2 Jun 2026
Addiction and Falling Out of Shape
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In this episode of Let’s Examine Addiction Honestly, I reflect on my struggle with falling out of shape after leaving the military and the challenges of trying to rebuild healthy habits years later. I talk about how losing the structure of military life, balancing work, college, volunteering, foster parenting, and addiction all contributed to gaining weight and becoming less active. While I was never in perfect shape, I was far healthier than I am now, and I share my frustrations about gaining roughly 60 pounds, relying on fast food, neglecting nutrition, and letting exercise gradually fall out of my routine. I also discuss the physical realities I face today, including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, reduced lung capacity, high cholesterol, and the lingering effects of years of smoking. Rather than focusing on dramatic transformations, I emphasize the importance of starting small through walking, stretching, gradual workouts, and making sustainable improvements instead of trying to train like I did in my twenties.
Throughout the episode, I explore the mental side of getting back into shape, including the frustration of comparing myself to my younger self, the embarrassment of starting over, and the tendency to quit after setbacks. I connect these struggles to my experiences overcoming nicotine addiction and reducing my drinking, explaining how consistency and small victories matter more than perfection. I discuss the challenges of balancing fitness with foster parenting, night-shift work, volunteer commitments, and everyday life while trying to improve my health. Ultimately, my message is that meaningful change comes from patience, discipline, and refusing to let temporary failures become permanent ones. Whether it is exercising, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, or improving nutrition, I remind myself that progress is built one day at a time and that I am under no obligation to remain the same person I was yesterday.
00:00 – Falling Out of Shape After the Military
01:18 – From Army Fitness to Weight Gain
04:14 – Starting Small with Walking and Fitness Apps
06:24 – Diet Changes, Cholesterol, and Health Concerns
07:38 – Consistency, Smoking Recovery, and Fitness Streaks
10:33 – Foster Parenting, Loss, and Finding Motivation
12:58 – Humility and Getting Comfortable Exercising Again
16:03 – Sleep, Recovery, and Balancing Responsibilities
18:57 – Building Discipline and Long-Term Habits
22:21 – Small Wins, Staying Active, and Final Reflections
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