Today, I am THANKFUL to be alive, to once again be a HEALTHY and much HAPPIER person!
I look back at my life over the last year and the REALITY sets in, it sets deep within my heart! You may ask WHY, well the WHY is this: Just a short year and a half ago, I was staring DEATH directly in the eye. If I hadn't made the choice to make a DRASTIC change in my life when I did, today, I doubt that I would be sharing my heart with each of you, instead, I would have been, as they say, 10 feet under!
Thank you Jesus for the amazing opportunity to turn my life around for the better!!
This past week has been somewhat crazy to me, maybe those aren't the right words to say, but I can't seem to think of a better way of putting it.
This past Saturday, my wife and I were driving down 119th Street, headed to a shoe store, and my mind was playing back so many things that have taken place in the past 8 months. After looking back at old pictures on the day before, it finally set in how much my life has changed and from so many perspectives. The ride was somewhat quiet, but I looked at her and said: "you know, the last couple of days I have had the chance to sit back and look over my life and the positive changes have finally hit me, REALITY has finally set it!"
I really didn't realize how much my physical appearance has changed, especially in the last 2-3 months, until I looked back at pictures that I have taken in the last year... WOW, what an awesome difference! You know, people tell me everyday how much I have changed, but when you look at yourself everyday, I guess you really don't realize it, I mean I know that I have made some drastic changes, but I guess I didn't really realize just how drastic!
<-- February 25, 2009 
<-- May 4, 2010 It was funny, once we arrived at the shoe store, I noticed a friend walking around that we haven't seen in probably 3 or more years, I looked at my wife and told her our friend was in the store, so she spoke to her as if she had just spoken to her on the phone the day before, and the funniest thing happened when our friend turned around to see who was talking to her, her facial expression was priceless to say the least. I mean, she looked at us as if to say "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?", and turned away with an attitude, but then she turned back around and looked at me, then looked at my wife, then looked back at me and finally said to me, "How do you know me?", before I could answer she screamed out loud in the store our names and ran to hug us!! Needless to say she was in total shock when she realized it was me, how ironic that I had just mentioned to my wife not even 30 minutes prior that the reality has finally set in that I have changed so much.
One other REALITY check that took place that I would like to share with you: A month ago I had to purchase a new pair of slacks, now remember, I have been accustomed to shopping at BIG & TALL stores, so, because I was accustomed to doing that, my natural instinct was to go to the store that I have shopped at for the past 10 or more years, yes, I know that I have been shopping at the department stores for sometime now, but, I haven't yet purchased a new pair of slacks. I walked in the door and the salesman asked me what I needed, I told him what I was looking for and he looked at me and said: "I CAN'T HELP YOU HERE!". I got a little agitated, not because of his response, but the tone, well, maybe the response too!! I looked around with an attitude, and finally my wife looked at me to again reiterate what the gentleman said! The REALITY of that experience is that I NO LONGER HAVE TO SHOP AT THE BIG&TALL MEN'S STORE!!!!! WOOHOO!!
I drove to Macy's to purchase my new pair of slacks and I haven't looked back since, matter of fact, I purchased two more pairs yesterday!! My next accomplishment is to purchase a new suit, but I will wait until I reach my goal weight!!
The transition has been a very trying time for me, but I will say, the POSITIVES definitely out weigh the negative and if I had the chance to do it again, I would definitely take the opportunity.
My journey is far from over, actually, it is a life long journey, but the ride gets easier and smoother as each day passes. Some days are tough, but I CHOOSE to get through them and look forward to what the next day has to offer!
I am DEDICATED to a continued HEALTHY, HAPPY life and I hope that each of you are still coming along for the ride, yes, it may be the ride of your life, but thank you so much for choosing to share it with me, I promise, I will make it a fun ride!
As of today, I have lost a total of 183lbs... I am 17lbs shy of losing 200lbs in just a short year and a half!
I am happy to say that I no longer take any doctor prescribed medications, that's right, NONE!! I continue to take my daily vitamins, which I will for the remainder of my life, the good thing is this, I used to take vitamins all day long, now, I take them once a day and I can finally take regular gel caps or pills, no longer chewable, however, the chewable weren't so bad!
My diabetes is no longer an issue, hypertension is no longer an issue, I actually freak out a little bit now when I have my blood pressure checked, heck, I haven't seen low numbers like that since before entering high school! Again, I am so THANKFUL for these small, but HUGE accomplishments!!
I could go on and on about the REALITY of my life changes, but I would be here forever writing, but the things I did mention are the things that have been very important to me! I hope each of you who read this entry are blessed in some way or another, I hope that someone who reads my blog, takes the steps to change their life for the better, whether it be from a health perspective or even a relationship perspective, after all, all aspects of our life has an affect on our health!
Know that I LOVE EACH OF YOU and your continued support means the world to me! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE continue praying, complimenting, crying and laughing with me!!
I can never end my entries without first reminding myself and each of you that...
WE ARE #1 IN OUR LIFE...
take care of yourself FIRST, so that you will be around to take care of those that need you!!
Today I ask that you keep the Kotre family in your prayers, pray for a complete healing and a miracle in Missy's body. Please continue praying for my wonderful friends, The Schoonover's, pray for peace and unity. Continue to pray for my wonderful sister in Christ, Julia Jamerson, and my sweet cousin Jill Townsend, pray that God place a healing touch upon their bodies. Continue to pray for my little friend Jack Heller. Also pray for peace and comfort for the Burns family after the passing of our Uncle Arthur Burns.
Until the next post,
GOD SPEED
Much LOVE and THANKFULNESS,
Tony
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