My Wayland Wellness journey started February 2009 when Dr. Bobby Hall approached my staff and I about starting a wellness program for the university.  Little did I know this conservation was the start of a healthier life style.

At that point in my life, I weighed 274 lbs., began wearing XXL clothes, had not been able to take my wedding ring off in almost ten years and had not been able to wear my college ring in years. I also had no idea how to eat properly, what proper nutrition was, and had not exercised in years.

On August 9, I took my first step on my Wayland Wellness journey by making the decision to no longer drink Dr. Pepper or any soft drink.  I was consuming at least four to five a day.  At lunch on that day, I told my wife Deanna I would not have another Dr. Pepper.  Of course, Deanna had a supportive yet unbelieving look on her face not truly believing what I just said to her.

In September, my second step on my Wayland Wellness journey began by hiring Brandi Cook a personal trainer for my wife and I.  Stepping into the Laney Center to work out for the first time was very nerve racking because we had no idea how to use any of the equipment or what we needed to do to try to get into shape.  Also, I was worried that people would laugh and make fun of me for even trying to lose weight. During the first week we met with Brandi, she asked me to walk one mile.  That mile took 14:30 minutes to complete.   During this same week, Brandi asked us to get on a treadmill and walk for thirty minutes.  When Brandi walked away, I turned to my wife and said "Has she lost her mind to ask me to walk for thirty minutes.".  During this time, we wanted Brandi to work with us every day because we were so insecure about what we were doing.  There were many times Brandi would ask me to do something, and the first thing I would say to her was, "I can't do that."

In October, my third step on my Wayland Wellness journey began by joining Weight Watchers.  I had never tried a weight lose program before and wonder if I was get anything out of the program.  When our team leader Pat began talking about proper eating habits, portion control and the Weight Watchers point system, I thought to myself that this may not be the program for me, but I decided that I had nothing to lose by participating since the university was paying my fees to participate for the seventeen weeks.

With these three important steps taken on my Wayland Wellness journey, a new healthier life began and the following changes have occurred:

1.  I have lost over seventy-five (75) lbs, and for the first time since graduating college I weigh under 200 lbs.

2.  I have gone from wearing size XXL clothes to medium and large clothes.  The pants and jeans I use to wear were size forty-four (44) and now I can wear size thirty-six (36).

3.  I can now remove my wedding ring and cannot wear my college ring because it now too big.  I am having to wear my high school ring instead.

4.  Over nine months later, I still have not had one Dr. Pepper/soft drink and have no desire to have one.

5.  I can now run and jog the very same one mile that took me 14:30 minutes in 9:45 minutes.

6.  No longer do I tell Brandi "I can't do that" but instead ask her how many reputations do you  want me to do and for how long.   No longer do I fear the equipment in the Laney Center or worry if people are laughing or talking about me.  I enjoy my time working out and look forward to it throughout the day because I enjoy pushing myself to work harder, faster and stronger.  I am now able to do workouts much like the ones a did in high school training to run track and field.

7.  Recently, I have had individuals who have not seen me since this journey not recognize me.

8.  I now have the knowledge from Weight Watchers that I do not have to deprive myself of foods I enjoy but to eat them in moderation and understand portion control.

9. Just recently, I am able to look in the mirror and no longer see the fat guy that started this journey.  The reflection I now see is the healthier version of myself that I was hoping to achieve.

I want to thank the following individuals for helping during my Wayland Wellness Journey:

• Deanna Appling, my wonderful wife.
• Charline Appling, my very supportive mother.
• Dr. Bobby Hall for giving me the opportunity to start and participate in the Wayland Wellness program.
• Brandi Cook for being a GREAT personal trainer.
• Carol Gamboa, Pam Lloyd and Carol Edwards for the support they have shown me personally and for helping implement the Wayland Wellness program.
• Pat Marshall for providing me the tools I needed to eat smarter and healthier.