My Life-Changing Journey by Peter Flores

In July of last year I went to see my doctor, because I needed my prescription re-filled.  Two years ago I was diagnosed with Hypertension and had been on hypertensive medication for almost a year.  After having some blood work done he told me that my cholesterol levels were borderline and if I didn't do something about it - he would need to start me on another medication.  I was thinking to myself, "I'm one hot mess!"

I wasn't depressed or anything.  I had a very happy life - I still do.  I just loved food, I was content with who I was and I had everything I could ever want - a wonderful husband, family, pets, a new niece.  But I needed to do something about my health.  Unbeknownst to my doctor, I had also been checking my blood glucose levels - they were not good at all.  In fact, they were terrible.

I still remember the day as if it were yesterday. It was a bright and sunny, Monday morning, and all I could think about was the family I had lost due to heart attacks or strokes.  I sat and cried for 10-15 minutes, because I didn't want this to happen to me.  I didn't want to make my partner, Ryan hurt for the choices I made in life.  It was on this day that I embarked on My Life-Changing Journey.

Suffice it to say, with the help of my partner, Ryan, My Fitness Pal, and the good Lord above I achieved every goal I set out to accomplish.  And I achieved them weeks and months ahead of schedule.  By December I had lost 50 pounds, and I'm currently on my way to losing 15 more.  I'm at 63 pounds lost today, my glucose levels are normal, and in July I go see my doctor again.  Boy, is he in for a shock. LOL.

To say that I do not feel better about myself is an understatement.  I feel more energized and enjoy doing the things I did when I was younger, like running, biking, swimming and working out.  I started going to the gym in December so losing weight is not as easy, because I'm turning all that fat into muscle, but I see the results and love the way I look and feel.

Time flies by too quickly, we need to make our choices now, not later.  We can all say, "we only live once so make the most of it." But it doesn't do us any good if we're 6 foot under - earlier than we thought we would be.