I started my weight-loss journey at the beginning of this year. Honestly, the picture on the right was my tipping point.

Some friends sent it to me after we had gone out, and I remember immediately feeling my face turn red with embarrassment. I hated seeing myself like that. It made me realize that I had let things go much further than I wanted to admit.

After that, I started exercising regularly and eating better. We all pretty much know what it takes to lose weight. Actually doing it consistently was the hard part. I eventually went from around 230 pounds to 175, and I’ve now maintained 175 for a couple of months, which feels just as important to me as losing it.

The weight affected much more than my appearance. I hated pictures, hated shopping for clothes, and usually wore things that helped me hide. It affected my confidence when talking to people, giving presentations at work, seeing friends, and even in my marriage. My wife would never say she was losing attraction to me, but in my head, I convinced myself she probably was.

A few years ago, I was in decent shape and regularly trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Once I gained the weight, I became afraid to go back. I didn’t want people who remembered me before to see what I looked like at 230 pounds. I know avoiding the gym was counterintuitive because returning would have helped me, but that was the mindset I was stuck in.

Now I’m back doing jiu-jitsu, and I feel amazing. I wear clothes because I know I look good in them, not because they help me disappear. I feel more confident at work, socially, and in my relationship. Even the way people interact with me feels completely different.

The physical difference is about 55 pounds, but the biggest change has been feeling comfortable being seen again.

(38) The picture on the right was my tipping point