About Me

(see previous updates below)

UPDATE: June, 2014

It’s about time I stop back here and re-update the “about me” section of the page, since the current “me” is drastically different than the previously updated “me”s…

Welcome! What you will find on this blog is a first hand account of a guy in his mid-30’s who found himself dangerously overweight, starting out just shy of 330 pounds and the process of getting more active by running and changing the way that I eat by cutting calories to lose the weight. You are looking at a two and a half year snapshot of my life during this time. I am now at the end of my public weight loss efforts, but in the beginning when I was heavy into the weight loss efforts I would post close to 3 times a week, once I hit the goals and started progressing into racing and product reviews, the frequency dropped to once a week or so, but all in all it’s a very consistent view of what was going on in my head and in my body during that time.

The story ends with me losing 130 pounds in all, and altering the way I pretty much look at everything. This weight loss and blog have changed my entire life, and I could not be more grateful to all the readers, old and new who stop by and check out what I have had to say.

I have decided that as of June of 2014 I will not be regularly updating the blog anymore, but I am leaving it up for the sake of any other people out there who can still find some value in the chronicle of my weight loss. I will check back in from time to time, but if I can leave you with some parting words I want them to be this: You can do it. believe me, if I can do this, you can too. I was the laziest couch potato there was, but once I hit my tipping point and decided to try it for real, hard work produces real results. One of the reasons I love running so much is because it provides me the way to surprise myself by accomplishing things that I honestly thought were impossible, even a short time before. It’s an amazing feeling and I hope you get to experience it to. Hang in there, and keep at it, we’re all in this together.

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UPDATE: July, 2012
It went faster than I ever thought possible, but I have managed to lose 110 pounds and completely change my life for my wife, daughter, and myself. Up until this point I have been sharing my story about how I’ve gone about losing the weight through diet (counting calories) and running. (well, running and walking). I have gradually gone through the process of transforming myself from someone who could not run 1/16th of a mile when i started to setting a goal to run a half marathon one year to the day of when I started. (actually, it will be my second half marathon within the span of that year)

It’s been an interesting process for sure: It’s had it ups and downs so far, and I have had to change my plans along the way a couple times, but I got here, and I couldn’t be happier.

I am keeping things going to document my training, and I am going to look to inspire/ help others like me to accomplish the same thing, in whatever capacity they want to. Not exactly sure how I’m going to do that yet, but I’ll figure things out as I go along. More to come on this front as I work things out, but I’m excited to get started.

Please know that I’m no doctor or nutritionist, and dont intend to hold myself out as one. (**Nor do I intend anything I say or advice I dispense to replace a doctor’s; They are the experts, I openly admit I am not**)  I’m just a guy who’s been through it, appreciated all the love, support, advice, and help I’ve received along the way and looking to return the favor to anybody else. After all, we’re all in this together, right?

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Nov, 2011:
Hello!
My name is Andy (or Big Andy if you’re a friend), a 35 year old new dad living in the Philadelphia suburbs; and this is my blog to document all my experiences as I take on the task of trying to get my big ass in shape.
I am trying to capture the good, bad, and ugly of slowly turning myself from a 330 pound fatass into a healthy man that my daughter can be proud of.
I realize that I am horribly out of shape and overweight and I have a plan to fix it.
I am basically going to run my ass off.
 

12 responses to “About Me

  1. Its a tough go at first. Take it easy and listen to what your body is telling you. In no time you’ll have to get a new wardrobe. Keep it up, YOU’RE badass!!

  2. Andy, heard about your great story from Kyle. I’m so happy for you. I need to lose a lot as well and will use your story as inspiration. Congrats and all the best to you.

  3. Andy: About two months ago I did the same thing as you, just decided to start running and try to lose weight. I was at 237 (5′ 10″) and just really sloppy and out of shape. Couldn’t walk a lap without getting winded. Eating right and gradually increasing distance I’ve been able to complete three 5K races, and now run between 3.1 and 3.5 miles every other day, usually at a pace around 12 minute miles. Started lifting weights too. Problem is, I’ve lost 22 lbs but not dropping any more. I’ve been between 210-215 for the past three weeks. I noticed on your chart you never really hit that plateau? Did you start going further, faster, eat less, what? Congrats on what you’ve done, really impressive!
    Mike

    • Mike,
      Sorry I’m just getting a chance to reply to this now. first off, congrats, 22 pounds is no joke. You are right, I never really did hit that dreaded plateau, and I think a large part of that was due to the fact I never really let up. The running was a big part of everything I did, but it was only one of two things that I was doing at the same time. The second was keeping a very tight grip on what I was eating at the same time. I used (still do, actually) an iphone app/ website called Myfitnesspal. It’s a app designed to help you count calories and it has been instrumental in helping me lose the weight and learn how to keep it off and under control. I did a post about it a while back (http://wp.me/p20oka-5I). But I can’t say enough good things about it. It really helped me get the feeling like I was the one in control of the food and other things, not the other way around. It sounds like you are doing great on the running front, keep up the excellent work. that, coupled with taking a closer eye at the food you are eating should kickstart things for you again…at least it kept everything moving for me. Best of luck and if you have any other questions, feel free to shoot them to me at: bigandy.email@yahoo.com.
      Have a good one,
      Andy

  4. Becky McLaughlin

    http://bexisrunning.wordpress.com/

    I’m in Andy! I’m running my ass off too!

  5. Pingback: The great outdoors- progress and fresh air | 321pounds

  6. Mr. Andy
    I nominated you for this blogger to blogger Liebster Award. It’s a way to tell you I think your blog is cool and I think others should check it out too. You may have heard and/or received said award in the past, which would be well deserved. Plus it’s got a cool ‘patch’ you can add to your site. So here’s your gold star for you!
    http://321pounds.com/2013/06/19/liebster-award/
    Keep on blogging! You’re great!

    • This is awesome! Thanks Jos! I’m flattered, and thanks for the kind words about the blog in your post. You kick ass. Thoroughly and Consistently. Keep up the great work girl!

  7. Robert Corcoran

    Hi Andy,
    I found you to be a great motivation and want to get back to hitting the roads. In 2009 I ran seven 5Ks and got down a little below 220LB. The I stopped and am now 300LB and want to get back to hitting the roads. I had a heart attack at 43 in 2007 so I went to see my Dr. before starting any jogging. I have been walking regularly for a few weeks. The Dr. gave me a stress test and it came back abnormal. I have blockage in a few arteries and am having surgery next week. Keep an open slot for me for the next few weeks. I am making a lifestyle change, and I am going to be doing some races this year. Thank you for the motivation to get started!

  8. Wow! Love looking at the weight log. It makes me believe that I can get to a certain weight in a certain time because someones managed to do it 🙂 Very inspirational!! Thank you!!

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