Yes, that was me all the way on the right.  This was when I was in college, about to finish seminary studies and ready to teach.  This is something that not many people know, but I used to weigh almost three hundred pounds. The highest weight I reached was 298lbs with a size 50 waist that I squeezed into. I was unhealthy and never watched what I ate or took part in physical activity outside of grading test papers. I realized one day as I was attempting to walk up to the second floor of the school with my students that I could not make the complete trip without having to stop on the stairs a few times to catch my breath. I was always sweating and could barely catch my breath when I would walk. The portions I would eat were ridiculous and I drank soda like it was giving me life.  Clothing never fit and were always purchased from big and tall specialty clothes shops…and not because I was tall!

Then I had a moment of realization that I needed to change, and so I did. Instantly, overnight, I decided to cut back on portion sizes and remove the soda from my diet. I started to walk which led to light jogs and then to running. I started out on a treadmill and then progressed to the street for my runs. I began to enjoy exercising and within the course of one year I lost over one hundred pounds. I continued to lose weight as I expanded exercise to include racquetball and cycling. I went from a size 50 waist to my current 35 waist, and a neck size of 19 to my current 16 1/2. Today I am running marathons where before I could barely walk.

The transition began almost 11 years ago and I would consider the transition a success. Weight loss and body changes of this magnitude present other challenges that I continue to address, but feel that, with the continued support of my family, friends, and most importantly my partner T, I will progress even further. After all, it was T’s influence that motivated me to run my first marathon and it was his guidance that accompanied my training. Now we run together.

I remember the very first time I bought clothes right off the rack from The Gap.  It was the first purchase made without having to be embarrassed or disappointed in myself for having ballooned to the weight I carried.  I walked in the store with a friend, took some pants and walked into the dressing room.  They fit!  And they still do today…and so it began, a new outlook on life and a motivation and desire to look and feel my best.

When I look around and see young people struggling with obesity, I often catch a glimpse of my past and take pride in who I am today and the things I have been able to accomplish. I look back on those days when I was unhealthy and could barely fit into my clothing and say to myself “never again.”