It took me a long time…

I use to wear big jackets, windbreakers, baggy jeans w soft sole shoes. Even on a 100 degree day

I wanted to hide my gut. The windbreaker did good w that except on a really windy day. Then you could see it protruding from my pant line.

I didn’t like how flabby my arms were or my legs. The sweat was horrible! I chaffed I hated it.

I hunched, I’m tall but back then I wanted to be small. I hunched to make myself smaller so I wouldn’t be noticed.

“Look there goes tree!” Is something I heard a lot. “That tree has a knot!” As they made fun of my gut.

When I joined the Army my parents fully expected me to fail. “You’re not a physically strong person son” is what they told me

When I look in the mirror I know what I see isn’t accurate. I don’t see flabby arms I don’t see a huge gut I don’t see chubby legs.

But it’s what I see.

I don’t exercise for muscles. Not for vanity.

My relatives die from heart disease, liver disease, diabetes….

I’m ending the cycle. No more. I only have one body and I try to take care of it.

It’s much stronger now. I can sprint at a moments notice, I can climb a ledge, I can drag a person to cover 100 meters away if need be.

I’m happy.