Since last July I started to think about getting back into shape after I lost the progress that I had made. During our engagement and leading up to the wedding I got down to 275/280 pounds and was really happy with the result. However, I kind of stopped focusing on hitting the gym frequently, I started to eat out more frequently and not caring about eating healthy meals. I got back up to 305 and thought that enough was enough. I needed to get down because every time I went to Zara’s even the XXL shirts didn’t fit me and they didn’t have any bigger sizes.
So what did I need to do? Back in HS I cut 100 lbs and got into great shape. I know what your supposed to do and how to do it but needed to get refocused and make my goals. I know its best to start with small steps and so I set interval goals. First I would try to get down to 300 (I know…only 5 lbs but a start is a start), then 290, then 275, then 250, and then 225. I needed to incorporate active hobbies like tennis, running, and hitting the the gym more frequently. In addition, I needed to measure my food and log it down so I can see what I was truly eating that day. Lastly, I needed to add mind-fullness activities to keep me engaged and relaxed through out the process so I told myself I was going to attend a yoga class, meditate, journal, and stretch.
Well it sounds like a lot, but slowly and surely I started to add these routines to my day. Starting off with just getting to the gym. I started my workouts with lifting (3x a week) and then doing 30 minute cardio sessions. At first it was difficult, I didn’t want to come back but I had to keep thinking about my goal and how I wanted to look and the reward of wearing that L shirt from Zara. So I kept at it. I also started to cook more at home with my wife (which not only is healthy but also saves money). We started to bulk buy ingredients and the meat at Costco that way we had no excuse to eat out. We started to make salads for our lunches whether it was a steak, chicken, or shrimp salad. Then the biggest part was making our own dressing like olive oil with red wine vinegar, or just adding a bit of balsamic, or my wife would sometimes make us homemade ranch. I also started to make our salads more interesting by adding sunflower seeds, items with fiber, or unique ingredients like chickpeas or broccoli sprouts.
Another huge item for me was not drinking. Not just for empty calories but also helped cut on excess sugar and spending. Im telling you it was a game changer for me and let me be clear I never really had an issue with alcohol but from a health perspective and a more focused mind it definitely helped me. There would be times that we would go out to drink and even though I wasn’t that hungry it sounded good to order some totchos, or get an extra taco, or get another appetizer. All those calories added up and especially since it was late at night. Not only that but I also sleep much much better now and I never feel bloated and never spend my Saturday or Sundays morning hungover. Instead I wake up energized and ready to hit the gym on the weekend. I know that for a lot of us alcohol is just so normalized for friend gatherings, work functions, or social events but trust me its easy to find workarounds. A lot of places offer mock-cocktails now and usually if you don’t make it seems so obvious that you’re not drinking nobody really bothers you.
Lastly I really just changed my lifestyle for one that focuses on me and my health. I prioritize myself and do things that I enjoy and I am continuing to build the better me. I recently picked up pickle ball and it is such a fun and competitive sport. I also played tennis in HS and I missed it a lot so I started playing every week. I also picked up running because it builds endurance. I started off with just a half mile and have worked myself up to 5-6 miles every 2-3 days now. I want to make sure that if I have to run away from something I can easily do it. I love to be challenged and break my comfort level and these actives help me with that. The other ones are to get me in a higher level of state and focus. For example, I journal once a week to reflect on my progress and to look back at decisions or obstacles I’ve faced. I also think it would be a cool thing to look back at it in 3-10 years from now to see how I’ve grown as a person. I also meditate each morning for about 15 mins which incorporates my stretching. This really zones in on my breathing and my ability to let go and just be in nothingness. It helps me read my body and also understand different perspectives. Its very soothing and I highly recommend it to everyone.
You might be reading this and be like well this guy is a little full of himself, but honestly my confidence, motivation, and drive is at another level now. I don’t speak of it to make it seem like Im doing it all right, but I tell my story so you can see how I’ve benefited from making these changes. I was always comfortable, but in reality I was too scared to change and make a plan of attack. Years were going by and I was happy with who I was and where I was at, even though I always wanted more. Now I feel like if I continue this I will be unstoppable. My goal is to do a half marathon, but it used to be to run a mile, then a 5k, and then a 10K it’s wild to see you keep pushing the goal out to make it harder once you crust the first step. I just want to share my story so others feel motivated to make a simple change in their life because I assure you, you won’t regret it. I went from 305 since last June/July to now 245. I went from a XXL to a L now. My blood pressure with from a 140/85 to 120/76, I still have 20ish pounds to go and another shirt size but slowly and surely I’ll get there.
This is a food blog so I shared some of the healthy meals Ive made over the last 8 months that I enjoy and are macro friendly. Also I used MyFitness to track all my food. Again I hope you enjoyed reading this story about my recent healthy journey and hope you find some items that you can incorporate into your life if you are looking to making a change.