By Tony Pennington
NORMAN, Okla. — I picked a public place to have a very private moment.
It was the weekend before Christmas, and I found myself in a dressing room staring at a pair of size 36 brown corduroy pants. Sometimes I hate the mall.
As Elvis told me more than once, 'Santa was coming right down Santa Claus Lane,' I heard a mother and daughter share their voices with the “King” in a strange harmony of “That’s a cute blue top.” The attendant ushered them into an empty cubicle.
I don’t know how long I had been in that room, but several people had entered and exited. In my head they were leaving with clothes that fit and not wish wear: You know, clothes you wish you could wear and purchase with the idea it magically will come true.
I stood up, grabbed the pants, looked at the ceiling and put one leg in, and then the other. So far so good. With each hand I pinched a piece of the waist and brought them forward expecting the impending tug-of-war. Almost without effort the button fastened.
There was room. I could squat; sit with my legs crossed; and my rear was fully covered. The overhead speaker burst into “Joy to the World,” I gave a loud, “Woohoo.” The attendant asked if I was alright. I replied, “Yeah!” To myself I said, “I am now.”
One year ago
Last January shopping in the mall would not have been an option. My pant size ranged from 46 to 48. I was left with ordering my clothes online. Even then it was like receiving a mystery box: Would the clothes fit? The guessing gave me pants and shirt either too large or not big enough. I also had to add a hole to the black belt that came with one shipment. The belt became an inside joke to me. I put a hole in it, and it left me with a scar below my belly button because my stomach swallowed it, and the weight pressed the buckle against my skin.
January also was the month that changed my life. My friends Heather and Randy Wade saw something in me and offered me a way to help myself. They wanted me to be on their team for Kongo’s Fitness’ — now Sooner Fitness — Biggest Loser Contest. By now, most people know we won the 12-week competition. Team Wade even appeared on promotional items for the gym.
When I walked away in April, I didn’t just leave nearly 80 pounds lighter or with a freshly tailored suit. I was given an opportunity to realize my potential as an individual. Even though I was part of a team, the effort to get to the gym, stick to the diet and stay motivated came from me. The lessons I learned from that experience changed my life. It gave me a more positive outlook that has shaped me on an emotional personal and professional level.
One year later
When I stepped on the scale for the last weigh-in of the year, I held my breath. I started at 354 pounds with more than 40 percent of body fat. I promised myself I would stay with the program for a year and see where it got me. My goal was 220 pounds.
The discipline I earned on the stair master, that cold black engine of frustration and endless taunts, circuit training and dieting not only shed the weight, it broke down my internal walls.
As a large man, I felt everyone was talking about me, pointing fingers at me, laughing at me. I developed a personality that kept everyone at bay and sarcasm that would hurt them first before they could hurt me. Several people could see right through this, Heather and Randy were two of them. But it left many others with a negative impression of me. It also pushed my girlfriend away.
Climbing stairs changes a man. Each step is like a small success and a tiny piece of enlightenment. My first workout on “black death” lasted a mere five minutes. Not much introspection could be had there. But, as those minutes increased — current levels have me cruising through 50 minutes on that machine — I had ample time to think.
I came to terms with myself. I was fat, and I could do something about it. It wasn’t others fault, but it was my fault for not doing something about it. I started to gain confidence and open up more to people. I talked to strangers, and some said I smiled more. It’s a lot easier to be nice than a brooding, sweaty man. It was like for the first time the image I had of myself was being seen by everybody, not just those who had the patience to tolerate me. I was comfortable, relaxed.
My inner peace allowed me to focus on other areas. The intensity I poured in my workouts was applied to other areas. I have earned recognition by my peers through professional accolades. My friends enjoy being around me more, and they report I am more laid back. And my girlfriend came back. And no, it wasn’t because of the weight loss. It’s because my attitude is positive, and she can see how far and hard I fought with myself to become a better person. She always loved me, but couldn’t stand my “everyone is out to get me,” mindset.
I exhaled as the numbers rolled on the electronic read out. When they stopped, I couldn’t even muster a “Woohoo.” The red number read 212.5, with about 20 percent body fat. I lost 142 pounds and more than 20 percent body fat in one year and even more if you count the emotional baggage.
What’s next
“What are you going to do now?”
That’s always the next question right after, “I bet you feel better and have more energy?” The answers are obvious. Of course I feel better and have more energy. But now, I want to help others any way I can. That begins back where I started a year ago.
I recently spoke with Sean Wildman, manager of Sooner Fitness, about how to get started on a weight loss program.
Wildman recommends visiting a gym and getting the feel of the place. He said you have to be comfortable with the facility if you plan on spending time there. Interested individuals also should see a physician before getting started. Next, they should meet with a personal trainer to get set up on an appropriate program.
“What we would look at are what are their goals,” Wildman said. Some want to reduce body fat and weight and others want to lose weight and add muscle. “Once we know their goals we can determine what to do.”
One possible workout would be three days of weight resistance and three to four days of cardio training. Wildman said that means about four days in the gym for about an hour at a time.
With a workout and diet program established, individuals must be careful of stumbling blocks. He has heard every excuse: “I don’t have the time.” “I don’t like the food.” “It’s too hard.”
“A lot of people fail with a diet or exercise program because they don’t have the will power,” he said.
Wildman’s solution is setting small goals to achieve the ultimate goal.
“People have to plan ahead,” he said. “Make time to go to the gym and set small attainable goals and then reward yourself for reaching them.”
A reward could be a favorite meal or snack not on the approved diet. Once the treat is done, it’s back on the diet.
Wildman also said individuals should look for ways to be creative with their diet food. There are plenty of resources available for dieters to read through and gain ideas. One of Wildman’s favorite sites is www.bodyforlife.com.
Wildman’s last piece of advice is to continue to ask questions and stick with the program and give it time to work.
“This won’t happen in a day or even weeks,” he said. “They have to stay patient and focused on their goals.”
People can hear it straight from Wildman himself when Sooner Fitness begins its Biggest Loser Contest this week. With their paid entry, contestants will receive a diet program, nutritional classes, group support, body fat tracking and weight training. And like last year, the winning team will walk away with a cash prize.
But they just may leave the gym with something more valuable than money. They will have their health and a blueprint for success in every aspect of their life.
Tony Pennington writes for The Norman (Okla.) Transcript.
