I lost over 300 pounds in 2 years without surgery. I have managed to maintain my weight loss for the last 8 years. 

Before launching this site, I would never tell anyone about my weight loss.  If we met, you would not have known I was ever “morbidly obese.” I never would have offered proactively offered to tell you- In a way, I was ashamed of how big I was.  I wanted to leave the past in the past. I never felt my weight loss was an accomplishment or something to be proud of.

A few years ago, I started telling my story to a few people.  I was surprised by their reactions- no one believed me, and if they did they were amazed.  They called my story “inspirational” and “amazing,” and it made me feel good.  My story helped a few people and that made me feel even better....

I thought about the struggles and the hardships I experienced losing weight.  There were so many times I needed to talk to someone and there was just no one to talk to.  I could have used guidance and support.  I would have liked to meet people who lost weight and ask questions. There is a tremendous amount of information on weight loss out there- and I would have liked one central area to meet people and research weight loss and health products, information and services.

So that is reason number one. I wanted to create a website to share my story to help others.  I want to develop a community devoted to health news and information. The site is not just about weight loss, but anything health related. 

In 2003, a year after losing my weight I thought about my childhood.  I was an overweight child, and if you were, too, you understand the pain and suffering an overweight kid goes through. I love my mom, and as beautiful as she is she never experienced what an overweight childhood is like.  When I was growing up, she offered unconditional love and support to me- if I asked her if I was fat she would never say, “Yes.” She tried her hardest to get me to exercise and be healthier.  She did the best someone who never has been there could do.  I wondered if there was anything she could have used to help me with my weight when I was a child.  I looked around a while and didn’t find anything so I did what anybody in their early 20’s would do…  I wrote a book on the subject- “A Guide for Parents of Overweight Children.”   

The book just kind of sat on my computer for the last 6 years.  A few months ago I read it again and realized it is actually pretty good- and would help parents of overweight children.  I was actually pretty impressed by the quality of my writing, and since I was in my early 20’s it doesn’t read like some stodgy doctor book.... 

I decided that this website would be a great way to finally release my book to the general public.  Hey, if it helps you that’s great- and if not… then, hey, it’s free now- I didn’t make it into a book you had to pay for. In fact, you should thank me for not having to go to some book store.

So the second reason is my book, I am currently changing a few things to it but guarantee it will be on the site by May 10, 2009.

The third reason is the movie “Supersize Me.”  If you’ve never seen it you should, it’s an absolutely fantastic documentary about a guy that eats nothing but McDonald’s for a month and the dramatic toll it takes on his body.  Well, he is a little of a drama queen the first few days but after that the movie gets really good.  It’s been quite a while since I have seen the movie but there is this one part of the movie that no one who has seen it ever remembers- but I do.  They do this side story about schools and how they get their food.  There is a clip of this 14 year old overweight girl who just got done listening to a seminar or presentation on weight loss presented at her school by Jared from Subway. 

Now prior to seeing this clip, I had nothing but the utmost respect for Jared and I know firsthand the struggles he went through.  I have never read anything about him and know of him only from the Subway commercials.  I have never seen him speak in person, and while I’m sure he talks about Subway during his speeches I’m not entirely sure what is said.  What I do know is what this little girl said right after seeing him.

The clip shows a brief portion of Jared’s speech in which he reveals his pants.  It then moves to a mother and her 14 year old daughter speaking at the school directly with Jared presumably after his speech.  The mother talks about how they have a family history of obesity and Jared offers really no advice, says things like “absolutely” and “uh huh.” The mother talks about how cruel children are, and Jared says he knows and then gives his advice which was, “the world is not going to change, you have to change.”

So after seeing that I was a little pissed because he had the chance first hand to help that little girl- and he left her with that? I’m sure people struggling with their weight have to come to him all the time- and is that seriously his response?

After that clip they interview the girl directly outside the school and here is what she said,

I guess it’s kind of cool to know somebody or be able to listen to somebody talk about actually being where I am right now, and it’s kind of hard because I can’t afford to like go there every single day and buy a sandwich like two times a day. And that’s what he’s talking about like, that’s the only solution. Like that’s what he said that like works the best but I can’t do that …and I have tried other ways and it’s kind of hurt my body from trying other ways that I’ve tried to do….  And it’s kind of hard to like look at someone who said, ‘hey, I’ve done it so you can do it too.’ But it’s not that easy.

Now I’m not an emotional guy, but I related with what this girl was going through and her words really made me really sad.  I think that was the day I stopped eating at Subway.  Not having heard the speech I don’t know if that is really what he says, but what I do know is that is what that little girl took away after listening to him- and that’s bullsh*t.

Oh, and if you have kids in school then "Supersize Me" is a must watch.  There is a whole part about food in schools that you will find eye opening.