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on 29 July, 2007 11:22:29 | 3978 times read
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Weight and Me
I gradually gained weight throughout childhood. I stopped playing sports in middle school and became more interested in staying at home doing nothing. I would eat out of boredom, even when my stomach was full. I lost control of my body and let it go without fully realizing I was getting too big.
By the time I was a junior in high school, I was 310 pounds. I realized this at a physical exam that I had to play tennis. Not wanting to believe my physician's scale, I went out and bought my own, just to come to the conclusion that most scales do not exceed 300 pounds. This was my breaking point.
The Last Straw
I was never big on taking pictures. So when I did take some pictures and saw how I looked in them, it hit me pretty hard. When I looked in the mirror, I did not see a big guy. But when I saw it from another angle, it was a reality check. I began to go through a variety of adversities related to weight. The impossibility of finding clothes big enough. Not being able to fit into chairs or even cars. The fact I was a senior in high school, never having a girlfriend before. I had more motivation than ever.
Jamil M. Lompoc, Calif.
Occupation: High school senior; Longs Drug employee
Height: 6 ft. 0 in.
Starting weight: 310 lbs.
Lowest weight: 190 lbs.
Current weight: 200 lbs.
Began weight-loss program: December 2005
Length at current weight: 5 months
How I Did It
I first started off using my mom's exercise machine. It was a glider machine we had in the garage. On my third day using it, I lunged forward and crashed on the ground with the handle on top of me. I had broken the machine. At this point, I was both embarrassed and ashamed. Glancing over at my running shoes, I decided to put them on and just try it out. At first, I could only run a block without having to stop. But I kept going, rather than turning back home to a pizza in the kitchen.
I started running every night, not wanting people to see me. I set goals of places to reach without stopping, extending the marking point further every week or couple days. With all the sweat and effort I was putting in, I realized I needed to change my eating habits. I started off as strict as I could, quickly eliminating things that were killing my diet. Liters of soda, fast food, and high sugar candy. I portioned my meals to what I thought was good, not the books or doctors.
With the combination of better eating and exercise, my daily routine began to change. I wanted to be more active. Tennis season started up, which meant daily practice. After practice, I would continue to go running. Then eventually, I added a gym workout 5 days a week. Crunches, jump rope and some weight lifting. My body was shifting and I pushed myself to carry the weight and help get it off.
The Key To Success
I would say there were two keys to my success. The first being my support network, my friends. Telling them about my intentions, and eventually my success, helped give me the motivation I needed to continue. Every week they would ask, "What's the number at now?", meaning how many pounds I lost. They were there to encourage me to continue pressing forward and recognize me when I achieved weight-loss goals. My second key to success was the confidence and persistence I had with myself. Weight loss takes time. It's not cured by a magic pill or a night of sleep.
Derailers and Strategies
The only thing that continues to derail me is my lack of energy sometimes. It feels so easy to fall back into bad eating habits or forget about exercise when you're overwhelmed with school and work. But you begin to remember all the hard work you put in from the beginning and the new stronger person you've become. My motivation is derived from my current life now. I'm more active and outgoing. And being able to do so drives me farther.
When I Slip...
The same way you handle falling down. You get right back up and keep going. If you dwell on it or continue to drag on yourself, you're only hurting your true potential. Look to the positive things, or the things out farther that you want to attain, not the things trying to bring you down right in front of you.
When I Soar...
My Senior Enrichment Day. We went to a water slide park and I did not have to hesitate to take my shirt off. It was the first time I took my shirt off to get into outdoor water in years. Being comfortable with myself and content with how I looked was the best feeling. Because I've learned when you are happy with yourself, you are happy with your life, and nothing can bring you down. Source: msn.com
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Comments (4 posted)
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Posted by bw, 19 December, 2007 02:08:04you are so handsome and you are definitley an inspiration!!
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Posted by Kevin, 24 October, 2007 13:03:18You go dude! You're awesome...and congrats on the weight loss. Your doing the best you can do to ensure a long and happy life.
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Posted by Nick, 02 August, 2007 09:51:54Yeah. I was wondering the same thing as Ryan.
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Posted by ryan mack, 01 August, 2007 23:03:51how long did it take you to lose all of that weight?
