Getting Back My Life…..
My name is Gary. When I began at Lakeside Fitness Fit Body Boot CampI weighed 340lbs and was taking many medications. I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy in July of 2013. Most people will recover fully from this; I am not one of them. I ended up with permanent numbness on the top of the head, chronic migraines, swollen cornea and some permanent facial paralysis. Through the treatments and medications I gained nearly 100lbs. So now I have permanent limitations due to the bells palsy and was becoming morbidly obese in the process. That being said I had enough of the weight gain and the medications.
So I joined Lakeside Fitness Fit Body Boot Camp and met with Lesa and her team to work out a path to wellness and fitness. Earlier this year I participated in the Turbulence Training 12wk Transformation contest through Lakeside which really helped me stay focused. So when the opportunity to participate in another 12wk contest I seized the opportunity. I wanted to reach more milestones personally and continue my health and wellness journey. I also wanted show other new people that your weight loss dreams are attainable if you commit to it and work hard to get there.
At the beginning of this contest I weighed 290lbs, wore a size 46 jeans and a 3xl shirt. I have changed my diet and work out 4-6 times a week now. Not bad considering I was the guy who used to make jokes and put myself down for getting as big as I was, just to try and hide the pain and embarrassment of what I had become. I now weigh about 250lbs, wear a size 40 jeans. I also have actually gotten down to 2xl shirts.
All the weight loss and reduction in medications has been very exciting. The reduction in migraine frequency and length has also been very relieving. But the best thing about this whole journey has been the complete change in attitude and lifestyle for me. You see I needed to save my life from not only myself and the diet choices I was making. I believe I needed to save myself from the constant circle of medications. And thanks to Lakeside Fitness Fit Body Boot Camp and their trainers we have made strides I never thought were possible.
I am also currently trying to be an example to those people who are just starting their own personal journey of health and weight loss. I have also spoken to Lesa about becoming a trainer myself. My desire to be a trainer is so that maybe I can help others the way that I have been helped. I can’t believe that I not only have made this much progress physically but mentally and emotionally as well. This is my new life. I have since closed the chapter on the old make jokes and excuses Gary. I am now writing a new chapter of my life. I couldn’t have done this alone and could not have found a better fitness family to help me do this. There is no way for me to express my gratitude to The Lakeside Family for all they have done. So I will just say Thanks and keep suiting up and showing up.
