I was pushed into this diet once years ago that started a long run of hell. I was working at CDNow at the time so I know it had to be in the late 90’s. I went to see this doctor in Warminster and the diet was heavily shake based. That was how they lowered your calories to 1200 a day to make you lose weight a little faster. The doctor had one of the old sliding metal scales that all the doctors offices had at the time and they didn’t go over 350 pounds and I needed a starting weight for him so he called over to St. Mary’s and there wasn’t a scale to really be had like that. Somehow I ended up going to their loading dock and I remember the horror and the panic when I realized what was happening. I was getting weighted on the loading dock with the scale used to weight linens that came in and out of the hospital. That scale would basically determine what the company would charge to clean them by the pound. I was horrified as the workers that were working the dock all came out to look. I remember Amber took me over. I don’t even think we were dating at the time. And we had to ask for help since we had no idea what we were doing. We were looking for a scale. We didn’t realize that the scale was the whole platform. Talk about beat you down, shake you to the core, embarrassment that never really leaves you. That diet was called Medi-Fast. I didn’t know it then but everyone I have watched do it drops that 50 lbs pretty fast and then gains 75 within a short time of it being over or realizing that you just can’t drink all your food every single day.
A year or two later I had weight loss surgery, that was 1999. I was scared too because my friend, neighbor, fellow band nerd Louie had passed away a few weeks after his from complications. I didn’t have a choice, My agent had it first, he was doing okay… He was going bat shit crazy, lost a lot of weight, plastic surgery, separated, girls, partying… Louie died. I guess I had a 50/50 chance. I am still 223lbs lighter than I was that day of the surgery. It doesn’t last forever and I wish I had a better relationship with food then like I have now.
I am still 84 pounds lighter than I was when I started this journey 4 years ago. I still have goals. 27 pounds to the first one for this year and 43 total.
While I feel like I want to get down on myself today. I am not going to. Not today. I have been through hell for the past 3 weeks with whatever was ripping through my body and I didn’t. I have been guzzling Gatorades on the doctors orders and have only gained 2 pounds since my weigh in on March 5. I have fought off dehydration, I have tried really hard for the past 4 days to pull everything back together and am back on track. Got my work outs in. Still took it easy and didn’t go crazy with weight. And hoping that by next weeks weight in and a good 12 or so days back on track that I’ll be back in business.
It’s been a hellish year and I feel like some depression stemming mostly from life and my hernia surgery this summer that I would love to just be at the same place I was when the summer started last year. There are 74 days till Memorial day. And 43 days till I go to NC for my parents 50th Anniversary. I really want to look good and feel good so I am going to give it my all for the next couple months, in the gym and out.
These stories aren’t easy to write. But this is my story. This is where I came from. It’s not easy or everyone would do it. I’ve tried everything on the market.
- Medifast
- Herbalife
- Advocare
- Slimfast
- Fen/Fen
They all work to a degree. But you need to have an end game. So you learned to eat on Advocare a certain way or with any of them. Can you continue to eat that way without their supplements etc when you are done your 21 days? I did a cleanse when I was getting close to my hundred pounds. I lost 15 pounds in 10 days. I was ecstatic. Then 5 came right back a few days later and then the scale didn’t move again for another month.
The idea is to find what works for you. Even if it is slow and steady and keep at it.
I am going to do my best to keep a smile on my face, keep the positive vibes going, watch my food intake and keep the weights moving. I will get to where I dream of. Might not be on my preferred timeline but I will get there.
To everyone out there still trying their best to change. Fill your heart and mind with goodness. Surround yourself with good, positive people and keep moving forward. You will not go wrong. Remember it’s what you do when the trainer isn’t watching that is the most important.
Have a great weekend. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Thanks for reading.
Franco
Feeling the love <3