Hello! My name is Robert Alden, and at 37 years old, I’ve decided it’s time to share my story—a journey from personal struggles to a life filled with hope and progress.
Early Life Challenges: A Battle with Self-Esteem
I was born in 1987 and grew up facing numerous personal challenges. From a young age, I struggled with obesity and low self-esteem. My early years were marked by conflicts, especially with my stepfather, starting when I was around 15 or 16. A particularly painful moment in my life was when my biological father abandoned me when I was just ten years old, leaving deep emotional scars.
Escaping Reality: Video Games and Substance Experimentation
In my youth, I often turned to video games to escape reality, and experimenting with drugs became another way to cope with my struggles. These habits provided temporary relief but led to more complications in my life.
The Loss of My Grandfather: A Mixed Emotion
When I was around 19, my grandfather passed away after suffering multiple severe strokes. His death brought a mix of relief and deep sadness. Relief, because his suffering was finally over, but sadness, because I missed him dearly. A defining moment was visiting him in rehab, where I saw him in pain. In the room across from him was a young, beautiful 26-year-old woman who could no longer move. This sight shook me to my core and intensified my fear and respect for strokes.
A Turning Point: My Wake-Up Call
At 30, I weighed 145 kg and was battling depression, finding solace in food. My life was a cycle of self-hatred and despair. Then, one day, I sat in my doctor’s office and heard the words that would change my life: “Robert, if you continue like this, you’ll have a stroke soon.” This diagnosis hit me hard. I felt lost and hated myself even more, but it was also the wake-up call I needed.
Transforming My Diet: The First Step
I started thinking about how I could change my life. The first step was changing my diet. Here’s what I did:
- Switched to Whole Grains: Replacing refined carbs with whole grains.
- Cut Out Pork: Reducing my intake of fatty meats.
- Avoided Sugar: Eliminating sugary snacks and drinks.
These changes alone helped me lose weight, bringing me down to 115 kg.
Tip: Start with small, manageable changes in your diet. Gradual adjustments are easier to maintain long-term.
Rediscovering Swimming: A Joyful Reconnection
I knew I needed to incorporate exercise into my routine. I remembered how much I loved swimming as a child. So, I began going to the pool regularly—first every third day, then every other day, and finally daily. Swimming not only helped me physically but also mentally.
Tip: Find a physical activity you genuinely enjoy. It makes consistency much easier.
The First Setback: Navigating the Pandemic
However, the first major setback came with the COVID-19 pandemic. As the lockdowns began, the swimming pools closed just as I was nearing my goal weight. This was a hard blow that almost made me lose my newfound passion. Since swimming pools were among the last facilities to reopen, I had to find an alternative.
Discovering the Gym: A New Love
I discovered the gym and fell in love with it, especially my home gym, where I trained regularly for nearly two years. But then, my mother passed away, and I slowly fell back into old patterns.
The Death of My Grandmother: A Deep Loss
In March of this year, my grandmother also passed away. Her death was a profound loss because we had a very close bond. She was often there for me while my mother worked to pay off the house and the debts my father had left behind. Her loss was another hard blow in my life.
Redefining My Life: The Birth of This Blog
Now, I am embarking on this project and starting this blog to transform myself and inspire others. I want to show that it is possible to bounce back if you truly want to. This blog will document my journey, from overcoming obesity and self-doubt to dealing with family conflicts and achieving financial stability.
Why I Write This Blog: Connecting with You
This blog is more than just a record of my journey; it is a platform to connect with others who might be facing similar struggles. Whether it’s about losing weight, building self-esteem, navigating family conflicts, or recovering from financial and emotional setbacks, I am here to say: change is possible. It is never too late to start over and claim the life you deserve. The losses of my mother, grandmother, and grandfather have only strengthened my resolve to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Call to Action: I invite you to join me on this journey. Share your own stories, leave comments, and let’s support each other in our paths to transformation. Together, we can build a community of resilience and renewal.
In future posts, I will delve deeper into each aspect of my journey, sharing the strategies that worked, the setbacks I faced, and how I overcame them. I hope my story can inspire you to take that first step toward a better, healthier, and happier life.
Thank you for being here, and welcome to our community of resilience and renewal.