I was 39 years old and I weighed 242 lbs. –the high water mark if you will. None of my clothes fit me properly. I snored every night, which meant that I either rode the couch or I aggravated my wife. I was weak, tired and becoming increasingly depressed about the rut I was in.  In retrospect, it was easy to see how I got to be so heavy. I worked as a commercial litigation lawyer. I had three children. I didn’t exercise regularly. A huge contributing factor was my eating habits. For lunch I would sometimes eat two or three ice-cream cones. Late at night I might polish off a box of cookies meant for the kids’ snack. I was filled with self-loathing.

The proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back were the proofs of the photographs from my sister-in-law’s wedding. My wife and kids looked fantastic. I was the sloppy fat man who looked like he didn’t belong. But it wasn’t just my appearance, it was my health. My maternal grandfather died of a heart attack in his 50’s. My maternal grandmother was overweight her whole life. My father, who was fit as a younger man, suffered his own heart attack in his 60’s and was subsequently diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes. I was afraid.

So I made a New Year’s resolution to fix myself. And I stuck to it. It took me a year. And it was extremely difficult. At one point I was working out for 80 minutes six times a week. I was disciplined in a way that I never had been before. I ate only oatmeal with fruit for breakfast, a salad or soup for lunch every day without fail. At the end I lost 52 pounds, which I am proud to say I have more or less kept off in the past four and half years. But there were other improvements. I slept better. I was less susceptible to illness. My depression abated and I could deal with stress more effectively. During my runs I would work out problems and when finished my workouts I would experience the adrenaline high. I felt more attractive, and I think that confidence actually made me more attractive.

Most importantly, I realized that if a ‘Type A’ aggressive litigator like me could do it, really anybody could. Which brings me to Tonic Magazine. It exists only because I accomplished what I had set out to do –improve my life for the better. If anything, I hope that articles, opinions, information and ideas in Tonic encourage you to have the confidence to improve your life –to become fit or fitter, to improve or maintain your health, to eat better, live smart or simply understand your options.

While the editorial in the magazine contains lots of ‘food for thought’ from different points of view on matters of health, wellness, fitness, food and green lifestyle, this blog will contain my unvarnished perspective as a magazine publisher who is still learning about and adjusting to the changes and improvements in my life.

Regards, J