Daniel's Journey

While visiting Health One's Facebook page a few weeks ago, I saw a posting by "Needless Pounds" with a link to a blog by the same name.  I clicked over to the blog.  What did I find?  

I found a new friend. His name is Daniel. This is his story...

Obesity runs in my family. It practically gallops! From elementary school on, I’ve been “big,” “overweight,” “fat,” and/or “obese.” Being from the South, I grew up on foods cooked with love and Crisco. I decided to take control of my weight late last year when I joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Program for Weight Loss and Metabolic Control.

A lot of folks have an “A-Ha!” moment that triggers the desire to lose weight. In my case, I was working a summer program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock when I realized that I was too large to fit behind the wheel of the school van. I was confused, embarrassed, and upset. How could things have gotten so out of hand?

I had no idea what I weighed before I joined the program, but I learned that my weight was over 448 pounds. My Body Mass Index was 62.5. Obese is 30 or greater. Normal is under 25. My body was over 60% fat! I had no idea my weight was this extremely out of control, but I committed to completing a 16-week rotation in the program to see what I could do to address it.

The weight control program that I’m in has weekly weigh-ins, weekly classes on nutrition and behavior modification with registered dietitians, regular visits with an endocrinologist, and a number of other benefits including $15 monthly gym membership including Zumba.

I “enlisted” expecting to lose between 20 and 50 pounds in the 16 weeks that the program runs. I didn’t set a “goal weight,” but set out to just do my best. It turns out my best was over 75 pounds in the first 16 weeks. Encouraged by the momentum I, decided to re-up for another 16 weeks. I just celebrated my 6 month anniversary in the program, and I’m down 118.3 pounds and counting.

My Body Mass Index is still above 30, and I’m chipping away at it. I eat right, exercise regularly, and blog as much as possible. Having a group of folks following my progress has been a symbiotic relationship. So many folks have told me how they were inspired to give weight loss a try based on something that I’d written. That inspiration goes both ways. Knowing that there are folks out there following my progress encourages me to stay on the program.

There are countless benefits to losing weight, many of which I’m already taking advantage of. From a health perspective, my resting pulse rate has gone from the mid 90’s to under 60 beats per minute. From mobility and flexibility, the sky is the limit for me now! I can tie my shoes. I can buckle an airplane seat belt. I toured Washington, D.C., on foot. I completed a 5K. I climbed a mountain (well, what we call a mountain, anyhow).

If you’re interested in losing weight, please consider a program like the ones that Mary and I are on. You’re limited only to your imagination with the meal replacement products that we use. You’ll see results within the first few weeks, and you’ll be amazed with the progress you can make in just a couple of months.

If you want to follow my journey, check me out at:   http://needlesspounds.com/

needlesspounds.com

One man's weight loss journey

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