I have always struggled with my weight in the past. I could look at a doughnut and gain 2 lbs. Then I'd eat 3 of them and gain 7 more lbs. I used to live in Houston, TX where they fried everything... even Twinkies and snickers at the state fair!

Since I moved up to Washington in Sep '06, I really felt a desire to change my health status. I was 272lbs. heading for an early heart attack like my dad and my dad's dad. I think there were a lot of reasons for my weight, not just the food.

I really focused on my self-esteem issues as much as my physical issues. I think you have to value yourself in order to get healthy. I believe that stress and low self esteem is a major cause of weight gain. I had a long journey towards health with a lot of speed bumps on the way.

Now Nov. '08, with the help of a lot of friends and the YMCA, I am healthy, happy and really wanting to help others achieve similar results. I am currently at 189lbs. and do not feel fear every time I pass a doughnut shop!

I've heard about the kinds of food they cook down there in Texas! Sounds like moving up to Washington has really helped you. Do you think if you would have stayed in Texas, that you would have still lost the weight? Or would the food be too tempting?

Ken,

According to this poll in 2005, you have moved from the fattest city to the fittest city (well Seattle was named).

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20050105 ... est-cities

It's now 2009, but I would guess that Houston is still one of the fattest, and Seattle is still one of the fittest cities.

How do you feel about that?

Wow... you know... I never thought about that... I wonder if that is more of an impact than what I have been thinking it was!!!

Do you think that played a big difference in your weight loss? I am wondering now if part of my weight problem has to do where I live. Did you start to lose weight before or after you moved to Washington? Could part of my problem be environmental?

I think it had a part to do with it, but I think the biggest single factor was my decision to be active, instead of watching TV I'd go do something that made me move... you'd be surprised how much fat that you burn just by not watching TV at night, every night! I really feel that it makes a huge difference. I still watch one or two shows, tivo things for later dates, but going to the gym instead of watching the stuff that is on TV from 5-7 has probably been the key to my success...

I have found that a key to success is just staying consistent with working out each week. If you get out of the groove and slack off, that is where you stop seeing the results and it makes progress more difficult!

Wow Ken, good for your success. You look wonderful and I COMPLETELY agree about need to deal with the emotional stuff if we honestly want to successfully deal with the physical stuff. Thank you for sharing that bit about yourself, as it too is my realization, and now my goal. Congrats on your personal success and keep up with the great work.