A Bit About Me
Hello everyone! If you’ve come to my blog, chances are you’re either looking to make a change for yourself, or hoping to encourage someone you care about. Either way I think I might be able to help you out! My name is Scott, and I’m type a type 2 diabetic. Back in June of 2014, I weighed in at a whopping 415 lbs. I had a major problem with food and portion control, not to mention that I did nothing but sit all day long, either at my desk at work, or on the couch at home. I had developed horrible panic attacks and hated to leave the house unless absolutely necessary. The drive-thru window was becoming one of my best friends! Does any of this sound familiar? Maybe similar to you? If so, maybe by sharing my story and my habits, I might be able to help a few other people like myself out with their weight loss. So, here goes nothing.
How It Happened
On June 13th, 2014, I went to the doctor thinking a scrape on my leg might be getting infected. I wasn’t at all concerned with my weight, blood pressure, glucose levels, or any of that other crap. I just wanted to make sure my leg didn’t get an infection. We started with the typical weigh in. 415….I’ll say that again. Four hundred and fifteen frickin pounds.
After I step off the scale we go straight to the blood pressure cuff. 155/96. Well, this just keeps getting better doesn’t it? I’m probably about one doughnut away from a heart attack at this point.
Next we do a quick blood screen. My glucose is a 160 with an A1C of 6.4. When the doctor comes in he informs me that I am pre-diabetic and need to start taking medication for my blood sugar. Oh, and a little weight loss would help as well. I paid little attention to his advice as I was still in shock that things had gotten as bad as they had. I was the epitome of poor health.
The Real Turning Point
As much as this bad news should have scared me, it didn’t really do much to deter me. I went back to work and ate out for lunch like I did every day, then went home and ordered pizza for dinner. I got my prescription for Metformin filled at the pharmacy, and decided to start taking it the next day. I took it first thing in the morning, and then got busy and forgot to eat breakfast. By 10:00 I was light headed and dizzy, on the verge of passing out, which brought on another one of my panic attacks. After I huffed down a candy bar my senses returned to normal. This was the point where everything changed for me. That was the worst feeling I had ever had. The dizzy spell coupled with a pretty big panic attack wasn’t something I cared to experience again.ever. I spent the rest of the morning researching diabetes and trying to figure out how to get my blood sugar levels back to normal without taking medicine. I found some very interesting articles on low carb and ketogenic diets. I decided then and there to get on board. I have been modifying my diet on a weekly basis ever since. I will get into more specifics later, but it is definitely an ever evolving practice.
Diet and Exercise
Let’s start with the diet. This is the single most important part of making a lasting change. I’ve done this many times before, saying I was going to diet until I lost “x” number of pounds,or until I got my blood sugar levels back down, then I’d go back to eating like normal. The problem is that what I consider normal is what got me overweight and diabetic. Therefore going on a “diet” for a while was not going to fix the situation. I had to make a change going forward. Not something that could be started and stopped, but a completely new lifestyle. It hasn’t been all that easy at points, but I can say it has been well worth it.
Now how about the exercise? I’ve read hundreds of articles and tips about proper diet and exercise. The only thing I know for sure to be correct so far is you have to start somewhere. I know it seems overwhelming at first. Even when you to get up the nerve to do it, you feel like you didn’t do enough, like it didn’t make a difference. It will add up. It will make a difference. This I can promise. I started out walking for 10-15 minutes a day in the evenings. After a month or so I tried to start adding a little more each week until I got to a 30 minute walk every evening. A short year later I alternate jogging and cycling for 30-60 minutes a day, 6 days a week. Never give up! Push through the pain! I started my resistance training about 3 months after I started walking. I looked on Craigslist and found a Total Gym. These things are great for people easing back into a fit lifestyle. I used that machine for a good 3 months before I got up the nerve to walk into a real gym.
Take A Step
I have made a commitment to changing my life. I didn’t dare start thinking about writing a blog until I had really gained control of my situation. I wanted to be sure this was something I could commit to. I couldn’t tell other people about it if I couldn’t do it myself. I’m not some super fit personal trainer trying to tell you how to run your life. I’ve been there, I’ve lived it, and I can promise there is a better way. A way to get some self esteem back as well as some energy. Feel free to add me on Facebook and Instagram. I’ll try to keep you all up to date and ever share some of my wife’s awesome recipes and some of my workout routines. If there is anything I can do to help you take that first step, please just let me know. I’d be glad to help in any way I can
Half Of Me 