Hello, my name is James and I am an alcoholic.
Hello, my name is James and I am an alcoholic.This is my story, or rather, what I am willing to tell.
This is being offered as background, giving you some insight as to what led to my Lifestyle Change.
I started my drinking career in junior high, by the time I was a senior, I was skipping days and traveling to a neighboring state to drink.
Drank my way through two failed marriages.
Of course, my eating habit were none too good for me either. I discovered pizza could be made different ways.
And it is all good! Burgers and cheeseburgers, pork BBQ, Italian subs, Philly cheesesteaks, fries, fries, fries, anything that was fattening or otherwise bad for me, was ingested.
This is just an idea of the diet I was eating. And the waistline continues to grow. The smoking habit, which also began in school, was on the increase, right along with my waistline. Size 44 pants in 2011!!!
I continued this behavior from my 20’s right through my late 50’s.
The Doctors were concerned about my cholesterol and triglycerides, way too high. I was on a couple pills for that and a couple for my blood pressure, and even for my stomach. I was a mess, would not get any better soon.
During this time my weight had reached about 260lbs!
September 2011…. RIP
My third wife had left. Telling me she could not stay here and watch me kill myself. I wasn’t going to stop my destructive behavior!! This was in July 2011.
Late September 2011: My life was a shamble. Too many problems to try to comprehend. Guess I need a drink.
It was a cool day, sun was out and slight cool breeze. Decided to sit out on the porch. Do a little reading, listen to some music, have a few drinks, get my mind off my troubles. It was about 10am.
Decided to go with the spiced rum. Fine choice for a cool day. Mixed a drink and sat down with my book, music and drink. I continued this all day. Getting a drink as needed. When I was done, I remember thinking that I didn’t really feel that well. A check of the bottle revealed that a 1.75l bottle, had only about two fingers left.
The next morning, I died in the ambulance. I have been told. The ER doctors, put me in a medical coma.
I really don’t remember any of this. I was in this coma for about two weeks and during that time many brain scans were done. My family came in and the doctor brought me out of the sleep. I did not know who they were.!!
They were told that I would have to spend the rest of my life in a nursing home. That my long term memory was gone and my short wasn’t much better.
I won’t bore you with any more details, this should give you an idea of how screwed up I’ve made my life.
When I got out of the assisted living home I was still smoking heavily and drinking, although not like I was. Eating whatever I wanted continued.
But the good news is my weight was down to about 235lbs. I would not recommend that method of hospital stay to lose the weight.
June 2013
Then I decided to quit smoking, tired of standing in the rain trying to light a moist cigarette..
Then, worried I was going to gain weight. Deciding to preempt any weight gain, by changing some things.
Thus was born, My Lifestyle Change.
This blogs mission is to help people. We will supply information and advise on losing weight and creating a new lifestyle for themselves. We will also have links to products that I found useful and my visitors may find helpful.
Take a look around the blog, let me know what you think, open to suggestions for improvement. ideas or requests for future posts are appreciated.
You can leave any comments below. You may reach me at:
cowboyjames@lifestyle-change.net
I spent my working life helping people, I would like to continue.
No Magic involvement, Best training, Free membership click here
Hello James, thank you for starting this website! Very good that you are here to help. I have issues myself, not with smoking or alcohol, but with weight. I have struggled with my weight since late teens, early twenties. I am going to be 49 at the end of this month. I am borderline diabetic, high bloodpressure, the usual stuff. When I came across your website in the Comments, I read the post and was glad that you decided to help others with your story. Great post, and hope you are doing well! Well done!
Thank you very much. I will be posting more posts soon, so visit often. Anything I can do for you, just drop me a line. Good luck with your struggle, I have heard diabetes can be a tough one.
I like the fact that you want to help people. I especially like the fact you want to help people with their fitness health because so many people in todays world are unhealthy because of their lifestyle choices and food choices. Leading people in the direction of products that will help and giving sound advice is a recipe for really making a difference in people’s lives through your experience.. Good luck!
Thanks for the comment Scott. Many people don’t know where to find help or information. Or they just become overwhelmed with the sheer volume Hope I can help some sort out what’s there.
Sounds like you have thought about this website pretty much. You have began something that a lot of people need. The only thing I feel is missing is God. He can pull you and others through the storm of life, no matter how dark life has been. Just take your burdens to the cross and leave them there.
Here’s wishing you much success with your helpful information and business. People helping people, that’s what it’s all about.
Nita
Thank you Nita, for the kind words. The Lord has been and is in my life.
What a great story and very brave to share. I hope you can help others the way you managed to help yourself. Well done.
Thank you for the kind comments. Yes, I am hoping to help as many as I can.
Hello and thanks for sharing, your story is one of courage and strenght and will motivated so many people that are facing the same challenges. I myself drink and smoke at one time and for me I was able to overcome all of those bad habits when I accepted the Lord Jesus as my savior I have not smoke nor taken a drink in almost 30 years, I know it is because of the goodness of Jesus. Thanks again for sharing, I wish you the very best of success and I hope we can stay in touch. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the comments. Good to hear you are doing well. I also know the Lord. Without his help I would not be here today. Feel free to contact me here at this blog. would be happy to hear from you. The best to you and yours
Great and inspirational story Cowboy!! Keep up the great work motivating others to turn their lives around and adopt a healthy life style!! Stay strong!!
Thank you for the kind comments. My intention is to continue helping others, in the ways I am able.
Visit again as I will be adding new posts soon.
Hi James,
What a remarkable story! Thank you for the invite to your page and for using your story to inspire and help others.
Thank you for visiting and your kind words. Please feel free to visit again and invite your friends. Thanks again. Hope you enjoy your day.
Cowboy James, thank you for sharing your story with everyone. I feel inspired to quit doing harmful things in my life. I have copd and need to quit smoking. I look forward to reading your articles. Thank you for your openness.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Your kind words are appreciated. Good luck on your quit and let us know
how it goes.. or if you need more info.