I've been overweight nearly my entire life.  There are plenty of reasons for this: my family, both genetics and environment, my lifestyle as a child and teen, my habits as an adult, stress. . . There are always excuses if you are looking for them.  Recently, my wife and I had our 10-year anniversary and I realized that I have gained weight EVERY YEAR since we've been married.  I thought, "What am I going to look like at our 20th anniversary?"  I have never been able to make the commitment to losing weight.  I would go to the gym for a week or so.  I would try to diet for a few weeks.  Nothing really worked.  I needed to make a permanent change in my behavior regarding food and activity.  Something needs to change and it needs to change forever.   

We've started the Largest Loser challenge at First Health Associates and I am involved as a doctor, but I knew from the moment I heard about the program that I wanted to be involved as a participant too.  It's been two days.  My diet has changed a lot.  I have had only 1 diet soda per day.  I have really increased my intake of fresh produce and decreased my intake of red meat and fatty foods like mayonaise.  I'm measuring everything and thinking ahead.  Planning what I'm going to eat, and only eating what I scheduled is a real change for me.  I have not been to the gym yet.  That is for Tuesday.  But everyday I am walking for 1-2 miles extra.  I take the dog for a long walk every night.  I know I need to get in more calorie-burning time.  I plan on doing more tonight.  I want to jog half of the time I'm walking the dog.  Maybe go 2-3 miles walk/run, instead of 1-2.  There's nothing stopping me, except my own will to change.

Dr Jason