By Rick Forgione
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
I got married a year ago today. As my wife, Nicole, and I discussed how to celebrate our one-year anniversary, it got me thinking of how much my life has changed.
I’ve gained so much this past year. Unfortunately that also extends to my weight.
Last summer, attempting to be as fit as possible for our wedding (and look good in hundreds of photos), I worked out on my own and tried to control my eating. The end result was a loss of 32 pounds in about three months.
I’ll never forget how great it felt to be in good enough shape to drop down a tuxedo size, not sweat (for at least the first dance) during the reception and board a plane for our honeymoon without having to ask for a seat belt extension.
But the honeymoon ended too soon, at least regarding my weight loss. A week on a cruise to the Bahamas packed on 12 pounds. Our first day back home was the first Sunday of football and, well, it’s practically a sin to exercise and eat healthy on that day.
By the time Monday came around, I convinced myself I deserved another week off from the gym and counting calories but vowed to be back on track soon enough.
Then a week turned into a month. A month turned into a few months and suddenly it was Dec. 31 and I had gained back nearly all of those 32 pounds. No worries, the next day was New Year’s and with it came a resolution of eating healthier and losing weight.
My return to fitness lasted about eight days, which actually beat a previous year’s resolution. For whatever reason, I could not find the inspiration that led me to work out so hard the previous summer.
So February and March passed and the regret and guilt magnified, along with my calorie and fat intake. By the time I realized my main inspiration to lose weight should be to live a long, healthy life, I had gained 60 pounds. My spirit broken, I was worried it was too late to reverse the downward spiral.
But as they say, it’s never too late.
I was lucky enough to start up this column and join ChrisFit Personal Training. The fear of failing and being embarrassed in both public and print was enough to get me through the first couple of weeks until I started building positive momentum. Of course, unlike my previous attempts, I now have plenty of assistance on my path to better health. My trainer Chris Tybor, Nicole and every other ChrisFit member I’ve met have helped me come close to erasing that 60-pound weight gain in about four months.
And this time, I’m not doing it just to look thinner for a special day. I’m doing it to have many, many more special days.
Of course, that doesn’t mean temptation and challenges no longer exist. Recently, Nicole and I went to Cleveland for a few days and then camping for a
weekend. It was my first time away from the gym and Chris’ training for more than a week.
Instead of things like protein bars, homemade chicken dinners and healthy snacks, I was surrounded by temptations such as camp fire marshmallow smores, potato chips and other fun, yet unfulfilling, things to consume.
I didn’t trust myself to stay on track. But that’s why I have a trainer.
At the start of summer, Chrisfit sent out an email with various tips on how to maintain your waistline while vacationing. It included things like cutting your carbs, not eating too late and if you do indulge, keep it under control. In addition, Chris tweaked my daily intake goals of protein and carbs to account for the lack of intense exercise while away.
I would love to say I followed all of those directions perfectly. With the exception of getting in some cardio at our hotel’s gym and then going on a long walk while camping, I can’t even say I gave a very strong effort to lose weight. Sometimes, you need a vacation — from everything.
But this was no trip to the Bahamas. The day we returned, I went to the gym. And then for the next four days straight.
I’ve worked too hard and have too many people supporting me to mess up this time.
When I weighed in that Thursday, I was down 2 1/2 pounds. Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good (on your diet)!
So back to my one-year wedding anniversary. Nicole and I are celebrating with a trip to New York City. I’m sure I will have a list of tips, directions (and possibly a few threats) from Chris to pack with me. I promise to not go crazy, but even if I do, I will be back in that gym immediately upon our return.
After all, I have so much more to gain. Oops, I mean lose.
Rick Forgione is city editor of the Niagara Gazette. Contact him at 282-2311, ext. 2257.
