So now that I’ve started again, I need to set the stage for the starting line. Back in 2017 when I first made the decision to start this blog and keep a record of my journey to a healthier life, I was just over 320 lbs. I had just come out of trying the Keto Diet and phentermine pills but the side effects of the Keto Diet (the “Keto Flu”) were horrible which made it clear that that path was not for me and was feeling very defeated because I was at my all time highest weight. I made a choice to hire a personal trainer and start working out regularly, but didn’t really change much of my eating habits. Yeah I did eat better but nothing too different from what I was used to. Working out worked, the weight was coming off, the fat was melting away and I could see my body changing. It was great, exhilarating. But too much of a good thing is not really that good. It took over my life; my day revolved around my “workout” time and everything else was not as important. It was too much, I was burnt out and hence I could not keep up that lifestyle. I stopped to take a “break” and that break became permanent.
Now I’ve reached the same weight I was back in 2017 (320+) but this time around, the weight distributed differently in my body. I don’t know if it’s that I’m just getting older or what, but I’ve never had this big of a belly. The breaking point came earlier this year when I went to a convention in Las Vegas and saw pictures of myself afterwards. OMG! I was so embarrassed and couldn’t believe I had gotten to this point AGAIN!
Below are said pics – Can’t believe I’m sharing these publicly.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had an excellent time at the convention and I thought I looked cute and stylish and came back home with lots of new ideas for our business but after seeing these, it was like a bubble bursting. I thought to myself that people wouldn’t take me seriously looking the way that I do. People tend to judge fat people, I’ve fought against that my entire adult life and I know that it’s not always true but still can’t help thinking about it. Now that I am a business owner, of a design business of all things, having a good appearance is an asset that I unfortunately can’t take advantage of. Thankfully my partner makes up for any deficits on my part.
So here we go; moment of truth. Weighing myself and taking measurements was an even bigger eye opener than the pictures but since picture are worth a thousand words you can see below how bad it’s been.
| Starting Weight: 10/28/2019 | 324 lbs |
| Chest | 50.5 in |
| Waist (@ bellybutton) | 53 in |
| Hips | 53 in |
| R. Thigh | 31 in |
| L. Thigh | 31 in |
| R. Bicep | 17.5 in |
| L. Bicep | 17 in |
| Neck | 18 in |
| R. Calf | 19 in |
| L. Calf | 19.5 in |
Below are pics showing the changes from Nov 2017 to April 2019 and then to now.
Crazy how months of hard work can just go down the drain so easily. This time around I don’t plan to make the same mistakes. I’m optimistic that in a year from now I’ll still be on this journey and writing about the ups and downs but living healthier and happier.
I’ll be updating my progress on a weekly basis here and adding pictures as we move forward here. Any comments are welcomed!
Hope you stick around.
Until next time! – Luis