Call me Vray
I am excited to share my experiences and journey to better health through nutrition, weight loss, exercise and lifestyle changes. I have lost over 130 pounds and have maintained this weight loss from my heaviest weight for over two years and counting. Despite this significant weight loss, my weight for height remains in the obesity category (which is defined as excess body fat and is a more severe form of overweight). Although excess weight is a marker for health risk, it does not mean the same as poor health, mental weakness, lack of motivation, overeating or even lack of exercise. I hope to share my experiences as I first set out to lose weight and now as I move beyond weight goals alone as the only measure of better health.
I love to run outside (I have a healthy respect for those able to run on treadmills especially on these cold days in winter). Before 2015, I did not run beyond very short distances in football practice in high school almost 20 years ago. It started with me trying to see if I could run a little while walking which then led to me signing up for my first 5K. Committed, I ran my first 5K on October 24, 2015 and since that time have fallen in love with running. In 2017, I ran for over 1000 miles which included three marathons, three half marathons, one 10-miler, one 8-miler, three 10Ks, one 4-mile Turkey Trot and I’ve lost count of the 5Ks. So far, the highlight of my running experience has been running the St. Jude Half Marathon with my father (who was 66 at the time) in December 2016.
I am not a personal trainer nor am I a professional runner. I am a health care provider in general practice with a special interest and certification in Obesity Medicine. I decided to pursue the extra certification after my experiences with weight loss. As I have learned personally and now professionally, there is more to health than those numbers on the scale. Professionally, I hope to promote lifestyle changes for better health, prevention and chronic disease management outside of the clinical setting.