Gerry Juarez

<p>It took me about an hour to find a picture I was willing to put up on this forum.&nbsp; Like many people who are large, or &quot;obese&quot; (such an ugly sounding word), I don't like getting my picture taken.&nbsp; In fact, I don't really like being in social situations at all; any platform that requires me to be in view of normal sized people is uncomfortable.&nbsp; The problem with living life in this manner (being afraid to get out there because of my size) is that I don't get to experience things that I really want, or even love to do.&nbsp; I have two amazing sons, who play baseball and participate in cub scouts.&nbsp; Most of the time I watch them from the bleachers or from afar.&nbsp; This past fall I went on a camping trip with my son and his scout troop and could barely keep up on the hike. I have an amazing wife of 8 years who loves to laugh and dance and be around people.&nbsp; I rarely am in the mood to do things like this with her and am more content to stay home, or if venturing out, making sure it is somewhere that I am &quot;supposed&quot; to be at (like the movie theater/restaurant in our town).&nbsp;</p>
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<p>About six months ago, I decided that I couldnt keep putting food before my family and my life.&nbsp; I wasn't always big... there was a time when I was a Marine, a happy, fit person who loved to be outdoors and enjoyed life.&nbsp; I would really like to find that peron inside and awake him.&nbsp;</p>