My Story
My name is Samson “Sam” Emanuel. I am a technology professional and have consistently worked 70 to 80-hour workweeks for at least the last five years. I have worked odd hours and weekends, burning both ends of the candle. I have traveled Internationally for extended periods. Anyone who has worked extended periods overseas will tell you, depending on where you are; it can be easy to put on weight if you are not careful.
I am married with a college-aged daughter. I am the sole income provider for my household, which presents other stress points at times. Being a husband and a father is the most complex and rewarding responsibility that I have undertaken in my life. It has indeed been a journey, a remarkable journey of life’s ups and downs… like my weight over the years.
My weight has been more of an issue for me over the last 13 years because my metabolism is slowing, my blood pressure is rising, and my knees are taking a beating from the excess weight I am carrying. Overall, I have been wrestling with managing my weight for the last 20 years. I remember when I moved from a pants size 30 to 32, I started working for a tech company in Valhalla, New York, in 1991; it was precisely one year after I started working because I had to buy a new set of work clothes and I began using a new notch in my belt. I will let you use your imagination in which direction the new belt hook ended.
My purpose in creating this site is to document my health journey toward a healthier and fit lifestyle and simply a fun accountability tool. For the last 20 years, I have struggled with maintaining a healthy weight because of poor health decisions, poor stress management, and poor life balance. I’ve dieted several times over the last 20 years, which didn’t work for me.
I am choosing not to call out any of the diets that I have used because, for some people, those programs work, and I applaud their success. Again, for me, weight loss success hasn’t been the case. So, I am going to do something a little different this time… I am returning to the basics – eating well, being active, resting appropriately, eliminating stress, laughing a lot, and enjoying life. My focus will be centered around raising the level of my lifestyle.
I am using “Lifestyle” as an inclusive term describing topics that may be raised on this site; this includes friends, home, travel, career, relationships, hobbies, financial activities, sexual habits, spiritual beliefs, education, diet, and exercise habits.
It’s not about a diet; it’s a lifestyle change!
Here is my disclaimer: I am not a medical professional in any way, shape, or form, and my approach isn’t endorsed by anyone yet :). Obesity is a struggle, an honest and personal struggle that I will tackle permanently this time around, and I welcome you to join me on the journey if you share in the battle.
My Goal.
My goal is simple: Be better today than yesterday in my health, fitness, and quality of life; if anyone can benefit from my journey, great!