Jarvez said that he's always thought he was sexy, even when his family and friends thought he was crazy. I think that belief in himself is what helped him do so well on his journey...along with the support of his brand new wife.
Having been a football player, Jarvez was always big - in a way. But he put on well over 200 pounds after his mom passed away. That's something I can certainly empathize with, since when my mom died I started eating badly again and hardly exercised, and gained more than 50 pounds. (Add to that some weight I put on when I was pregnant with my son four years later, and you see how I got to where I was.) Even though my own mom was gone too soon at 60, Jarvez' mother was WAY too young in her late 30's. I know exactly what he meant when he talked about still going to her favorite restaurants and eating her favorite meals to keep her memory alive, because I've been there and done that. On rare occasions, I still do that. Thankfully it's nowhere near as often as I used to.
Meeting his wife Adriana is what motivated Jarvez to change his habits and lifestyle. In fact, they had only been married for two weeks when Chris showed up to start him on his year long journey. Unlike some of the other EMWLE stories (thinking of Tony from this season) Jarvez had massive support from his significant other. She was all for this transforamtion and joined in, working out with him and changing her diet as well.
Jarvez did well during Phase 1, but had a major setback in the next phase. He wound up dealing with vertigo, which I've never expereienced and pray that I never do. I do know people who have dealt with it and it's no joke. You get very dizzy even doing the simplest things and at times even throw up from the overwhelming sensation. So he didn't meet his goal during that period...but he came back strong and more than made up for it in Phase 3. He decided that his mom would want him to be happy, and not be unhealthy just because she was gone - and the best way to honor her would be to give this journey his all. (Once again, I understand completely. My mom was so proud of my weight loss the first time around after I graduated from high school...and I know she is glad I'm getting back to that healthier me.)
After the skin removal surgery in the final phase, it was time to see how far Jarvez had come. He started at 548 pounds...and finished the year at 267. He lost over 50 percent of his body weight! On top of that, Adriana lost 45 pounds herself while working out with and supporting him. This expereince truly made them stronger as a couple, and a few months after the big reveal we learned that they are expecting a baby girl, whom they will name after Jarvez' mom. I can't think of a better way for their life journey to continue - and I wish their entire family all of the happiness and blessings in the world.
I know both of our moms are looking down from heaven and very proud of us!
