Out of the suggestion of friends and loved ones, I decided to include pictures of me before my weight loss and
after. You can see my look has changed a bit.......I still can't believe I had high hair and rolled my pant leg
cuffs in the black and white picture.
In April of 2005, after being husky/overweight most of my life, I decided to lose weight. I didn't want to follow a
diet, take diet pills, read a book by some fitness expert or buy home gym equipment. I wanted to do it my way
and on my own terms. I eliminated sugar, white flour, fried foods, trans fat, corn syrup, saturated fat,
hydrogenated oil and fast food. I ate non-processed foods, more garlic, olive oil, fresh veggies, water and
above all.....portion control and exercise. I still eat my pizza, but now not the whole pie, I still eat Mexican food,
Italian and Thai cuisine. I also still eat my favorite, fish & chips, I just don't eat as much.
Being gay and overweight was not easy. The greater LGBT world is not so nice at times to a guy who is over
weight and doesn't have bulging muscles and clothes from a well known designer. So with that said, I
reached far into my soul and asked myself what do I want for a new healthier me. My heaviest weight was 265
pounds in September 2000 when I met my friend, Judy Shepard. (See picture below) The picture is a
reminder to me that I will never go back to that weight ever again. I was happy with everything in my life at that
time, except for how I looked. Gone are the days of shopping for 2XL shirts and size 40 pants. I am proud to
say I have lost 80 pounds as of January 4, 2007. Some people have to do a double take to make sure it is
me. I admit, sometimes I have to do that in the mirror at times just to make sure I am not dreaming. I now
weigh 185 pounds and have a 33/34 inch waist. I feel healthier, more positive and have added years to my
life.
We all have things to conquer in our lives whether it is excessive drinking, smoking, drug use, eating, sex,
anger, the list goes on and on. Please seek out help if you need it and get over the ghosts in your life. I
never thought I would ever lose the weight, but I did. Live your life well. Take care of yourself and love who
you are. Love others unconditionally and listen to each other. Everyone has a unique story to tell that we all
can learn from.
Enjoy the pictures!
This picture was taken in 1994 at
Interlochen Center for the Arts by a
photography student. I was the
Residence Hall Director there and as
birthday gift, I was offered a free photo
shoot so I could have new pictures.
Great hair, huh!?
I met Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard's Mother
in September of 2000. This was my heaviest
at 265 pounds.
This picture was taken in December of
2000 when my brother, Doug and I and his
friend were in Ft. Lauderdale , FL.
After my weight loss I needed new pictures and head shots done. It may be a bit
repetitious as some of these pictures are on my other pages, but at least you will be
able to contrast and compare. My friend Treavor Doherty took these great pictures. If
you are needing new pictures done, he is the guy to contact.(http://treavor.com) I can't
say enough wonderful things about him.
This picture of me is at a lecture at
Slippery Rock University in PA.
Treavor did not take this picture.
However, I love this picture because of
how thin I look.
|
My friend Gregg and I. I call
him "Double G" as his name
is spelled with two G's. Mine
is spelled with one.
This is my friend Rob and I from Christmas
2006. We are standing outside my old
cabin in Northern Michigan that my family
use to own. I have known Rob and his
wonderful family for over 30 years. Rob
had his cabin close to mine as a young
kid.
He is now married and has two lovely girls.
I am so fortunate to be part of his
wonderful family.
