Everyone gets a day where the world changed. Some are born from positive and some from negative. Some are forced upon you and others you choose because you feel it is the right thing for you. The day my world changed was in 2012. That day transformed the whole path of my future.
“I was scared I was terrified. I started to consider it was entirely possible I will be dead before I hit thirty-five”
I was 28 and a shadow of the man you see today. I was over 32 stone and eating myself into an early grave. I had been big most of my adult, and teen life so did not know any different. Food gave me comfort in an existence that knew only unhappiness. Every day I was escaping to an online world, easily losing 14 hours a day to World of Warcraft. By avoiding this way, I could be a hero, saving people and admired for my strength but it was all a façade. I was severely depressed, having no purpose in life and even considered suicide. You hear people saying about hitting rock bottom, but for me, I did not know anything different.
I went to my doctors for a routine check-up. He is doing the usual checks on my health, and he weighs me. The scales groan under my weight as I stand on them. That is when it says 32 stone. The doctor sat down in front of his desk and looked at me. He has a look of concern and worry but with a glint of hope in his eye.
“That day transformed the whole path of my future”
He says “Dave I am concerned about you, you are putting on about a stone a year if not more. At this rate and if nothing changes I give you maybe five to ten years, and you will be dead probably from a heart attack”. I can feel the panic grow within me and the defensive barrier is coming up. I did not want to believe what he said. I was scared I was terrified. I started to consider it was entirely possible I will be dead before I hit thirty-five.
“You hear people saying about hitting rock bottom, but for me, I did not know anything different”
He referred me to my local healthy eating service; we call it Tipping the Balance here.
In my mind I was on my own set of scales, weighing up which direction I wanted to go. I had an idea but unsure how to get there. This moment helped tip me in the right direction. It was the start of my journey to where I am today.
We all deal with change differently, some needing more or less support or requiring different techniques to enact that change in our life. I now make it my life’s work to help others going through this change.
Over the coming months, I shall continue to share my journey with you all, giving you a glimpse into my life and the path I walked.
I use my experience to help clients move forward, and make changes to improve their wellbeing.
For me, it’s about empowering YOU to make your very own Breakthrough!
