I fit many of the American stereotypes. I am 37 years old. I sit at a desk many hours during the day. My sugar levels had been gradually increasing over the past 10 years. I have a history of heart disease in my family with a mild history of diabetes on my father’s side of the family. My total cholesterol had eased into the ‘mid 200’s’ category. My liver was just on the verge of not being able to convert fat. (fatty liver) I found myself feeling low on energy and high on stress. It seemed like at least 2-3 days a month I kept a headache or a backache. My weight had crept up to approximately 255 lbs. This was not obese but certainly out of my range at a height of 6’ 1”.
About 9 months ago my doctor gave me the wonderful news. He said, “Kelly, you have a family history of diabetes and heart disease …………and you are well on your way to becoming a young diabetic with possible a stroke or heart issues.” To make matters worse, I was only a couple of months away from a rigorous travel schedule which would certainly be more difficult on any ‘diet’. I wondered how I could have gotten to this point within a few years of being a soldier in the US Army.
I walked away from the doctor’s office emotionally crushed that day. For a few days I was depressed and feeling sorry for myself but then it occurred to me that no one was going to do it for me so I could either settle for a possible heart attack or get busy. My wife and I got online and started seeking heart healthy food tips. We refused to engage in any fad dieting but rather opted for an old fashioned well balanced diet enjoying foods from all groups each day. We increased our raw fruit and veggie intake. We also began using whole grain breads and pastas. We trimmed down on the sugar and replaced soda with cranberry juice, orange juice and water with some limited tea.
It was soon after that I started walking a few minutes each day with a goal of being able to once again run 2 miles within the same time requirements as when I was in the US Army. I did not set a date but rather chose to start very slow and let it happen when it happened. With some encouragement from athletes at work (Paul McKeithan, Jim Plant and many more) I began to push myself a little more. Losing weight was never my goal. I simply wanted to live a healthier lifestyle and let my body decide what happened as a result.
Several weeks back I had my semi-annual physical. Blood pressure, Cholesterol, Sugar, Liver etc……….all back within the ‘perfect range’………I was 60 lbs. lighter. Needless to say I was as happy as I had been depressed before!
The one thing that has shocked me beyond words is not the physical impact on my life but the mental. My attitude towards life is improved. I wish that I could share in some small way my success with others. I’d love to help someone else if you are where I was a few months ago! It is worth it!
More to come…….stay tuned!!
kml
2010
