What is it they say, the new year brings with it new beginnings, new opportunities and the potential for a new me? It’s a little cliche I know. A part of me cringes just thinking about me going public with this. But the simple fact of the matter is, at this stage, I have no choice. I need to grasp at anything that will help me with what needs to be a life altering challenge. If that needs to be in the form of a New Years resolution, then so be it.
You may be wondering what the hell I am on about. Either that or it comes as painfully obvious. I need to lose a dramatic amount of weight, and I need to do it now. I am 46 years old and on the health scale I am considered as morbidly obese. As much as I would like to use the fact that I am big framed as an excuse, I just don’t think I can do it anymore. I weighed myself on Monday morning and I am going to be completely honest with you, it read 165.4kg. This is the heaviest I have ever been in my life.
Once more, in the spirit of being completely transparent, the issue of my weight and my body shape has been like a eternal weight of shame hanging around my neck, choking the joy out of my life. I could blame my mental health issues, comfort eating or Nigel Farage for never having been able to correct the issue, but in reality that would just be more excuses, more lies. To both myself and those around me. The simple fact of the matter is that I haven’t lost the weight because it was too hard. It was way too much effort and I didn’t have the courage to see it through. In the year 2020 this must change once and for all.
So what are the reasons, why now? There is a simple two fold answer to that. First and foremost I believe it is the main reason that I fail to really find joy in my life. How sad is that. Really, with all the great things that surround me in my life, I am unable to feel genuine joy. No longer do I wish to spend my days like this. I want to feel joy and I want my family to witness me experiencing joy. For far too long they have seen me struggle and felt the pain.
The second reason is obvious. I want to live a long life. Let me ask you a question. How many morbidly obese 80 year old people do you know or see? Here’s another question. How many morbidly obese 70 year old people do you know or see? Or 60 year old people for that matter? The answer? Hardly any. It’s very rare. The stats are seriously in favour of me dying young if I continue down my current path. And as hard as it has been for me to lose the weight, I am scared of dying young. Scared of leaving my wife without a husband. Scared of leaving my children without a father. Just plain scared.
So that is why it has to be now. This year. 2020. No more excuses. Time to think positively and just get it done. This is why I have set this challenge. It is not going to be easy, but I think it is realistically possible. The challenge is to lose 50kg in 50 weeks. I know which formula works, I have done it once before (several years ago I had lost about 25-30kg in 7 months). Its a hard target, but I honestly feel it is attainable.
I want to write my thoughts and struggles throughout this challenge and share my experience with others. I think the support will be of great value along the way in helping me to achieve this goal. Whilst at the same time I will be hoping to serve as an example for others who may find themselves at the same cross roads. So week by week, month by month, I will be writing this journal and sharing this journey with you all.
I had it in mind that with this first blog post I would start by posting a photo of my almost naked body to show you where the starting point has been. The photo has been taken. But, if I am completely honest with you, I am so ashamed of it, I just can’t bring myself to share it. I’m sorry. Hopefully at some point, later on in the journey I will gain the confidence to show you where it all started, and how I looked in the beginning.
In conclusion, please join me on this journey. It doesn’t just have to be about weight loss either. Most of us have something that for the longest time we have wanted to change in our lives but never managed to do so. Let’s take our journey’s together and support each other. For what was it that Thomas Paine once said, “it is not in numbers but in unity that our great strength lies”
I HAVE TRIED AND FAILED MANY TIMES BEFORE, THIS TIME I JUST CANNOT.
Feel free to comment or message me anytime, you can do so in the comments box below this article on the website, or by contacting me on social media or [email protected]. May all your 2020 journeys be successful ones.
Well done you for making this tough decision and the very best of luck in your weight loss journey. I look forward to seeing more updates.
Thanks Emily. Much love.
Best of luck on this journey. I know myself how hard it is. I lost 3 stone in 2018 and I’ve gained most of it back again so have decided 2020 is my year to get it off again plus more. Will be watching (And listening each morning) for your updates You got this!!!!!
Good luck on your journey. Keep me updated on your progress….
Good on you Oz…. I am sure you have the strength to do this and with your wonderful family helping you along it will be a success. In the words of the famous Rob Schneider – YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
Good luck Oz. Im sure with hard work and careful planning it can be don. This accountability approach may be your key…
Thanks mate. Appreciate it a lot…
Oh I’m so with you on this one Oz! Just been to my first aqua aerobics class in ages and I feel good. Being big sucks in every way, and you’re right about the joy bit, the sadness is always lurking at the back of it, waiting to pounce. Good luck! I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with you and your readers.
So true. Good luck with your journey… lets make this the year we finally do it….
Good luck in your journey – you sound determined to succeed so hang on to that desire as it will help you reach your goals!
I look forward to reading on your progress 🙂
Thank you very much for your support….
Hey man. I admire your resolve. I do need to shed some weight myself, although my bigger problem are the various injuries that I got, which are getting worse due to my lack of exercise, general laziness and bad eating. 2 small children, just turned 41. Herniated discs. You are giving me the drive to do something abt it. Hey, what about a short podcast man?
Hey mate. Thanks for sharing. I feel your pain, literally. Keep pushing, keep trying, never give up. Much love.
Good luck Oz. Im sure with hard work and careful planning it can be don. This accountability approach may be your key…
Thank you Brenton. It will be a tough journey. But I am super motivated, more than ever before. THE TIME IS NOW.
As a person that has been over 200kgs I can understand all you wrote quite well, I have since lost over 60kgs and I am pushing also this year to get down to my target weight. You can definitely do it, you have the right mindset. Keep focus on your goal all the time as it will not be easy and it will not be a linear path. I am sure you know all the phases, you know that you will have plateaus, you will gain some weight too along the way, but thats ok, its part of the process. Will keep following your journey and also will challenge myself to also get down to my target weight this year. Stay strong.
WOW. Great inspiration mate. Keep it up. I will surely follow suit in 2020.
You can do it 🥗🥗🏃🏾♀️🏋️🚴 good luck 💪
Thanks love
Good luck Oz! Make sure to find plenty of interesting healthy recipes so it never gets boring and you don’t remove the fun out of food either. 🙂 Maybe not haggis though 😉 Looking forward to hearing of positive updates on your journey
Oh no.. why did you have to mention HAGGIS… Just kidding. Nothing will throw me off track this time round…. Thanks for your support
You CAN do it Oz. YOUR Health is priority, YOUR family are priority. YOU are priority. Wanting to better yourself is already 50% of the hard part achieved. Hope my dear cousin Jason will JOIN you on this. I know he’ll definitely support you. Tell him FIRMLY that the chunky burgers & fries have got to be reduced – for BOTH of you. . . Be strong! You WILL succeed!
Thanks for the lovely message Lorraine. Message has been passed on. 🙂
Amazing Oz! I think everybody struggles with their weight at some point in their life – takes a lot to document it and share the highs and lows. YOU’VE GOT THIS!
Thank you Sarah. Everyones support so far has been amazing. And I am looking forward to the journey…
As your fan, I will be cheering you on all the way 😊👏🏻👏🏻
I know you can do it.
👍🏼😃
Thank you Mrs. Vargas.. much love…
Always remember dear Oz, it’s not important how many times you fall, but that you are up again. You are strong and you can do it! Always remember that life is beautiful!
Thank you Doreen.
Dear Oz when you need support in your journey please do search for it from your loved ones…family, friends and why not us radio listeners. Humans in good or bad are capable of doing the impossible especially when they find the support when in need.
Good luck Oz I am sure you will do it in 50 months or so!
good luck Oz
you can do it
I was told yesterday that my blood sugar level is abit too high
I only have 1 teaspoon of sugar a day but apparently its too much
I’m trying a new diet its where you fast for 16hours and then eat for 8 I dont know if its gonna work but I’m willing to try anything
Once again ‘Good luck Oz, you can do it’
Good luck Oz. Thanks for the inspiration