I didn't die this weekend!
kkellam1
Posts: 182 Member
Powerful title, huh? But that's the way I felt when I woke up this morning. There is a strong story behind that and I will try to keep it brief. It's a deeply personal story but I need to share it. Writing it is kind of cathartic for me and marks a personal milestone that I cannot ignore. Sharing it is motivational for me and I hope at least interesting for you.
9 months ago, I was almost 100 pounds heavier, way out of shape and my doctor told me that I had diabetes. On top of that, I woke up one night shaking with fear that I would die and that I knew exactly when. Yep, this last weekend was the date. I cannot tell you how scary that feeling was for me.
My realization was that I was my fathers son. There were so many parallels between what was happening in my life and the things in my fathers life that led to his death at an early age from a heart attack. Overweight, not healthy, work too much, needs of the family before personal needs, I could go on and on. I had a dream trip planned which was fairly similar to a dream trip that my father was on when he died. We would be the same age (me 51, him 52). My daughter would be the same age as I was when my father died. We would each be thousands of miles from home doing something that we had wanted to do since we were young.
So this fear and the news about my diabetes combined to make me attempt to lose weight and get my health in order. That's when MFP entered my life and I took the first steps towards health. I started walking and getting my diet under control. The weight dropped faster than I could have expected and the impact on my health was almost immediate. The more I got my butt off the couch, the more the pounds dropped and the better my doctors visits became. Blood tests showed dramatic improvement all along the way. At this point, I have lost nearly 100 pounds and stopped taking almost all of the medications I was on. Diabetes is never mentioned any more, except in the past tense. Amazingly, I actually joined a gym about 6 weeks ago and have hardly missed a day since. For a 51 year old who had never exercised a day in his life, this is unbelieveable.
Anyway, I have just returned and the feeling is amazing. A friend and I flew from Virginia to his home in South Dakota for a hunting trip. On various days, we had from 5-8 people in our hunting party. It took me a day or two to realize, but I was the fittest one in our group. We walked 5-10 miles a day through the woods, through cornfields and marshlands carrying guns, supplies and all the other gear. Other people were winded, I kept going. When one person was needed to tackle the heavier terrain and flush the birds out to the others, I was elected. When people who hadn't even met me before mentioned how out of shape they were, they said things like "not like Keith, Mr. Fitness." And they weren't teasing or joking around, they were just pointing out that I was making it look easy.
How was that even possible for a guy who has pretty much been overweight all his life and a year ago wouldn't even run to get out of the rain? Don't take me wrong. I still have a gut and still have 25 pounds or so to drop. I still have a lot of work to do getting physically in shape. But I can see the end coming and my confidence is strong that I will get there.
So on the flight home yesterday, I ran a real gamut of emotions. I have never been happier to head home to my family. I had just experienced one of the best vacations that I have ever taken, but it was much more than that. It was a personal verification that you can indeed make a change if you set your mind to it. Having clear goals and a clear motivation to achieve them keeps you headed in the right direction. MFP and my friends here have played a big role in this. There were one or two people who's profile I saw early on in my journey and they were huge motivators for me. They may or may not be aware of the impact that they played. Seeing that they could make huge turnarounds in their lives gave me hope that I too could do it. My other friends (and I have purposely kept the number small) played a huge role in keeping me accountable day to day.
So looking forward, I still have a lot of ground to cover. But never have I been so confident that I can do it. Never have I felt more satisfied in an accomplishment and more motivated to achieve more. My doctor reminds me that I have done wonders for my quality of life and my lifespan. This past week really made me internalize that and take it from from just words to a reality. The world is out there for us and we truly can take control of ourselves and shape our own realities. It takes a strong motivation and a clear picture of where we want to go. If the weight loss is truly important, make it a priority in your life and go make it happen.
I really wasn't going to attach pictures to this because it isn't about appearance for me. It's about health and quality of life. But here are a few anyway, just to document the way things have changed.
9 months ago, I was almost 100 pounds heavier, way out of shape and my doctor told me that I had diabetes. On top of that, I woke up one night shaking with fear that I would die and that I knew exactly when. Yep, this last weekend was the date. I cannot tell you how scary that feeling was for me.
My realization was that I was my fathers son. There were so many parallels between what was happening in my life and the things in my fathers life that led to his death at an early age from a heart attack. Overweight, not healthy, work too much, needs of the family before personal needs, I could go on and on. I had a dream trip planned which was fairly similar to a dream trip that my father was on when he died. We would be the same age (me 51, him 52). My daughter would be the same age as I was when my father died. We would each be thousands of miles from home doing something that we had wanted to do since we were young.
So this fear and the news about my diabetes combined to make me attempt to lose weight and get my health in order. That's when MFP entered my life and I took the first steps towards health. I started walking and getting my diet under control. The weight dropped faster than I could have expected and the impact on my health was almost immediate. The more I got my butt off the couch, the more the pounds dropped and the better my doctors visits became. Blood tests showed dramatic improvement all along the way. At this point, I have lost nearly 100 pounds and stopped taking almost all of the medications I was on. Diabetes is never mentioned any more, except in the past tense. Amazingly, I actually joined a gym about 6 weeks ago and have hardly missed a day since. For a 51 year old who had never exercised a day in his life, this is unbelieveable.
Anyway, I have just returned and the feeling is amazing. A friend and I flew from Virginia to his home in South Dakota for a hunting trip. On various days, we had from 5-8 people in our hunting party. It took me a day or two to realize, but I was the fittest one in our group. We walked 5-10 miles a day through the woods, through cornfields and marshlands carrying guns, supplies and all the other gear. Other people were winded, I kept going. When one person was needed to tackle the heavier terrain and flush the birds out to the others, I was elected. When people who hadn't even met me before mentioned how out of shape they were, they said things like "not like Keith, Mr. Fitness." And they weren't teasing or joking around, they were just pointing out that I was making it look easy.
How was that even possible for a guy who has pretty much been overweight all his life and a year ago wouldn't even run to get out of the rain? Don't take me wrong. I still have a gut and still have 25 pounds or so to drop. I still have a lot of work to do getting physically in shape. But I can see the end coming and my confidence is strong that I will get there.
So on the flight home yesterday, I ran a real gamut of emotions. I have never been happier to head home to my family. I had just experienced one of the best vacations that I have ever taken, but it was much more than that. It was a personal verification that you can indeed make a change if you set your mind to it. Having clear goals and a clear motivation to achieve them keeps you headed in the right direction. MFP and my friends here have played a big role in this. There were one or two people who's profile I saw early on in my journey and they were huge motivators for me. They may or may not be aware of the impact that they played. Seeing that they could make huge turnarounds in their lives gave me hope that I too could do it. My other friends (and I have purposely kept the number small) played a huge role in keeping me accountable day to day.
So looking forward, I still have a lot of ground to cover. But never have I been so confident that I can do it. Never have I felt more satisfied in an accomplishment and more motivated to achieve more. My doctor reminds me that I have done wonders for my quality of life and my lifespan. This past week really made me internalize that and take it from from just words to a reality. The world is out there for us and we truly can take control of ourselves and shape our own realities. It takes a strong motivation and a clear picture of where we want to go. If the weight loss is truly important, make it a priority in your life and go make it happen.
I really wasn't going to attach pictures to this because it isn't about appearance for me. It's about health and quality of life. But here are a few anyway, just to document the way things have changed.
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Replies
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Heartwarming story! Thank you for sharing! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:0
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Thats great!! So happy for you!0
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One word ... INSPIRING0
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Amazing! I love reading stories like this when folks not only overcome their weight but their health problems. Really makes it worth while!0
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To say nice job, doesn't even begin to explain how incredible your story is!0
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Great story and great pictures! It is what weight loss is all about - changing things for your health and not always about appearnce ( although that is a bonus if you look good too!) Hope you continue to lose those last pounds the hardest bit is done and you now know you have changed yours for good - enjoy!0
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enjoyed your story..sounds like u got your life on track you look great keep up the good work.and thanks again for sharing your story.0
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WOW! Thanks for sharing your story- stunning!0
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I read through your blood, sweat, and tears to accomplish such a change. It's an incredible story and your family will rich beyond money for the effort you've put forth. All I can say is, "Wow."0
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very powerful, thank you so much for sharing your story. may you live many more decades happy and healthy.0
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Absolutely, truly amazing, man... Wow.0
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Keith, Keith, Keith. All I can do is smile and tell you again how proud you make me. Your pictures are night and day, my dear! I always believed in your abilities and now to see you standing on this side of it all just makes me swell with pride in all you've done! You have conquered this one step at a time, at crazy hours of the night, but still made it work. Keep it up and be proud, because damn it, I am!
Huzzah!0 -
It seems like you were handed a second chance at life and you have taken it with both hands - congratulations, for you and your family. They are lucky to have you.
I know you said it's not about looks but honestly you look so much younger! enjoy your " second go at life".0 -
Good for you! I'm your age and trying to drop
some weight so I can stay healthy for my kids
and grandkids too. Keep it up! You're doing
great. God bless!!0 -
Congratulations, I know how you feel. Last year, at 52, I went to the doctor, high cholesterol, borderline high blood pressure, lots of stress at work, sleep apnea and raising two teenage daughters. I didn't think I would be around too much longer. I lost 30 lbs before I found MFP. I found other men like you on this site to be great inspirations. Now I am down 50 lbs as of this morning. Feeling so much better, tons of energy, sleeping better and the exercise helps to burn off the stress. Now you get to be the inspiration for others.0
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By the way, I love the belt loop shot. For me dropping a belt loop is bigger than loosing the weight.0
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Nice!!! What a lucky daughter! You look great and great story! I'm excited for you!0
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Amazing success story! I am at the beginning of my journey and feel a lot like you. It's not about appearance for me, it's about my health. I've only been at it for a little over two weeks and although I am down a bit in weight, the huge difference I see is on my nightly walks with my husband. I am gaining speed, don't get as winded on hills and have really increased endurance already! It kind of amazes me how quickly your body responds when you really push it!
I may not have your success in such a short time...but I'll get there! Your story is very inspirational and you look so happy in your "after" pictures! That's what I want!!
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that is really awesome!!!!!0
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awesome story! Great job on getting fit and being able to live many many more healthy years because of that decision you made to take care of YOU!:drinker:0
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Thank you for sharing! Great job taking control of your health instead of letting it control you.0
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Sorry to break it to you, but it's actually duck season.
Awesome job on the weight loss though0 -
Congrats, you look fantastic! But the health beneifts are definitely the most important part!! I also started this because I got scared about my health, and feel so much better about things now!0
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very cool0
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I am speechless, wow that is just incredible.0
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wabbit season!!!!!!Sorry to break it to you, but it's actually duck season.
Awesome job on the weight loss though
awesome loss sir \m/0 -
Thank you so much for sharing. My grandfather died of heart problems as a result of being overweight his whole life. Unfotunately my dad is headed in the same direction. He isn't as big as my grandpa was but definitely does NOT take care of himself...at all. Your children are blessed to have you in their lives and for many more. I hope someday my dad will find the motivation that you did to change his way of life. thanks again.
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I loved reading this. You almost made me cry! Thanks for sharing your story. I can't wait until someone calls me Miss Fitness. 0
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Awesome, awesome, awesome. Congrats on all your hard work. Great story. Thank you for sharing 0
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