MEET JOEL

From 400# to lacing up…

I met this guy years ago at a race downtown through a mutual friend. When introduced, he seemed like an ordinary runner.  A guy that loved to toe the line. Someone driven by health, life and fun times.

He walked off and I was told Joel once weighed 400 pounds.  There was no way.  I was looking at him in disbelief.   Everyone has a story!!!

From that day, I ran with Joel a few times on and off burning the pavement of Charles Park.  He was a key buddy runner in my Couch to 5K runs.  When you run with people, you start learning all about them.  Something about tennis shoes, and the outdoors makes you feel the most comfortable sharing life events.   It’s what runners do.

He likes to say he can’t run as fast as me but that’s not true at all.  He just likes to take life a little slower than me and enjoy being outdoors a little longer.   Whether you run in front, beside or behind, there is no better place than being in your favorite pair of Pearl Izumi’s.  Joel, I’ll run with you any day.

Joel Stevison has a story, like many of you.  He made a choice to take his life back.  Easy… there is never an easy day.  He is more aware than ever the things he has to live for and the life, love and passion he has to give others.  If you see him, you’ll always find the biggest smile on his face.  That is the smile of happiness.  He is most proud of his family. They all share the same excitement of being better today than yesterday.

Joel, you inspire so many.  I’m proud to call you my friend.

From sedentary to STRONG.

I was always a chubby child.  I grew up between my great aunt, great grandmother, and grandmother who all knew how to cook.  Everyday I ate 3 of each meal.  Growing up my only source of exercise was football.  College brought on a sedentary lifestyle.  I continued poor eating choices and began smoking.  I once held the title of 9 Bowl Champ at Luigi’s “All You Can Eat Spaghetti” Night.  I graduated from LA Tech weighing 315 pounds.  

After I was married in 2000, the weight gain continued.  Poor eating habits now included consuming an entire one pound bag of M&Ms with a 2 liter of Dr. Pepper.  I weighed nearly 400 pounds.  One day I went for a golf lesson with my friend, Robbie G.  He told me I was too fat to play golf.  That comment stuck with me.  Not too long after, the Saints won the Super Bowl.  I thought, “If the Saints can win the Super Bowl, I can lose weight.”

February 7, 2010 I started making changes in my life.  I stopped smoking.  I started making healthier eating choices.  For the next 3 years, I ate the same things every day.

    -measured bowl of cereal for breakfast

    -sandwich for lunch

    -meat and vegetable for dinner

    -$30 of apples a week for snacks

I became a member of SnapFitness.  I walked on the treadmill.  A 20 minute mile was a good pace for me.  After a year of walking on the treadmill, my friend, Todd Morrow, encouraged me to walk outside.  My goal became to run 1 mile outside.  I achieved that.  Next was 2 miles.  Then 3 miles.  In 2013, I ran the Red River Run 10K.  During those three years of strict diet, walking, and running I lost 150 pounds.  Running was now my main source of exercise.  I ran 6 miles a day and rarely took a day off.  I ran a total of 1500 miles in 2014.  I finished that year weighing 210 pounds.

Now 7 years later, my life has been through some changes.  I have gone through a divorce.  This past November I remarried.  My wife, Amanda, and I work hard to create a healthy and active home for our 3 children, Madeline, Mason, and Ella.  I am not as strict as I was in those first 3 years of my journey.  I still run 4 or 5 days a week, but only 4 miles at a time.  Occasionally there is a long run on the weekend.  If I am lucky Amanda will run with me once a week.  She is a crossfitter and good at it, but it is not for me.  We often enjoy long bike rides together.  Having someone live the same healthy, active lifestyle really helps me to stay on track.  I try to keep my weight between 220-225 pounds.  I still get on the scale every day, but I have learned not to be so hard on myself.  I struggle daily with my weight and my issues with food.  I still think of myself as 400 pound ‘Big Joel’.

Over the years I have learned there is no magic diet, potion, or plan.  Simply eat less and exercise more.  Make sure what you eat is real food.  It is important to us to cook and eat each meal as a family.  Amanda and I sit down every Sunday and plan the family meals for the week.  We shop together and fill the cart with:

• Protien
• Nuts
• Unsweet Tea
• Veggies
• Water
• Lara Bars
• Fruits
• Black Coffee

My daughter, Madeline, decided last May she wanted to make a lifestyle change.  She educated herself on healthy eating habits and joined Crossfit Alexandria.  She has lost a total of 60 pounds.  I am so glad that she learned it earlier than I did.

If I can do it, you can do it.  When I think I can’t, I tell myself “Run Fat Boy, Run”!