A Bit About Drewski

In January 2010, I woke up one morning and struggled to get out of bed. Not because I was tired. Not because I was injured. I weighed 406 pounds. Yes, 406 pounds and it was difficult just to pick myself up.

I have been over weight my entire life and I don’t have some depressing reason as to why. It was not because of my parents divorce. I didn’t have a particularly rough childhood. I simply ate way too much. No self control and I was never educated about the effects of nutrition.

Growing up we rarely had home cooked meals. I knew of vegetables but didn’t know what they tasted like. Our meals were usually fast-food because it was convenient and cheap.

In high school I weighed 320 pounds. I know people made fun of me behind my back. They laughed when I could barely fit into the desks and they gasped when they first saw me shirtless for swimming class. I was embarrassed and I decided to do something about it. I had enough!

The summer before my junior year I started driving to the basketball courts every morning. I started shooting the basketball for an hour. It was a bit discouraging at first because I missed every shot. Then, one morning I hit 4 in a row. HOLY SHIT! My basketball obsession was born. I started shooting more and more. I went from one hour to entire mornings at the park. Soon, I was a solid three point shooter and I made a few friends at the park.

I played so hard everyday and I loved it. I was sweaty, I was breathing hard and I felt great every time. I stayed with it all summer and lost 30 pounds. I felt amazing. This was the turning point in my life.

There was one problem.

No one told me about hydration and nutrition to go along with exercise. No one ever talked to me about it! I was clueless. My idea of hydration was a 64oz Gatorade or soda. My idea of eating properly was ordering a small combo meal at McDonald’s and not opting for the super size. This lack of knowledge is what lead to my injury.

The following summer I was going to hit the courts again and harder than the previous summer. I wanted to lose more than 30lbs. I played every morning and evening. I played until my shirts looked like I jumped into a pool. I played until my muscles couldn’t even say no more. They just gave up. What was the big problem? I was not hydrating.

I had just played a few games in the morning and we were all dead tired but the new gym at another park had just opened up and we all decided to go. We played one game and I had a weird feeling throughout my body. It was like my muscles were just weak all of a sudden. The ball is in play and I’m guarding my man. He cuts to the basket and I follow. He stops and runs back the other way. I tried to stop but all I remember is hearing the pop and falling to the ground. There went my NBA career. I would never play along side Kevin Garnett. I TORE MY KNEE!

The sad part is my family didn’t have medical insurance so I had to live with the injury for years and I still do but more on that later.

After the injury I went back to my old ways. Not exercising and super-sizing my meals. The pound crawled back. Well, more like sprinted back with a vengeance.

In 2004 I moved to Santa Barbara on my own and it was a great experience. I had a good job that paid well for a kid fresh out of high school and I lived in a beautiful town. The problem was that I fell in love with Jack in the Box. Specifically the Bacon and Cheese Ciabatta Burger. Everyday, every meal.

In 2007 I moved back to Los Angeles at a whopping 390 pounds. I got a job at Whole Foods Market and this is a part of what has changed my life. I have finally learned about nutrition and exercise. Most importantly, HYDRATION!

In January 2010 I tipped the scale at 406 pounds and it was time to do something about it. No more excuses. In February I was presented with an opportunity that changed my life. My Girlfriend’s Cousin’s soon to be husband (twice removed on my mother’s side. Knows a guy who knows a guy) said he would be my trainer free of charge!

I started eating a little better and the training is grueling but it is working. I have lost 57 pounds and we are still going. I still have a long way to go but I am DEDICATED.

This is why I am here. I am going to share everything with YOU. I want to share all the information I know and that I am still learning. I want to inspire you and you to inspire me! This is all about getting healthy. Mind and body. It will take dedication and hard work but we can do this TOGETHER.