625 days and 125 lbs later...
625 days ago, my doctor yelled at me. My weight has been an issue for a long time, but he said if I didn't lose the weight by the time I was 60, I wouldn't lose it period. Apparently weighing 400 lbs isn't good for overall health and longevity. Who Knew? I thought the trade-off was that I was damn stable in a high wind.
Later that day I had coffee with my friend Lynn and she said 'There's An App For That'! She told me about an app that allowed you to set a goal, it gives you a calorie budget, and then helps you figure out what calories are in what you eat. When you start tracking what you eat, it can be surprising and a learning experience. I had a fish filet & rice thing that I made for lunch quite often. The fish was 100 calories. The olive oil and bit of butter that I cooked it in was 200 calories. Solution? Cook it in a little Pam and its back to 100 calories...and tastes the same. Lots of discoveries and paying attention.
I set a goal of getting down to 275 lbs. Today I reached it.
It is ironic that it is today, because one year ago today I had lost 60 lbs, cut my cholesterol 2/3, and lowered my blood pressure significantly...I thought maybe losing that much weight and getting the other stuff under control might earn me a Cosmic Pat-On-The-Back. Apparently not.
At midnight Halloween Night 2017 I had a heart attack. Sort of the Cosmic Kick-in-the-Ass Chris is more used to...
With the great care of the crew at Clackamas Fire Station 14 and the AMR ambulance guys, I got a nice ride to the hospital, they stuck another stent in my ticker, and I was back in business. Except I scared the Begeezuz out of my wife, my son, my Mom...maybe myself a little. So I continued with my plan and the weight continued to drop off. Not as fast as at first, but still dropping.
So 625 days and 125 lbs later, I reached my goal. And set a new one. Another 50 lbs sounds doable. If there is a 'deep lesson' learned, it is that you have to do a simple thing: **Eat less. Move more.** That's it. As I have traveled this path, I have had many conversations with people also trying to lose weight, and that is the only thing that works. It also helps to be a stubborn, pig headed Swede who has been known to be a teensy tiny bit obsessive about reaching goals once set.
Thanks to my family, my friends, and all the others for the encouragement and kind words. Thanks to the crews at Clackamas Fire and AMR for the Second Chance.
Happy Halloween, Folks. A year ago I didn't know if I was going to get to say that again.
Later that day I had coffee with my friend Lynn and she said 'There's An App For That'! She told me about an app that allowed you to set a goal, it gives you a calorie budget, and then helps you figure out what calories are in what you eat. When you start tracking what you eat, it can be surprising and a learning experience. I had a fish filet & rice thing that I made for lunch quite often. The fish was 100 calories. The olive oil and bit of butter that I cooked it in was 200 calories. Solution? Cook it in a little Pam and its back to 100 calories...and tastes the same. Lots of discoveries and paying attention.
I set a goal of getting down to 275 lbs. Today I reached it.
It is ironic that it is today, because one year ago today I had lost 60 lbs, cut my cholesterol 2/3, and lowered my blood pressure significantly...I thought maybe losing that much weight and getting the other stuff under control might earn me a Cosmic Pat-On-The-Back. Apparently not.
At midnight Halloween Night 2017 I had a heart attack. Sort of the Cosmic Kick-in-the-Ass Chris is more used to...
With the great care of the crew at Clackamas Fire Station 14 and the AMR ambulance guys, I got a nice ride to the hospital, they stuck another stent in my ticker, and I was back in business. Except I scared the Begeezuz out of my wife, my son, my Mom...maybe myself a little. So I continued with my plan and the weight continued to drop off. Not as fast as at first, but still dropping.
So 625 days and 125 lbs later, I reached my goal. And set a new one. Another 50 lbs sounds doable. If there is a 'deep lesson' learned, it is that you have to do a simple thing: **Eat less. Move more.** That's it. As I have traveled this path, I have had many conversations with people also trying to lose weight, and that is the only thing that works. It also helps to be a stubborn, pig headed Swede who has been known to be a teensy tiny bit obsessive about reaching goals once set.
Thanks to my family, my friends, and all the others for the encouragement and kind words. Thanks to the crews at Clackamas Fire and AMR for the Second Chance.
Happy Halloween, Folks. A year ago I didn't know if I was going to get to say that again.
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Good for you!
You have got to feel better.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Sam06
Good for you!
You have got to feel better.
I do. A few months ago I went to have coffee with a friend and when I got to the door I realized that I had just walked across the parking lot.
It sounds silly, but after doing my Fat-Old-Man-with-Two-Bad-Knees Hobble for so many years, it was kinda nice.0 -
Awesome accomplishment congrats! 0 -
Congrats, 125 lbs is another person! I lost 180 lbs of shrew redhead, and I feel a lot better too.[:D] 0 -
Well done man! I'm on my own journey down... again.[:(] 0 -
I commend you for your strength and will power! So many people go the easy surgical route and often even fail at that!
Cheers to your good health and a long life wished for you!0 -
Keeping cholesterol down is very important. Clogged arteries and reduced blood flow hasn't helped anyone live a longer healthier life.
Cholesterol, liked the animation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLonh7ZesKs
Was going to post a photo of a stent inserted but I'm positive you already know.[:D]0 -
Wow 0 -
I would LOVE to shed 50 pounds. Being a road warrior sales guy makes lunch a big problem for me. I do not like cold lunches, I want a healthy warm meal. That is hard to manage. 0 -
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 0 -
Good job. Keep at it, never quit, never give up. You look in the mirror and see living proof that you can accomplish anything! 0 -
Congrats! Bet it is easier climbing steps. At least a little easier.
It took me 18 months to lose 30 pounds, and with the weather getting cold, I'm under pressure to bulk up on carbs. I keep ignoring the donuts and stopped eating french fries. But give me a pineapple, and I eat the whole thing. I guess I can gain weight eating too much of a good thing. [:D]0 -
That so called doctor is a quack. Hasn't he heard of meth? People of all ages lose weight on that stuff.
So celebratory Monte Cristo? The sandwich [:p][:p][:p].0 -
Good work, Chris![^] When you're ready to get back on the skis give me a holler, we'll go hit Tumbleoff! 0 -
I?m proud of you son. Congratulations. 0 -
Congratulations !! Folks like you are an inspiration.
I'm 6"'4", 340 now. and need a bunch more to go. With two new knees and a walking , biking and pool swimming program, I'm down about 100 lbs in the last 2 years. And blood sugar in almost normal.
I need to get down at least another 100 more, but getting tougher to do.
Thanks.0 -
I found a video of an aerobic exercise that is guaranteed to make the pounds roll off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_94viw75ulc
Good Luck [:)]0 -
Congrats on reaching a significant goal! 0 -
Congratulations Brother, that is Awesome!!
It took determination to do that. Good job Sir.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bubba Jr.
I found a video of an aerobic exercise that is guaranteed to make the pounds roll off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_94viw75ulc
Good Luck [:)]
That ol' kid doesn't have legs, he's got springs!! I wonder what you'd get if you crossed him with one of those River Dance gals??0 -
WTG and keep up the good work 0 -
Congrats to you,that's a HUGE accomplishment,,, 0 -
WTG and keep up the good work 0 -
Excellent work. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
Congrats to you,that's a HUGE accomplishment,,,
2nd that0 -
Proud of you Chris...[^] Working on my own fight.. 0 -
That?s awesome. Congratulations 0 -
Thanks for all the kind words. Like Bruce, my weight gain started when I went from actually doing honest work on projects to being the office weenie running the show. Traveling means eating in restaurants and that means fat, calories, sugar... everything you shouldn't have.
With my knees being garbage for so long it has gotten to be a downward spiral. My weight didn't help the knees, which means you don't exercise, which means you gain weight, which doesn't help the knees...
My exercise for the last year and a half has been projects around the house. I can't stand 'working out'. It drives me nuts, so I have rebuilt my shop, replaced the wooden fence, built a fire pit area, built the neighbor's gate to match the new fence. Right now I am finishing the remodel of the wife's laundry room.
Not sure what next. But I am always happiest when I am tackling a project, so I will think of something.
Again, thanks for the encouragement. It means a lot.0 -
Congrats man!
I know there's a thousand apps for that, (samsung health, my plate, etc.)
Which did you use?0 -
Congratulations to you on a whole lot of hard work. You've done wonders for your health. Well done. 0
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