My Story, ( w/ Pictures)
thyldburg
Posts: 9 Member
My Story
I was always the big kid when I was younger, very athletic but still overweight. I used to play any sport I could get my hand on, baseball, basketball, hockey, football, skiing, and I loved Soccer. Yet I was always the big kid. Looking back now, I formed awful eating habits as a kid, I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I need to break these bad eating habits, and the fight goes on…
Fast forward to today (I'm now 42) to think about my eating habits, do I eat when nervous? When bored? When angry? When at parties? When I watch TV? Before bed time? When depressed? I realized that I eat anytime, for any reason. It is something that I have come to realize and I have to take control. Just like a little kid, I find that if I ‘Re-direct’ myself, I can break these bad habits, I know this is not going to be easy, and the fight goes on….
January of this year I had a Dr. apt for a check-up, and to get a new prescription for some med (I have hypo-thyroid & high blood pressure). This time he took some blood and ran some test, checked my height, weight, Blood pressure and all that good stuff. Even without the blood tests back I knew I was in trouble. I’m still 6’1” but my weight was 368, and my BP was 148/98 –and that is on BP meds too. Ouch, this is not good. I need to lose weight, I know this is not going to be easy, and the fight goes on….
One week later on January 13, which happens to be my late father’s birthday (he died 12 years ago, at the age of 55, from a heart attack) I got a letter from my Dr. with my test results (I told him to mail me the results) and the letter said “Congratulations, you have Diabetes”. Ok, so it didn’t say congratulations, but it did say that I have diabetes and for me to make an appointment asap to see him. 2 days later I was back in his office, he did a diabetes A1c test and we talked about the other results (Cholesterol was high- gee big surprise there), what I need to do, and what will happen if I don’t do something about this. Then it hit me, pretty hard – this is real, and now I have to gear up as the fight goes on….
My Dr. set me up with some medication for the diabetes, and a nutritionist to help me, but he said “This has to come from you, you are going to have to want to lose the weight”. Just over 3 months later I had a checkup and the Dr. & nutritionist and the results were good. I lost 42lbs, (hey, I’m still 6’1”) and they did an A1c diabetes test and the results were great, it dropped to 5.7 (which is in the normal range). My blood pressure was also much better, 128/80. He did not take any blood for other tests, he said that will be next month at my 6 month check up. I will get what my current weight (as my scale at home is broken). I also I don’t know how much my Cholesterol improved – but I’m sure it did. Diabetes is something that will be with me forever, but I can control it if I want to, and the fight goes on….
I do admit that I have the dreaded food addiction, especially to ‘Ice cream’ and ‘Peanut Butter Cups’, I’m pretty sure that the Devil made these foods. Oh how I love Ice Cream, and living in Vermont, home to my two best friends, “Ben & Jerry”, staying away from ice cream is going to be hard, and the fight goes on….
So I’ve been hitting the gym after work and on weekends when I can, also making better choices when it comes to food. At the gym I love the elliptical machine, I know many people hate it, but not me, I bring my iPad and watch a move. Before I know it, time has flown by. I do have to start using the weights more, but I’ll get there. This is a lifestyle change, not a fad diet that I’m on- it is a marathon, not a sprint. There are some days that I really don’t want to go to the gym, and I want to just relax on the couch. Then I think about what I’m dealing with, and who is in this fight with me. I realize that I’m not just fighting for my life, but my wife and daughters too. My daughter is only 12, which is too damn young to grow up without a dad. I’m going to fight, and I’m going to win…. and the fight goes on….
Join me and we can help each other in our own fight.
Ted
I was always the big kid when I was younger, very athletic but still overweight. I used to play any sport I could get my hand on, baseball, basketball, hockey, football, skiing, and I loved Soccer. Yet I was always the big kid. Looking back now, I formed awful eating habits as a kid, I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I need to break these bad eating habits, and the fight goes on…
Fast forward to today (I'm now 42) to think about my eating habits, do I eat when nervous? When bored? When angry? When at parties? When I watch TV? Before bed time? When depressed? I realized that I eat anytime, for any reason. It is something that I have come to realize and I have to take control. Just like a little kid, I find that if I ‘Re-direct’ myself, I can break these bad habits, I know this is not going to be easy, and the fight goes on….
January of this year I had a Dr. apt for a check-up, and to get a new prescription for some med (I have hypo-thyroid & high blood pressure). This time he took some blood and ran some test, checked my height, weight, Blood pressure and all that good stuff. Even without the blood tests back I knew I was in trouble. I’m still 6’1” but my weight was 368, and my BP was 148/98 –and that is on BP meds too. Ouch, this is not good. I need to lose weight, I know this is not going to be easy, and the fight goes on….
One week later on January 13, which happens to be my late father’s birthday (he died 12 years ago, at the age of 55, from a heart attack) I got a letter from my Dr. with my test results (I told him to mail me the results) and the letter said “Congratulations, you have Diabetes”. Ok, so it didn’t say congratulations, but it did say that I have diabetes and for me to make an appointment asap to see him. 2 days later I was back in his office, he did a diabetes A1c test and we talked about the other results (Cholesterol was high- gee big surprise there), what I need to do, and what will happen if I don’t do something about this. Then it hit me, pretty hard – this is real, and now I have to gear up as the fight goes on….
My Dr. set me up with some medication for the diabetes, and a nutritionist to help me, but he said “This has to come from you, you are going to have to want to lose the weight”. Just over 3 months later I had a checkup and the Dr. & nutritionist and the results were good. I lost 42lbs, (hey, I’m still 6’1”) and they did an A1c diabetes test and the results were great, it dropped to 5.7 (which is in the normal range). My blood pressure was also much better, 128/80. He did not take any blood for other tests, he said that will be next month at my 6 month check up. I will get what my current weight (as my scale at home is broken). I also I don’t know how much my Cholesterol improved – but I’m sure it did. Diabetes is something that will be with me forever, but I can control it if I want to, and the fight goes on….
I do admit that I have the dreaded food addiction, especially to ‘Ice cream’ and ‘Peanut Butter Cups’, I’m pretty sure that the Devil made these foods. Oh how I love Ice Cream, and living in Vermont, home to my two best friends, “Ben & Jerry”, staying away from ice cream is going to be hard, and the fight goes on….
So I’ve been hitting the gym after work and on weekends when I can, also making better choices when it comes to food. At the gym I love the elliptical machine, I know many people hate it, but not me, I bring my iPad and watch a move. Before I know it, time has flown by. I do have to start using the weights more, but I’ll get there. This is a lifestyle change, not a fad diet that I’m on- it is a marathon, not a sprint. There are some days that I really don’t want to go to the gym, and I want to just relax on the couch. Then I think about what I’m dealing with, and who is in this fight with me. I realize that I’m not just fighting for my life, but my wife and daughters too. My daughter is only 12, which is too damn young to grow up without a dad. I’m going to fight, and I’m going to win…. and the fight goes on….
Join me and we can help each other in our own fight.
Ted
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Replies
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I once heard someone say God made chicken, but the Devil taught us to fry it. haha. I too was always the heavy kid in my group of friends, until finally in highschool I was tired of being the only one without a boyfriend.... When I was 16, I weighed 195 at 5'2". I ended up losing 60 lbs by the time I was 17. I graduated at 135. I was small, healthy, attractive, confident, etc. Then in 2009 I got married, I gained during our engagement 20 lbs, i was 160 when we got married. My confidence fell, for many reasons. I never did anything about it, 2 kids and 7 years later, here I am at 258.
I just wanted to say, this weight gain isn't because of the pregnancies! I lost all my baby weight both times 2 weeks after I had them! All this weight gain is because of poor choices. Fast food, sugary drings, lazy nights, ice cream, candy, and SO much more. But I am so determined that I can do this. If I have the power to over-stuff myself with "poison" day after day....I also have the power to select more healthy choices than bad. And just after 7 lbs in a week, I feel the confidence to do it!
Know that you aren't alone, and we all have our own struggles and each journey is different. Don't think because you mess up one meal/one day, that you can't turn around! that's where I have gone wrong in the past! Its ok to make mistakes! Just make the next choice a good one!
I've never had "health" problems on paper....my BP and other stats are always good... but that doesn't mean one day that can't change. There are alot of health issues on both sides of my family. I don't want my kids to have to suffer through something that could have been prevented! Plus i grew up with my mom being over weight. she had gastric by pass (i think in 2005), She did good and got healthy, losing quite a bit of weight, however, now she has gained about half of it back. She is still smaller than me, but i think she is pushing 200. I know she isn't happy bout it, so I am hoping to encourage her,and my dad. he has reached his highest number....
Good luck on your journey!0 -
I'm over here looking stupid in tears reading both of your stories. I have ALWAYS been the fat kid. School was a nightmare. And the nightmare started in kindergarten. The jokes were incessant, the ridicule never ending. To this day, I get looks and sneers. My heaviest was 315. Only because I was a full on 9 months pregnant. After having my 3rd baby (2 and 1/2 years ago), I dropped to 280. It was only baby weight. I've tried dieting, miracle pills...you name it. I am doing it the right way this time. I started MFP at 270, and am down to 253. Doesn't seem like much in 2 months...but it's a dang fine start. I wish you both the best of everything, and if you need support...look me up!!! I am always here!! God bless you both.0
