Summit of Change: The Start of my Journey from Struggle to Strength

At the beginning of 2023, I embarked on a walk with my family up some local hills on a cold, crisp day under clear skies – fair conditions for walking, by all accounts. The hill we tackled wasn’t particularly high or technically challenging, yet for me, it was a near-impossible physical feat. Each step I ascended was laden with pain; with every passing minute, my heart felt as though it would falter under the strain. I had to pause numerous times, ostensibly waiting for a dawdling child, but in truth, it was my own struggle to maintain the pace.

Reaching the summit, I was transformed. A switch had flipped, a wall of denial had crumbled, revealing the stark reality of my condition. Intellectually, I was aware of my poor health, but on that hill, this awareness painfully collided with the reality: without change, my physical limitations promised a challenging, possibly shortened life.

Standing atop that hill, gasping for breath and willing my heart to stabilise, I weighed 133 kg. Now, as I write, I weigh around 90 kg. I am healthier and fitter than ever before. Initially, I embarked on this journey covertly, confiding only in my closest family. However, as time passed and the inevitable questions arose – “Have you lost weight?” – my playful deflection of “No, I've just had a haircut” no longer sufficed. Gradually, I learned to embrace and acknowledge the compliments offered by others and thank them accordingly.

I now wish to reflect on my journey: how I reached that point atop the hill, the changes I made to arrive at my current state, and my aspirations for the coming months and years. This modest shift has sparked a remarkable cascade of self-improvement and motivation. It’s a journey I now feel compelled to document and share.