Getting in Elk Shape..

[just_a_hunter]

2015 was a tough year for me..

First I better fill you in on a little background. January 1st of 2012 I decided I had enough of nicotine running my life so after 20 years of use I quit cold turkey with a full can of Cope in my pocket so I could stare the "devil" in the eye so-to-speak. At the time, it was the toughest thing I ever done but I haven't touched it since.

From 2012 to 2015 though I gained 40 pounds since quitting tobacco and I was morbidly obese to begin with. In January of 2015 I decided I needed to quit drinking alcohol. I didn't realize I was a full on alcholic until I tried to quit and couldn't. Admitting I was an alcoholic was then the toughest thing I ever done but with a lot of prayer, support and reflection, I gave it up on March 1, 2015 and haven't touched it since and never will again. Every once in a while I almost make it a day without thinking I need to pour myself a drink but by God I am sober.

But by far the toughest thing I ever had to do was look in the mirror at 395 lbs. and admit to myself I wasn't in any kind of shape to go elk hunting so in 2015 I didn't buy an elk tag. The first time since I was old enough to hunt.

So January 1, 2016, I made a goal and told myself that if I can quit my other addictions, I can quit my addiction of being obese and lazy and the only thing holding me back was the person in the mirror.

These past 6 1/2 months have been some of the most rewarding days of my life as I have found physical activity and healthy choices are the only way to live.

I'm down 90 lbs as of today. I have a solid 60 to go before I am where I need to be but I am in bettere cardio shape than I have been since my senior year of high school wrestling.

There are no secrets. I cut out carbs, drink water, eat lots of lean protien and work... It really is that simple and if I can do it anybody can. When I get down to where I want to be I am going to adopt the Paleo/ancestrial diet life style as I know I can live it and I have studied it extensivly.

Me at 395

   

After having lost 50 lbs.

   

After loosing 75 lbs.

   

And today at minus 90

   

I'm on a thousand mile journey and I only have about the first half mile behind me. The tough part is staying in shape but I think I finally have the mental toughness to admit this is a job I'm going to have the rest of my life.

I will never be on the edge of my falls and addicitons but I am here to tell you, those goals you make half heartedly are possible to acheive. Find your support, motivation, discipline and find a way to to allow those to make you happy instead of substance and anything is possbile.

Thanks for reading,

Todd

[awbowman]

       

[Recurve7]

A well deserved congrats!

[CRM_95]

That is awesome!!! It's amazing what you can do when you make a commitment like that.

[Basinboy]

God bless you brother! The hardest hurdles are already crossed. Keep up the positive attitude, see you on the mountain:)

[Cwilder]

Congrats man

[PistolPete]

Awesome work. That's great!

[Burly]

Awesome job, I am also going to turn my life around. I don't drink or smoke but I sure like the food (Too much ). I can hardly walk 100 yards with out being winded. I figure I need to lose about 75 - 100 lbs.

[pinky]

Another Congrats and a Big        

[Cool Springer]

Good for you!  And realizing the need to continue with the healthy  lifestyle for the rest of your days is key.
Congratulations, and good luck on your journey.  Those elk are in trouble now  

[Crittergetter]

I tip my hat to you sir!! Very impressive!!

[Crittergetter]

I tip my hat to you sir!! Very impressive!!

[Randy M]

Outstanding results.  Congrats on your success and good luck with the last 60.

Randy

[JakeD]

That's a heck of a lot of great accomplishments!  You should be extremely proud of yourself.  Good luck on your continued success and healthy living.

[T Sunstone]

Congrats on your journey, I guess you'll be elk hunting this year.

[Ragin Bull]

Congratulations Todd!
You should be very proud. I'm proud of you and we have never met.......yet.  You are an inspiration and you have the right attitude!
I can't wait to hear about your elk hunts in the future.
Congratulations again!    Well done!

[M60gunner]

Well done, great attitude. You have done this at a time in your life that will add useful years to your life. I am no role model for sure but I am glad I did excerise when I was younger. Been here at a reunion of vets. We are all late 60's early 70's and some of these guys I donot expect to see two years from now at next reunion. Some guys with walkers, canes and oxygen bottles look like death warmed over.
Stick with it and live to be a burden on your kids!!

[nhbuck1]

That's awesome man, congrats and god bless

[TexasTrad]

Very Impressive.  Keep up the good work!

[Michael Arnette]

You sir...are an inspiration!