Life Update

Losing weight and feeling pretty great. Down 56lbs so far.

Life Update

A while back, I mentioned my trouble with gluten, and that battle is still ongoing. I seem to have some sort of intolerance because while I can handle small amounts, like a deli sandwich, consuming multiple forms of gluten—such as breaded chicken, mac and cheese, and a biscuit—causes significant issues. It’s unpredictable and frustrating not knowing how my body will react.

In addition to dealing with gluten, I’ve taken a closer look at my overall diet. When I’m completely gluten-free, the difference is remarkable. No more hours-long stomach cramps, dizzy spells, or skin breakouts. I just feel better overall because my diet is better. However, I can’t always be gluten-free, so I’ve had to learn to cope. Portion control has been key for me.

I’ve also picked up intermittent fasting as my new eating schedule. Since starting this, I’ve lost 56 pounds. The changes have been noticeable in my clothes, energy levels, and breathing. At my heaviest, I was 456 pounds. Sharing this isn’t easy, but I feel it’s important. If you’ve been around me long enough, you know that I’m transparent about everything—it’s just how I am. Thanks to my new eating habits, I’ve been able to stop taking blood pressure medicine, shop for clothes in-store rather than online, and overall feel much better, despite ongoing stomach issues.

As for business, we’ve adopted an appointment-only system at Jay Odom Design instead of standard office hours to help me continue adjusting to this new lifestyle. I’m still up at the office, meeting and working with clients, but setting appointments only as the new norm just makes sense currently given my situation. It’s a long journey ahead, but I’m making progress. My goal weight is 250lbs. Thank you for your support and reading my TED Talk.