Before

Ugh!

Wow. I'm embarrased everytime I look at this. It's disgusting. But you know what the real kicker is? I didn't know. I really had no idea about how overweight I was. I was probably around 240lbs in this picture. I'm guessing though, because for 3 years I never stepped on a scale, and this is one of 3 pictures I have been able to find of that time. So I guess in the back of my mind I was aware of being overweight, but I just couldn't seem to face it.

I remember going shopping with a friend, he wanted to buy a ring. I remember trying on a couple rings and noticing that even my fingers were pudgy. I think that hit me pretty hard.

After

(Yes, this is my barren appartment, you can see my first QuickBooks product in the background.)

Weighing it at 195lbs (16% body fat) I'm feeling a lot better. I work out at the gym ever day. I'm stronger, faster, and lighter than I have been in a looong time. I feel great. I'm still trying to lose another 10-15lbs. That should drop me down to about 10% body fat. That's my goal. I have a three week vacation in Portugal in April '00. I want to spend the whole trip with my shirt off, and not be embarrased about it.

In a little over a year I've lost almost 40lbs. How did I lose all this weight? Sweat. I've spent quite a bit of time lifting weights, and I've changed my eating habits a fair bit. I try to stick to a Zone-like diet. Keep my protein up, keep my carbs and (especially) fat low. But I think the thing that helps the most is 45 minutes of hard cardio, 5 days a week. I mean hard cardio. I'm usually soaked head to toe when I'm done. And there will be a puddle of water under the stair climber. Drink lots of water 1-2 hours before and after you try this. Do that for a couple weeks and you will be able to see the lard slide off your body.