Michael's Story, October 2007

Back in my twenties, when I was slim and could eat like a horse and never gain any weight, I weighed about 170 to 190 pounds (at six foot two). Of course, I was also a lot more active! After 30 years old, my body changed, but my psychology did not. I still believed I was a young buck who could eat whatever I wanted with impunity. Unfortunately, my voracious appetite and absolute LOVE of food, combined with my wife’s INCREDIBLE culinary skills, had consequences. I grew outward, my waist increasing an inch a year for the ten years between age 24 and 34. I packed on the pounds and got up to a whopping 240 pounds.

In January 2006, I was tested at a Healthy Utah Testing Session. My results were not exactly stellar. I was 34 at the time. Aside from being overweight, my blood pressure was a little high, and my cholesterol was 221. I signed up for the cholesterol rebate, which meant I needed to reduce by cholesterol by 10% and bring it below 200. My actual target level was 198. I also signed up for the physical activity rebate.

Michael

Over the next year and a half, I made a few changes. I work on the third floor, so I started to take the stairs instead of the elevator. I also started to work out, but admittedly did not do a very good job being consistent with this. But, I did choose to walk a lot more (to get to my bus stop). Also, I changed my eating habits.

It has been an ongoing challenge to resist the food temptations, and I have tried a variety of diets. In March of 2007, I got serious with the dieting. In three months I have lost 24 pounds! I still want to lose another 21 pounds, but now I am more than half way there, and that is encouraging. I know that to continue to lose weight I will have to get serious about exercise.

I was tested again at a Healthy Utah Testing Session on June 15, 2007. Not only had my weight dropped, but my blood pressure also improved. And now for the best news of all: my cholesterol dropped from 221 to 176! That’s 45 points (20%), and far surpasses my target of 198. So, I’ll be cashing in a rebate for the physical activity AND the cholesterol!

The best part is, I feel better about myself, and feel that I can have more energy to play with my two-year old boy. And I know that if I stay healthy, then I will always be able to be there for him.