Here I am nearly 6 years later, at the age of 27 in October 1995. By this point I had been exercising vigorously (3 days of intense full-body weight training coupled with 25 miles a week of running) and being very conscientious about what I ate. I had also given up cigarette smoking and caffeine (the latter of which was making me feel very on edge and causing me to experience major sleep disturbances), and was drinking very little alcohol. Again, the look on my face (which is also noticeably thinner) says it all: I had a lot more energy at this point in my life than I did when my ‘before’ photo was taken, despite being nearly 6 years older. Old friends were telling me they couldn’t believe how much better I looked, and my self-confidence had improved by leaps and bounds! But best of all, I was at the side of this lovely lady who was then my new girlfriend (we had started dating in May of that year), and is now my wife of nearly 14 years as of this writing.
andy sullivan mind and body 
What a great shot–look how happy and healthy you guys look (impending cheesecake notwithstanding)! Those sweet smiles are somehow amplified by the cheerful cacophony of patterns here–your shirt, Cathy’s shirt, and the wallpaper! 🙂
Thanks, Miranda! By that time I really FELT just as radically different on the inside as I looked on the outside! I hope to help others see that positive changes are possible for them too!
I think it’s great that you were inspired to change the direction of your life. I think sometimes people feel they are stuck. They believe that the way it’s always been is the way it will always be. You are living proof that change is available to everyone. We just have to decide. I think it’s great that you made those changes and it has affected you inside as well as out. Clearly your own history translates into making you a great inspiration and support to others.
Thanks, Tanya! Your post sums up perfectly what it is I’m trying to do. I hope to use my example as means of showing people that they, too, can make positive changes. Thanks for posting!
That is a great story, thanks for sharing with me. It is fun to have you as group power instruction because you are so possitive and such an inspiration.
Thanks for the positive feedback, Ghazal, and thanks for taking the time to check my blog out! Helping you all to achieve your fitness goals is why I do this, and interacting with you all during class is always one of the highlights of MY day as well!
look younger than couch potoato stage, 🙂
Thanks, Pat! I honestly felt a lot younger at that point, too!