For Mike, it’s all about finding that perfect balance in life.

It’s not a just a song by Alice In Chains (and a damn good one, at that), but it’s also become my unofficial slogan. For too many years, I tried to blame my weight issues on outside forces – working too much, being too tired, too expensive to eat healthy and so on. Those days are over.

It’s the ultimate sign of disrespect to yourself to not want to be the best you can be. I’m not afraid to say I love myself. And I know that I was in an abusive relationship with myself for far too long. Those days are over.

For the past 10 days, I have woken up and forced down a hideous concoction of unsweetened cranberry juice, apple cider vinegar, liquid B12 and lemon juice, all in order to cleanse my liver and give me more energy. I’ve been eating healthy, pre-portioned meals to know when I’ve had enough. I’m a notorious offender when it comes to portion size. Those days are over.

I’ve been exercising on my lunch break. That way, when I get home I can hang with the family and relax without feeling guilty for not exercising. I’ve used my family as an excuse for not working out, when in reality they’re the reason I need to be doing so. Those days are over.

So, I know I’ve said it here before but I have to say it again. I’m in this for the long haul. By making these seemingly small, but in reality HUGE, lifestyle changes I feel comfortable in proclaiming that I’m on track. Hopefully sometime soon, I can look back at the pictures of myself wearing 3X shirts and say, “Man, I’m glad those days are over.”