I must confess, but don't tell him, that I am quite impressed with what Andrew has accomplished over the last year or so. In January of 2008 his weight was up to about 275. He looked heavy but he carried it well because he worked out and was basically healthy. His only health problem was that his blood pressure was a little high.Well, as you can see in this photo, he has gone through a rather dramatic transformation. His weight now - 175 pounds. His blood pressure - normal. This is a huge deal and rarely does anybody have success like this. And when I talk to him about his habits he tells me that he is working out, eating normal and feels great. He laughed and said that in his mind he still sees himself as fat and is surprised when he looks in a mirror. Although when he buys new clothes, which he has had to do a couple of times now, he feels really good.
There is a lesson here for all of us who want to change something about our lives. Change starts with a simple decision. Andrew didn't look for a pill. He didn't have an operation. He didn't blame his mother or me. He took personal responsibility for his situation and made a decision that he wanted to change, apparently he also believed that he could change, and then, not in a day, not in a week, or a month, but over the next year he made the same decision again everyday and until, now, he barely recognizes himself when he looks in a mirror. Little by little, ounce by ounce, he worked toward his goal. There were no bands playing when he lost a pound. Nobody held a parade. He simply worked hard all by himself and persevered daily until, 100 pounds later, he knows exactly what it feels like to have accomplished something very special. He is special.
I hope that you email him and let him know that you have seen his picture and share his joy! (I am glad, however, that there is no sound track with this photo. Karaoke Andrew? Are you singing in Korean?)
ahesler@gmail.com
There is a lesson here for all of us who want to change something about our lives. Change starts with a simple decision. Andrew didn't look for a pill. He didn't have an operation. He didn't blame his mother or me. He took personal responsibility for his situation and made a decision that he wanted to change, apparently he also believed that he could change, and then, not in a day, not in a week, or a month, but over the next year he made the same decision again everyday and until, now, he barely recognizes himself when he looks in a mirror. Little by little, ounce by ounce, he worked toward his goal. There were no bands playing when he lost a pound. Nobody held a parade. He simply worked hard all by himself and persevered daily until, 100 pounds later, he knows exactly what it feels like to have accomplished something very special. He is special.
I hope that you email him and let him know that you have seen his picture and share his joy! (I am glad, however, that there is no sound track with this photo. Karaoke Andrew? Are you singing in Korean?)
ahesler@gmail.com
