When I stepped on the scale I couldn’t believe the display. I have been heavy most of my adult life, except for the summer I lost 70 pounds. I was chasing a girl and I thought if I was skinny I might be able to catch her (I was 17). I didn’t catch her, but my new svelte-ness made it easier for me to chase after others! After going to college and putting on the “Freshman 15″ each of my 4 years, life happened and I gained all of the 70 (and-then-some) back.
The scale number seemed ominous and large though. It’s hard for me to write it down and tell the world, but in my pursuit of transparency, it only seemed to make sense to talk about it. 327 Pounds. 3 – 2 – 7. Three Hundred Twenty Seven…Wow.
The events that led me to put my feet on the scale platform at the health club started when my brother Jeff stopped by my workplace a few weeks ago and asked if we could talk in private. I said “of course” and we snagged one of the unoccupied offices in the corner.
He pulled out a brochure that said “Biggest Loser Challenge“ in bold letters and laid it on the desk. My sister-in-law Dana and Jeff have really worked hard at getting healthy over the last 5 years. Both of them stopped smoking and walk for miles on a regular basis, and last year they joined a health facility and several times suggested I join them.
He looked at me, grinned hesitantly, and said “I am pretty sure you can afford to do this, and pretty sure you can’t afford not too.”
“I swear he thinks I’m going to keel over from a heart attack at any moment” I thought to myself.
It’s true that I have gained quite a bit of weight over the last couple of years. I really haven’t been making good eating choices, and over the last couple of years, stress and other factors have forced me to focus on other areas. I didn’t realize how much this shift in focus had affected my weight until last week.
Even the healthy habits that I had (playing racquetball and swimming alot, staying away from sodas) seemed to drift away. I would always pick a few things to work on at the beginning of a year like finances, or spiritual growth, and would put my weight on the back burner (and the grilled cheese on the front!).
So… I agreed to go ‘at least meet with the people there’. He drove me the next morning (at 5:30 am) to Sumner Station and I met with the manager and coordinator of this program, along with a really nice couple named Bill and Judy. We talked about what you ‘got for your $250′ and discussed our goals. Overall it sounded like a pretty good deal… The program is 8 weeks long, and your team receives a personal trainer that sets up an exercise plan for you. You also have a few meetings with a dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan, and an online program that helps track your progress and offers an additional community aspect. The winner receives 6 months free at the facility and the teammates of the winner all get a month free.
It all sounded good. My wife Shelli and I had been praying for direction, and already made some health based decisions, and planned on “starting Weight Watchers in January” in hopes of chiseling ourselves down to a reasonable size. Trying this program seemed like a great way to launch myself into the new year.
So, I signed up. My team meets 3 days a week at 5:15 am. Usually I go to bed around midnight, so sleeping patterns will be another huge change for me. I have finished week one already, and a few things I have noticed are swinging emotions, and surging energy.
Perhaps by getting healthier, I can show my children the power of sacrifice, goal setting and hard work. Maybe it’s deeper than that… Paul talks about your body being a temple to God in a letter he wrote to the Corinthians. “Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.”
Originally I didn’t internalize this weight struggle as a spiritual issue, but why wouldn’t it be? The original followers of Jesus did not seperate their ’spiritual lives’ from their ‘everyday lives’ and as my relationship with God is growing, I’m understanding that every decision I make is, at its core, a spiritual decision.
Here’s to hoping that this ‘temple’ becomes much lighter over the next 8 weeks! (Prayers Needed and Welcomed!)
Love,
Jason
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January 19th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Jason, I’m so proud of you guys! Putting the number out there for the world to see is amazingly brave. I still haven’t done that on my blog. I’ve posted how much I’ve lost, but not what the starting weight was. Figured I’d do that once I hit my goal. I know, I’m a chicken! You’re such a good example of truly being transparent!
I know you’ll succeed at this! Shelli too!! The fact that you guys have made a commitment to get healthier together will make a huge difference! You guys definitely have our prayers and our support!! Know that you guys are loved, very much, no matter what!
Blessings in Him,
Callie
P.S. We all need to get together soon! We miss you guys!
January 19th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Jason, I applaud your transparency. (Gee, not a bad name for a blog, either.) God bless and good luck. J
January 19th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Jason,
Thanks for putting it out there. I got the lose weight or take blood pressure medicine talk from my dr. I’ll pray for you as I fight the same struggle.
January 19th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Jason,
Now I am really excited about our partnership in the Biggest Loser after reading your notes. I have a wonderful glimps of your heart. I have to admit I am not the happiest camper at Sumner Station during our early morning workouts. Excerise has never been my thing, but with my husband Bill’s support we are doing this.
Thank you so much for beginning this journal or as you young folk say “BLOG”
Have a great day, take care, be safe and enjoy your moments,
January 19th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Jason – what you’re trying to do is great, and it will set a good example for your kids. I watched (and continue) to watch my mother struggle with her weight. I don’t think any less of her even when she gets a little heavier. It’s her efforts that are admirable. I hope you reach your goals nevertheless. Everyone’s got some sort of health related struggle, so you’re in a very big boat with a lot of people.
January 19th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
J:
Good job. God has been bugging me for the past several years to get down to a healthier weight. For me it’s about paying attention to my temple instead of feeding my desires. Fortunately Callie and Weight Watchers have made it easier than when I’ve tried to lose weight before.
I look forward to your continued success!
Zale
January 19th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
My worship pastor has lost 80 plus lbs. He says he is not on a diet, he just changed his life style. A diet can be a drag. But a change in mind set/life style is a life altering process without a lot of the pain.
His wife is dropping weight also. She is looking GOOD. (and much happier)
Being a type 1 diabetic I must be careful what I eat. Sometimes it is a drag but I am dropping lbs and I just might live long enough to see my grandson graduate HS, maybe even college. (I talk about my grandson on my web page) So my mind set is to be around long enough to make a difference in Tony’s life. What better reason to do your best than to do something for someone else. Your kids for example.
I am excited for you being a loser.
January 19th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Great inspirational post Jason! I too need to get my “act together” so that I can be healthier. If I felt better, I would be able to accomplish much more for our Lord!! My desire is to be in a slimmer, healthier body, that has more energy.
God bless you and Shelli!
January 19th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
i’m prayin4you brother. We need you to hang around for a little while longer anyway your portion is definitely needed! Keep being transparent J.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:49 am
This is inspiring to the point where I want to make a serious attempt to transform my fluctuating 250 pounds into a fluctuating 180 pounds. You already know my story with the Coca-Cola, but it hasn’t been enough. I have to do more. I’m proud of you, bro!
January 20th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Hey Jason. Thanks for letting me in on the little secret before you blogged about it. Just so your readers know, you had the apple and I had the chips at Panera last week. What a bad example I am. I’m rooting for you. Don’t give up.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
@Everyone: I really appreciate the positive response! It has been almost been overwhelming. This ‘Transparent Community’, the folks at my church, my family, coworkers… Everyone.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress… The first week was awesome… I lost 10 pounds!
Oh, and Idahostevens – I laughed out loud at this: “I am excited for you being a loser.”
January 30th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I”m there with you bro — my girls PUSHED ME, the doctor suggested it and I’m doing it too! – My problem is those nachos, but for the game, IT’S VEGGIE nachos, yeah! btw, still waitin’ for your questions…I”m here for ya…sue ross – sue@theinnervizion.com
February 1st, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Good Job Jason! I feel proud to know a LOSER! Your health is important to those who love you!
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Jason, thanks for the smiles you share when we gather at 5:15 a.m.!!
Funny how 5:15 a.m. seems to come earlier on certain days, today was definitely one of those. I am grateful to be on your team, good to be a LOSER…
Take care, be safe and enjoy your moments,
February 8th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Go Jason go ! We are going to do that mile around the track we talked about so long ago, and you will be flying ! I am proud of you !
February 8th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Hi Jason,
I too am proud for you and your family as you make these sacrifices and bless your family with your decision to live and live strong. You’re a good man and I am pulling for you 100%!
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Hey folks. Quick update. I lost another 4 lbs last week and I’m down 23 pounds total. Very excited about this, and really looking at this as a lifestyle instead of a temporary diet. I’m finding foods that I still love to eat and exercising regularly is getting easier. Thank you all for the incredible support you have shown. I’m very humbled by that. God is Good, and you all have been SOOO supportive. I love you for that.
J
June 10th, 2009 at 3:05 am
Jason,
So how is it going? In music I hear, “Less is more”
In life, “Less Jason is more life.” yes?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
John-
I’ve dropped about 40 pounds since January. I’ve been at a plateau lately with summer in full swing, kids out of school and things just generally nutty busy. I have realized that portion size was a huge deal for me, so I’ve been eating less, and trying to focus much more on healthier foods. I also have started jogging around my block several times a week and swimming quite a bit. Prayers for focus would be appreciated, but I’m definitely going in the right direction and looking forward to continuing losing!
Thanks for checking in!
Jason