I felt humbled when I was asked to write about my journey with The Weigh Station, for it has not been a journey that I have made alone. I hope that this may be a way for me to “pay it forward” and maybe help someone else—maybe you.
To give a little background, I am 65 and not too “old” to learn something new. For most of my life I have been a pretty active guy—an athlete in my younger years, an active artist, potter, woodworker and educator for many years. I raised a wonderful family and became an avid kayaker in later life.
Much of that changed, however, when I became disabled about six years ago, had to retire early, and eventually even had to give up driving. I have also had Type 2 diabetes for about 25 years and experienced several major diabetic complications over the past 10 years. Needless to say, my active life really changed 6 years ago, and I soon began a long-term weight gain.
It has been almost a year now, during which all of the team at The Weigh Station have shared their hope and encouragement with me— they are wonderful people. My daughter Alex had set up a “food system” for me at the start, carefully measuring out all my food portions, portioning them in baggies and organizing them in the refrigerator. She also printed out shopping guide lists for me and placed a chart on the refrigerator that numbers all of my daily servings of protein, fruits, vegetables and water. I just keep track by moving magnets as I go through the day. It’s a great visual aid that I highly recommend.
My daughter, Lauren, to whom I am very grateful, has driven me to almost all of my appointments and helped me keep up with my food system. Many thanks also to Irene, who helps me with most of my food shopping, keeping me fed and full of hope.
So, my journey has not been alone. I had promised to be faithful to my effort, and asked God for His help. I have not strayed even a bite from my program, and He has graced me with vigilance, kept me from temptations, guarded me from hunger, changed my appetites and tastes, given me patience whenever I hit plateaus, and to this day has brought me within 9 pounds of my goal, with a loss of 118 pounds.
In the past six months I have come off my insulin with great blood sugar control, have been taken off of a blood pressure medication and a cholesterol medication, have had my oxygen discontinued and have had my kidney function go from 45% to normal. My energy level is great, my mobility is greatly improved and I feel much more full of life. All of my doctors are thrilled, as is my family, who have all been a great support for me. I also thank all my “brothers” and “sisters” at The Weigh Station, and look forward to good things in my life—and hopefully yours.
