September 21 Weight: 219 pounds Total Loss: 103 pounds
Today I was at 219 pounds. My workouts are now very intense. Yet, after all of this time, I still can't wait to get into the gym. It's been a year since I passed through the doors at the Boston Sports Clubs, but definitely a year full of wellness and an education on living a better life.
One year ago, I weighed 322 pounds. I had high blood pressure, diabetes, and was in terrible shape. I was on medication to control my diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and even Viagra to control other problems I was having. All of these conditions were caused by my extremely heavy weight. I had gotten so fat and disgusted with myself that I had completely given up of trying to lose weight on my own. I looked to gastric bypass surgery as my only hope.
You know, I never considered any of the risks of having surgery. Not even the possibility of dying on the operating table was enough to change my mind. That's pretty bad when dying is an option and it wasn't enough to get me to change my lifestyle. I had read that after the surgery, my life would never be the same, so I went on an eating binge. I let the Boston Herald cover my story. I surprised when the doctor refused to do the surgery until I lost at least 40 pounds and changed my ways. I remember saying to myself, "How bad is it that this guy doesn't even want to operate on me?" I left feeling even more disgusted with myself and a bit ashamed as well.
It was that night that the Boston Sports Clubs called and said they wanted to help. To be perfectly honest, I never even thought to give the gym a chance. I went in saw the place and felt very intimidated. I thought it wasn't going to be easy being "the fat guy" in the gym. Then I was introduced to my Personal Trainer, Jed Cronin. I looked at Jed, full of muscles, and I remember saying, "Buddy, I need to get something straight here. I'm not looking to look like you, I just don't want to look like this anymore!" I remember him smiling, and saying he'll help me out. Now a year later I can say this - the gym is not a place just for muscular people - it's a place for anyone looking to improve themselves and live a healthy lifestyle. Another thing that this past year has taught me is that I do want to be more like Jed, and using the techniques that he has taught, I know that this is obtainable.
My birthday was September 20th. My wife Kristin kept asking me what I wanted. I told her that I already got what I always wanted and that's a second chance at life. My wife and Boston Sports Clubs have given this to me. They have also given me the tools and knowledge to continue to live this way. It is up to me to continue to use them.
A year ago my waistline was 54 inches, my neck was 22 inches, my blood sugar levels were in the 200's, my cholesterol was over 300, and my blood pressure was constantly high. Now with a proper exercise program and a few changes to my diet, I now have a 38-inch waist, a 17-inch neck, my blood sugar level is in the 80's, my cholesterol is 161, and my blood pressure is right where it's supposed to be. I no longer take any medications. That about that, that's huge.
All of this is because the Boston Sports Clubs showed me a better way to live my life. Jed Cronin and the team of BSC Personal Trainers kept filling me up with positive energy and helped me to develop a much better self-image of myself. There are many free classes that the BSC offers too. Every one of them is geared to pumping up the members and teaching them very effective workout routines.
Read my blog for the past year and you can see exactly what I went through. It wasn't always easy, but I had great support behind me. Every person needs to find out what motivates them use that to their advantage when working out. You need to be determined and never allow yourself to quit. And never be afraid to ask for help. I tell everyone that if I can do, you can do it! Thank you very much Boston Sports Clubs!
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