@dino9832 My man! I find it really motivating that you take your time and share your thoughts, experiences and advice. Dieting like I do now, is not easy all the time. Especially on bread delivery days. Dog Nam, that is a challenge. Your enthusiasm really shines through and I truly feel you actually care. Thank you for that.....
Thanks. I AM passionate about this. Years ago, I had a physical after skipping many years since my last. Imagine how I felt when I found out I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes! Plus, I was overweight. Well sure! Doesn't everyone pack on a few pounds as they get old? My grandfather died from diabetes complications. He was a strong WWII veteran, who believed that men lived hard, drank, ate well, and their hearts exploded in the end..lol. He had a heart attack, lost both legs due to poor circulation. Then, had a stroke before he even gained consciousness. He couldn't speak, and was obviously confined to a wheel chair. Another stroke, and he was mentally incompetent. Yet, still was mentally aware. He lived like that for 10 years!
Anyhow, quality of life. I was devastated. The doc said "Oh, and if you lost 10-15lbs, it might help." Yeah, it might, it might not, or it might make the numbers a little better. Well, I was put on blood pressure meds, and told to come back in 3 months. I cleaned up my diet by cutting out things like bread. My A1C(blood sugar) numbers came down. So, they didn't put me on meds. Hmmm. So, I decided to break out my old bicycle and get some exercise. Cleaned up my diet even more. Numbers were better.
A fighting chance! I wasn't doomed due to genetics, I had a fighting chance! Dude, it was on! I became obsessed. To hell with stroking out with a doughnut clutched in one hand and a soda in the other! I was riding my bike, and found it was more like meditation/contemplation time. It was like a new self-discovery period for me. After years and years of routine. I read everything I could about diets and nutrition. I even bought...the dreaded elliptical. SOB! It took me months before I could complete a full 30 minute workout. But, I'd hit the thing every weekend and worked up a sweat.
You have to understand that it takes time to shift your metabolism around. Slowly building up cardio. Building muscles. And, all sorts of weird things going on in your body. Also, as you loose a little fat, you gain muscle. The scale needle stays the same. :/ But, eventually I dropped some actual weight. It'd plateaued, then it'd drop again. Then it started dropping quick! Clothes were getting loose. I was hitting tighter belt notches. Meanwhile, I was doing some serious cracking down on my diet, and ramping up my exercise routine.
I started wearing old clothes. The one's I'd grown out of..lol. Hunting around for old belts. I freaking grew(shrunk?) out of my belt! Then, ran out of old clothes and had to ACTUALLY GO CLOTHES SHOPPING. I hate shopping for clothes with a passion. I always have. So, this was the first time in my life I ever actually enjoyed clothes shopping!
Man, it's been a long, strange trip. But, my blood pressure is 120/70 (normal). No meds either. My cholesterol is normal. And, my A1C is right on the edge of normal and PREdiabetic. I still have diabetes, but I won't have any complications because I don't eat enough simple carbs.
Sorry for the long ramble. But, hopefully it inspires others. Because just me loosing all that weight has inspired friends, relatives, and co-workers. I hear all kinds of stories also. People trying, and people who have turned their lives around. It's like a secret that the medical industry, pharmaceutical companies, diet industry, food industry, etc.. don't want you to hear. Or, maybe the docs just know you won't listen? Sure, they won't deny it. But, nobody's really shouting about how exercise and simple, whole foods are all the majority of us needs. The surprising thing is that eventually your food cravings become more healthy. Like walking into a gas station during a long road trip, and thinking "blah" to all the chips and candy bars. Then, your eyes light up as you see a metal tree/rack of bananas!
