The custom-made Brooks Brothers suits that were big enough to swim in? The Allen Edmonds wingtips that swallowed my feet? An entire wardrobe that I hid behind for years? GONE!! All of it. Every single article of clothing (well, except for a few ties) was packed in a box and sent away.
Those clothes and shoes no longer reflected who I was, and they had become totally useless to me. I had transformed and was never, ever going back. That was 6 years ago.
Like most people, I struggled with my weight for years. I had tried many times to lose the weight, but nothing ever seemed to stick. By 2015, I was really struggling and feeling especially unhealthy. Time was not on my side to make a change. And another motivator – my wife had just been diagnosed with breast cancer (she is fine now). It was a definite low point for me.
Then I met Peggy, a health and lifestyle coach who helped me break through. She logically and patiently explained why I needed to do more than go on a diet. I needed to make a lifestyle change. Then she spoke directly to my competitive nature.
“Are you committed?”
That was a really hard question, but I resolved myself to accepting Peggy’s challenge. I set a weight-loss goal and followed the system. Within a month I saw big, positive changes on the scale, in my head, and in my energy level. Other people saw changes in me, too. Not just the obvious physical changes. My attitude had changed. My wife and daughter, co-workers, friends, and entrepreneurial and market research peers could all see it.
After I hit my initial goal, I set another. Then another – my high school graduation weight. Boom! Not only did I meet that goal, I exceeded it by 10 pounds. Within six months, I lost 66 pounds and completely changed who I was.
I looked better, felt better, had more energy, and had more confidence (didn’t know that was possible). I went from having metabolic syndrome (not good) to having a normal body weight and seeing all my heath indicators go from abnormal to normal. I took up hiking with my family and learned how to downhill snow ski.
The help I received altered my quality of life. And I am forever grateful.
What I learned was:
- I have no superhuman willpower, just a strong motivation to succeed
- I found a system that works for me (my Kryptonite is sugar, FYI)
- I needed outside help
- Compliments NEVER, EVER get old
Over the course of my journey, I referred numerous people to Peggy. I want to return the favor.
I want to help people find a system that works for them. I want to help companies that help people improve the quality of their lives. This is something I care deeply about.
I am living Health & Wellness, which is one of the areas The Olinger Group specializes in. I am passionate about it. And I am determined to help other people experience it as well.
My doctor once asked me what my hobbies were. I replied, “Eating and drinking.” He looked at me sternly and said, “Jude, those are not hobbies.”
Well, now I have real hobbies – travel and adventure. And because of my changes in health, I pursue them with gusto. They add an extra layer of quality to my already wonderful life.
My whole thing in life right now is making memories. I am fully aware that my memory making would have been different had I not taken the course of action to change my life. It was one of the best challenges I ever accepted! And I am forever grateful.
I am curious – what have you done to improve your health and wellness? Shoot me an email or leave a comment below. We’ll celebrate together.
