This is the story of who I used to be — the complete opposite of the person I am now, back before my 40s.

My 20s and 30s: Living It Up

In my 20s and 30s, I just played. Constantly.

After work, out drinking with friends. Karaoke, late nights out, parties that stretched past midnight. Cigarettes were a given, and I drank plenty of alcohol too. Short on sleep, eating at all hours. That was the daily loop.

I knew it was bad for me. But I couldn’t stop. It was fun — and that was the kind of atmosphere everyone was in. I was spending down the reserves of youth without a second thought.

I Stepped on the Scale One Day and Was Shocked

I stepped on the scale one day and just froze.

Over 80 kilograms. A number that made me feel like a different person from my 20s self. Looking in the mirror, my belly had pushed out and my face was puffy. I kept telling myself “I’ll lose it eventually” — but eventually never came.

My body felt heavy. Climbing stairs left me winded. A short walk and I was exhausted. Even so, I kept telling myself, “I’m still okay.”

The Body Doesn’t Lie

By my late 30s, my body was starting to scream.

Always tired. Dragging myself out of bed in the morning. Constant indigestion. Still I put off going to the doctor, and kept drinking, kept eating.

Looking back now, I think my body was sending me signals over and over. I just kept ignoring them.

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Next time: The day my back hit its limit. The reality of a herniated disc.

※ This article is based on personal experience and publicly available information. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. If you have health concerns, please consult a doctor or registered dietitian. See our Disclaimer.