John Atkinson | Unfettered, Irreverent, Mostly Sober

Welcome to my world

Of course this site is all about me, John Atkinson. But there is no narcistic intent in it’s crafting. No monetization scheme on its pages. Oh, ok, maybe a teentsy-weensy. I’m human. I like feeling good about myself. I just understand where lines are drawn . The primary intention is to in any way help you, the reader on your own journey. Perhaps my tale is one that can serve as the fat guy trifecta of cautionary tale, warning and inspiration/hope. I would give you the hope that your best life is in reach and all you have to do is work for it.

This site is an authentic expression of my transformation from a fat, stuck, depressed, alcoholic with full-on metabolic syndrome to now. I couldn’t walk to a cliff if I wanted to throw myself off of it. I didn’t. Way too big a chicken for that. That was 2014.

That was then. This is now. I just got back from from walking about on an erupting volcano.

Hopefully, this is also an expression of gratitude for the help along the way. From God for empowering, and from those who inspired. Gratitude is where the magic is at. Its one of the major keys that opens doors in a transformational journey. With Love, J.

My Personal Health Journey

I always struggled with body fat. Losing that battle caused me to also have to struggle with diabetes, hypertension and etc. It cost me more than I can account in the form of my eyesight and possibly lifespan. However, I have faith in God’s grace, and that all things led me to right here just so I could tell you my story.

To the end that along with the telling you might be helped or blessed in some small way in your own struggles. I struggled and failed for 32 years. I admit for many of those years I just gave up all struggles and dwelt in depression, sickness and pain of my own creation.

This is the story of my journey from that state to this. Not only to weight loss and wellness gain, but in growing to a life that I love within a disability that I have adapted to. And the journey isn’t done. It never ends. Everyday better. Its a series so subscribe!

The Road So Far

Part 1: Long Story Short

From June 2014 to June 2016 I went from 290 lbs to 180 lbs, seven medications to no medications, and sedentary hermit life to the lifestyle and activities of my dreams. Here’s the story (gloss overview).

Part 2: Fat, Sick & Triggered

June 2014 was when my journey towards health started in earnest following a series of awareness triggers. Triggers that led me in a direction of whole-self, or holistic, transformation where weight loss became the happy side effect of overall wellness gain.

Part 3: Dietary Mythos

I stepped off prepared with everything I knew about diet and exercise. Which is to say, Not much and much wrong. Starting with all fat is bad and a calorie is a calorie. I began to chart a course away from dietary fictions.

Fat Loss, Nutrition and Healthy Living

Articles on topics related to weight loss, nutrition and health. The intent was for them to be short. That didn’t work. Mea Culpa, mea maxima culpa. Hey, I can’t help myself, I got a lot to say.

Getting Real With Fat Loss

When this picture was taken, I was thinking: "I'm going to slide down, then hop up at the bottom and go trotting off to the next thing." I slid down the slide, missed the timing of planting my feet, landed on my ass and whacked the back of my head against the slide. This is the kind of thing that happens with misaligned realities.

Understanding the Energy Balance

Weight Loss is about calorie deficit. It isn't about carbs or fat, it is about calories. Eat more than your body burns... you gain weight. Eat less than your body burns, you lose weight.

A Warning About Diet Culture

Diet Culture is a toxic subculture that places its focus on appearance rather than health and well-being. Diet culture is insidious because it represents a multibillion dollar industry that is largely unregulated.

Life on the Road - Travel Journel/Photoblog

Achieving a better state of health was only part of the growth process upon which I embarked. Going places, hiking or at least walking a lot there and taking pictures became my go-to thing.

Its just what I do. Traveling about living in an RV, living minimally. The fly in my ointment is that being blind in the legal sense its really all a bit of a blur. Ok. A lot of a blur.

But I am good at framing a shot. Its a skill and a knack. And when my eye is a few inches away from the picture on a really big screen, it almost looks okay. With my beautiful and wise companion Margaret Webster, we roll about and do and see stuff. I cannot tell you how profoundly grateful for this woman I am, or imagine how limited my life could be without her.

I have found that being grateful is the key that opens oh so many doors. But I’m human, I forget sometimes. But the journey continues, and I along with it by the grace of God for now. Let me share with you! To the end that maybe someone out there might begin to believe that they too, can have a better life after being trapped in a cage of obesity and illness both physical and mental.

The Big Island of Hawai'i

Spent two weeks off of the beaten path. Well, route 11 is pretty well beaten, it being the ONLY path, but we were off of it in Ocean View. Spent two weeks there in December of 2022, mostly exploring Volcanoes National Park. Hawaii can get under your skin. Aloha ‘aina, or the Love of the Land is for real. There is something absolutely magical about the place and the people. Here’s some things.

Off The Beaten In Ocean View

Ocean View Hawai'i is where we stayed for the two weeks spent on the big island. It was off the beaten path, which means not touristy because it was an hour plus from anywhere those folks want to be.

Kamaʻāina (The People of the Land)

Kama'aina is the Hawaiian word meaning "The people of the Land." The term applies to both the original people who migrated here in double-hulled canoes and those who migrated here recently because the place just captured them in a way you can only experience to know.

South for the winter

Moving south from Connecticut to Texas in the RV for the second time for the winter of 2022-23. Again we will be in Kingsland, Texas for a couple of months. This next time though, instead of returning to Connecticut we will be travelling through the western states, a journey that will get its own category and starting with a December side-trip (not in an RV) to the Big Island of Hawai’i for a first. Hey. Its technically a “Western State.”

Rowdy Creek Ranch Vinyards

Rowdy Creek Ranch Vineyards is part of the new generation of ranch-turned-winery that is beginning to define Texas as a quality wine region with a great tasting shed with food-truck fare revolving around brisket, glamping and more.

The Cows of Schulenburg

Schulenburg Texas is a small town at the incenter of a triangle whose points are Houston, Austin and San Antonio. Outside Schulenburg is walkable and cycleble roads that go forever through endless pastures. With Cows.

Bluff Landing: Two Weeks On A Creepy River

Bluff Landing is a Federal Recreation Area in Broken Arrow Oklahoma located on the Arkansas River of Death (ROD). Great campground with spacious sites. And $9.00 a night with a National Parks Access Pass.

Park & Trail Guides

Salmon River to Day Pond Brook Falls

Four-mile out and back from Comstock Covered Bridge to Day Pond Brook Falls through Salmon River State Forest and Day Pond State Park in Colchester, Connecticut

Upper Hop River Trail

Which doesn't go by the Hop River. That's on the other side. Heavily Trafficked rail trail running from Manchester to Willimantic.

Gillette Castle State Park

Gillette Castle State Park has more to offer than the former home of legendary actor William Gillette. Hiking.