About Me
Okay, let’s get this out of the way. I my degrees and certifications:
Bachelor of Accountancy
Master of Accountancy
AFAA Certified Personal Trainer
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
But this is not a page of credentials or accolades where I boast about how good I am at this or that or how I can help you reach your goals. No this page is to let you get to “know” me. And to truly know someone, you have to know their story because it makes them who they are.
Growing up, I was not the athletically gifted, mini-Hercules specimen that a lot of today’s athletes were when they were children. I wasn’t the super nerd either. No, I was at neither end of the spectrum… I was on my own spectrum.
From a physical perspective, I remember being in 3rd grade and having to buy pants that were size 33 Husky. At the time, I didn’t think much about it. After all, I actually was “Husky”. But in all honesty, I was fat. I was miserable. All I wanted to do was play video games and watch TV. Who has time to go ride a bike when there is new level of Super Mario Bros or PaperBoy to beat? Or how about that new episode of ALF that was on TV.
After a series of deaths of close family members while I was between age 7 and 11, I became even more of a video gaming, TV watching pre-teen. I would spend all of my free time zoned out to avoid the pain of reality. Then I would eat to wash away more pain and because I got bored with the video games or television show, I would eat more. Food was my friend. It didn’t judge, it didn’t make fun of me, it wasn’t a win or lose situation. And being from the south, it tasted damn good!
I’ll admit that I did play baseball… somewhat. I was the kid who could practice o.k. but would stand at the plate and never swing the bat because I was too afraid and simply froze. I did break out one year, when I was about 12, but by then I was too fat to do anything besides swing the bat or play first base (as long as I didn’t have to run after the ball). I tried football because, well, I was “husky” and that is what husky kids do. Sure I had the size to play but I had no strength or ability.
What did I do? I quit! I gave up! In turn, my weight grew and I became depressed. At the end of my freshman year of high school, I weighed 260 lbs at a height of 5’6”. My mom tried to motivate me by making a deal that if I lost 75 lbs she would quit smoking. So, I busted my butt that summer. I got my driver’s license and a job. Between my mom’s initial motivation that got the ball rolling and the forced activity through work, I weighed 180 lbs by the end of my sophomore year. Overall, I guess I was better off. I weighed less and was more active but I was far from healthy.
In an effort to lose even more weight, I began working more and more, working out (dangerously) with weights, and not eating sometimes for days. Eventually, I quit that too and somehow managed to maintain a skinny, fat version of myself and left high school at 180 lbs.
After high school, I got a full-time job and joined a gym. Then things went from bad to worse. I wouldn’t eat anything until 1st break at work. That was one FRIED chicken strip from the gas station by my work. I would work all day, not eat anything else, go to the gym and do a marathon workout of horrible weight training and endless cardio. I remember drinking water from the water fountain at work and not liking the way it made feel because my stomach felt so full. BUT I LOST WEIGHT! I weighed 140 lbs at 5’10”. I was still miserable with my appearance. I had no muscle tone, no energy, nothing.
Finally, I made a change in a positive direction. I took some initiative and started reading and trying to learn about health and fitness. I became a personal trainer and worked in gym. I was making progress. I could teach people the right things to do but I didn’t follow my own advice. My emotional connection with food and my distorted view of my body wouldn’t let me. I wanted to be Adonis… NOW! So, I did steroids and got puffy and big and strong. But I was fat again and even more miserable than I was when I was super skinny. I gave up the steroids which along with the endless dieting and starvation, destroyed my hormone levels. In my early 20s, I had the testosterone of a 90 year old woman!
Fast forward to today. I am healthier than I have ever been. I am happier in life and with my body than I have ever been. No, I am not Adonis or anything close. My body is far from perfect. But it is a gift from God and I have made a vow to respect and honor him with it.
So, what changed? Several things. First, I realized that food does not control me. It doesn’t make me happy. It doesn’t sooth my pain. Instead, if I binge or devour a mound of crap, I feel horrible as soon I put the last morsel in my mouth. I am bloated, tired, and irritable. Instead, food is food. It nourishes my body to become or stay healthy, to grow and repair, and to help accomplish the day’s goals. Sharing a meal, snack, or cup of coffee is great way to get to know someone and spend time with them. And when we can learn to control it, food can provide pleasure and enjoyment.
Second, I learned that exercise is a tool and makes a great hobby. Now, maybe your job is an athlete who gets paid to stay in shape. If that is the case, this may not apply to you as much. But for me and most of you, exercise should be a way to enhance our health, not just our appearance. It should make us more mobile, more ready to face the challenges of day to day life, and more able to play (yes… PLAY!) our favorite sport, with our kids, or our grandkids. Any exercise “program” that doesn’t do that is worthless.
Third, and most important, I realized that my body is gift from God. Just like with finances and our children, we are stewards and not owners of our bodies. Churches are filled with sermons on how to save, give, and spend wisely to honor God. We all talk about how we want to raise our children in a way that honors God. In the same way, I want to honor God by taking care of my body. Also, I want to use the challenges and struggles I have faced with my own body to help others achieve Optimal Health & Fitness! This is simply another way to honor God!
So, there you have it. I have laid it out there. You see, when I say that I understand when people struggle with food, exercise, or other vices, I really do. I have screwed up. I have screwed my body up. I have done damage to myself and those around me with my relationship with food and exercise. However, I have also realized that I don’t have to live that way. No, I am not perfect and still make mistakes. I still have desires and cravings to binge until I want to puke. I am no better than you. Simply, I am me!
This is a great video and I encourage you to listen to Amy’s story. It’s honest and inspiring. I think most of can relate in some way to the video and her story.
https://youtu.be/326txwItDCo
