80 pounds down since September

A very long story made short: last September, at the urging of my family, I sought an evaluation from a cardiologist mainly due to my weight and my family history of heart disease.

The news then was rather sobering, but nothing I didn't know already. I was extremely overweight and in grave danger of suffering the fate of my grandfather and uncle, who both passed on due to myocardial infarctions. My own father who is still with us, had suffered 4 heart attacks and a bypass surgery. I don't know why it was different hearing any of this from a cardiologist as opposed to my own physicians or the reflection in the mirror, but I took the advice seriously and embarked on a journey to lose 100 pounds.

When I visited the doctor, I weighed in at 295 pounds, which I think was actually a good day, because I know I probably weighed at least 10 pounds more in the weeks prior to this appointment. Still, seeing that number staring me in the face in the cold clinical setting of a doctor's office was jarring.

When I started, the first move I made was to swear off and at times swear at, fast food, soda and fried foods. I had to break what I can only recognize now was an addiction to that garbage and weight started to fall off, albeit slowly. I gradually began working out, but still, every day was a struggle in terms of knowing where I was at in relation to my overall goals.

Just before October, someone in passing clued me into myfitnesspal. By then, my weight had dropped to 287 pounds.

Through using the app and studying up on nutrition, exercise and finally settling on a well developed exercise and fitness regimen, I have lost a total of 80.4 pounds to date and am rapidly closing in on my goal weight of 195 pounds.

A lot has changed for me and its all for the better. I am a far more positive person at home, able to keep up with the demands of a very active toddler and at work, I am more focused and determined than ever before. Where I used to just want to come home and pass out on the couch, I look forward to working out in my basement gym and to eventually getting back into playing ice hockey and possibly competing in strongman/powerlifting competitions.

I post this not to brag, not to pat myself on the back or anything like that - I just want anyone out there to know that it is possible, it does get easier and with dedication, some hard work and willingness to research and learn, you can achieve your goals.