I thought to myself, “I’m just over 44 years old. I shouldn’t be laying here on an operating table with my arms strapped down in a crucifix position.” The position seemed suiting as the surgeon cut into my wrist to begin the angioplasty.  They had already brought me back once on my way here. That scared the hell out of me! And I’m just as scared now laying here at 530 pounds watching the monitor as this probe moves closer and closer to my beating heart… trying to keep me from dying… again. 

Almost two years later, looking back I shouldn’t have been surprised I ended up like that… back then I battled with depression. I would eat and drink my feelings away. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were a mere phone call away and as I grew the more I withdrew away from society until I was even having alcohol delivered.  I ate and drank because I was depressed and the more that I ate and drank the more depressed I became. I was in a cycle of self-sabotage that appeared bottomless. 

Back then, while on the table, I never thought I’d be where I am now. 

I am now literally half the man I used to be, weighing 265 pounds, but I am more than twice the man I was in so many important ways. Needless to say I had to change everything in my life. I weigh all of my meals and currently weight train on a 6 days on 1 day off cycle while doing cardio 6 times a week.  I eat 7 meals a day. Lots of veggies and water and for my first meal of the day as well as prior and post workout: meals that are high in lean proteins and complex carbs. 

Favorite Exercise: Dips 

Favorite Meal: Salmon with rice and a garden salad 

Favorite Cheat Meal: Good old fashioned bacon cheeseburger 

Favorite Quote: If you want something work for it. 

I share this because if I can do it, you can too. Whatever the change, whatever your goal. Make your choice and be the change. Commit to it and live it, it will be rough…but believe in yourself. 

As per my favorite quote: If you want something…work for it.  

You’re worth it. 

Blake. 

A.K.A. The Silverback Viking