Matty's (long overdue) Update - June 2007

"Always and forever, no matter what..."

I saw this on a sign in a boutique this morning on my walk. Setbacks in life
are inevitable, but if we are committed to change -
these setbacks will always make us that much stronger or take us in a whole
new direction.

It's been 3 months since I last gave an update. A lot has been happening in
my life, some of it good and some bad.
The bad news is that I had a setback that has increased my weight over the
past 3 months by 13lbs.
So my current weight is at 266lbs.

Medication was one factor in the weight gain, which was one of the major
side effects.
I struggled with this to the point of wanting to just give up and say
"what's the use?".
But a few friends of mine helped me to look at the situation differently.
I began to see the frustrations that others may struggle with having to be
on medications that cause weight gain.
Feeling defeated that any effort they put forth would not help them.I
pressed on, I reminded myself that a weight loss journey isn't just numbers
on a scale.
Sure the scale may not show a loss, or would show a gain. But the feeling of
being able to walk for 1/2 a mile without huffing,
keep up with children playing, or any other activity can be just as freeing
as losing pounds. This is the encouragement that
these people need to hear...

I have also been struggling with stress over the past few months as well.
Seems like Satan has been sending situations
and people into my life to wear down my commitment & faith. Not a week went
by without some drama or problem pushing me closer and closer to giving up
completely.
Funny how we need to be constantly reminded of things like food isn't the
answer and that we can make choices on how we handle things like stress.
Even after 3 years I am still learning...

Overall in the past 3 months I have seen growth in my journey, life is a
constant learning process - not meant to be stagnant.

Some positives have happened over the last few months:

- Came in 10th for my age group in my second 5k race and beat my previous
time by 3 minutes

-Achieved the Advanced Communicator Bronze designation from Toastmasters
International (a public speaking club)

- "The Fattening of America" web show is starting to go gang-busters with 27
subscribers that tune in on a regular basis.
Things are in the works to offer the show as free downloadable podcast on
iTunes coming this fall...

-I am filing paperwork today to get my company, 4:13 Fitness Concepts, off
the ground.

-An e-book is in sight, hope to have it available for free on my website in
September. I was inspired by an author that currently has a book on the
NY Times best seller list that is only 80 pages long. Helped me to realize
that I do not need to write a tome, just provide a book filled with
information
and encouragement to others.




I do appreciate the encouragement and emails that I get from you, they lift
my spirits...

I promise to keep up with the updates on a monthly basis...



Matty V
510/266/210

www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
www.youtube.com/user/phatteningphilms

Matty. Please remember that you are an inspiration to so many other! I
have never been obese, but still struggle with many issues, even non-weight
related. I am inspired by your dedication and good attitude. These are
qualities that apply to all of life.

Look at what you have achieved! In reading your post, I am reminded that I
too lose sight of just how far I have come. I'm usually looking at how much
farther I'd still like to go, and how far I've fallen short of my goals,
rather than giving myself credit for what I have already accomplished.

Don't give up! And realize that without the difficulties, we cannot truly
appreciate the good things in life.

"Matty (I Weighed More Than Jared From Subway)"
wrote in message ...



"Always and forever, no matter what..."

I saw this on a sign in a boutique this morning on my walk. Setbacks in
life are inevitable, but if we are committed to change -
these setbacks will always make us that much stronger or take us in a
whole new direction.

It's been 3 months since I last gave an update. A lot has been happening
in my life, some of it good and some bad.
The bad news is that I had a setback that has increased my weight over the
past 3 months by 13lbs.
So my current weight is at 266lbs.

Medication was one factor in the weight gain, which was one of the major
side effects.
I struggled with this to the point of wanting to just give up and say
"what's the use?".
But a few friends of mine helped me to look at the situation differently.
I began to see the frustrations that others may struggle with having to be
on medications that cause weight gain.
Feeling defeated that any effort they put forth would not help them.I
pressed on, I reminded myself that a weight loss journey isn't just
numbers on a scale.
Sure the scale may not show a loss, or would show a gain. But the feeling
of being able to walk for 1/2 a mile without huffing,
keep up with children playing, or any other activity can be just as
freeing as losing pounds. This is the encouragement that
these people need to hear...

I have also been struggling with stress over the past few months as well.
Seems like Satan has been sending situations
and people into my life to wear down my commitment & faith. Not a week
went by without some drama or problem pushing me closer and closer to
giving up completely.
Funny how we need to be constantly reminded of things like food isn't the
answer and that we can make choices on how we handle things like stress.
Even after 3 years I am still learning...

Overall in the past 3 months I have seen growth in my journey, life is a
constant learning process - not meant to be stagnant.

Some positives have happened over the last few months:

- Came in 10th for my age group in my second 5k race and beat my previous
time by 3 minutes

-Achieved the Advanced Communicator Bronze designation from Toastmasters
International (a public speaking club)

- "The Fattening of America" web show is starting to go gang-busters with
27 subscribers that tune in on a regular basis.
Things are in the works to offer the show as free downloadable podcast on
iTunes coming this fall...

-I am filing paperwork today to get my company, 4:13 Fitness Concepts, off
the ground.

-An e-book is in sight, hope to have it available for free on my website
in September. I was inspired by an author that currently has a book on the
NY Times best seller list that is only 80 pages long. Helped me to realize
that I do not need to write a tome, just provide a book filled with
information
and encouragement to others.




I do appreciate the encouragement and emails that I get from you, they
lift my spirits...

I promise to keep up with the updates on a monthly basis...



Matty V
510/266/210

www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
www.youtube.com/user/phatteningphilms

On Jun 29, 11:11 am, "Matty \(I Weighed More Than Jared From Subway\)"
wrote:
"Always and forever, no matter what..."

I saw this on a sign in a boutique this morning on my walk. Setbacks in life
are inevitable, but if we are committed to change -
these setbacks will always make us that much stronger or take us in a whole
new direction.

It's been 3 months since I last gave an update. A lot has been happening in
my life, some of it good and some bad.
The bad news is that I had a setback that has increased my weight over the
past 3 months by 13lbs.
So my current weight is at 266lbs.

Medication was one factor in the weight gain, which was one of the major
side effects.
I struggled with this to the point of wanting to just give up and say
"what's the use?".
But a few friends of mine helped me to look at the situation differently.
I began to see the frustrations that others may struggle with having to be
on medications that cause weight gain.
Feeling defeated that any effort they put forth would not help them.I
pressed on, I reminded myself that a weight loss journey isn't just numbers
on a scale.
Sure the scale may not show a loss, or would show a gain. But the feeling of
being able to walk for 1/2 a mile without huffing,
keep up with children playing, or any other activity can be just as freeing
as losing pounds. This is the encouragement that
these people need to hear...

I have also been struggling with stress over the past few months as well.
Seems like Satan has been sending situations
and people into my life to wear down my commitment & faith. Not a week went
by without some drama or problem pushing me closer and closer to giving up
completely.
Funny how we need to be constantly reminded of things like food isn't the
answer and that we can make choices on how we handle things like stress.
Even after 3 years I am still learning...

Overall in the past 3 months I have seen growth in my journey, life is a
constant learning process - not meant to be stagnant.

Some positives have happened over the last few months:

- Came in 10th for my age group in my second 5k race and beat my previous
time by 3 minutes

-Achieved the Advanced Communicator Bronze designation from Toastmasters
International (a public speaking club)

- "The Fattening of America" web show is starting to go gang-busters with 27
subscribers that tune in on a regular basis.
Things are in the works to offer the show as free downloadable podcast on
iTunes coming this fall...

-I am filing paperwork today to get my company, 4:13 Fitness Concepts, off
the ground.

-An e-book is in sight, hope to have it available for free on my website in
September. I was inspired by an author that currently has a book on the
NY Times best seller list that is only 80 pages long. Helped me to realize
that I do not need to write a tome, just provide a book filled with
information
and encouragement to others.

I do appreciate the encouragement and emails that I get from you, they lift
my spirits...

I promise to keep up with the updates on a monthly basis...

Matty V
510/266/210

http://www.iweighedmorethanjared.com...atteningphilms

Hi Matty,

I've found it helpful to start regarding myself as a normal-weight
person, and to realize that even people who've always been "normal"
generally need to cope with ups and downs on the scale. These people
also will gain some weight now and again -- maybe as the result of a
stressful life event, a medication like yours, a vacation, or
whatever. And these normal people don't freak out and assume they're
headed for a lifetime of obesity; they just make a "mid-course
correction" and gradually drop back to where they want to be. And
that's the way we have to live now too. So don't panic or even think
that going back to your previous obese self is possible -- just make
that correction and get back to where you were!

Chris
262/130s/103s