You deserve a healthy body! But, do you love yourself enough to have one? Hmm, great question isn’t it?
I was fat, super obese, morbidly obese. Whatever term you want to use, it doesn’t change the fact that at 450+ pounds I was a big man and sick.
In 2006 God presented an opportunity and I grabbed it like a starving frog grabs a bug. I was sick and tired of being sick. I was tired of watching life instead of participating in life. I hated being on the sidelines, I wanted to live they way we are suppose to live, being activity and happy. I had neither. It hurt deeply to watch my grand kids playing and I couldn’t play with them.
It’s always during this season that I always reflect on the past year. It’s a special time of year for me. The journey of my lifetime began during the fall of 2006 and to say I am grateful is powerfully understated. I am forever blessed because I was desperate for change and not afraid of to try when the opportunity presented itself.
Life is truly a blessing, or a curse. I guess it depends on your perspective. I decided to change mine from a curse to a blessing. Regardless of your age or condition in most cases, you can improve your health and fitness. Just a little or extremely, the choice is yours.
In November of 2006 I began a wellness journey even though I had no clue what I was doing at the time. I was 450+ pounds, diabetic, had high blood pressure, severe arthritis in my knees and ankles, sleep apnea, hives, rosacea and ocular rosacea. I hadn’t planned the journey; it was a blessing that came about while trying to help my wife overcome her debilitating fibromyalgia. This life event pushed me in the direction of nutrition. I am so blessed that it did.
Just so you understand my condition at the time, I couldn’t walk more than 200 feet without severe pain. Additionally, walking more than 5 to 10 minutes caused shortness of breath. My ability to exercise was severely restricted. Most people in this condition don’t see a way to exercise because of the physical limitations of their obesity or affliction. It’s certainly understandable. I didn’t believe it was possible but I wanted my life back more than you can imagine. I hated watching my grandchildren playing while I watched. I wanted to be in the game with them.
The Change
Of all times to decide to try a new diet or lose weight the Thanksgiving and Christmas season wouldn’t be logical. But this wasn’t a diet it was a life change. An opportunity presented itself and I was not going to wait. I was jumping on the opportunity train! Dieting had gotten me too this point in my health and I wasn’t going back down that road.
My diet at this time was the same typical nutrient bankrupt American diet. However, I started adding nutritional supplements to my daily routine. Within a week my mood was better, my energy picked up and my blood sugar readings were improving. By week 2 my appetite was decreasing and my taste began to change. I am not sure how to explain this but my desire for unhealthy foods just went away. My wife actually brought it to my attention that I wasn’t having my normal honey buns, ice cream or candy bars as snacks or after dinner. Something in my body was changing.
By week 3 my energy level increased so much I decided to try to go for a walk. I was hopeful that my legs would bear the load and support me in my journey! My first walk was 200 feet. My knees hurt and felt very unstable but my gut told me I had to do it if I wanted any chance to improve my health. I had to just work through the pain. When I got back to my office I made a commitment that was a crucial part of my journey. I committed to walking everyday and making each walk a little longer. I was amazed that my body responded to the challenge by getting healthier. The improvement was evident because my blood sugar levels continued to improve, I started to lose weight, I was able to walk longer each time and my energy continued to increase. In 2 weeks I was walking a mile without stopping.
By the end of 1 month my blood sugar levels were normal and I was walking multiple times per day. My blood pressure started coming down and the weight was really starting to come off. My taste were shifting even more. Without even really thinking about it our meals were changing. We started cutting out the fried foods and went to baked or grilled foods. We started adding a lot of vegetables with a few fruits and beans to our diet and cut out the breads and unhealthy desserts.
By the end of 6 months I was walking up to 8 miles a day and every aspect of my health was improving. It took me 2 and 1/2 years to lose 220 pounds and it was a journey I still walk everyday. In fact, I have no health issues at all as I am sharing this with you.
For the past 3.5 years my main exercise of choice is bicycling. I absolutely love cycling. Cycling is fun and a great way to get exercise. Regardless what type of bicycling you choose such as cruising around the park or town, cycling on a trail or a riding a road bike, its fun exercise.
I want to show you what I have been able to accomplish physically over the past year. Please do not think I am bragging, far from it. I want to show you how far you can take your health if you really want it. In 2006 I had trouble walking and had multiple health problems. In 2015 I think we can easily say my health and fitness has soared to new heights.
The secret to my health is eating real food without toxic additives, moving more everyday, managing the stress in my life, learning to love myself by giving love and kindness to those around me and supplementing my diet with a super product I developed called Vive! It’s that simple.
My bicycling accomplishments for the past year
- 6,012 miles bicycling during the last year
- 266,987 calories burned
- 308 days of cycling
You will never change your life if you don’t change something you are doing. Please get off the couch and out of the fast food restaurants and build the kind of body you want! It starts with your next thought, bite and next step.
Regardless of your age or condition, your health can always be worse or it can be better. You have control over what you eat and how much you move. Even if you are limited in your mobility, there are ways to exercise.
I hope this motivates you to decide to get healthier this coming year. Anything is possible but it takes making changes in your life. You have to want it and I hope you do.
Healthy wishes
Wally Bishop C.N.C.
The contents of the email or written communication are not medical advice and should not be considered as such! This blog is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your physician or health care provider if you have medical issues and before changing your diet or lifestyle or taking herbal or dietary supplements. Never start an exercise program with getting your doctors approval. Never quit taking medications unless advised to do so by your doctor. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs.