I was fat. Fat isn’t a dirty word; it is simply characterization. This is something that I have come to realize. I know who I was. I accept who I was and I appreciate that I am still that person. Our past is our foundation; the past is what we have to build upon to reach our present. I could not be the person I am without recognizing and embracing the person I was.
I moved to Squamish with my amazing wife almost five years ago. I was fat. I wasn’t unhappy – I want that to be clear. Too often, we equate happiness with fitness as if one cannot exist without the other. This wasn’t the case for me. I was happy. Not only that, I was determined, I had friends and I had a loving family.
But I was 25 years old and weighed 355 lb., about as much as a giant panda. For a giant panda, I was quite old. For a human, though, I was casting aside the best years of my life.
From 2011 to 2012, I lost 170 lb.
I ran, a lot. I went from struggling to walk halfway up our hill to running half marathons.
I biked, a lot. I went from pedalling around our block to completing, and competing in, multiple Test of Metal races. (Thank you, Tantalus.)
Many would call this a transformation. I would have to disagree. I did not change who I was; instead, I channeled the best parts of my character in order to reach my goals.
I was happy guy, and I am a happy guy. The things that made me happy still do. I have simply added fitness to the equation.
I had determination, and I am still determined. I have worked hard all of my life. This is the same now as it was when I weighed 355 lb. I have simply expanded my purpose and my goals.
I had fantastic friends, and I still have fantastic friends. Friends accept you for who you are and believe in who you can be. My physical appearance has not changed this.
I had a loving family, and I have a loving family. The size of my body has not altered my love for my family or theirs for me. However, the size of my body could have limited my time with them. I want to be there for my parents. I want to watch my nieces and nephews grow up and have children of their own.
I write this to remind people who are struggling (in whatever capacity) that who we are informs who we will become. Recognize that you have amazing qualities. Recognize that these qualities are your foundation. A strong foundation roots us in who we are while allowing us to grow. Look to your past to inform your future and your goals.
Living in an amazing place like Squamish certainly helps.
Cory Hartling
Squamish
