Wow, where to begin? Most of you know me as Gabe, and I'm a paramedic in the great state of Mississippi. I have a job I love, a family that loves and supports me despite my shortcomings. I have been in EMS (emergency medical services) since August 16th, 2005. I started out as an ambulance janitor, became an EMT and eventually wound up where I am today, a paramedic.

During this time, I have gone to college, responded to my own home for my daughter not breathing, been blessed with another daughter. I've nearly lost the best thing to ever happen to me, while during the same time, made what we have even stronger. I have made some incredible friends, met wonderful people, seen some really really weird stuff, and cried myself to sleep after a shift. I have been truly blessed, through the good and bad times.

One thing that has been a constant during this time though, has been something that was not really mentioned much and I never really paid attention to. That issue is and has been my weight. I have always had a problem with it. When I was in the military, I was 220 lbs at my discharge. that was almost 15 years ago. In that time, I gain 110lbs. Yes, I gained a Karen Carpenter and a 20lb bowling ball.It snuck up, slowly on me. I've always known I was fat, but 330lb is huge. When you are only 5'8" its even worse. This blog is about my life and the battle I face in losing this weight.

Right now I am one month and one week into losing weight. At this time I am now at 301lbs as of my last weigh in. I use to have a 58" waist, which has no shrunk to 54". I use to have a problem walking 1 mile, but now I am up to 6 miles at a time. I am now jogging a little over a mile at a time. I have a goal of running in the New Orleans half marathon next march. I have no true weight lose goal, but when I get there, I am sure I will know. This is going to be my written part of my journey. I will share my highs and lows, my days of EMS and the stories of my family at home. Thank you for taking the time to check out the first post on my blog. I hope I can keep you entertained and keep you coming back. Thank you for your support.

Gabe Smith
NREMT-P, father, friend, and soon to be a not fat guy