I’m not losing as much weight as I was in the beginning. However, I’m not letting that get to me. This is a lifelong change and not one that can happen overnight. I am hopeful that by the final weigh-in I will be where I want to be. It’s really hard to believe that early February was 300 pounds.
Even though I’m not officially at a healthy weight I feel better and have been able to wear things that weren’t possible before. Before all of this started I was virtually a hermit Monday through Friday by confining myself to my bedroom with movies, video games and food. All of that has changed and my schedule is literally packed all week long with workouts and other things.
I’ve realized that my weight before really kept me shut in from reality, which until now I didn’t even notice. When I think about my life before I really only left the house to eat or drink. I was a prisoner to food and I was on death row. If my life had continued in the same direction there is no way it could have ended up with a positive result.
I was watching a documentary the other night called “Killer at Large, Why Obesity is America’s Greatest Threat”. This was a real eye opener to me as far as what types of food choices we make and how the food industry is keeping us fat. I don’t want to get on a soap box here or play the blame game because… I think we all have an individual responsibility when it comes to what we eat and how much, but there were some really shocking things that never crossed my mind before now. One for example is that the USDA requires public schools to serve an approved lunch that must consist of at least 650 calories…you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know it’s impossible to squeeze that many calories out of a healthy lunch. They were also showing how food companies have what they call a NAG factor, which translates to how much a child nags their parents for something in the grocery store based on the advertisements they’ve seen on TV…I’m mean really!!!! The worst was an interview with a middle school P.E. Teacher who said that he has to actually teach his students how to “RUN” correctly due to this never being a part of their daily life. I really recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see what the food industry is doing to sell cheaper, higher calorie foods that are literally killing us. If you want to see the difference just go on a diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, dairy, and meat. It is a lot more expensive to eat healthy…but I’m willing to take on that added expense. Talk to ya next week.
Mar 8th, 2010 - This week was incredible and despite all of the other things I have going on like preparing for a wedding, buying a house, and just working I am still doing great when it comes to watching what I put in my mouth. I'm still working out on a regular schedule and have just began to realize that what was extremely hard in the beginning is getting easier, which means I need to be pushing myself harder in the gym and that is just what Monique at Forever Fit did this weekend....I'm not sure if any of the other contestants noticed but, I think the trainers were just trying to size us all up the first couple workouts. I can say they figured out how to make every muscle in my body hurt now for sure. I didn't realize how many muscles the human body actually used to shampoo hair. Seriously, my arms feel like they have a stomach ache and my legs feel like Jello. Even though I've been sore from the intense workout on Saturday, which didn't really unleash its full fury until 48 hours later...I have managed to keep up with my own workout schedule.
Something amazing occurred this weekend, which I am still excited about. I noticed the pair of jeans my fiance gave me last year hanging in my closet (price tag still on) that wouldn't go on if I had a jar of Crisco and a wench...so I gave them a shot and to my surprise they fit like a glove. I'm glad they did because my old jeans were falling off without a belt. I still haven't figured out whats worse...a small rear in baggy jeans or a baggy rear in tight jeans. To date I have lost 3 inches in my waist, which to me that is just as good as losing 10 pounds. So to those out there on the fence about buying HT...this will make you feel better and look better no questions asked.
Just to keep everyone up to date I've lost 30 pounds and literally earned $1,500.00 towards Bert's Big Adventure. I'm still on track to meet my goal of 80 pounds by May, which would make me not only High School skinny but, Middle School skinny.
Mar 1st, 2010 - It’s March and the end of one month on Healthé Trim and all I have to say is that I am pleasantly surprised so far. In one month I have lost 28 pounds and totally changed my lifestyle. In some ways I look at this as an intervention… you know, kind of like the TV shows you see where an alcoholic or drug addict finally accepts the fact they have a problem and makes the commitment to change. At first it was hard to admit I had a problem or even consider that I was my own worst enemy.
I am still 60 pounds from my goal weight, but what used to seem like an unobtainable goal is now within my sights. I have had my intervention and have accepted my problem. I’m taking this challenge one day at a time as I move closer to the final weigh-in. So, let’s just say I’ve been clean since Feb. 3rd 2010! I am making a promise to Matthew Dwyer, Q100 and all the BBA Kids that I will not fail.
I want to thank Matthew Dwyer, Q100, the trainers at Forever Fit, Donna D, especially Tricia my fiancé and all the other supporters I have out there. All of you are really making this a great experience that I will never forget. I have really been taken back at how many people actually do care and want to see me succeed. THANK YOU ALL!
Feb 22nd, 2010 - Time for another blog entry already! WOW… what a week. This Saturday myself and five other contestants met with Matthew Dwyer, Idella and Monique at Forever Fit in Buckhead for a tremendous workout. Despite being sick with a cold I still managed to make it to the gym as promised, which I’m glad I did. Idella and the staff at Forever Fit were not only great trainers but, they were awesome motivators. I hate that not all the contestants could make it…we really had a blast.
After being with everyone on Saturday and reflecting on my ride home I could really see the desire and determination in everyone…there was no complaining or dropping out during our workout. Everyone was challenged and we all succeeded. It really feels good to know that we are all in this together and that it’s not only about what we do personally but, what we do as a team. One person losing 50-80 pounds doesn’t cut it for BBA or HT. It is going to take an overall group effort to make this happen. At the end of the day I have to know that I gave it my all and left nothing on the table (no pun intended) and as long as I do that I know for a fact I'm doing my part for this challenge.
Within the first three weeks I have learned a lot about myself and what I’m actually capable of doing. I know that I can’t run 10 miles today…but I know that I will eventually. It’s no longer about what I CAN"T do…but what I'm striving to do. The end of this challenge will come before we know it but, it’s about what I start doing now for the rest of my life that matters.
A wise man (not really he’s my brother-in-law and just thinks he’s a wise man) once told me when I asked, “Does this shirt make me look FAT?” in response he said, “NO! The FAT makes you look FAT”. So, the moral is we can try to cover up our problems and see them as something else or we can face our problems head-on and do something about them.
I’m on the other side of the fence doing something about'em.
Thanks for reading!
Feb 15th, 2010 - Hi everyone! The second week has been really great. I almost feel like I’ve turned into a new person overnight. Even though it has been just 12 days since I started taking Healthe Trim, I can already notice that my pants and shirts are fitting better. I took my fiancé on a Valentine’s Day dinner and wore a jacket that I haven’t put on in a long time, and that really made my day. I really want to tell everyone how much I’ve lost so far, but I think I am going to keep it a secret until the end. As far as energy goes, I’m no longer hitting the snooze on my alarm clock and actually start my day 2 hours before I have to be at work instead of scrambling to get there on time.
Last week I incorporated all high protein into my diet, which if you have ever done this you know that it really drops your energy level. Not with Healthe Trim. The HT keeps me alert and focused and the protein goes to work on burning the fat. It has been two weeks and still not a drop of caffeine and I haven’t even had a craving. So far the hardest part of this challenge has been trying to sit still! The gym used to be a place that I hated to see and would come up with every excuse to avoid. I’ve spent more time in the gym the past two weeks than I ever have and I look forward to going every day. I am thinking by the final weigh-in at Q100 they may not even know who I am.
Again, thanks to everyone for helping and encouraging me.
Feb 8th, 2010 - Well, it’s almost been one week since the first weigh-in and I feel incredible. I have noticed a huge surge in my energy levels and haven’t missed a day at the gym yet….I actually worked out twice yesterday. Before the contest started I was drinking at least 5-6 cups of coffee a day but, not one since last Tuesday. The cravings that I’ve had on previous attempts to lose weight are non-existent…I don’t even have the urge to cheat on eating healthy. I’ve cut all the sugar out of my diet, as well as caffeine and starchy foods. Normally I would have already planned my first cheat day and what bad foods I would be looking forward to eating. I don’t even crave those foods much less want to eat them now! I was worried I would get the normal caffeine headaches, which never came.
I’m very thankful to have such a tremendous support system from friends and family who believe I can do this even more than I do myself. I have a long way to go before reaching my goal but so far Healthe Trim has been as good if not better than having my own personal trainer.
<BACK TO HEALTHE TRIM CHALLENGE>