A pair of athletic shoes on a treadmill, symbolizing the path to renewed health and commitment to physical well-being

Why the Start of 2025 Is a Wake-Up Call After the Challenges of 2024

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Sometimes, life has a way of reminding us that we need to pause, reflect, and start again. The beginning of 2025 feels like one of those moments for me—a wake-up call after a challenging year and a few missteps in my health journey.

The Backstory: A Life-Changing Year

In 2020, I weighed in at 366 lbs (166 kg). That year was also the hardest of my life. In November 2020, I lost both of my parents on the same day to complications from COVID-19. They were 80 years old. Living far from my home country, I had to fly back to South Africa to take care of everything, which was overwhelming and heartbreaking. I spent two months there, and when I finally returned home to my wife and kids, something felt off.

A Wake-Up Call: The Importance of Health Checks

My wife urged me to get a blood test—a small act that I now recommend to everyone. It’s incredible what a blood test can reveal about your health. Mine showed that I was pre-diabetic, my blood pressure was elevated (though not alarmingly high), and it was clear I needed to make some serious changes.

Fighting Back: The Journey Begins

From there, I started to fight back. I cut out sugar entirely, reduced my calorie intake to about 2,400 per day for six months, then dropped it to 2,000. I also gave up alcohol for 18 months—it’s amazing how many hidden calories are in those drinks. I began walking regularly, covering about 1.8 miles (3 km) 3-4 times a week. Slowly but surely, I started to see results.

Progress and Setbacks

By late 2022, I had dropped to 253 lbs (115 kg). For someone who started at 366 lbs, this felt like a massive victory. My blood sugar stabilized (thanks to walking and a medication called Meforal, which I still take in smaller doses), and my blood pressure normalized to the point where I could stop taking medication altogether. I meticulously tracked everything—my weight, blood sugar, blood pressure—in a Google sheet. I also logged every bite of food using the YAZIO app.

But as 2023 rolled around, I started to relax a bit. I felt healthier and allowed myself to enjoy life more—going out with friends, having the occasional drink, and not being as strict with my eating habits. By early 2024, I noticed the weight creeping back. I hit 260 lbs (118 kg), then 267 lbs (121 kg). By November, I was up to 275 lbs (125 kg). Then came another devastating family event, coupled with work stress, and by the time Christmas and New Year had passed, I was at 291 lbs (132 kg).

Starting Fresh: Why This Blog Matters

This is why I decided to start this blog—to hold myself accountable, to share my journey, and to remind myself that even though it’s tough, I’ve done it before, and I can do it again.

One decision I’m especially proud of in 2024 was buying a treadmill before winter. It’s nothing fancy—second-hand, with no Bluetooth or LED screens—but it gets the job done. Walking regularly, even indoors, has been a lifeline, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sustainable way to stay active.

A New Commitment: Looking Ahead

So here I am, at the start of 2025, recommitting to my health. My calorie goal is now set to 1,800 a day. My ultimate target remains the same as it was four years ago: to get down to 242 lbs (110 kg). It’s not going to be easy, but it’s worth it.

Some Takeaways From My Journey

  • Get regular blood tests. If you’ve been feeling unwell for a while, don’t ignore it. A simple test can give you the information you need to take control of your health.
  • Use tools to track your habits. Apps like YAZIO make calorie tracking easy, and recording everything—your weight, meals, exercise—keeps you accountable.
  • Appreciate your friends. When life gets tough, having supportive friends is invaluable. Don’t be afraid to lean on them.
  • Talk about your struggles. Bottling things up doesn’t help. Sharing your problems can lead to connections with others who’ve faced similar challenges.
  • Live your life. Don’t wait for the perfect time to start making changes or to enjoy the things that make you happy.

Here’s to making 2025 a year of determination, growth, and health. Let the journey begin again!

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