Growing up, I always thought of myself as a pretty healthy kid. With each doctor visit, the family physician would announce my good bill of health. It became such a common occurrence that I just expected it.
Of course, I can't take all the credit. My mother, who was known for her healthy meals, made sure that we ate a balanced diet. There were always colorful vegetables, lean meats, and complex carbohydrates. As a kid, I didn't like it, but have since learned to appreciate her investment in my overall health.
It Began Here...
I was around 17 or 18 when I first realized that I was gaining weight. By this time, I had moved out of my mothers house and began eating whatever I wanted. I had a preference for noodles, hamburger, cheese, pizza, chips, and ice cream. When I got into college, I had my fair share of Chinese food, too.
At first, the weight didn't bother me. That was until it affected my speed on the track field and bumped me up to the unlimited class in wrestling. I wasn't ready for that kind of change.
Over the next 15-20 years, I wrestled with managing a healthy weight. Each year, I would promise myself that this was the year I'd lose weight, gain muscle, or get a six pack set of abs. I went from 180 lbs all the way up to 280 lbs at my highest point.
In my mind, I kept telling myself that I wasn't that bad. I had muscles and they weighed more than fat.
I was in denial.
While I may not have been "obese," at least that's how I described it, I was definitely not in shape. I did not have the body that I wanted.
The Bad News...Dum...Dum...Dum
A few years ago, while visiting the doctor, I was first alerted to my pre-hypertension state. It began with headaches. I thought that the headaches were related to allergies, so I started taking over-the-counter medication for it and cleaning my sinuses with a Neti Pot. None of it worked.
After a visit to the doctor, he explained that my blood pressure was higher than normal and needed to be watched. He gave me some tips on how I could lower my numbers and I successfully brought it back down.
Unfortunately, I let myself go again and it went back into the pre-hypertension phase. This time, I couldn't lower the number. I took out the salt from my diet, started working out again, and just made an attempt to do better. Nothing worked. So, the good doctor put me on Lisinopril, a blood pressure medication.
My question to the doctor was, how long do I have to be on these things? He responded that it depends on me. Either my genetics will determine that answer or my lifestyle.
With high blood pressure comes increased risk for heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, and any number of ailments. None of which I wanted anything to do with.
Enough Is Enough!
In my mind, I knew that I could lose the weight. If genetics was not against me, I promised myself that I would do what it takes to get off these pills and get back to my best self. At the time, I probably weighed somewhere between 245-253 lbs.
In the past, I had successfully dropped nearly 30 pounds just by eating differently and doing cardio. I knew that I could do it.
Slowly, I worked my weight down to about the mid-230's, with an occasional dip that wouldn't last. I knew that I had to raise the bar if I was ever going to break the plateau. Enter
Kris Gethin and the 12 week transformation.
"Follow the leadership!" That's the message that brought me to Kris Gethin's digital door. If I wanted what he and others had, a nice body, then I needed to do what those people are doing. In other words, follow the leadership.
While I knew enough to lose 40+ pounds, I wanted to totally transform my body.
As I write this, I am really only three weeks in to a twelve week program. However, I can say that I have some great news to report. First, through this program, I have finally reached 226 lbs on the scale. Do you know how long it has been since I've seen 226 pounds? I would say well over a decade.
Second, and this is huge, my blood pressure has been registering NORMAL for the past few weeks. That is a win in my book. While it may be a bit premature to announce that I'm able to get off the blood pressure medication, I can say that this program has helped me reduce my numbers into a healthy range. For that, I am extremely thankful and inspired. If I can get down to 226 lbs and earn a normal blood pressure, which I did, I know that even more awesome things are in store.
With that being written, I would like to thank Kris for his leadership. It is because of his
12 week video training program that I have a deeper understanding for nutrition, supplements, and physical training. Not only that, but he has helped me see how one can overcome objections (no time, too many meetings, travel too much, etc.). If you're a leader, you'll find a way.
Along with Kris, I would also like to thank YOU for supporting me. For every compliment, encouragement, share, and like, I know that you are out there rooting for me. However, I think it's also important to note that if I can do it, so can YOU. If you're tired of doing the same thing and getting the same results, step out on faith and get involved. Find a leader that has what you want and do what they do. It won't always be easy and you won't always feel like doing it, but in the end it'll be worth it. Trust me!
So, that's it, guys. I wanted to take a moment and share my story with you. If you're interested in doing what I'm doing, make sure you visit
Kris Gethin's program. If he's not for you, there are plenty of other trainers who are available to help you (at no cost).
Remember, you're not in this thing alone. We're in this together! So, get up, get out, and do something. Don't let another minute pass you by.
Until next time...
Having discussed my results above, let's talk about some of other changes that I have made since week 3.
