The Visual Results: Part 1 of a 2 Part Story
Over the last year, I’ve thrown a lot of stats at you all. Numbers have been my trusty sidekick. They don’t lie. They measure, they track, they whisper the story of progress.
I’ve shared the scale readings the most (man oh man how those stubborn digits make or break a morning). I’ve bragged about push-up counts and how much iron I could carry for a specific number of seconds.
I’ve definitely talked a lot about fasting streaks, because, let’s be honest, there’s something fun about saying, “I went without food for this many hours!”
I’ve especially loved bragging about my streaks of doing something crazy for this many days in a row. I think this might actually be my specialty!
But here’s the thing: numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. A story without pictures is like a beach without waves—flat, incomplete, missing its magic.
So this weekend, instead of searching the internet for the perfect images (like this measuring tape), I’m finally sharing my own. Think of this as the “visual results” chapter of my year-long health journey. But first, a story.
As many of you know, I finally completed my script. What I hadn't’t shared, is that I’m now working with a publisher to get it printed. (Yes, it’s really happening!) The last thing they asked me for was an author headshot for the inside cover above the "About The Author" section.
Here’s the problem: I’ve lost 80 pounds in the past year, and the only recent photos I had were gym selfies in shorts and a sweaty t-shirt. Not exactly the vibe you want immortalized inside a book cover.
So, I hired a professional photographer here in Miami. Turns out there are a lot here (what a surprise!), so I had to do some homework on which one to choose.
Cue new problem: none of my old “nice” clothes fit. Off I went to the mall to buy an entirely new wardrobe—something I didn’t see coming.
At the very first store, the salesperson asked a question I wasn’t ready for:
“What size waist and jacket are you, sir?”
I froze. “Uh, well… a year ago my waste was 44 inches, but today? Honestly, no clue. My jacket size used to be a 60?”
The store’s fashionista smiled knowingly. “Let’s measure you, sir. I have a feeling those aren’t your sizes anymore.”
A tape measure appeared. (Oh, I know this game. Bring it on. More numbers!)
And then came the words that nearly stopped me in my tracks:
“Good news, sir. Your waist is a 33 now. Jacket size, is 53.”
I wasn’t ready for how emotional that moment would be. Despite my trainer urging me to take measurements weekly, I blew it off (literally the only thing he let me blow off). Instead, I trusted the scale and the mirror all year, but hearing those numbers felt like validation from the universe itself. It made it even cooler that my wife was there to hear it!
New wardrobe in hand, and far less money in my checking account, I went to the photo shoot. It ended up being just me and the photographer (all his assistants were in Dubai for some big photoshoot—go figure). And honestly? That made me feel at ease. Just two guys trying to capture one good headshot. We should be able to get ‘er done in no time at all!
Two hours later, I felt like I was an actor in a movie, starring me in every role. Despite my face experiencing fatigue from all the smiling, I was in a great mood! After all, there are worse things to suffer through than getting your photo taken a thousand times.
I was really encouraged by how my new clothes felt and even more impressed by how they looked in the mirror. I even texted the salesperson in the mall giving her all the credit, as if my last year of effort had nothing to do with it! All in all, a wonderful experience.
The photos arrived last night. And here’s the truth: I wasn’t prepared for my emotional reaction to them. Sometimes words can’t do what a photo can. Coming from me, Mr. Long-Form Facebook Guy, who can stretch a single thought into a small novel, yes, I get the irony!
When I saw the images though, it hit me—this wasn’t just “weight loss.” This was..........
Part 2 Coming Tomorrow!
