Well ….. This all started just over 1 year ago as you can see by the first picture here. In this picture is my mother, father, wife and 2 kids last year on my father’s 69th birthday. We had just found out 3 weeks earlier that my father had a very aggressive malignant brain tumor that was untreatable. The doctors gave him 6-9 months to live with chemo treatments. The greatest man I ever knew died March 26th, 2003 with my mother by his side at home.

This really started me soul searching about my own health, my children, religion, and life in general. I was 30 at the time and starting to get into the age group for heart disease and all sorts of health problems. Thankfully I had quit smoking 4 years earlier, and given up drinking for the most part. I started to eat healthier, but didn’t really educate myself on what I was doing and I shed a few pounds.

I sold my house and business in Phoenix, AZ and moved to San Antonio, TX to be closer to my mother and the rest of my family. I can’t thank my wife enough for letting me drag her on this great adventure, me still unemployed but looking. In August while watching TV with my wife and eating dinner we happened to see Michael Thurmond’s Makeover America infomercial on TV and a lot of what he said maid sense so we ordered it and started really changing our lives August 18th, 2003. This was a great program for use and it made a lot of sense. It is one of the reasons that I don’t use salt all that much anymore. My wife is still using it, but I have moved on because I want to start building muscle, so nutrition my requirements are going to be a lot more complicated. A friend emailed me this site the end of January and I have been transitioning myself since then. After I get this fat burned off, I want some muscles to be under there.

Here are a few pictures:

http://www.livewiretx.com/johnsfitness/2-22-03.jpg
My Wife, kids, father, & mother Feb. 22nd, 2003

http://www.livewiretx.com/johnsfitness/8-18-03.jpg
Me at 291 lbs. Aug. 18th, 2003

http://www.livewiretx.com/johnsfitness/10-1-03.jpg
Me at 261 lbs. Oct. 1st, 2003

http://www.livewiretx.com/johnsfitness/11-11-03.jpg
Me at 253 lbs. Nov. 11th, 2003

One of these days I will get a more recent picture up, but this is what I had and today is the first day I have started posting.

Welcome to the forums LiveWire! The changes you've made so far look great. Congratulations on having the self discipline and will power to make it work- that's the hardest part! I think most of us here are in similar stages to yours, with similar goals. Being able to talk with others "in the same boat" helps a lot, as does taking those regular photos!

Browse through the forums or run a search if there is anything you have questions about- even though the board has only been online for a short time, there have been a plethora of topics covered. And if it hasn't been, there are lots of folks here with amazing knowledge that can help out.

And keep us up to date- seeing other people's progress helps keep us all going!

Andi

Hi Livewire,

I'm very sorry to hear about your dad. I also lost my dad, so I have some understanding of how difficult what you have been going through can be. At least some good has come out of a very tough situation - you have taken notice of your health and your own mortality, and decided to do everything you can to make your life as long and healthy as it can be. Your wife, kids, family and friends are lucky to have someone who cares enough to make these life changes, difficult as they may be.

Congratulations on your progress so far, you are doing a great job. Keep up the hard work and stay dedicated!

Welcome to the forum!

congrats, big change

sorry to hear about your dad.
buddy your transformation is incredible
i give you 2 / 3 more months of hard work and you'll be looking like john
looking great man keep it up

Thank you for your support and encouragement. I have been using and working with the Internet since 1994 and this is the first message board I have ever posted to. I have never found one until now that I really wanted to be a part of.

I have the eating right down ... Now I just need to keep myself motivated to exercise daily.

Thanks again

awesome transformation! keep up the good work, and keep the photos coming!

Welcome to the board,Livewire! That's a great photo of you and your family. My condolences on the loss of your dad.

You're looking much leaner, great job so far on your transformation! :)

WOW that's an amazing transformation! :claplow: Looking great!

Welcome to the boards. Hopefully we will be able to help you with your continued progress. This site is full of great people and also provides an excellent way to stay motivated.

Keep us posted with progress and more pictures!

Heya, I'm about 20lbs lighter than you, but you already look leaner! :) Keep it up man! And good luck with the training! :gl:

It is great to weigh in the morning and finally be losing weight again. It is going to be a great day.

:D 232.6 :D

whoa nice livewire.

P.S. might want to chagne sig to say "Feb 2004-232"

:-D

whoa nice livewire.

P.S. might want to chagne sig to say "Feb 2004-232"

:-D

:o Oops ... Thanks

Now don't get mad at me for hitting on a married guy...

I happen to be his wife! :D

I'll post my pics when I get brave - but so far I'm down 45 lbs since August as well. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't have someone else to keep me going. Thanks honey ;)