DONE!

Once upon a time in 2010 I said....

What if I...lost 85 pounds?

As of today, I have lost 85.5 pounds!

And actually look better than the photo-shopped photo of me!

I love reaching for and attaining goals...

Options

About 10 years ago, I went to the doctor. I said, “Doc, you gotta help me! I have gastric reflux, sleep apnea, chronic backaches, my knees and ankles ache all the time, I can barely walk to the end of the block without losing my breath. And did I mention my knees and ankles?”

He said, “Son, I can offer you two options: Option A is a prescription for Prilosec , hook you up with a CPAP machine, a prescription for Tylenol 3 for pain and inflammation. We should look at Zestril for your blood pressure, Zocor for cholesterol, and definitely want to pre-screen you for Diabetes type II.”

“Yikes! What’s option B?”

“One prescription.”

“Seriously? Hook me up! What is it?”

“Get some exercise.”

“How much is a CPAP machine, Doc?”

Fat old man at Erin's wedding.

Of course I made this whole scenario up, since as everyone who knows me knows I shun doctors like…well, the plague. But in essence I chose Option A – Prilosec and CPAP. I have no idea if I needed Zestril and Zocor, but it would not have surprised me.

Eighteen months ago, tired of the low level (read non-existent) success of Option A, I chose Option B: combined running, weightlifting and biking with a healthier diet and now I am 80+ pounds lighter, free of Prilosec and CPAP,  and have a strong back and knees.  I have the energy of a 20 year-old, I have a long list of plans to accomplish (instead of resting, watching TV, or waiting to die!), and a few road race medals hanging on my wall.
I even noticed recently that the occasional arthritis pain in my fingers has disappeared!

Ah! Not so fat old man!

My advise: Choose Option B! It's cheaper, doesn't require pharmaceuticals, and it actually tackles the problem!