Let’s Start at the Beginning (circa 2013)
The first time this Fitness Zombie really focused on fitness, since his off-road racing days, was back in 2010. I was unemployed, hitting the gym like it was my second job, figuring that losing some extra baggage might help me land an actual job. With nothing but time, I dropped 19 pounds in 10 weeks, but once I got a full-time gig, well… the fitness routine crawled back to the grave.
Before that, it feels like a whole other undead lifetime. Back in college, I took weight training classes, and later, I trained hard for off-road motorcycle endurance racing. I even had a personal trainer for about a year and a half. But then the usual—injuries, health problems—got in the way, and I let myself go. Classic.
Fast forward to 2013, and the stakes had risen from mere fitness to survival. About a year and a half earlier, I was hospitalized for some serious pain, which ended in gallbladder removal. It was during that stay I got hit with the big ones: dangerously high blood pressure (237/115) and Type 2 diabetes. I made some half-hearted attempts at adjusting my diet and monitoring my blood sugar, but eventually, I let the meds take over while I went back to zombie autopilot. After a few “meh” checkups, I thought I was in the clear. I was not.
Things got worse. My blood pressure improved a bit but was still on the high side. Meanwhile, I dealt with swelling, back pain, digestive issues, and chest pain. I was basically a walking (or limping) disaster. My wife finally dragged me to the doctor, and after a round of tests, it was confirmed: diabetes was out of control, my liver values were off, and I had blood in my urine.
The doc told me to focus on the diabetes for two months, go on a strict meat/nuts/fruit diet, and get back to the gym when my body could handle it. At this point, I was weighing in at 265 pounds, with a waist that was more zombie-ballooned than anything at 54 inches. This blog was born out of the need to track my progress and keep me accountable. Time to claw my way out of this mess and get my health under control.
Looking Good, Feeling Good
By the end of 2013, things were going spectacularly well. I hit Milestone #2 right on schedule and was heading into the holidays with just 12 more pounds to lose by year’s end. I’ll admit, the pressure was on to hit my goal of 220 pounds by New Year’s, but I found motivation through online challenges. Before I knew it, 61 people had joined me in a race to lose those 12 pounds by 2014. Exciting stuff!
Starting the new year, I hit 211 pounds lighter than I’d been in years. Things were looking undead-fantastic. But, as my workouts got more intense, I found myself low on energy. I knew I wasn’t eating enough calories, so I tried bumping them up, but it slowed my progress. I went back to my 1200-1400 calorie days, dead set on hitting 200 pounds by March 5th so I could finally get my tattoo.
Despite the energy dips, I felt better than I had in forever. I even sprinted one night for no reason—crazy, right? But by March 2014, my old enemies—wrist and shoulder pain—came back to haunt me. It was a setback, for sure, reminding me why I had quit riding dirt bikes in the first place. I had to take it easy at the gym, which I hated. But I refused to give up. Dr. Mr. Doc threw some anti-inflammatory meds my way, and they made a huge difference. By mid-2014, I hit my goal of 200 pounds, losing a total of almost 75 pounds, and I finally got that tattoo in May.
The Setback
In 2015, things shifted again. Work slowed down, and the future looked uncertain. A friend had been bugging me to come work for him so, finally, I jumped ship. The job was great, but it was a grind. Working five days a week left me completely drained on the weekends. I quit going to the gym, stopped riding my dirt bike again, and gradually, my health took another nosedive.
Within a few months, the company was acquired, my friend left, and things got busier and more stressful. Then, a second acquisition came along, and in January 2017, I was part of the layoffs. During all this chaos, I had completely ignored my health. I gained back 48 pounds, ignored my diabetes again, and felt like complete crap. But by December 2016, I had already snapped out of it and started paying attention. Early 2017, I was already down 18 pounds, However having been laid off just a few months earlier, I still wasn’t feeling the full motivation to hit the gym.
Reflection
SO yeah, in early 2017, I was feeling better, but let’s be real—the fire to dive back into fitness wasn’t fully lit yet. I was still looking for that carrot to dangle in front of me to get me moving. But here’s the thing—this journey was far from over. I’d been knocked down before, but each time I got back up.
This time, the goal wasn’t just about a number on the scale. It was about taking control of my health—managing diabetes, blood pressure, and overall well-being. Each setback taught me more about myself and what I needed to do. I was ready to claw my way back again, with renewed focus and determination.
After that, things went pretty well, but I never quite found that same motivation I had in the beginning. To get fully up to date, check out Starting Over: My Journey Back to Health and Fitness, where I get you fully caught up on my latest efforts to rise again.
I'm on a lifelong quest to find the perfect balance between strawberry smoothies and pizza slices. A self-proclaimed gym enthusiast who believes rest days are just as crucial as leg days—especially if they involve NASCAR racing. I lift weights, but only so I can justify my love for chocolate cake. When I'm not at the gym, you’ll find me riding dirt bikes or capturing the thrill of motorsport through my camera lens. Join me as I navigate the highs and lows of fitness, where progress is measured in reps, and cheat meals are a form of self-care.
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