2014
Me in 2014 at Nigara Falls
I was directionless. I’d graduated college last December but remained in the same small town. On a manic whim, I wanted to buy a building on Main Street and start a bookstore. Luckily, the bank said no. I was generally depressed, especially with the long winter still ahead of me. In October, my Mom and I had taken a road trip to the East Coast to see an area of the US we’d never seen. We’d had fun in Boston, Niagara Falls, and Maine. Vermont was beautiful.
On another whim, with no jobs open to me in my little town, I applied to the graduate program at my old university. I don’t think I’d get an acceptance letter until the next month.
Most of my day was spent in a depressed stupor. I napped most days. I would watch television, Netflix, and read. I was very inactive, and I survived on a diet of pasta. I loved to make a pot of goulash and save the rest for lunches and dinners afterward. I wasn’t interested in cooking. I ordered takeout from the local Chinese restaurant or terrible Italian place. Typically, I made my own breakfast: eggs, turkey bacon, and toast. I drank too much Coke with vanilla or straight Coke. This habit would become much worse when I’d have to power through hours of homework in grad school.
I didn’t exercise or even leave the house if I could help it. Most days were spent at home with my two dogs, Lucy and Desi.
I weighed around 260-270 pounds after gaining over 50 pounds two years before. I’d been put on a new medication, which made me ravenously hungry. I didn’t realize that I was eating way too much, often filling myself with very unhealthy food. The weight gain made my depression worse, as I felt bad mentally and physically. I was never athletic but during my undergraduate years, I’d been active and somewhat healthy. I ate better then and didn’t overindulge. I was comfortable with my body size in 2012; I weighed a bit too much, but I wasn’t obese.
Two years had changed my body to a sluggish, inactive mess. It would remain that way until 2019.
2019
Me in 2019 (November) at Galaxy Con Minn
I’ve been working hard since February to change my body, when I walked into a gym and signed up with a trainer. I’d moved to the area at the beginning of the month to be closer to my parents and extended family. It took me nearly a month to follow up on my desire to change.
When I joined my local gym, I was 293 pounds and deeply unhappy. Although I’d been working with a student-trainer from 2017-2018, I’d stopped for the winter and gained 15+ pounds. The thought of being 300 pounds made me upset and extremely depressed. I knew gaining weight back in 2012 hadn’t really been my fault but now I’d had to live with it. I’d been living with it for 7 years. I knew I needed a dramatic change. My move was an opportunity to create a new start.
Ten months later, I’ve lost 50 pounds after a great deal of work and some setbacks. Since February, I’ve been going to the gym three times a week, with a few exceptions like travel. I’ve scaled back my pasta habit considerably. Instead, I enjoy cooking meals at home or eating a Chipotle chicken bowl. I now monitor my diet, logging every meal and snack. I don’t drink Coke anymore. Occasionally, I’ll have one can of Zevia cola mixed with water to take away it’s sweetness. Otherwise, I drink water or sugar-free Powerade. My diet is limited to 1700 calories per day. I don’t eat candy or inhale pasta like I once did. I walk an average of 7000 steps per days. I can lift 140 pounds. When I first started, I couldn’t squat without getting stuck in an awkward position. Now I can do back squats with weight. I’m physically the strongest I’ve probably ever been.
My mental health has been stable for months with only a few mild bouts of depression. My lows are small and brief. My highs are limited and manageable. In my adult life, I’ve never been this mentally healthy. After a workout, I feel an incredible boost both mentally and physically that I’ve never known before. A natural high. I’m the most active I’ve been since I was a preteen. I never played sports in high school. In middle school, I played softball. Before middle school, I ranked up to red belt (just below black belt). I deeply enjoyed marital arts, but I stopped when I couldn’t level up to senior red belt. As a child, I was wild and playful, staying outside from morning until dinner. I spent most days roaming our family farm. I watched Saturday morning cartoons and Aladdin and Hook (both on repeat) after I’d spent the day outside. Otherwise, I didn’t spend much time in front of a screen.
2024
I see myself happily active and weighing between 170-180 pounds, a healthy place from my frame. I cook at home and actually enjoy doing it. I go to the gym 4-5 days a week, in the mornings. I work on writing afterwards, when I’m mentally alert.
I like to jog around my neighborhood or on local trails. Maybe I’ve taken up hiking.
I can do back squats well and deadlift 200 pounds.
I continue to be mentally stable, but I check in with my therapist monthly. I’m comfortable in my body. I own nice gym clothes that I’ve invested in. My wardrobe of clothes fit well.
I’m strong physically and mentally. I let myself enjoy cheat meals without feeling guilty. I don’t overindulge. I like protein powder. Maybe I can make smoothies at home.
I generally feel calm and content, at peace.
I don’t gain weight, especially during the winter. I like looking in the mirror.
I’ve become what I always pictured when I imagined myself as an adult.
Jack Claussen 