On November 25th I weighed the heaviest of my life at 384 pounds. There is no excuse for being that much overweight. My last official weight, registered at my Doctor's office on November 18th was 377 pounds. The medical term for my weight is "morbidly obese". It was time for my Final Weight Loss Challenge.
I will only do this one time and get it right because just like many of you, I've tried the diets, the running, the gym membership that I end up not using, the fasting, the prayers, the untold number of books, articles, and that doesn't include all the stories I tagged on Flipboard to read later. I've posted on Facebook, even joined a Facebook fitness group that later asked me to leave because I didn't do the work. I've failed at losing weight more times than I can remember.
When I signed up for weight loss surgery I was told I had to lose 60 pounds before they would consider surgery. I had to prove desire. I failed at that too. I can not begin to count how many times on a Friday I vowed to start my diet on Monday. I vowed to exercise starting on Monday. Does this sound familiar? If so, I feel your pain.
At a funeral on Long Island last February I ran into a relative of my brother in law, through marriage. The man was slightly overweight all the previous times we had shared a dinner with family over the holidays. At the funeral, not having seen him in over 3 years, he was in excellent shape. I asked him what was his secret and he replied "22 days. It takes 22 days to change a lifestyle." I took it to heart. It was time to get serious, log in my 22 days, and change my lifestyle.
For this final challenge I decided that I would not follow a particular diet but rather rely on four important words: common sense and self control. Months earlier I learned a valuable lesson about myself that I would apply to the final challenge. We rented a house on Moosehead Lake for a weekend. Once there and relaxed, I wasn't hungry. I didn't want snacks, candy, junk food, and I couldn't finish my portions at lunch and dinner. I wasn't sick. I was relaxed. I'm a stress eater. That's what I learned.
Although I gained weight before I became a Town Manager, it accelerated in that position. As we approached a major life change, moving to California, retiring from public service, and buying a new home, I decided this was the perfect opportunity to begin the final challenge. We moved thanksgiving week, I bought a bicycle and began riding daily.
By the end of December I was up to 4.5 to 5 miles per day and I was dropping weight. Then on Monday, January 9th I fell of my bike when I hit a curb and fractured my leg. It was a serious break that required surgery. I could have thrown up my arms and given up. But I am retired, and I am not stress eating any more. Three meals a day is all I need and I am following my mantra of common sense and self control. My snacks are fruit, melon, pineapple, sugar free jello cups, and peaches.
Even though I am laid up, my lifestyle has not changed. When I left the hospital I weighed 365 pounds. Every Monday I weigh in. Today, Monday, February 6th, I weighed in at 346.8 pounds.
My journey continues for a healthier body and mind.
I will report on my progress as it continues.
Rick
