Hello everyone,
I'm new to the site, and a little apprehensive about posting an introduction, but I figure if I'm going to be serious about this, I should be proactive and get involved with the dialogue.
As I have geared up to change my life, I just happened across the site by accident last week. After reading a few of the discussions, I realized how special the site was and decided to register. I'm definitely loving the positive and supportive vibe of so many people who are working toward the same goal as me.
So...a little about me...I'm a 33 year old man who has been living in Chicago for the last five years. I'm a shade over 6-foot-3 and weigh 319 pounds. It's crazy to actually write that, as six years ago I was living a very active outdoor lifestyle in Florida and tipping the scale at a very healthy 220 pounds.
And that 100-pound gain is a big part of my story. I am a writer, and about six years ago I landed a fairly prestigious job in my field. Unfortunately, it also came with a staggering increase in both stress and travel - two things I wasn't immediately prepared for. After my first year, I had gained almost 30 pounds, and I was well on my way to falling out of good health. One year after taking the job, I moved to Chicago to be closer to family, not realizing how the weather would impact my motivation to stay fit. And over the next five years, I gradually fell into the state that I am in now.
Ironically, six years later I have mastered my job and become comfortable in my new city. Now the only thing that is causing me stress on a daily basis is my weight. And it has recently gotten so bothersome that I have begun to have dreams about it.
I write that with some hesitation, because I know my current state isn't anything unique. I know there are many people with families and jobs and other mixtures of stress and responsibility that have led to major weight gains. I don't want to be the guy who is all "woe-is-me".
Don't get me wrong...I have my bad days. I have good friends who I have literally avoided for years because I am too ashamed to let them see me in my current state. I can remember all of the shocked looks from family who couldn't help but notice my health deteriorating. I have retreated socially in a lot of ways because of my weight...and I even have a fairly laughable social networking account that hasn't had the pictures updated in years because of how I've let myself go. And...oddly enough...the people who read this will be the first ones I have admitted all of this to.
But that's also what has me feeling positive about what I'm about to embark upon. I'm ready to put one foot in front of the other and move forward. Like many other people who have posted here, I'm tired of being tired...tired of feeling down about my health...and simply ready to make a life change.
I'm inspired by a lot of the stories I see here, and encouraged by many of the voices that play a prominent role on the site. I feel a lot of positive energy from many of the people here, and can sense a great deal of collective willpower. And I can only hope that some time from now, I can make that same impression on someone who happens upon the site.
Until then...glad to be here, ready to make changes, and hopeful for the days ahead.
Ready to finally get serious
