Changes!

I am a former United States Marine.  When I graduated basic training at 17 I was 5'6 and weighed in at 120 pounds.  That was definitely underweight but that was after three months of intense physical training and a restricted diet.  With a few months of strength training and more intense physical work outs I got up to 140 pounds, and I stayed there for almost two years.  Then in September of 2001 I fell from a window in training and destroyed my knee.  I was not able to work out on a daily basis, and at 19 years old, I didn't think about changing my eating habits. I ballooned up to 175 pounds during my recovery period, and stayed that way until Iraq.  After 8 months in the desert I came home at 135.  I got married and started eating junk food again, and by the time I got out of the Corps I was over 180.  Seven years later after a diet of McDonalds, Wendy's. Burger King and KFC I am now 247 pounds and can no longer look in a mirror or take pictures without embarrassment.

Today is the day that changes and I am going to be taking my friends, my family, and the friends I have yet to meet along with me on my journey to being healthy once more!

Side view of me today at 247

6/12/2011 247 Lbs Front view

August 2000 17 years old U.S.M.C. 120 lbs