I do not know who snapped the photo, but it changed everything for me. Taken from the side, there was no hiding the weight I was carrying. I had already left Seattle and was trying to make Los Angeles home, yet this photo was consuming my every thought.

Over the years, I have had people touch my stomach without permission. I have been called fat and chubby. The scale confirmed the harshness of those words and a violation of my space. I knew I had to lose weight.

I had grown tired of upgrading my closet from medium to large. I was tired of the jeans that no longer fit. I was tired of the ritualistic morning battle with the mirror. I was tired of the lack of confidence. I was tired of wondering what people were thinking about me at any given moment.

I had never felt so bad about myself. I never wanted to feel this way again.

At the time, I was also wrestling with a long-held goal to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. To hike such an arduous trail, I knew I would have to get in the best shape of my life. Cardio, strength, and conditioning training, and a better diet would need to become my friends. My biggest challenge would be changing the way I ate.

I have a sweet tooth. I drink too much soda. I can find any excuse to use the drive-thru.

With a monumental hike from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington as my ultimate goal, I began hiking big miles, running, riding my bike, lifting weights, eating better, and cheating less.

It worked. I began the weight loss journey weighing 207 lbs. and stepped on the Pacific Crest Trail weighing 185 lbs. The journey was filled with incredible disappointment and an overwhelming sense of joy. It was also one of the hardest struggles of my life.

Then life came to a screeching halt. A global pandemic became our reality. We were forced indoors, gyms were closed, and I sank into a depression. All my old habits came back and so did those pesky feelings about myself.

I stepped on the scale on January 1st, 2021 weighing 214 lbs. It is the heaviest I have ever been in my life. I also stepped on that scale with a new sense of determination. This year would give way to a new weight loss journey and a writing series called, “A Dream Realized.” Over the next 12-months, I will be writing about my weight loss journey, boldly sharing stats, and seeking your support.

I know I can get in the best shape of my life and I am asking for you to be my cheering section.

Be good to each other,

Nathan 

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