That being said, I was tempted to be embarrassed, even as I began writing this post. My thoughts headed back to junior high school, as I remembered the harassment I used to get as a much-lighter-yet-still-fat-teenager. However, this isn’t about other people. More than being embarrassed, I’m motivated to take this mission seriously, and do something about my health. So, with that said, here are my stats as I head into my first week as a health nut:

Measurements

• Weight: 350.4 lbs
• BMI: 50.27
  
• Waist: 61.5 inches
• Neck: 19 inches
  
• Hips: 50.5 inches
• Chest: 56 inches

Photos

Front

Pregnant

Back

Thoughts

I knew my weight was right around 350. However, the size measurements were all a surprise, as I hadn’t measured anything in a few years. What’s truly sickening is that with a BMI greater than 50, I’m not obese or even morbidly obese, but rather fall into a new category called super obese. I’m not going to dwell on it, though. Again, I believe the key to succeeding with my health goals will be using the negatives of embarrassment and disgust and the positives of faith and planning to motivate me. Lord willing, I won’t be super obese for long!

If you are reading this, it means you are interested in reading about a very specific aspect of my life: my health. (Either that, or you stumbled across this page accidentally, and won’t be back!) I have to be honest: I’ve gone back and forth about “becoming a weight-loss blogger.” The topic is personal. It’s embarrassing. It’s brutal. And I believe writing about it will ultimately help me succeed at reaching the goals I have for a healthy future.

I recently had an epic reality check. The church that I pastor started a video podcast. As a technology geek I was all for it, until I started seeing myself preaching in HD… They say the camera adds 10 lbs; well, there must be about 15 cameras on me, because I’m HUGE. And I hate it.

It isn’t just the weight, though. I’ve been sick and tired of being sick and tired for a long time now. It’s been weight, sleep apnea, arthritis, blood pressure, and a host of other issues. And after years of good intentions, I’ve finally decided that 2010 is [way past] the time to get serious!

My goal now is to experience real health. Not just weight-loss, but a holistic lifestyle of health that includes fitness and nutrition, preventative medical care, Osteopathy, and more. Tomorrow, I will post a rough outline of what the initial components of my plan to experience real health look like. On Friday, I’ll kick off the first formal day on the plan with an initial weigh-in, workout details, and more. I hope you’ll join me!