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Blog
“Your Words Have Set Me Free”
I check my e-mail whenever I feel like having my ego stroked; I love reading how awesome I am. No, not really. Seriously though, whenever I get an e-mail like the one that follows I’m reminded of why I continue to write and share my story.
David writes:
I have to say I’m blown away by you, your success, and your ideas that led to it. I’m a 29 year old guy who has been overweight/obese since age 12. Not too long ago I had a revelation thinking back on childhood about my parents’ divorce when I was 11. I realized that I never cried about it. Instead…I ate. Anything I could. Chili, nachos, burritos, etc. And have been stuffing it down this whole time since then without thinking much about it.
Oh yes, I’ve tried diets from time to time – everything from Atkins, Nutrisystem, Body by Vi, low cal (salad & grilled chicken anyone?), weight watchers, slim fast, etc etc. I’m sure you could rattle them off as fast as I can. Then last week I found your book on Amazon. I don’t even remember how I found it, I just started reading it and it captivated me. You are the first person I’ve ever seen who talks about diets who says its okay to eat the food we crave, just in smaller reasonable portions.
Doctors, Nutritionalists, medical professionals; they all mean well but sorry, I just may not be able to stick to nothing but whole grains with salad and grilled chicken all day every day! And when you watch their shows or read/hear their advice, you feel like you are a weight loss failure if you stick to nothing less.
Like you said in the book, most of them have something to sell you. Nobody gets rich giving you common sense advice like telling you its okay to have that cheeseburger combo meal, but maybe make the fries regular instead of large and maybe have a tea instead of coke, and then on top of it all, maybe actually stop eating when you feel satisfied instead of full or stuffed! If you do that and exercise, then the cheeseburger might be okay and you don’t have to feel guilty for it!!!! YESSSS! HORRAH!!!!!
Anyway, one more thing man – I’ve started my own self-accountable weight loss record … and I’m already dropping. Your words have set me free. Thank you.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on June 17th, 2013
Surfing Sabbatical
The deaths that have occurred over the past few years — my father, uncle, another uncle, grandfather, and then a fellow weight loss blogger a few months ago — have taken their toll on me. I’m not depressed and am a completely happy 27 (soon to be 28) year old — I’ve just become more aware of my own mortality.
As you might have noticed, I took a solid month-long sabbatical from posting. It’s the first of its kind since I started 344 Pounds some 4+ years ago. I’ve missed posting, but I’ve also been enjoying a lot of new things — like surfing.
I plan to go para-sailing, then skydiving, both for the first time next month.
I’m back to posting on the blog on a regular basis, but I’ll also continue to try new things. Life is too short to stand still. I’ll stay on the lookout for places and things and ideas outside of my comfort zone, just as I have over the last several weeks. I’ll continue to go out of my way to make sure people know they’re loved.
I’m living my life to the fullest. I hope you will, too.
PS: My book has skyrocketed overnight to become one of the top 50 best-selling (as of this writing) weight loss books on Amazon. It’s also one of the most/best reviewed weight loss books on Amazon with a 4.6/5 rating and nearly 100 reviews! THANK YOU!
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on June 13th, 2013
Receiving Weight Loss Support from a Spouse
Thankfully, my wife supported me as I was losing weight.
Shortly after I started losing weight in 2009, my wife gave birth to our daughter, our first child. Even through the turmoil and life change that a new/first baby can bring, I had permission to go to the gym whenever — and however long — I liked.
As I eluded to yesterday, many other husbands/wives I hear from don’t have that luxury. Unfortunately, I hear about a lot of bitterness and resentment.
In addition to being able to head to the gym carte blanche, my wife was also there to encourage me as the weight flew off in those first six months. Hitting weight loss milestones on the scale was just as exciting for her as it was for me.
None of my wife’s support should’ve come as a surprise, though. She “bugged” me for years about the importance of me needing to lose weight so I could stick around for our kids. In early 2009, she had finally gotten through to me.
Becoming active, counting calories, losing weight, and becoming interested in fitness is a very admirable thing. I encourage it wholeheartedly and wish everyone I know would take an interest in bettering their health.
With that said, remember that as with everything, moderation is key.
Most people you meet aren’t going want to keep hearing about how many calories their food has in it. Your co-workers don’t want to hear about how much you lifted in the gym or how fast your ran every sales meeting. Your family and friends don’t want to lose you yet another Saturday to yet another race.
While sharing your life with your partner is no doubt important, be careful not to suffocate them and make everything about you and your weight loss goals.
Find a balance between your friends, family, and fitness.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on May 3rd, 2013
Blog
“Your Words Have Set Me Free”
I check my e-mail whenever I feel like having my ego stroked; I love reading how awesome I am. No, not really. Seriously though, whenever I get an e-mail like the one that follows I’m reminded of why I continue to write and share my story.
David writes:
I have to say I’m blown away by you, your success, and your ideas that led to it. I’m a 29 year old guy who has been overweight/obese since age 12. Not too long ago I had a revelation thinking back on childhood about my parents’ divorce when I was 11. I realized that I never cried about it. Instead…I ate. Anything I could. Chili, nachos, burritos, etc. And have been stuffing it down this whole time since then without thinking much about it.
Oh yes, I’ve tried diets from time to time – everything from Atkins, Nutrisystem, Body by Vi, low cal (salad & grilled chicken anyone?), weight watchers, slim fast, etc etc. I’m sure you could rattle them off as fast as I can. Then last week I found your book on Amazon. I don’t even remember how I found it, I just started reading it and it captivated me. You are the first person I’ve ever seen who talks about diets who says its okay to eat the food we crave, just in smaller reasonable portions.
Doctors, Nutritionalists, medical professionals; they all mean well but sorry, I just may not be able to stick to nothing but whole grains with salad and grilled chicken all day every day! And when you watch their shows or read/hear their advice, you feel like you are a weight loss failure if you stick to nothing less.
Like you said in the book, most of them have something to sell you. Nobody gets rich giving you common sense advice like telling you its okay to have that cheeseburger combo meal, but maybe make the fries regular instead of large and maybe have a tea instead of coke, and then on top of it all, maybe actually stop eating when you feel satisfied instead of full or stuffed! If you do that and exercise, then the cheeseburger might be okay and you don’t have to feel guilty for it!!!! YESSSS! HORRAH!!!!!
Anyway, one more thing man – I’ve started my own self-accountable weight loss record … and I’m already dropping. Your words have set me free. Thank you.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on June 17th, 2013
Surfing Sabbatical
The deaths that have occurred over the past few years — my father, uncle, another uncle, grandfather, and then a fellow weight loss blogger a few months ago — have taken their toll on me. I’m not depressed and am a completely happy 27 (soon to be 28) year old — I’ve just become more aware of my own mortality.
As you might have noticed, I took a solid month-long sabbatical from posting. It’s the first of its kind since I started 344 Pounds some 4+ years ago. I’ve missed posting, but I’ve also been enjoying a lot of new things — like surfing.
I plan to go para-sailing, then skydiving, both for the first time next month.
I’m back to posting on the blog on a regular basis, but I’ll also continue to try new things. Life is too short to stand still. I’ll stay on the lookout for places and things and ideas outside of my comfort zone, just as I have over the last several weeks. I’ll continue to go out of my way to make sure people know they’re loved.
I’m living my life to the fullest. I hope you will, too.
PS: My book has skyrocketed overnight to become one of the top 50 best-selling (as of this writing) weight loss books on Amazon. It’s also one of the most/best reviewed weight loss books on Amazon with a 4.6/5 rating and nearly 100 reviews! THANK YOU!
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on June 13th, 2013
Receiving Weight Loss Support from a Spouse
Thankfully, my wife supported me as I was losing weight.
Shortly after I started losing weight in 2009, my wife gave birth to our daughter, our first child. Even through the turmoil and life change that a new/first baby can bring, I had permission to go to the gym whenever — and however long — I liked.
As I eluded to yesterday, many other husbands/wives I hear from don’t have that luxury. Unfortunately, I hear about a lot of bitterness and resentment.
In addition to being able to head to the gym carte blanche, my wife was also there to encourage me as the weight flew off in those first six months. Hitting weight loss milestones on the scale was just as exciting for her as it was for me.
None of my wife’s support should’ve come as a surprise, though. She “bugged” me for years about the importance of me needing to lose weight so I could stick around for our kids. In early 2009, she had finally gotten through to me.
Becoming active, counting calories, losing weight, and becoming interested in fitness is a very admirable thing. I encourage it wholeheartedly and wish everyone I know would take an interest in bettering their health.
With that said, remember that as with everything, moderation is key.
Most people you meet aren’t going want to keep hearing about how many calories their food has in it. Your co-workers don’t want to hear about how much you lifted in the gym or how fast your ran every sales meeting. Your family and friends don’t want to lose you yet another Saturday to yet another race.
While sharing your life with your partner is no doubt important, be careful not to suffocate them and make everything about you and your weight loss goals.
Find a balance between your friends, family, and fitness.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on May 3rd, 2013