Teen decides to downsize

Teen decides to downsize Simple lifestyle changes help transformation from XXL to S By Jordan Hall HERALD-LEADER TEEN BOARD “No, sir, we don’t carry that size here.” For some people, that sentence would devastate their self-confidence. As for me, until a year and four months ago, it was all I ever heard when attempting to buy clothes. Tipping the scale at 290 pounds at the age of 14, and 5 feet, 5 inches tall, clothes shopping was as much of a lost cause as rummaging for Jimmy Hoffa’s remains. During July 2003, I came to the conclusion that dieting was imminent. My blood pressure was sky-high; I was constantly fatigued and out of breath. Even walking up the steps at school was hard. But, above all else, I was ashamed of myself. At school, my weight was the punch line of every joke—hence my old nickname, “Jelly Roll.” At home my weight was a major concern for my parents because they were afraid of health risks such as high blood pressure, heart complications and diabetes—all of which run in my family. Another reason for my decision to start eating right and exercising was a shopping trip that July. After we got back from the store, my family recorded a fashion show of me modeling my new clothes. It was supposed to be fun. It wasn’t. Upon viewing the tape myself, I fell deeper into a depression.

I couldn’t believe I looked like that. Finally, I could not evade the importance of this issue, I finally persuaded myself to diet with the dream of being good-looking. (I still am not positive that has happened). When the diet began on a vibrant July morning, it was goodbye carbonation, breads and snacks. Hello, water and meat! Of course, I had to try the popular Atkins diet. Being somewhat familiar with the weight-loss plan because of its popularity at school, I closely mirrored the program. Well, seven pounds lost and a week later, there was no more of that diet. Once again, I had unsuccessfully followed a diet for the time I had wanted to. This time it was because I loved bread and lots of it. On the same day I decided I couldn’t do the Atkins plan, someone told me, “You won’t stick with losing weight, you’ll gain it back, and you’ll become even unhealthier than you already are.” Being the kind of person that I am, when someone states that I am incapable of something, I make myself capable. So, naturally, that statement gave me even more incentive to win this battle with my weight. After that summer break ended, it was time to go back to school, or Temptation Island as I called it. The “Big Snack” Little Debbie cakes sat in the a la carte aisle of the cafeteria, and the grease oozed from the meals in the kitchen. Attempting to overlook it was difficult, to say the least. But by the time the first month of school, August, had passed, I had lost almost 30 pounds. The majority of my friends were very supportive during my ordeal, with the exception of one, who is always pessimistic. Oddly enough, the pessimistic one actually accompanied me when I exercised. The rest of my friends motivated me by saying things such as congratulations and good job. So, I had plenty of support and help along my journey from XXL to S. The most exciting thing is that by Christmastime I was finally able to buy clothes at major retailers without hassle. This was all possible because I had lost 80 pounds at the six-month point and 6 inches in my waist. I assumed the rest would be a breeze because I was so used to my structured diet, which is not all that complicated. The diet that worked for me involved simply eating less, drinking water only (juice on occasion), and exercising every other day for about an hour. For exercise, I ran laps at the track, walked, ran uphill while kicking a soccer ball, and did various other things. I did not give up anything that I loved; it was not necessary. Everything is about moderation. I persevered with my plan for nine more months and lost an additional 44 pounds and another 6 inches in my waistline. Altogether, 135 pounds are gone, 12 inches in the waist disappeared, and I dropped four shirt sizes. My health improved amazingly. I have more energy now than I have had maybe ever in my life; I am physically more fit than ever; and I am no longer ashamed of being me. In other areas of improvement, I am able to march in the band with more ease and walk for long periods and feel fine afterward. Going up the steps at school does not even come close to making me out of breath. If I could extend a piece of advice to those who are on diets, it would be that never giving up, making healthy food choices and exercising regularly are the keys to success. Think of it as individual decisions, not some huge life change. That way you can get through, and it doesn’t seem so overwhelming. That might sound like a clichŽ, but it is the right and safe way. If I can achieve my goal, anyone can do the same. And now, at least, if a store does not carry my size, it is for the opposite reason.————————————————————————————————————————Jor dan Hall has lost 135 pounds by eating moderately and exercising. What does that extra weight add up to? Here’s some numbers for comparison:——————————————————————————————————————— —2 Average weight male golden retrievers———————————————————————————————————————— 135 1-pound bags of M&Ms————————————————————————————————————————27 5-pound packages of hamburger————————————————————————————————————————1 Father of four————————————————————————————————————————Jordan Hall is a junior at Pikeville High School.————————————————————————————————————————© 2005 Lexington Herald-Leader and wire service sources.