This is amazing! I have been a Registered Dietitian for 30 years. Most people are looking for magic. You did this all on your own, without surgery or medication. I think what most people are missing is what you found. Finding what motivates you, small, realistic, sustainable changes and still including foods you love! Great job! You should be really proud of your self!
Appreciate you giving this a read, Jenny! Thanks for the kind word! I’m so happy with where I’m at, and I’m excited about continuing to stay on this path 💪
wow I wasn’t expecting to be so moved. Congratulations to you!
I lately have found myself questioning my fundamental belief that humans are, at their core, good. Your friendship with Sylvia brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing ❤️
It’s not a perfect copy of what they do at Chick-fil-A, but it gets the job for me while keeping the calories/carbs down!
- At the beginning of the week, I cook up a casserole tray worth of boneless skinless chicken tenders from Foster Farms (any equivalent brand name frozen chicken works)
- For every dinner salad, I heat up 1 cup of the chicken for 2 minutes in the microwave. Usually amounts to 3-4 tenders
- Fill up a bowl with the lettuce of your choice. I usually go with a spring mix
- Use any “southwest salad kit” you can find at your local grocery store. I use the one by Fresh Express. It includes red and green cabbage, romaine, carrots and green onion, as well as jalapeño ranch Greek yogurt dressing, a small pack of Mexican cheese and a small pack of tortilla strips
- I then add cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, and another handful of shredded carrots. I also like to add a small pack of Chick-fil-A chili lime pepitas (because my local CFA always hooks me up with extra packs!)
- Once my chicken is heated up, I cut it up into small pieces, and I dress that up with either a serving of Skinny Girl balsamic, no-sugar-added BBQ sauce, or buffalo sauce, along with a few drops of Tapatio hot sauce
- I throw all that in a big ol’ salad bowl with a Tupperware lid, and mix it up like crazy
And there you have it! It’s my own spin on a southwest salad, and it’s awesome
Not a mother of three yet, but I am an overweight mother of two married to a very obese husband. Loved your essay, and will be trying out this salad as our dinner meal tonight. Thank you for choosing to be vulnerable and honest with this essay, and putting it all out there. I've been trying to eat healthier for a few weeks now, but it's tough when I keep wanting to go back to my old favorite foods. Looking forward to reading your other writings.
Thanks for the kind words, and good luck to you and your husband as you embark on your health journey! The fact that he has you as a support system as you go through this together is huge - I wish I had been more vocal sooner with my wife during my process, would’ve made it the journey a lot easier. Don’t be too hard on each other, but having that built in accountability will be a cheat code for you guys to stay on the right track.
Wowowow. Needed this. Love this. Keep it up. People dont talk about this often but finding a supportive primary care doctor when you struggle with weight is soooo hard and honestly has kept me away from the doctor longer than I ever thought. I really wish it said in their bio’s “not fat Phobic.”… could also just be my own Insecurities .. I’m glad you found a new routine that makes you feel good every day. Tom and Silvia, I’m living for this friendship! Chick-fil-A… always doing things!
Thank you so much for the kind words! Having a supportive doctor/support system around in general is so important. Was very lucky to find one on my end, and I hope you’re able to cultivate a community of your own!
Great story! Very proud of you!!! Please just clarify: did they put you on meds for the diabetes? Or did those numbers just change only from diet? I only ask because I am only about 8-10 pounds over ideal weight and still always borderline with those numbers. Thank you for your inspiring story!
Great question, happy to clarify - no, they did not put me on diabetes medication. My numbers regulated to healthy levels with diet and exercise! It’s amazing what cutting out carbs/sugar can do for you with those kind of things
Not me crying on my couch this morning. What a beautiful, redemptive story! I pray you have many more years of health and happiness to come 🩷. (Also, I have multiple friends who work with corporate CFA here in Atlanta and they would LOVE to hear your story.)
Amazing story. I especially love that you changed just one thing, then added one more at a time as you felt ready for each next step. It takes a lot of self-awareness to know what changes are sustainable for you, and obviously you understand that process! Congratulations. People who haven’t struggled with their weight just have no idea how hard it can be to move the needle even a tiny bit.
I’m so proud of you my sweet bonus nephew! Continue to be the man you are and we are happy that you have achieved the goal that you have reached. You were so handsome and sweet before your wait loss now you are our healthy, sweet handsome young man. God’s blessings to you and continue your healthy lifestyle. Love you, Aunt Barb, St Louis: your bonus Aunt.
I always enjoyed your stuff with Small Talk and Russillo and glad to see you taking care of yourself. It’s an inspiration to me and others…getting serious again after my Gators win the National Title tonight :)
Amazing story Tom. I'm so glad I came across your video and reached out. i'm also so glad that you decided to save your own life. I know you're going to help a lot of people 🙏🏼
You gave your wife such a beautiful gift - the perspective of many beautiful years together not being cut short by health issues. Congratulations on your journey, keep up the good work!
I am the Executive Producer for The Anna and Raven Show nationally syndicated radio show in more than 70 markets across the country! We love your story and would love to have you guest on our show! We can do it over the phone! If you are interested, send an email to Julie@AnnaAndRaven.com! Thank you!
This is amazing! I have been a Registered Dietitian for 30 years. Most people are looking for magic. You did this all on your own, without surgery or medication. I think what most people are missing is what you found. Finding what motivates you, small, realistic, sustainable changes and still including foods you love! Great job! You should be really proud of your self!
Appreciate you giving this a read, Jenny! Thanks for the kind word! I’m so happy with where I’m at, and I’m excited about continuing to stay on this path 💪
wow I wasn’t expecting to be so moved. Congratulations to you!
I lately have found myself questioning my fundamental belief that humans are, at their core, good. Your friendship with Sylvia brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Would love to hear your recipe for your homemade salad! We don't have Chick Fil A in my country.
Absolutely, Catherine!
It’s not a perfect copy of what they do at Chick-fil-A, but it gets the job for me while keeping the calories/carbs down!
- At the beginning of the week, I cook up a casserole tray worth of boneless skinless chicken tenders from Foster Farms (any equivalent brand name frozen chicken works)
- For every dinner salad, I heat up 1 cup of the chicken for 2 minutes in the microwave. Usually amounts to 3-4 tenders
- Fill up a bowl with the lettuce of your choice. I usually go with a spring mix
- Use any “southwest salad kit” you can find at your local grocery store. I use the one by Fresh Express. It includes red and green cabbage, romaine, carrots and green onion, as well as jalapeño ranch Greek yogurt dressing, a small pack of Mexican cheese and a small pack of tortilla strips
- I then add cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, and another handful of shredded carrots. I also like to add a small pack of Chick-fil-A chili lime pepitas (because my local CFA always hooks me up with extra packs!)
- Once my chicken is heated up, I cut it up into small pieces, and I dress that up with either a serving of Skinny Girl balsamic, no-sugar-added BBQ sauce, or buffalo sauce, along with a few drops of Tapatio hot sauce
- I throw all that in a big ol’ salad bowl with a Tupperware lid, and mix it up like crazy
And there you have it! It’s my own spin on a southwest salad, and it’s awesome
Enjoy!
Not a mother of three yet, but I am an overweight mother of two married to a very obese husband. Loved your essay, and will be trying out this salad as our dinner meal tonight. Thank you for choosing to be vulnerable and honest with this essay, and putting it all out there. I've been trying to eat healthier for a few weeks now, but it's tough when I keep wanting to go back to my old favorite foods. Looking forward to reading your other writings.
Thanks for the kind words, and good luck to you and your husband as you embark on your health journey! The fact that he has you as a support system as you go through this together is huge - I wish I had been more vocal sooner with my wife during my process, would’ve made it the journey a lot easier. Don’t be too hard on each other, but having that built in accountability will be a cheat code for you guys to stay on the right track.
Enjoy the salads tonight! You will enjoy! 🥗
Make sure you send this to Corporate in Atlanta~!
https://www.chick-fil-a.com/customer-support/who-we-are/our-restaurants/how-can-i-share-feedback-regarding-my-recent-experience-at-a-chick-fil-a-restaurant
Great idea, Steph! Thanks for sending along. With that said, definitely would feel kind of awkward sending my own story their way…..we’ll see!
DO IT. Plus it will give Sylvia a boost from corporate. (I worked for CFA and still have friends in corporate. They LOVE these stories.)
You’ve convinced me!
Sending you a DM, if that’s OK 💪
you bet
Wowowow. Needed this. Love this. Keep it up. People dont talk about this often but finding a supportive primary care doctor when you struggle with weight is soooo hard and honestly has kept me away from the doctor longer than I ever thought. I really wish it said in their bio’s “not fat Phobic.”… could also just be my own Insecurities .. I’m glad you found a new routine that makes you feel good every day. Tom and Silvia, I’m living for this friendship! Chick-fil-A… always doing things!
Thank you so much for the kind words! Having a supportive doctor/support system around in general is so important. Was very lucky to find one on my end, and I hope you’re able to cultivate a community of your own!
👏👏👏
Been a long time, Tom. Way to go and proud of you for writing this.
Great story! Very proud of you!!! Please just clarify: did they put you on meds for the diabetes? Or did those numbers just change only from diet? I only ask because I am only about 8-10 pounds over ideal weight and still always borderline with those numbers. Thank you for your inspiring story!
Appreciate the kind words!
Great question, happy to clarify - no, they did not put me on diabetes medication. My numbers regulated to healthy levels with diet and exercise! It’s amazing what cutting out carbs/sugar can do for you with those kind of things
Not me crying on my couch this morning. What a beautiful, redemptive story! I pray you have many more years of health and happiness to come 🩷. (Also, I have multiple friends who work with corporate CFA here in Atlanta and they would LOVE to hear your story.)
I appreciate the kind words, Wendi! Thank you for reading, and for the comment 💪
I’m going to send you a DM on here, if that’s OK! Sharing with your friends at CFA corporate would be amazing!
lol Those of us in ATL who know people are going to inundate corporate! lol
I so so so appreciate the support!
Do you see how many hearts this post has???? Already having an impact.
Amazing story. I especially love that you changed just one thing, then added one more at a time as you felt ready for each next step. It takes a lot of self-awareness to know what changes are sustainable for you, and obviously you understand that process! Congratulations. People who haven’t struggled with their weight just have no idea how hard it can be to move the needle even a tiny bit.
I’m so proud of you my sweet bonus nephew! Continue to be the man you are and we are happy that you have achieved the goal that you have reached. You were so handsome and sweet before your wait loss now you are our healthy, sweet handsome young man. God’s blessings to you and continue your healthy lifestyle. Love you, Aunt Barb, St Louis: your bonus Aunt.
Thank you, Barb! Love you!
Tommy Freeze Pops! Congratulations buddy.
I always enjoyed your stuff with Small Talk and Russillo and glad to see you taking care of yourself. It’s an inspiration to me and others…getting serious again after my Gators win the National Title tonight :)
Thanks for sharing, man! I really appreciate the support through the years!
And good luck to your Gators!
Found myself crying with you when you opened your MyChart. Truly so happy for you. ❤️
Thanks for sharing and for the kind words, EB! Greatly appreciated
Amazing story Tom. I'm so glad I came across your video and reached out. i'm also so glad that you decided to save your own life. I know you're going to help a lot of people 🙏🏼
🙏🙏🙏 thank you, Deb! I can’t wait to read your story!
You gave your wife such a beautiful gift - the perspective of many beautiful years together not being cut short by health issues. Congratulations on your journey, keep up the good work!
Appreciate the kind words, Marta! Thank you!
Hi Tom,
I am the Executive Producer for The Anna and Raven Show nationally syndicated radio show in more than 70 markets across the country! We love your story and would love to have you guest on our show! We can do it over the phone! If you are interested, send an email to Julie@AnnaAndRaven.com! Thank you!
Sounds good, Julie! I’ll send you an email!