“Alarm. Is it really 6 AM already?” I used to ask myself this question every morning—not because I was sleeping so soundly, but because I was still so very, very tired. Tired of being tired, tired of being overweight.
On a typical workweek, my day would start the same way: dragging myself out of bed, showering, eating breakfast, and logging in to my work computer feeling drained before the day even began. Somehow, I’d manage to do my job—exceptionally well, I might add—before signing off 8 hours later.
Dinner, another shower, and then … the crash. No energy left. Mentally exhausted. Physically drained. A sore back, aching feet, a pounding headache. I found myself just existing until bedtime and a long sleepless night, only to rinse and repeat the next day.
This was my life, day in and day out. Constantly tired. Constantly dealing with ailments. So many things I wanted to do, but no energy to do them. And all of this before even hitting 40 years old.
The Breaking Point
One day, I hit my limit. I found myself thinking, “I’m just too young to feel this old. Sick and tired of being sick, and tired.” Enough was enough!
More Energy and Stamina
Another thing that really frustrated me was the fact that simple tasks like housework, cutting the grass, or washing the car would leave me breathless, no good to do anything else for the rest of the day. I felt like I should be enjoying weekends instead of sitting around with no energy. I found myself asking, “Why do I feel so old, and I’m not even 40 yet?”
I Wanted to Feel Good About My Body
Over the years, shopping for clothes had turned into a very unpleasant experience. It was quite discouraging to know that most department stores wouln’t have my size, and the big-and-tall section, tucked away in one little corner and much smaller than the rest of the sections, was pretty much my only option. It got to the point where I just didn’t enjoy shopping for clothing, and would avoid it as long as I possibly could.
I wanted to be able to go to any store and find a nice pair of pants, and I didn’t want to find those in a big-and-tall section. I wanted to look in the mirror and be proud of what I saw.
Better Health
The aches and pains, the fatigue, the headaches, and all the other discomforts weren’t just inconvenient; they were a wake-up call. I already was taking medication for high blood pressure, I had been dealing with obstructive sleep apnea and plantar fasciitis (OUCH) for several years, and I was under the constant threat of pre-diabtes turning into … you know what. I was determined to not let that happen.
It took all of these frustrations, all of this feeling bad, getting to the point where I was just fed up and tired of being overweight, for me to finally realize that I didn’t have to live like this. I decided it was time to make a change. It was time for a better, healthier lifestyle, one that would finally make me feel my age.
The Turning Point
At first, the idea of overhauling my lifestyle felt overwhelming. But I wasn’t looking for perfection; I just needed progress. I soon would learn that small, consistent changes could lead to big results over time.
I started with manageable steps:
- Adjusting my diet (low-carb, low-sodium, low-fat, and low-calorie meals became my go-to).
- Prioritizing movement (starting with a few minutes of light cardio and building up from there).
- Setting realistic goals (like having more energy for the things I loved and reducing those nagging aches).
- Keeping the needle moving: once I reached a goal, it became a milestone towards a new goal so that I could keep making progress.
The Results
The changes didn’t happen overnight, but they did happen. It wasn’t too long, and I began to notice:
- More energy: Tasks that once drained me became easier. I no longer dreaded mowing the lawn or tackling chores, and I realized I wasn’t as tired after I finished.
- Improved stamina: My body wasn’t giving out on me halfway through the day anymore.
- Better health: Fewer headaches, less pain, and a sense of accomplishment every time I looked in the mirror.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m not writing this to tell you what to do. The reason I’m writing this is because, for the longest time, I didn’t think change was possible. I thought the exhaustion and discomfort were just part of life—until I proved myself wrong.
My hope is that this blog will inspire others to get moving and make a positive difference in their lives. If you’ve ever felt like I did, if you’re tired of being overweight, I want you to know that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. Start small. Start somewhere. Stick to it.
This is my journey—one I’m proud of every single day, and one that I am still working on. It all started with one decision: to stop settling and start living. I went from “sick and tired of being overweight” to energized and motivated to continue improving, and feeling good while doing it.
If you found this interesting, be sure to check back tomorrow when I post on how I lost 80 pounds in 6 months without a fad diet!
Did you find any motivation in this post? Let me know in the comments!