Friday, July 27, 2012

How I'm Taking Better Care Of Myself

Until now, I have never addressed this issue on the blog.  Frankly, it's probably because I was too embarrassed.  But I wouldn't have admitted that to you a few months ago.  I would have probably said, "It's not related to parenting, so I don't have to write about it."  As I have come to grips with reality, I have to admit that it has everything to do with parenting.  And not only does it have to do with parenting, it has to do with who I am as a person and my testimony as a follower of Jesus Christ.  I needed to take better care of myself.

"But I Don't Feel Fat..."

I used to tell myself that I didn't feel fat.  The truth is, I had probably tricked myself into having such a high self-esteem that I refused to notice that I was overweight.  Whenever I looked at myself in the mirror, it never seemed to bother me because I still felt like Kevin Costner, Kevin Spacey, or Kevin Bacon and not Kevin James.  I felt like John Travolta or John Stamos and not John Goodman or John Candy.  My weight didn't keep me from being productive at work; it didn't keep me from enjoying my hobbies; it didn't keep me from very much at all.  I didn't feel like there was anything wrong.  Besides, I come from a family full of big people, so I never really felt too big because I was surrounded by other big people. 

"Seatbelt? Who needs that anyway..."

There were always tell-tale signs that I was overweight - seat belts that didn't fit, rides that I couldn't get on, clothes I could only find at the local Big & Tall outlet, always keeping my shirt on when I went swimming (while telling myself it was so I wouldn't get sunburned).  I noticed myself being more out of breath than normal on a flight of stairs.  I noticed that I couldn't run the bases as quickly as I used to at my softball games.  I never felt like I had the energy to accomplish very much more than I was required to.  Then I went to my doctor for my annual checkup.  


"The Largest I Have Ever Been"

I went to my doctor a few months ago, and I weighed in at the largest I have ever been.  When the scale crossed the 400 mark, I was not happy.  I weighed in at 430 lbs.  Granted, I'm six feet tall, so I carry it better than some people, but it was something about that number and not wanting to hit 450 that changed my entire attitude.  What kind of example was I setting for my daughter by allowing myself to live like this?  What kind of example was I setting for those around me when I say that I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I can't even take care of His temple (my body)?  If I felt God calling me to go to some remote village, I probably couldn't go because there wouldn't be transportation large enough to get me there!  So I started to look for ways to increase my exercise and a meal plan that was rigid enough to change my weight but flexible enough that I wasn't going to fail at the first sign of temptation.  That's when I came across this video. 


     

I'm sure a lot of you have seen this video of Arthur Boorman.  It has over five million views on YouTube.  He is a real person, and this story is completely real.  He's actually from Maryland, and I happen to have a friend from high school that works with him at his day job.  In the evenings, he is an instructor for this new lifestyle that got him back in shape.  I watched this video, almost crying, and I said to myself, "If this middle-aged, crippled guy can get it together, what's stopping me?"  And I did something that I would typically never do, I spent the money to order a weight loss product.  I ordered the DDP Yoga DVDs just over thirty days ago, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

"Dudes Don't Do Yoga."

I know what you're thinking, "Why would a big guy like you want to do yoga?  Isn't yoga for women and sissies?  Can't you just go walk or run?"  Honestly, yes.  I could go walk or run.  But this is the entire reason that I ordered the DDP Yoga DVDs - this workout is LOW IMPACT.  For someone as large as myself, walking is killer on the back, and running is like torture on the knees and other joints.  With DDP Yoga, I can get my heart rate into my fat-burning zone by STANDING STILL.  That's right, I said standing still.  But the workouts don't stop there.  Once I have mastered the "easy stuff" there are plenty of challenging moves that I will have to learn and master that will keep me active for years to come.  If you still think yoga is for sissies, check out this video of DDP doing extreme psycho push-ups.  Does that guy look like a sissy?


"It's Not A Diet"

The DDP Yoga nutrition guide has three phases, so I worked at my own pace to make the changes that I needed to make.  Phase 1 cut out all extra sugar and processed food.  Phase 2 meant going Gluten Free and Dairy Free. Phase 3 added buying organic and using the principles of food combining to keep your metabolism burning fat all day long.  I already did Phase 1 before I ever ordered the DVDs.  Phase 2 and 3 have been challenging, but there are so many fresh veggies available right now, I have had no problem finding the right foods to eat, and Phase 3 is actually easier than Phase 2 because all that is required is a little extra money for organic.  But it's totally worth it!  I have lost 27 lbs. in 30 days!

"Community of Support"

The best part about DDP Yoga is their online community (you can view my profile there).  I can easily log on to see what workouts others are doing and get advice, recipes, encouragement and more.  I feel great.  I will never go back to the old me.  I own my life now.

If you, or someone you love, is looking for a way to get healthy, ask me about DDP Yoga, and I will be completely honest with you.  Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how your react to it.  Live life in the 90% - choose how you want to live and then make it happen!


12 comments:

  1. Congrats Matt... I just went to the doctor and I have lost 60 lbs since January just because I have a dog and refuse not to let her get fat and unhealthy. She has helped me and I wan't even trying to lose weight.

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  2. Awesome! Keep it up, Lexi! Kiwi is getting dead sexaaaay!

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  3. It is amazing to keep on reading stories like this and see that Arthur, Dallas and all of the other members of TeamDDP have this type of affect on US. Keep up the great work, don't give up, post your pictures and let us all know how you are doing! BANG!

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  4. Yay! So glad you are making a change. I just started DDPYoga about 3 weeks ago, it is the ONLY exercise program i have tried that I actually get excited to do! I think it has to do with the great instruction, encouragement, and how to "make it your own" we get from DDP on the vidoes AND the fact that after a workout, YOU DONT HURT, you just feel amazing. Best wishes on your journey! ~Bre

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  5. Awesome Matt!

    Before my son was born I weight in at 220 pounds (that may not seem like a lot but not being quite 5'8" it is) Since my son was born I have lost over 60 pounds. Being an older dad I was determined that I would be able to keep up with son and not let him know the other me. He now looks at older pictures of me and ask who that was in the photos, which always makes me feel good. I actually feel better than I ever have and I am smaller now than when I was senior in high school. Now I am just in a maintain my current weight mode...which I have done for over 1 1/2 years now. Keep up the good work Matt!!!

    Aaron

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  6. Love this Blog, and a strong supporter of DDPYoga since I saw Arthur's video back in May. Since May 7th, when I started doing this yoga program I've lost 56lbs. I've gained more strength and flexibility not to mention energy and yes I used to be one 400plus pounds once upon a time. My name is Scott Dinsmore more you can look me up on TeamDDPYoga.com on my continued progress, because I am still progressing. I love this program! It works, and literally it's all I do now.

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  7. Thanks Jim! My name on the site is MDP. I have posted my day 1 pics and should be posting my 30 day pics today. I am now up to 30 lbs lost!

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  8. Thanks Bre! This has really been a great change for me. The folks at TeamDDPYoga.com are awesome! Make sure you join and post your pics if you haven't already.

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  9. That's fantastic, Aaron! Sixty pounds from a 5'8" person is no small journey. Congrats on keeping it off as well! If you're ever looking for a way to strengthen and tone and increase flexibility without the impact of running and weight lifting, check out DDP Yoga. As Diamond Dallas Page puts it, he is now 55 years YOUNG!

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  10. Thanks, Scott! I'm off to friend you now on TeamDDPYoga.com. I am now right at 400. I have lost 30 lbs as of yesterday. Congrats!

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  11. Nice! I love the video part. I'm really surprised you can do a yoga thing :) I'd like to suggest one more technique that would certainly improve your emotional health. It is the Emotional Freedom Technique which my doctor actually recommended. It's really effective for me so I guess it will have the same effect on you.

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  12. Matt are you still doing Yoga...if so please give us an update. Have a Great Thanksgiving.

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