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 Gabe Albert
Since the beginning of junior high school which was about 30 years ago, I have always weighed at least 200 lbs. Even in grade school I was the big kid with a weight problem. I remember in the 6th grade my Mom took me to the County Health Nurse for “help”. The nurse informed me that I wouldn’t be successful or liked if I was the “fat kid” OUCH! That just made me want to stay the fat kid and prove her wrong and I did. I was good in sports and made plenty of friends. I guess I just grew into myself and the older I got the larger I became.
Let’s fast forward to last November when I had a health scare. On my way to the doctor I was wheeling and dealing with God and told him that if he would let me be OK that I would start to diet immediately. After the doctor ran tests he informed me that the main reason I was having issues was because I was obese. No one has ever used that word with my name attached to it. I was just big.
I chose to ignore what the doctor had said to me and kept living the way I had always been. I lived in a fast food, late night eating, couch potato world. I kept telling myself that I was happy and there was nothing wrong with me.
I have a friend that went through the New You program and was very successful. I remember her saying “Gabe, I know that you can do this if you just put your mind to it.” I agreed to go to the next informational meeting. At the informational meeting I ended up signing up for an appointment with Dr. Clouse but had not yet committed in my heart. Well, my eyes were opened wide after my appointment with Dr. Clouse. He informed me that if I did not go through this program that I would be put on medication. I ended up paying for everything up front that evening so I would not back out!
The first two weeks of the program were the hardest of my life. At about 10 weeks into the program my daughter Taylor and I were walking into the house and I dropped something. I bent over and picked it up and she said “Mom….you did it!” I said “Did what?” she said “You picked it up yourself” What a huge eye opener this was! I never realized how my weight had affected my family and how they had to work around me. I was so ashamed and embarrassed that night. I didn’t cry in front of her, I waited until I got into my room. This is when I made a promise to myself to always be as healthy as I can be.
Today I am at my 28th week of a New Life and have lost 100 pounds and 10 sizes, my blood work has improved and I do not need any medications. Exercise is part of my daily routine and the best part of it all is my family exercises together so now TOGETHER we are a New Family!
Always remember that you can do and be anything that you set your mind to. Never let someone else’s expectations get in the way of your goals. Instead put all of that focus and energy into your own success!
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