Punk Rock Papi {Flab to Fab}

Today’s guest poster is my husband!  So, be nice and don’t forget to visit Jayme today for a Flab to Fab post!

Ahoy!

This is is Chris, better known as Punk Rock Papi! It has been a long time coming for me to write this post and I have seen alot of different posts leading up til now of all of your stories and where you are, and why you are involved in such a challenge. We all have differing reasons and most of you are conquering your challenges head on and all I can say is you rock! Keep it up and we will all get there together!

Cheesy banter aside, here is my story;

I have probably maintained the same “herculean” physique since I was a kid. Never too big, never too small, always with a round belly! I come from a spanish family who has always come together through a love of food and eating together. My cousins and I were raised by our Thai grandmother(Gramp’s 2nd wife) and she always kept us well fed in a combo of spanish/thai delight. My Dad and I shared a love of food and cooking together growing up as well. Our meals consisted of all things delicious, which included more vegetables and less fatty fried foods or food from a box. Eating has always been enjoyment for me since I was young so maintaining the above mentioned round belly was always easy.

For many years, I have joked about my ‘happy belly’ and often considered it lightly about my weight. Through most of my twenties, I have worked in the restaurant business and was very fond of drinking, celebrating and eating poorly. Think of all the gross things you eat, late at night….drunk! I was young, single, and fully intending to die under my own circumstances, the years ahead not my concern. Who cares if I die of a heart attack or diabetes? As long as I’m fat, happy and having fun right?

So what changed? Why even make it concern or even become so suddenly conscientious of my health and weight after all the fun and excitement of doing whatever I wanted?

I became a Dad at 29, then I became a Husband. Suddenly, its no longer up to me to decide how and when I die or in the least…how healthy I am.

Are Mami and Nate forcing me to change my ways about my eating? No, not at all. I am simply inspired by their love for me and desire to live a long life with me. My father died when I was 17 and my mother died at 26. I never really got to share much of my future with them, nor did they get to see me grow, succeed and begin the life I have now. I’ll be damned if my son is going to live that way…..

I have been told I am pre-disposed to type 2 diabetes. I have taken sleep studies and told I have severe sleep apnea. I am also told that at my “young” age, I can avoid struggling so much if I drop weight and begin eating better.  Done! Right?

The road is long unfortunately. I hate CPAP machines because I can’t sleep like I want, and I love cookies and beer…..like, alot! I continue to make efforts by reducing my caffeine intake, considering my meal options(despite my healthy appettite and love of food) and trying to work with Mami to cook better meals at home. I take walks with my family when I can, even though I know I could do better. I have done ONE whole session of cardio(throw a party!).  I have become less of a ‘grazer’, a bad habit I picked up working in restaurants….

The result? I began Flab to Fab averaging 244 pds and as of last week, I achieved a weight of 233, 11 pounds! Don’t get me wrong, it fluctuates but I haven’t gone over 235 yet!

Its a long, slow process which could use better effort on my part, but I believe Mami and I working as a team will help to achieve an even lower weight goal by the end of the year.

Best of luck out there and thanks for sharing all your awesome stories, you inspire us all!