Training to become a physician comes with a lot of sacrifice. There are a lot of long hours, late nights, and stress. Before I started medical school, I was extremely active. Lifting weights often, playing various sports, including basketball and softball, and being a regular at the gym. In 2000, I weighed 228 just before I started medical school. Once class began, I spent 8 hours in at school and additional 3-4 hours of study afterwards. These very long days attributed to basically forgetting about staying active and eating well. Long nights, stress eating, frequent fast food, and lots of caffeinated beverages to stay awake really attributed to weight gain. Once I graduated, I moved from California to Michigan to train to become an Emergency Medicine Physician. The weather was a shock to me; it was so cold that I really did not want to go to the gym at all. There were a lot of days staying indoors, being inactive, and just eating. Then in 2007, I had an injury where I required knee surgery and rehab for 2 months. Afterwards, I have basically been inactive and not confident in my knee. I finally completed residency this past summer and found a job back in California. I moved back in July and had about 6 weeks before I started my new job. I decided to get back into shape for so many reasons.

I hated giving patients advice about losing weight and being healthier, when I myself was not the example of health. Other reasons included the little comments people made in jest, squeezing into airplane seats, not being able to find clothes that fit right, and I basically learned that I really could not qualify for any type of disability insurance.

I joined 24 Hour Fitness in Costa Mesa, CA in the first week of July and decided to sign up for a 5 session promotion with a trainer, Russell Olshefski. My first weigh-in was 268 lbs. I could not believe I let myself go that much. I was signed up for the online BodyBugg website. Through that site, I learned about the armband and purchased it. Through this program, I learned to eat better and be more accountable. The armband took the guesswork of how much calories I've burned. The basic concept of fewer calories in than calories burned applied. It's now been 10 months. And I've lost about 80 pounds. My knee is almost 100%. I feel great. All my clothes fit loosely, and now I have to buy new clothes. I am starting to hear comments from everyone. It's a wonderful feeling but I'm not at my goal yet. I want to be an ideal body weight for my height. Granted, the program cost is a little pricey.

But if you look at the long-range savings in medications, doctor visits, and surgeries that accompany obesity, I'm saving money!