Flab to Fab {my brothers story}

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That’s right, it is a family thing. Today’s story is from my ‘little’ brother (I’m 18 months older almost to the day) S. First a few of us when we were younger because we were just too damn adorable.

He is one of my favorite people in the entire world and not just because he is my brother. When we were little we always had each other and we were even fat together. Stvn has lost about 150 pounds and kept it off for a couple years, he may not have started for the right reasons and use different methods but that is what has worked for him. He was always a fun little brother, someone I could tease, hang out with and exchange sarcastic views with. He was my first friend in life and he is an awesome Uncle even if he lives 1200 miles away right now. Nate instantly took to him when we were back home visiting. Any ramble…here is my brother! And don’t forget to leave him some comment love, I will be forwarding all comments to him to reply to at his leisure.

Im not sure what a good influence I would be for this because of my motivation/techniques. I believe I started gaining weight right around the same time I started Lakewood, so that would put me right around 3rd or so grade. Which was for the most part just a lack of self control and healthy eating habits, I was putting on weight even though I was active in sports football, some track, and some wrestling. Then when I became too cool for school and stopped doing sports the weight gain was greatly accelerated. To some degree I would have to place some blame for the weight gain on genetics/bad parenting. I was active in sports and still gaining weight, visibly not from muscle, which is where I think genetics is involved in some small fashion. Then bad parenting, in our house weight gain seemed to be the norm in our tween/teen years, which if you look at our mother at that age would make total sense. However noticing this and maybe not wanting us to relive her formidable years our mother would lock up or hide the good food(which is really the terrible food) which obviously to anyone, especially defiant youngsters is going to make you want the forbidden food all the more.

Breaking point is an interesting thing. I didnt really have any motivators, all through school I dated chicks way too hot for me so its not like that was a huge concern. Part of what spear headed it I think was the ending of a 3 year relationship that honestly probably shouldn’t have made it past 8 months. In an effort to “win” the break up(which by the way has become I time honored tradition for me and I have and still do win the breakup) I did all the things shed been nagging at me to do when we were together. Bypassing the fact that I did all those things we’ll focus on one in particular the subject at hand, weight loss. Winning the break up was what built up the desire to lose weight, just too really shove it in her face. “Hey im banging this hotter girl, and oh yeah im doing it sans 100lbs” was the basic idea. To actually execute though I had to get over the mental hump, which for me was finally realizing I absolutely hated the way I looked, one, and noticing minor things like heavy breathing or getting winded walking up stairs, pothetic in my eyes. These realizations on top of an overall, albeit vindictive, goal is what ultimatley lead to my weight loss.

(animal lover)

(Good Uncle…it’s like present and future for hair haha…poor Nate!)

(My three favorite guys all together…)

Now to the fun stuff which in my case is incredibly terrible advice for anyone, unless you are inline with my particular disoposition, which unless your me and also a high functioning schizophrenic is probably not the case. So key motivators, for me a huge one was self negative reinforcement. For instance someone brings donuts to work everyone who doesnt have to work at being thin or who is enormous and doesnt care are enjoying there greasy ring of death and heart disease. Being who I am I know that they are delicious and since I do my research and learn everything I can about a new endevor I knew they were absolutely horrible for you not only in calories but in fat. All it took me to keep from eating something off my diet was to tell myself what a huge piece of shit I was and what an even bigger piece of shit I would be if I ate something like that. Again awful advice, but I know that works for me so thats what I did. Also willpower, through this negative reinforcement I gained incredible will power to make sure I kept myself on track. Part of the reason for this is 1. I did it by myself, other people can make excuses or weigh you down. I had a goal and I was going to make it period. 2. Goals, setting small goals and reaching them to the ultimate big goal. Setting small goals gives you a smaller more attainable task to complete that will ultimatly lead to the larger goal and when you complete it you get a small sense of accomplishment, excellent motivation to keep going. 3. Holding yourself accountable, you set the goal and you make sure your doing what it takes to do it, not blaming other people for not reminding you, not keeping up with it only infront of people its an all the time. Personally I convinced myself everything that is bad for you is just that, BAD so I stay away from it. I also did weight watchers which is good for getting you to develop good eating habits and went vegan which restricts just about everything I can eat. I still feel heavy because I have the loose skin, that can only be removed with surgery so after all of the work on losing weight I still don’t look how I thought I would.

I will forward all emails to my brother to respond to! If you have any questions for this guy who lose over 150 pounds then just let me know!

Comments

Carrie says:

March 9, 2012 at 8:34 am

Hey, whatever the reasons to begin with, you ultimately made a good decision.
Great job!
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Sorta Southern Single Mom says:

March 10, 2012 at 9:15 am

Refreshingly honest. Thank you for sharing.
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Rachael says:

March 10, 2012 at 1:48 pm

I like his story because it’s real. He doesn’t try to sugar coat it. He tells you straight up why he did it, how and what his motivators were and honestly, I think most of us can relate even though we may not want to admit it. Congrats on the weight loss and keeping it off! Thanks for sharing!
Kristy @PampersandPinot says:

March 11, 2012 at 3:56 pm

That’s awesome. Sounds like he learned a lot about himself through it all as well. I’m pretty “rule based” myself when it comes to food. Especially donuts! I just tell myself, “I don’t eat those.” I can’t even tell you how many years it’s been since I’ve had one.
Kristy @PampersandPinot recently posted..Party Animals
Jenn [ Crippled Girl ] says:

March 12, 2012 at 12:58 pm

Revenge can be such a great motivator! Whatever it took, the weight loss is fantastic!
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Life According to Amanda says:

March 12, 2012 at 1:03 pm

I love that this post is the way it is. Raw, honest, and to the point. Great job on losing the weight and keeping it off!
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