About Me

That's me on the far left, at almost 240 lbs!

In the summer of 2005 I was graduating high school, insanely out of shape (I couldn't even finish the mile run as a senior), and almost 240 lbs.  A size 38 pants would barely fit me and even in an XL shirt you could see my pot belly.  The next 2 years was a blur of trying to lose weight (then gaining it back plus some) and trying to get fit.  When I joined the Army in 2007 I was on the right track, I was only 215 lbs and could run a mile (a 13 min mile but a mile).  The Army got me down to a skinny 165 lbs, mostly because I barely ate throughout Basic Training, and I was in much better shape.  However, as soon as I was discharged I found the couch again along with my soda and cheez-its. I was back up to 200 lbs in no time.  It seemed I was destined to be overweight and out of shape.  

Then in May of 2011 something happened that would change my life forever,  I went to the doctor.  I had just been laid off and wanted to get a check-up in before my insurance ran out, I hadn’t been to the doctors in at least a year. It turns out, I was worse than I thought.  My blood work revealed I had low testosterone and I was pre-diabetic. My doctor told me if I didn't loose some weight, start eating better and exercise (I was mountain biking 2 times a week but, would need to do more) I would more then likely be back for more medication.  I was already going to have to go on a gel that I would rub into my shoulders to help with my low testosterone.

I was so depressed by the news (the combination of being laid-off and finding out I was pretty unhealthy). I had been trying so hard to keep my weight down, I wasn't eating great but, I was around 190 lbs, and I was mountain biking twice a week with runs around a mile here and there. I didn't know what to do.  I was too afraid of telling any of my friends or family, so I kept it to myself and wallowed in my own self pity for a while. Until one day in late May I was sitting with my friends at a Mall food court watching them log their foods on their phone.

I knew this was a sign, if they were going to do it then I would too.  I would use them to keep me on track. So, I started calorie counting and exercising more.  I started eating better purely because bad food is usually high calorie and “healthy” food is typically low calorie.  I started running 4 days a week, mountain biking at least 2 if not 3 days a week; I even ran a 5k.  I knew my next doctor visit would be a good one.

But, I was wrong.  Even though I had lost almost 20 lbs and was in much better shape I still had low testosterone and was still on the edge of becoming a diabetic. To top it all off it turned out the diarrhea I had been having was the result of an allergic reaction to Gluten; a protein found in
wheat products.  So, all my efforts were in vain.  I looked better, hell I even felt better but I had not fixed anything. I was missing something, something big, I just didn't know what it was.  

That’s when I was shown MarksDailyApple.com.  The change wasn't immediate; growing up in an Italian home there was no way I was giving up pasta easily, but I kept reading the success stories for motivation and kept making small changes to my diet. Before long my diet was 80% Primal and only 20% SAD (Standard American Diet). I couldn't believe how good I felt, the new diet gave me the energy to run longer and stronger. The food tasted amazing! After about a month I didn't miss my once-beloved fast food or sugary desserts. And the best part?  I was running, eating and then running some more and loving every second. I recovered faster so I ran more. I went to the doctor again and this time, green light.  “Whatever you’re doing, it’s working”  I wonder what he would say if he knew the key to lowering my cholesterol, stabilizing my blood sugar, restoring my testosterone and enjoying energy I haven't had since I was a kid; was eating like a caveman and running like a deer.  

Today my diet 90% Primal (with the exception of family holidays and the occasional Beer). I have completed races from 5k to 50k.  I have placed 2nd in my age group twice during 5k races.  I've run the Runners World Hat Trick (a 5k, 10k, and Half-Marathon in one weekend, I even threw in a Quarter-Marathon night time trail race for fun) and Blues Cruise 50k. I’ve also completed the Philly Marathon. I am a lean 165 lbs, I wear a size 32 pants, and I have never felt better.

Me after finish my 4 race weekend, 170 lbs.

Sub-note:

I am sorry to all my friends and family that had to find out about my health through this blog.  It was a scary time in my life and didn't want to drag anyone down. I love you all, you supported me without even knowing it!