Holding my little newborn, my third baby girl, I was determined. I decided then and there that I was finished living in denial about being dangerously overweight. At the time, I was 687 pounds.

I wanted to be alive when my girls marry. I wanted to be able to walk them down the aisle. And I wanted to be there for the birth of my grandchildren. They deserve the best version of me I can offer.

I decided I didn’t want my girls to remember me only in pictures and stories. Enough was enough.

Once I got home after my daughter’s birth, I began calling gyms. I spoke to a trainer on the phone named Brandon Glore. He told me he’d come to my house to visit me in a couple of days.

Brandon didn’t judge me. Instead, he listened. When he spoke, he was positive and direct. He said we’d begin working out in a couple of weeks, and we agreed upon a date and time.

Driving to the gym to meet Brandon for my first official workout was extremely stressful. The butterflies in my stomach were intense. I even considered cancelling.

Stepping out onto the gym parking lot, I looked at the front of the gym. I thought I was going to throw up. I don’t ever remember being that nervous in my life.

The gym’s exterior glass was semi-mirrored, so I couldn’t see in, but I could see my reflection. What the hell was I doing? Me, going to work out?

I could imagine all the people inside snickering or laughing at the sight of me standing there and imagining me working out with them.

I was ashamed and embarrassed that poor life choices forced me into this moment of utter and complete humiliation.

But I knew this moment, though uncomfortable and terrifying, was worth everything. I was doing it for my family and for myself. I was finally taking an active role to make myself healthier and happier.

I took one last cleansing breath, and I walked into the gym. It was the heaviest door I ever opened. I braced myself for looks of judgment and amusement at my expense.

I walked in the gym and to my utter surprise and relief, the only one in the building was Brandon.

The owner had closed the gym for a few hours so I could work out in a focused and concentrated atmosphere. I was so relieved!

Without the distraction of others around me, I was able to focus on Brandon and his instruction.

I also asked Brandon if we could take a video of my workout. I had to.

I had come so far and told so many people close to me what I was going to do. I had to do everything I could to hold myself accountable, so I couldn’t let my family or myself down.

That first social media video was viewed 1.2 million times in less than 24 hours. I was shocked! I had no idea that there were so many others out there like me.

One moment of vulnerability from a humble but hopeful man led to The Obesity Revolution.

That “A-ha!” moment when you decide to get serious about health and fitness is so important. But taking action after making that intimate promise to yourself? That’s just as important. Believe me.

I followed up with Brandon Glore and asked him what indicator most determines a person’s seriousness to sustain their fitness journey. His answer? Mental toughness.

“It’s crucial, because there’s more to the journey than just coming to the gym or working out online,” he said.

“It’s the choices we all make when we’re alone. It takes a deep, personal commitment to follow through on the lifestyle and nutrition plan changes as well.”

If you’re battling obesity, what will it take for you to make that all-important decision to become healthier and lose weight?

The decision to become proactive is just step 1.

Step 2 is taking sustainable positive action to:

  • move
  • work out
  • lead a more active lifestyle
  • develop healthy nutrition habits

Try affording yourself a small victory to prove to yourself that you have the mental toughness to be successful. Give up something that’s unhealthy for 21 consecutive days, like soda, ice cream, candy, or pasta.

While I call it a small victory, completing this task is really a big psychological victory that’ll provide you with the confidence and momentum to continue moving forward.

You’ve got this!

Be strong, love yourself, and make it happen.

After overcoming substance addiction and being sexually abused as a child, Sean replaced drug addiction with fast food addiction. This lifestyle led to dramatic weight gain and underlying health conditions. With trainer Brandon Glore’s help, Sean’s workout videos became a hit on social media, leading to regional, national, and international interviews. An advocate for those battling severe obesity, Sean’s book, “Larger Than Life” is currently scheduled for release late summer 2020. Find Sean and Brandon online via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well as their website and podcast with the same name, “The Obesity Revolution.” Sean exemplifies the fact that you don’t have to be perfect to inspire others, you just have to show others how you deal with your imperfections.