Are you participating in this year’s Wellness Challenge? If so, we’d love to hear how it’s going and anything you’ve learned that might help others meet their fitness goals. This week, Oak Creek BOC Jay Guzzetta talks about how he finally decided to start living more healthfully, and the inspiring gains (or rather, losses) he’s enjoyed:
For years my friends, family and doctor would tell me (out of love) they were concerned about my health and the potential problems I could experience if I didn’t do something about my weight. Even after members of my family suffered major health-related illnesses, I still felt I had time to make the change. I couldn’t seem to find the motivation required to get control of my life, though. It wasn’t until last September, when I met some friends (twins who, combined, weighed close to what I did), that it finally clicked that I needed to make a change.
Jay Guzzetta before he started living more healthfully, and after.
If you have friends and family who seem to be constantly on you to lose the weight and get healthy, they really mean well and want the best for you. However, until you see the need and purpose in your own mind, it will never happen. The biggest thing I have learned in the past six months is that deep inside of me, there really was the determination to get my life back. I was lucky enough to see immediate results that showed me I could do it! I never said, “I’m going on a diet.” It was a lifestyle change that brought results. My mind-set when I started was: Even if I never lose a pound, I am doing this to regain my health. Changing my mind to eat for health instead of comfort was the key. The byproduct of changing my eating habits was weight loss.
As on The Biggest Loser this season, I made up my mind that “no excuses” were going to keep me from getting healthy. And in the past six months, since Oct. 24, these are the results:
| Starting | Current | |
| Weight: | 275 | 183 |
| Waist: | 44 | 34 |
| Blood pressure: | High | Normal |
| Heart rate: | High | Normal |
If you’re interested in being part of a weekly wellness post, please email us at shorelines@northshorebank.com, or just leave a comment on this post and Josh will contact you. Thanks so much, and keep up the healthy work!
Wow Jay G. I don’t know how he does it, must be will power, I see what he eats and I want to snack more, all I can say is keep up the good work and never go back. Marie Hamilton
This is amazing! Definitely an inspiration.
Great Job, Jay! Thanks for sharing your story. Very inspirational!
Congratulations Jay, that is amazing! Good for you :)
Great Job Jay!!!
And you’re still losing weight!! Way to go, buddy…very proud of you!
Fantastic! What an inspiration.
Wow! Congrats! It is amazing what one can accomplish with determination.
Way to go Jay, you look great!!!
I am very impressed and inspired, Jay! Great job.
That is amazing! You look great! Keep up the good work!
Jay you are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone here is right. You are an inpsiration. Keep up the good work, tiger.
Jay, you are truly an inspiration. Congratulations!
Wow, great job. Wonderful inspiration!
Congrats also to Jay for winning our 6-week Shape Up, Keep Up & Weight Away challenge! What will happen the next 6 weeks? Hmmmm – someone is trailing right behind!
You look great, keep it up!
Congrats Jay! You look great!!!
Jay-Congratulations on your success. You truly are an inspiration to us all.
WAY TO GO! Jan Born, North Training Specialist
Way to go Jay! YOU did it , im glad those twins started you on the right foot :)
Jay, That a way to go. You look GREAT, keep up the good work.
Way to go, Jay!! Your success is sure to inspire others.
WOW! How great is all this jazz?! I like the no excuses attitude, because there truly are not any when it comes to your health! WOOT WOOT! Way to go, Jay…I don’t know you…but I like ya! haha :)