I started my website and blog because I knew that the only way I would lose weight and recapture control of my health was if I humiliated myself into it. My incredible wife is a life-long vegetarian and knew my becoming plant strong was the way to keep me around. After she forced “Forks Over Knives” on me, I was beginning to see the light, but I still wasn’t there
yet. So, by publicizing my journey, and garnering the support, criticism, challenges and bets of family, friends and even hopefully some people I didn’t know, I thought this would give me the incentive and inspiration to succeed.
Much to my astonishment, it worked. I’ve transformed from a meat-eating, fat, outrageous carnivorous vegan wannabe into a veggie consuming, healthier, less fat, vegan veteran. In my first 38 days of vegandom, I’ve lost 28 pounds, and over an inch off my neck, and about three inches off my belly, waist and hips (a/k/a “love handles”).
Now, I’m preparing for the second half of my life at 51. I will turn 50 again next February, then tumble back through my 40′s and so on. I know I’ll be here to thank and hold my wife for a long, long time. Even better, while giving myself this incredible gift, I’ve had 14 other people, most of whom I didn’t know, from Philly to Belgium, north to Ontario and south to Miami, join my Vegan Wagon and all but one remain happily healthier vegans along with me.
My goals and reasons for this journey are simple.
- I want to enjoy my wife, kids and their kids for another 51 years;
- I want to lose 80 pounds;
- I want my blood work to be ”healthy” instead of “acceptable” or ”high;”
- I want to get better at hide and seek;
- I want to see my penis again without using the mirror;
- I don’t want to be too fat to ride a segway or go skydiving;
- I want to honor my mother who left me many years ago, but who would love the publicity around her son getting healthy.
People seem to enjoy my site and blog because I keep it real, edgy, upbeat and not preachy. And because it often includes pictures of me, “The Big Sexy.”
My slogan: “Beat Meat and Get a Heart On.”
My sign off: “Onward and Downward”
** Jonny O a/k/a “The Big Sexy” is a blessed husband and father of 21 year old Adrienne, 18 year old Ethan and 10 year old Charlie. I am an attorney and fanatic Philly Flyers, Eagle fan, along with my daughter’s University of Virginia Field Hockey and PSU Nittany Lion Football. Last, but not least….I’m a plant strong, ass kickin’, sonofabitch of a vegan!
** Weekend Blog Reads is a weekly column where we feature great vegan blogs to help spread the word about people doing great things for the vegan movement. Do you have a vegan blog to share? Email editor@veganmainstream.com.
