If Progress has Stalled

     Have you reevaluated your daily habits lately? No? Well today is a great day to do this! Over the Pandemic I lost track, then bad food & movement habits snuck back in. I started gaining again. What was my clue? Swelling in my feet. My first thought was, "I'm sitting too much!" Then I got on the scale.... 365 pounds?! In my head that one guy's tag line on YouTube ran in my brain. "Hold on! Wait a minute. Something ain't right!" 

     I went right to action, what I am doing is not working. I sat down with my wife & after much prayer & research I decided I need a structured meal plan that will retrain my brain in regards to the way I think about & see food. I also need a fitness routine that works for me. If you find a healthy routine that works for you, stick with it! 

     The mistake I made was taking advice from people who have never read the words, "Morbidly Obese" on their medical records. If I even just walk past a pizza shop & snif the air, I gain 5 pounds. Food is my addiction. I can't just have one slice of pizza, I need all of the pizza! It's the same with cookies. I can't just have one, I want them all! What was the bad advice you ask? "Oh you can surely just have one!" "Oh everyone needs a cheat day!" "You can eat whatever you want just as long as you exercise!" For me, all of those comments are not true & because I listened, and let that get in my brain, it has set me back. 

     After a few weeks of a successful reevaluation I am back on track. I know that without a doubt, if I stay true to the plan, I will continue to consistently lose weight till I reach my current goal of 225 pounds. So find a meal & exercise routine that will work for you. Stck with it & don't deviate from that plan for anyone or anything. Better health is your ultimate goal. Be sure to have a support system that believes in you & will encourage you. If you don't have one, I highly suggest DDPYOGA. Not only is it a great fitness program, but the community is extremely helpful & encouraging. You are never alone! I am right here with you. I hope you have a fantastic week! You got this! Time to rock!

-Mike

Hello Old Friend

       Well where on earth do I begin? Let's go back to Christmas 2014. One of the side effects of losing weight rapidly are Gallstones. I had been suffering from abdominal pain & assumed it was just indigestion. That pain soon became unbearable & unknown to me, life threatening. My Doctor urged me to get to the Hospital without delay. I called my wife, who is a school teacher, informed her of the urgency. She found immediate coverage & was able to rush me to the Emergency room. By the time I got to a bed my skin & eyes had turned yellow. The wife stepped out for a minute to let my family know I was in the the Hospital. While she was out the Doctor stepped in to inform me that I had Pancreatitis, & that I came in just in the nick of time. If I had put off going in by another 45 minutes, the Doctor informed me, there would not have been nothing they could do to save me. All of my major organs were in the beginning phase of shutting down. Unknowingly I had 45 minutes left to live. Thank goodness for great doctors! Unfortunately in the years following that I would face more setbacks.

       It started with the loss of my Nephew to a massive Heart Attack. Then year after year following, family & friends who were very dear to me would pass away. I know it is just coincidence, but every time I would get back in the saddle towards eating right & moving every day I would get a call that another friend or family member had passed away. Every time I got on that horse, life would hit me with a two by four and knock me back to the ground. If I have learned anything, it is that sometimes life is going to knock you down, but it's up to you to dust yourself off & get your butt off that floor, couch, gaming chair, or beanbag. That's right Sally I'm looking at you! Get dressed, & for Heavens sake wipe that Cheeto dust off your face! 

       Today, thats right today. Not tomorrow, or next week, or maybe some day. I said today! This is the day I take my health back & get myself to a healthy weight. When I get home from work today I will weigh myself. I will not weigh myself again till next Monday. Every Monday morning will be weigh in day. Want to join me on this journey? I will be following the DDPYoga program for both diet & exercise. I will also supplement with walking a mile every day at first, then work my way back to a 5k a day. Cheers to getting back on track! I need my pants to fit!

Getting Back Up When You're Knocked Down.....Again.

     So it appears to me that some time has passed since my last post. Well sometimes life happens. Last year was a little bit of a rough one. I lost my job, some dear friends and relatives passed away, we had to replace our furnace, it broke on a night when temps reached down below -5°F, my wife's car needed to be replaced, our roof started leaking & the whole thing needed to be replaced. Oh I almost forgot the big one. I spent the entire week of Christmas in a very small Hospital room. Guess what? I made it!

     Sure we pinched our pennies but we had an epic support system! Im not going to say exactly who, but its moments like these that highlight the importance of having a strong support system in place. Without the active support of friends and family I am certain that I would still be in a bad spot. Where does that leave me on my weight loss journey? At 273 pounds.

     To be honest, I think around the time of my last post I was at 224 pounds. Like I said before sometimes life happens, and you priorities shift around, but are not forgotten. This is why I have been holding steady at 273 and not pushing 330! I am still on a journey, and its time I dust myself and get back up on that horse.

     My renewed goal is 190 pounds and I plan on rocking that mess like an angry sea tossing around the USS Minnow! Tried and tested support system? Check! Banging weight loss plan? Check! Physical activity I enjoy? Double Check! Lets ride on out and rock this hot mess! Yeah buddy!

-Mike

Portion Control is Key!

     Sometimes the answer is smacking us right in the face! We all ignore it though. We shake our fist at the sky and ask passionately, "Why am I putting on weight?!" Then that little voice inside says, "Maybe you should not have gone for that 3rd plate!!"Now if you do not have that voice then you need help right now! Portion control is not something we should tackle alone. Ever. Having an accountability partner is so important. Step one is realizing there is no magic pill that is going to make your weight go away. Getting a free Health Coach with Take Shape For Life was exactly what I needed to beat the beast we call portion control!

     There is a huge difference in knowing what we WANT and realizing what our body NEEDS. How do we find out? Our body needs to detox for 2 weeks. We need to drink at least 64oz of water a day, limit our coffee intake, eliminate processed foods, carbs, and also cut out dairy. Then we need to introduce a daily regimen of 5 pre-portioned meals and one meal that includes a lean protein and fresh non-starchy vegetables. At first you will look at it and think it is not enough. Once you have a plan and get going you will then realize, "Holy cow! I have been over-eating all this time!"

     Now is the time to set some goals. Put them in front of you. Maybe a few of your goals really hit home. Things like grow old with my wife, be around for my kids when they have big life events, meet my grand kids, have a healthy heart, run a 5k, run a 10k, or run a marathon! Now take a long look at the dollar menu at your favorite fast food joint, or the long line at the local hot coffee spot, or that sweet all you can eat buffet. Before you order that large mocha chino camel shaken bumpy road iced late, ask yourself one question. "How will this help me meet my goals?" It won't. In that moment of weakness this is when you call your health coach and ask for guidance. Your coach is there to cheer you on and to help you over those rough patches of temptation!

     Are you ready to change your life forever? Ready to rock and roll with a free health coach? Want me as your coach? Follow this link and we can schedule some time to talk about the program and how we can get you on the road to being and living healthy! Cheers to you and here is to a happy and healthy life.

Wishing you all the best!

Mike

It is time to start your own success story!

     Every day we all see stories. Each person involved had a choice. They could take charge of their health and change their life and the lives of those around them in a positive way, or they could ignore that voice inside of them begging for healthy change. Some times people wait too long, and by the time they do something the damage is done and its too late.

     "Mexican Man Once Listed As World's Heaviest Dies at age 48" Manuel Uribe weighed 1,230 pounds in 2006, landing him into the Guinness Book of World Records. Before his death, Uribe had slimmed down to 876 pounds. What I find sad in this story is the fact that he started working hard at bringing health to his life, but the damage caused by the massive amounts of weight on his body had taken it's toll. It was too late. When you read about his story and the time he was stuck in his bed, you see that his family was feeding him, washing him, and dressing him. At 420 pounds I was not too far from living that life myself.

     Back in 2003 I had a checkup with my new doctor, and when I got on that scale it read 420 pounds. Then began my journey with failed diet after failed diet. Between 2003 to 2011 I had gone below and above the 400 mark many times. At one point both me and my friend Greg had heart attack scares. Thankfully it was not a heart attack! I had a thought around this time, and I know I have shared this before. "Maybe I am just supposed to be fat?" That thought swam around in my brain for a little bit. While my brian was stuck on that thought my family was in the background encouraging me to look into different programs I had already tried, and they had failed for me. Then there was that day when my mom chose to bring health into her life in a safe, and healthy way.

     Every day you hear about people hopping onto the next big thing in weight loss. Most times it either does not work, or does some serious damage to your body. Even surgery can leave you with some serious problems. As I have mentioned in previous posts, my mom discovered a program that has been tested in the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center and proven to work. Since 1980 over 20,000 doctors have recommended this meal replacement program to their patients. Take Shape For Life uses Medifast meal replacements as a tool to get the weight down in a healthy and safe way as quickly has possible. Sticking to the plan my health coach set for me I lost over 110 pounds in under a year! Since stopping the program I have been able to apply the Habits of Health to my life and have been able to maintain the health that I have lost. So now it is your turn.

     You are at the crossroads. The ill effects of weight are taking its toll on your body and you may be finding it tough to get around, or even climb a flight of stairs. Do you wait and see what happens? Or do you make a stand and fight for health in your life? In the end it is up to you how your story is written. I urge you to join me on this road to living healthy and giving the people you love the most, the inspiration they need to living a healthy life for years to come!

Lets get healthy!

Here is to a New Year!

       So as many of you know, I made some big health changes in 2013. I went from 360lbs to 225lbs. I am still working at my ultimate goal of weighing 190lbs. Sure there are times when it is tough, but I have been armed with knowledge! The folks at Take Shape For Life have helped me, and taught me how to view food differently. On my journey I became a health coach helping others discover Optimal Health and how to survive the holiday season. One comment I get a lot is, "Oh it has got to be tough." I tend to just smile and nod, sure it is a challenge, but Take Shape For Life really makes the planning of a meal day extremely easy! How easy is it? Take a look at the chart below.

       

       One thing people don't realize at first is that you will not be going to your favorite Coffee establishment any more. Well at least while you are on plan. You will not be going out to eat until you understand what a "Lean & Green" meal is. As a health coach I am here to guide you and give you the resources you need to start your journey to health. It is up to you to want it! You have to make the decision that you are worth investing in! Which leads me to the next comment I get often, "I wish I could afford it."

       When I was starting out looking for options, I was introduced to TSFL and my initial reaction was "Oh that costs too much!" As the months passed I was on my 3rd failed free diet plan and I was on my way back to weighing 400lbs, while the person who had introduced to Take Shape For Life was nearing 70lbs lost! I sat down and took a look at what was preventing me from affording TSFL. First thing on the list was our TV service. Did we like it? Sure we did, but did we need it to be healthy and survive? No we didn't, so we cut our TV service and hooked some rabbit ears up to our TV. Second on my list was my internet gaming services. Did I like it? You bet your pants I did! Was it promoting health in my life? No it wasn't. So I cut those. Half way there! What else needed to change? My vending machine habits. I spent close to $125.00 a month on soda and snacks!!! So that had to go. Then came our groceries. Since we did not have to buy much for me to eat any more, we were able to take that savings and put it towards me getting healthy. 

     Now is the best time to look at what you are doing, and how is it impacting your health and the health of those you love. Be honest with yourself. Evaluate the things you are spending your money on, and stop doing the things that prevent you from reaching your health goals. I don't know about you but sitting on the couch or at my computer never got me closer to my health goals.....or washboard ab's. You are worth the investment!

Michael Case

http://www.myroadtoweightloss.tsfl.com/explore

Don't go it alone!

     Wow has it been one year already?! Well I did say that I would post some pictures here of my progress. I am not however ready to post any silly shirtless pictures! Sorry ladies. I am not done yet but have come a very long way. When I started really thinking about losing weight I was at 420lbs. I may have been bigger at some point but I do not know for sure, lets just say I couldn't find a scale outside a doctor's office that could measure my weight. On my own I may have gotten down to 340lbs but last year at the Dr's office I was on my way back up weighing in at 360lbs. What I was doing on my own was just not working, and I was only 40lbs away from breaking the 400lbs mark..... Again. I needed help.

Andrew Schwab of Project 86 and me. — in Nashville, TN.

     I was just popping stuff in my mouth, not giving a care about calories or what it would do to my body. The picture I have to the right is of me and the front man for Project 86, Andrew Schwab. In this picture I was probably over 420lbs. Some of you know this about me, and some do not. I work in broadcasting, and like most office jobs I am stuck at a desk, meeting, or console for 8+ hours a day. One thing I would do is go through the office and raid candy jars that people put out to share and just munch on these snacks to help pass the time. When I look back at this I just shake my head. I did not see what I was doing to myself. People would buy me exercise books or video's for birthday's or Christmas. People would try talking to me about joining a gym or training to run. I did not want to talk about it and I wanted to get there on my own! Yes I am doing the face palm right now, because I would either shrug off the advice or just toss out the books and video's I was given. Looking back I really wish I still had some of those! What was my problem? In short food addiction. I did not want to admit that I had a problem. I love food, and at that time I really loved sitting down an destroying an entire can of cashews. That doctors visit last year was the tipping point. I needed help, and I should not be doing this alone.

I went from wearing a size 50 to a size 40 in under a year!

     My mom had been bugging me. She would call and say, "You really need to call my health coach with Take Shape For Life! The food is awesome and I think you would really enjoy talking to my coach." I would reply, "Yeah ma, I'm all set. Maybe some day." Did I mention she called me almost every day from when she started the program? What did I learn here? Even if you are 34 and have a family of your own you should still listen to your mother......Some times.....Ha! If you have been here since day one then you know that I am very happy with the results I have had with Take Shape For Life! The picture to the left is me after losing 114lbs in under a year! I started September 1, 2012 and this picture was taken end of July beginning of August 2013. My coach had been there. He was a guy who was overweight and was having strokes and other health complications. So we connected right off the bat. He guided me every step of the way and was available to me when ever I needed him for support. I started right before the holidays and with out his support I could not have done it! Finding a plan that works for you is part of the process, but admitting that you have a problem and getting a valid support system in place are the two most important steps you must take before going down this road. So if you are starting down your own road to weigh loss make sure these steps are taken first.

1. Admit that you have a problem
2. Make sure you have a valid and concrete support system. (I recommend a health coach from TSFL who has been in your shoes)
3. Be committed to reaching your goal 100%
4. Make a list of things you want to do at a healthy weight. Then do them!
5. Have fun with it, and share your joy and success with others!

     As some of you already know I too have become a health coach with Take Shape For Life. If you would like to join me on this road to weight loss please feel free to schedule a time to chat with me. I have been there and can help you on your journey to a healthy you! Don't go it alone! Together we can rock this thing!

Peace and good vibes,

Mike

*Results vary. Typical weight loss on the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan® is 2-5 lbs per week for the first 2 weeks and 1-2 lbs per week thereafter.

http://myroadtoweightloss.tsfl.com/explore