A New Zest for Life
Having a stroke was the health scare that inspired mdb47374 to lose his weight. He has lost 72lbs with only 5lbs left to reach his goal weight. His story is an inspiration to all of us and demonstrates how dramatically we can all improve our health, fitness and enjoyment of life with the right approach and the right attitude.
He contacted us through our Share Your Story feature, and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time?
I was hospitalized with a stroke in April and found out at that time I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which was something I never paid attention to all my life. When I was released, I decided then I wanted to be around to see my first grandchild who was just born before the stroke, to grow up.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I had tried the Slim Fast Diet about 24 years ago and lost weight then but as soon as I stopped taking the products, all the weight plus a few lbs came back on.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
The biggest change was my eating habits which to some may be drastic, but I was determined to lose the weight and keep it off. I stopped drinking soda and changed to water, or to crystal light packet with only 5 calories. I stopped eating anything that had sugar additives or that I needed to place sugar in. If I wanted something sweet, I ate what was naturally sweet such as fruit. I stopped eating red meat and pork, fried foods and no fast foods at all. The last was the biggest change. When I came to CC and looked up what I was eating, I found out I was eating almost 2700 calories a day at McDonald's, and that was just in two meals or what I considered to be a snack.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
It allowed me to check the calories of the food I was going to eat, monitor my weight and activities, and the forums were great with all the encouragements from the current members and the successes from the others. If they could do it so could I.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Actually, this time there was no challenge. I had the support of my family and friends (though they decided not to take this journey with me). I was determined to come off the blood pressure medication and cholesterol medication as well, and part of doing that was losing weight (by the way, the doctor has taken me off all medications saying my blood pressure is better now then when I was on the medication).
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I noticed the results after the second week. Seeing those results I knew it was game on and there was no turning back.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
Every week. Every time I stepped on the scale. In the past I had talked about losing weight, but never took the necessary steps to do it. This time after the first week, I knew this was going to happen.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I am still working on this one. When I get to my goal I plan to continue to do what I have been doing, and living now a more active lifestyle I don't think that it will happen. Since the weight loss, I have found myself to have more energy than ever. I guess it makes sense, because I have lost the equivalence of another person I had been carrying around with me forever.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I am more active, which is not what I was initially looking for, but it's another success that came with the journey. I started riding my bike again after 10 years, I am roller skating again, and dare I say that my wife of 26 years has that twinkle in her eye again. I just feel better about myself all together going from a 40 waist down to a 32.
10. What tips do you have for other dieters?
- Don't look at this as a diet - this is a life change because everything in your life has to change if you are serious about losing weight.
- If you have a burning desire to succeed you will, and when you have a bad week it is not a failure but another success because you didn't give up.
- Log on CC everyday and read the posts.
- Make friends on here with others in the same place you are and
you will realize that you are not alone, which makes everything easier. I was doing this alone at home, but my CC family was going through the same challenges I was and together we can and will succeed.
If you would like us to feature your success story, you can submit it here. The most insightful stories will be featured on this blog and in the weekly "Success Stories" newsletter.
Comments
Yes! It's great to read the story of someone who is doing it right. You gave me a big boost today.
hey, this is just what I needed to read this morning to keep me from giving up. Thanks! Cat
Congrats to mdb47374. I guess the motivation to support the family is strong enough for anyone to loose weight !
Your 3 lifestyle changes suggested are sound & should be followed by everyone. i.e stopping added sugar, carbonated drinks & red meat. One needn't have stroke to moderate the intake of the above food items.
this article reminds me of a post i read of relationship between waistline, heart & intelligence. Click here to read that post.
And yes! mdb47374, i do read cc posts everyday.
Congratulations!! I love this quote "When you have a bad week it is not a failure but another success because you didn't give up."
Congratulations! I love everything about this story!
So many of us are trying to be where you are now & it all starts with that one decision, doesn't it? I will lose weight. I will move around more, eat better & change my life. I will live to see a ripe old age.
I smiled when I read that your wife "has that twinkle in her eye" ~ my husband of 32 years tells me all the time how much slimmer I feel to him (25.5 lbs so far, 69.5 lbs to go); when he puts his arms around me it finally feels like he can reach without my stomach getting in the way, lol.
We too have a first grandchild, who is only 1.5 years old. I want to see him grow up & watch him become what he is meant to become...and I want to be a part of that life's journey.
I've only been doing this for 3.5 months, but I can tell you right now that I am taking it all the way this time ~ I want to be just like you!
All the best...J.
Congratulations, you are an inspiration. Hopefully I'll be able
to do the same, I slip, often, but I find stories like yours very
motivating and I get a boost to start again. I wish you the very
best of luck. Keep up the good work, you're nearly there.
Thank you for sharing your story. I'm at the beginning of my journey and it is helpful to see others success.
Beautiful story ! You just gave me an extra boost of energy 2 workout a little harder this morning. God Bless you and your Journey. Loved the part about the twinkle in your wife's eye(smiling)..so cute. Keep up the good work !!!
Your story is an inspiration!!! You look fantastic!! Be proud!!! I'll pray for your continued success and well being!!!
Good for you! That is a really inspirational story. Hope the excellent health continues :)
Great man keep it up really its an eye opener for all those who are in mid 40 50 6o es . great
congrats mdb, you really are inspiring. I would love to get rid of my HP meds too. Here's to your good health!
I am hoping to do the same thing! I am on blood pressure medicine and medicine for depression. I am hoping that weight loss helps me in both of these areas. Thank you for your inspiring story!
Wow, Congratulations! That is a very inspiring story. Good luck to you in the future. I also have lost wieght, about 65lbs and need some motivation to continue to lose another 15-18lbs. It really is a lifechange and not a quick fix. I guess like you I never really paid attention to what I ate until a medical problem and then calorie count really opened my eyes on how much I used to eat. So thanks for your story!!
Congrats! You look great. Just want you to know that you inspire me. I am going to keep on trying, one day at a time! Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations Mark..You're looking great and am glad that you are also feeling great!...Nice after pic!...
Thanks so much for being strong this really helped me realize that this isn't a diet but a life long process to health!
Thanks for the really good advice mdb. You are an inspiration. Hooray for you and your wife!
This phrase you said is sooo true!
"When you have a bad week it is not a failure but another success because you didn't give up."
Thank you for the inspiration!
Congratulations and continued blessing for success in your healthy life. May your children and grandchildren learn from your life changes and love you the more for them!
Congrats , you look wonderful. i have been on my journey for almost 8 weeks, i must admit that i havent seen much of a change in weight lost, i want to blame it on the medication "prednisone" that i take, but with your story and inspiration, i wont continue to play the blame game, slow down nor give up. thanks for your story and i wish you well.
Congratulations on your accomplishment! I have to say, you strongly resemble an old friend and coworker Doug B from the Air Force, are You? Marc C
Amen! Amen! and Amen! What a motivational story. It has given me that extra push to keep on going. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Your words brought tears to my eyes. I usually dont write replies, but I felt I had to this time... I am so happy for you, for your wife, and for your health! This quote belongs to you now....
"When you have a bad week it is not a failure but another success because you didn't give up." -mdb
... and I will be printing it and hanging it in my house! Thank you for sharing your real, honest story. It is so wonderful to hear about the success of "real" people.
Enjoy the wonderful life you have ahead of you and that twinkle in your wife's eye!
Kristi
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Congratulations! Your story will be an inspiration to many, many people. Wishing you the best for a long and healthy life.