February of 2012 it's obvious I wasn't yet disgusted with myself as I was still working on growing that spare tire. I would say "it's who I am" sure I thought that, yet on the inside I was struggling. I struggled with self-esteem yet I exuded it somehow, I struggled with confidence yet I beamed in it. Everyday was a struggle on the inside with who I really was.
it's obvious I wasn't yet disgusted with myself.....
You see, I had been in great shape before, in fact I had lost over 125 pounds when the doctor uttered these words " if you don't change your ways, you are going to die" that resonated pretty hard and eventually did make me change my ways, set some goals and I achieved them. Then I was lost.
This graphic is from one of my first support group presentations for those diagnosed with type II diabetes, regarding taking your life back, if I can do it you can do it too, that's how the website was born www.candoit2.com with hopes of reaching those who had no support, had given up or were just feeling hopeless regarding changing their life. As you can see from the photo above, I had quite a change from a 46" in waist to a 34" I had also just returned from Hollywood where I appeared in a 30 minute commercial with several other successful weight loss participants.
This aired for a couple of years, it was really amusing to see this at various locations throughout my travels. However at some point the challenges of life got in the way, I lost site of any future goals. I have no one to blame but myself, sure I found excuses, but they were just that. I gave up. I lost site of any future goals. I have no one to blame but myself, sure I found excuses I lost site of any future goals. I have no one to blame but myself, sure I found excuses.
January 9, 2015 the reality hit me that in less than 2 years, I will be 50 it will be harder than ever to reach any further goals if I don't start now, its time to take back my life, not only for me but my family and those who love me. Killing myself with food, and poor choices simply wasn't acceptable. I had become disgusted with myself and that's what it took. I passed my certified personal trainer exam through the International Sports Sciences Association, I started working on myself, to lead by example to make those changes, take my life back.
I came across this, the artists rendering of me, Ironically its been 9 years to the day this was created at my first presentation for the American Diabetes Association at the Indiana state fair. I had spoken with the artist just before I was scheduled to present and had planned on going back to sit for my own session between presentations. When I started my presentation there were maybe 10 people around the stage, by the time my 30 minute presentation was over I had gathered well over 300 in the crowd with questions as to when my next presentation was so they could hear the full story. Much to my surprise, the next person to approach me was the artist with a gift, I offered to pay and said I was coming back, I know you hear that often I'm sure but I truly wanted to pay. His response was totally unexpected, after listening to my story he chose to throw away the unhealthy lunch he had before him, make some changes to his life starting that moment. Not that day mind you, that moment forward, he didn't want to wait he explained to me that he felt he owed it to his family, friends and loved ones to be there for them it all started with taking care of himself.first! It's true folks, we can make all the excuses we want, and we can think of it as we are too busy however, if we don't take a moment to put ourselves first, we cannot continue to help others in any capacity.
The greatest satisfaction as a personal trainer is changing and impacting the lives of others. I've spent much of my life capturing memories for others, and that has been great however, changing others quality of life is truly powerful. Contact me today for solutions to fit your specific needs, I must say changing others quality of life is truly powerful. Contact me today for solutions to fit your specific needs.