Back in 2012, long before I came to the realization that I was simply going to have to change in order to have any quality of life at all, my wife used to try and encourage me to walk a little more each day.  While this isn't a horrible idea at all, especially for someone that was over 500 pounds, my willingness to do this was absolutely zero.

One night the car was packed toward the back of the parking lot.  The whole time I was talking toward the car, I made a scene by spewing profanities and the like.  I must admit that this was not a good look for me.  In the end I apologized for my behavior.  Sadly, 2 more years would pass before I came to the realization that's gotten me to where I am today.

Long ago, before I moved to Canada and even before I had gastric bypass surgery, finding gainful employment was quite a challenge.  Saying this will likely come as no surprise, because many people have struggled and are struggling with this.  Now, let's take a look at my experience.

Back in the 90's I struggled to find a career.  This is partially to do with a lack of marketable skills, which I later worked to correct.  However, at this time I was working on the food service industry.  My positions ranged anywhere from dishwasher/bus boy to line cook.  During my time in this industry I worked at Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Ponderosa and a local bar.  So, after working at these places, I didn't see there being much of a stretch moving to a "bigger" restaurant. 

That said, there was a large Italian food chain opening where I lived, so I decided to apply, seeing as I was without  employment at the time.  There was nothing unusual here as far as obtaining and filling out an application.  Providing I am remembering this correctly, after some time, I was contacted by the location management and an interview was scheduled.  My reason for saying this in the way I have, is that I very well could have been interviewed on the spot, I just don't remember the specifics of that portion of the process.

Here is where the experience differed for me verse someone that is more fit than I was at the time.  As always, there were the normal introduction type things that happened at the start of the interview, as well as discussions on work experience etc..  After all of this was done, I was asked if I felt that I could keep up with the work in their tight/fast paced kitchen.  In my head, this was clearly a commentary on my lack of physical fitness and sheer size.  Of course, I felt as though I could, seeing as I'd not long ago cooked in a kitchen, where I manned the operation alone for the night shift.

Obviously, I cannot say that the interviewer refrained from offering me a position due to my size.  However, based on some of the questions asked at the time, I would have to say that my size was definitely being taken under consideration.

Either way, I feel that I am better off for not having been given a/the position.  I later went to school to study Microsoft Network Administration and subsequently had a few positions that lead me to where I am now, with a world leading network security company.  I am not doing too bad for a guy that was once not given a chance to work at Olive Garden.

​#TooFatToFry

​The plan is to start adding my training sessions, so that those that don't use BodySpace can see what I am doing.

Additionally, I just noticed that I accidentally removed all of my previous content.  So, it would seem I am starting over with all of my blog entries as of today.

Well, here we go again.  I had quite a bit of information about how things were going prior to July of 2016 accidentally deleted by yours truly about 20 minutes ago.  It's funny how a technical person could make such a stupid mistake on a platform that is point and click and WYSIWYG.  Oh well.  At least now, we all get a fresh start.

For the last 2 years, more or less, I have been wandering in the wilderness of fitness and diet.  I've tried a number of dietary "protocols" during this time.

Eat like an asshole
For the bulk of the 2 years since I stopped blogging, I spent my time eating pretty much whatever I wanted to, while continuing to train hard.  Hopefully, this will have ultimately been of benefit to me, by adding some new muscle.  During this time, I spent my days in the gym working on Powerlifting style training.   

I had never done a deadlift before this time.  While my number is not all that impressive at 355-360 pounds, I'm certainly eclipsing those folks still sitting on the couch.  My bench press is equally laughable in my opinion, at a meager 230 pounds.  When I think back to only barely being able to hit 95 pounds for 1 or 2 reps, I guess I still have to give myself a little credit.  My squat is non existent, since I cannot get myself to perform the movement effectively enough to start training it.

Paleo
I did see some great progress while doing this type of eating.  However, the diet was truly a short-term thing.

Keto/Low Carb High Fat
For me this was probably the least socially invasive and accepted way of eating I've tried.

Carnivore
This is exactly as it sounds.  Lots and lots of meat and animal products are eaten.  I am currently following this way of eating, and much to some people's dismay, I feel this has been a good thing for me.  The carnivore diet eliminates all of the trigger foods, which is what might appeal to those following this "plan".

I don't count calories as it were.  Really, I've been only looking at the weight of meat eaten and/or the number of eggs etc.. This is not for everyone and I am not going to sit behind my computer screen and tell you that if you are following some other dietary plan, you are destined to fail, get sick or any number of other prognosis offered up on the Internet.

No Sugar / No Grain / No Seed Oils
Now, this is something I am truly able to get behind.  Based on my experience, I have found that decreasing, if not limiting, these things from one's diet will spark an overall up-tick in health.

And now, I suppose it's time for photos.  Here are some shots taken over the course of my life.  The funny thing is that I wasn't really a fat kid, I just became that way, do to influences in my life.  This is no blame game here.  I know that I am ultimately responsible for my health and I have accepted this as my "cross to bare".   The photos are kinda sorta in a chronological order.  For many of them, I don't have exact dates.