My Weight Loss Journey: Finding Health, Hope, and Happiness Again

I have never been a large person at 6' 4" tall, but starting in 2018, I found myself struggling with keeping the weight off. My journey with health and weight isn’t one of overnight success or quick fixes—it’s been a long path with ups and downs, challenges, and lessons learned.

Back in 2012, I went all in on my health. I was determined to make a change and shed the extra pounds I had gained over the years. I dropped from 235 pounds down to 195, which was even less than I weighed at my high school graduation. I felt energized, proud, and hopeful about the road ahead. But life has a way of throwing curveballs.

By 2018, stress had crept in, mostly related to my mom’s failing health. I found myself turning to food in ways I hadn’t before. I share many good traits from my mom but the love for food trait was a pattern that I have as well. Her passing left an emptiness that I struggled to fill, and my self-care took a back seat. My blood pressure climbed higher, and medications piled up—up to 100 mg of Losartan every day. My liver was starting to deteriorate, and I felt the weight of stress not just emotionally but physically as well. My dad moved near me, and with that came more responsibility and stress, making sure he felt included in our family’s life with the grandkids.

Then came Covid. The weight crept on more steadily, sometimes up, sometimes down—but always a battle. Between 2020 and 2023, I underwent nine surgeries—five hernia repairs, an appendectomy due to scar tissue, gallbladder removal, sinus reconstruction, and finally, a left hip replacement. Each surgery took its toll, yet life marched on.

In August 2023, when my dad passed away, I had reached my heaviest weight ever at 252 pounds. I was in a dark place mentally and physically. The grief and depression were heavy burdens to bear, and my diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease only added to my concerns. I felt awful on family trips, swelling painfully by the end of each day.

Then, something shifted. By last fall, I knew I had to make a change. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t jump into things lightly—I commit fully when I’m ready. That readiness came just when my friend Cari, a health coach, posted that she was looking for people who met certain criteria. I met every one of them. After an eye-opening phone call with her, I decided to go all in. Even though it was the most difficult time of year—Christmas—I didn’t waver. The pounds started peeling off quickly.

Today, I’m back to a weight I’m proud of—217 pounds—and I’m aiming to lose a bit more. But more importantly, I feel amazing. The inflammation that once weighed me down is gone, my energy has returned, and last month’s annual physical showed something I hadn’t seen in seven years: normal numbers and a “happy” liver, according to my doctor. I even bought a new bike to get back on it again.

I’m not a health guru; far from it. But I understand what it means to make a choice that truly changes your life. If you’re reading this and want to shed some pounds, reach out to me. I can’t capture everything in a text message, but I’d be happy to call you and introduce you to Cari, my health coach. I promise you will see the pounds fall off—some even in the first week. Your family will thank you, and most importantly, you will rediscover the person you see in the mirror each morning and actually who you see.

Honestly, this might sound like a sales pitch, but it isn’t. If I can do this, so can you. I’ve had friends join me on this journey, and they’re already seeing results. And for those curious, men, there are perks you might not expect—I’ll just leave that thought with you.

This journey is about more than just losing weight. It’s about reclaiming my health, my happiness, and my life. And if you’re ready, I’d love to support you in finding the same.