CLEVELAND — As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to bring new challenges, it has also taken a toll on the physical and mental health of so many.
In an effort to combat that feeling, 3News launched a series, "The New You" with Meteorologist Jason Frazer in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Center, last month.
Taking control, Frazer is addressing his health head-on and taking you, our viewers, along for the journey.
Read Jason's complete update below:
When I began this process more than a month ago, I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about the food I was eating. I didn’t pay attention to the ingredients or the calories. I just ate what tasted good.
During the pandemic, I found myself reaching for snacks and the occasional beer or glass of wine. Ok… it wasn’t occasional. It was two or three sometimes twice a week. The lack of exercise mixed with the increase in calories is what led to the highest weight I have ever been… 276.5 pounds.
At least I knew I could play for the Cleveland Browns if this weather thing didn’t work out I thought! (Just kidding) At the height of the Coronavirus pandemic when I looked in the mirror, I didn’t like who I saw, this wasn’t how I imagined 2020 would be. I lacked energy. I found myself more irritable and I wasn’t laughing like I always have. I didn’t see the man I knew was Jason Frazer.
Change begins internally before you can transform what’s on the outside. Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with high cholesterol. The weight gain also didn’t help with the sleep apnea. I was concerned if I didn’t lose weight and pay more attention to what I ate, my health would get worse. The pandemic only complicated matters since the gyms were closed.
I started off 2020 saying New Year, New Me. As of May, I laughed because it was a New Year, but the Old Me was settling in.
The Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center has showed me a couple of things: the importance of asking yourself why you eat, the importance of meditating, identifying when you eat and what you eat and being patient with any changes. I didn’t gain all this cute weight overnight (more of me to love!) and it certainly wasn’t going to take a week to lose it. The Clinic was very clear in saying their Wellness Program wasn’t a fad diet. It was instead a new mindset.
What has been so motivating is how many of you have written me to say I have inspired you to consider getting in shape and eating better. That was the mission of this series. Another big motivator has been the emails and tweets from you saying that you have seen the differences in my face and how my suits fit. Yes, we are getting our sexy back! HA HA! I don’t know if I can say that. However, I think I am. It is the name of a song and I am sticking with it.
I also am sleeping better and feeling more motivated to do physical activities. I find myself not counting calories but thinking more about how I can be healthier without giving up the foods I love. I do find myself reading the labels on the back of some of my favorite snacks and thinking hmmm how many calories and how much sugar am I really eating? Do I really need to buy this pack of cookies or can I substitute it with something else?
This wasn’t a fast diet. There are some foods like Ice Cream from Mitchell’s, Soul Food from Angie's Soul Cafe, Indian and Mexican food I refuse to give up. However, everything in moderation. Instead of having cheat days, I’m focused on having two cheat meals a week. Eventually, I am hoping to get down to one cheat meal a week. However, everything is a process.
What concerns me moving forward is seeing the growing Coronavirus cases and what impact that will have to my fitness goals. If Governor DeWine shuts down the gyms, how will I work out? Will I return to the pre-packaged foods that give me comfort? What impact will this happen to my mental health?
How’s your New You process going? Drop me a line at JFrazer@wkyc.com or contact me on Twitter or on Facebook.
We’re in this together!
If you're interested in learning more, or signing up for a similar program through the Cleveland Clinic, visit:
call: 216.448.4325 or email: cilm@ccf.org