Helping others have what I now have

I met with a man last evening who wanted to hear about my weight loss and how I did it. We talked for an hour and a half with great passion and excitement about the enormous positive changes in my life from simply focusing on better nutrition.

This caused me to reflect on what a privilege it is to share in the struggles others are facing with weight issues and all the health concerns that come from being overweight. I am confident that the experience I have and the path I have taken has equipped me to help others feel better physically and emotionally, achieve better health, enhance the quality and enjoyment of life and even save money.

Since I have lost weight I feel incredible! I can walk up my stairs again. Go for walks with my wife and kids. Stand and have a conversation with someone without having to lean on something. Clean the house. Take out the trash. Carry my sleeping child up the stairs to bed. Enjoy the beautiful weather outside. Go to the driving range and hit a bucket of balls. I fit in an airline seat.

I no longer take medication for diabetes, no testing my blood 4 times a day, no injections in my tummy several times a day, no pills to take all day...nothing! I have held off the terrible consequences that we hear about with diabetes that we think or hope never happens to us but does (even though I flirted with the wort consequences). My mind is sharper, my thinking is more clear. My energy is through the roof! I sleep better. I snore much less which makes it nicer for my wife.

I spend less on food but eat better quality, better tasting food. I spend less by not taking all those pharmaceuticals. I spend less on doctors appointments. I spend less on clothes.

My wife doesn't constantly worry that she will be left to raise our kids alone. My kids are confident that dad will be their dad for a long time. My family does not constantly worry about what to do to help raise my kids if I were to suddenly pass away. Classmates no longer tease my kids about their dad's size.

I am on a mission to help others share in the euphoria of a new and more joyful life. Tell someone you know and love to contact me and I will do all I can to encourage, counsel and coach them. It has to come from within the individual but there is someone out here that cares about their life.

Benefits of the weight loss - 2nd edition

What do you think of when you see someone really overweight? I have always had to overcome negative first impressions, assumptions people make when they see someone really heavy. Honestly ask yourself when you see someone overweight, what are my assumptions? Lazy, unorganized, slow, undisciplined, maybe even worse?

Professionally I have always had to overcome those perceptions (right or wrong in their assumptions) before I could sell myself or my message. That is a pretty tough place to start from. Now I find that people who do not know me are not distracted from my message by my appearance. Those that do know me have greater confidence in what I have to say or contribute.

More companies want to hire me now, more people want to buy from me now and more people listen to my ideas without distraction now. It is a powerful new position to be in. If you are struggling with the negative perceptions of being overweight, you can overcome them. Your ideas can be heard. Your individualism can be recognized. Your unique value can be realized. Don't give up or give in, if you are having trouble overcoming struggles with your weight, contact me and I will help you overcome your obstacles the way I overcame mine.

It is amazing when people see who you are, opportunities reveal themselves professionally and personally. It feels wonderful to be heard.

Random ways my life has changed

I can sit anywhere at a restaurant, I do not have to ask specifically for a table with chairs because I do not fit in a booth.

I can go for a walk with my kids without it being painful and difficult.

I can buy a suit at Brooks Brothers instead of a polyester one from the Big & Tall store.

I can wear clothes I picked up at Old Navy or Costco instead of the ONE Big & Tall clothing chain in the region.

Seat belts in any car can fit me now. I had gotten tickets for my seat belts not being able to latch in the past. The police would tell me to custom make an extension so it would reach.

I can fly in an airplane without the person sitting next to me dreading the flight when they see who they are going to sit next to.

I no longer need to ask a flight attendant for a seat belt extension.

I won't break the seats in my car or van any more. I have broken a few car seats from the back falling off to the mechanism not longer being able to adjust the seat position.

Folding chairs at church or school no longer worry me, I have had more than 1 collapse on me.

I can sit in a lawn chair now.

My boss no longer makes me sit ONLY in the "special" reinforced office chair that was purchased just for me.

I can cross my legs.

The rewards so far.

A walk with my wife is romantic, not something that is difficult, uncomfortable, hard work or a distraction from connecting with the one I love so dearly.

No more hurtful words from my kids classmates about their dad, a renewed and stronger pride in their father.

The energy to go as a family to the zoo, the monuments, museums, fairs, amusement parks, fishing, school activities, community events.....the sky is the limit.

No more physical pain at the end of the day, or the beginning of the day for that matter.

Much more energy to do my job and maintain the confidence of my employers and peers.

More confidence.

Being able to provide my son with guidance and encouragement he needs to achieve the same freedoms.

The ability to buy a beautiful suit from Brooks Brothers for the same cost as a not so beautiful polyester suit from the Big & Tall shop. I always wanted to dress much nicer than I could.

My wife can shop at Old Navy for fun clothes as gifts. It is great that she gets so much joy from something so simple.