Scared Fit (page 3 of 3)

"I Almost Fainted From Happiness."

Linda and GW also joined local health clubs. "Do you know how scary it is for a 314-pounder to show her face -- and the rest of her body -- at a gym?" asks Linda. GW started taking indoor bicycling classes three times a week. Meanwhile, Linda began walking very slowly ("and puffing very hard") on the treadmill, and hired a personal trainer to help her learn to lift weights.

To her amazement, she discovered she loves weight training. Soon she started arriving at the gym at 5:30 five mornings a week to do an hour of weightlifting and cardiovascular exercise before work. "The weight kept coming off and I started feeling strong and healthy again," says Linda. "That was really motivating." It also didn't hurt when, six weeks into her program, a cute 21-year-old at the gym let her know he thought she was looking great. Recalls Linda, "I almost fainted from happiness."

Almost a year and a half later, Linda has lost 80 pounds at a steady rate of about 1½ pounds a week. At 234, she is on her way to her 150 goal. Her body is muscular, her blood pressure is normal, and her heartburn and circulation problems are long gone.

GW hasn't lost weight, because his body is still adjusting to his diabetes medication. But his blood sugar has dropped so much that he's been able to cut down on the medication and should not need insulin injections if he continues to control the diabetes. His blood pressure and cholesterol are also normal. "My doctor is thrilled with my progress," GW says. "Sure, I miss potato chips -- a lot! But my health is way more important."

Getting into better shape has allowed the couple to take up a sport they've become passionate about: biking. They built up their endurance slowly with weekend and after-work rides. Then, last August, Linda and GW entered the Hotter'N Hell Hundred, a bicycling event in Wichita Falls, Texas. Linda biked an average of 15.1 m.p.h. in 90-degree heat and completed her 62-mile ride with GW in just over four hours.

"We're always the biggest people out there, and just getting on our bikes takes guts," says GW. "But if Linda can do it, so can I. I love watching her climb the hills and see the surprised expressions on the other bikers as she passes them. It's hysterical."

Linda monitors her activity and food intake religiously with a detailed daily log. Her motto: "If you bite it, write it." She uses a free website called FitDay.com, which tabulates the number of calories eaten and burned.

There have been plenty of times when Linda and GW have gone off their diets, of course. But rather than let one bad day disintegrate into a self-defeating binge, they get back on track the next morning. The specter of diabetes is always there for motivation.

"I have a diabetic friend who had a swollen foot that concerned her," says Linda. "When she went to the doctor, it turned out her foot was broken." She had so much nerve damage from the diabetes that she hadn't even felt it. "That could easily have been me or GW. We're not going to let that happen."

Linda and GW have hopes for an even slimmer and healthier future. Linda wants to write a book to share her tips and experiences.

But the most important thing is that she and GW have regained their health. "Doing this together has created a wonderful bond between us," says Linda. "And now I know we'll both be around long enough to enjoy it."



Online Weight Loss
Internet diet plans offer menus, recipes, calorie counters and support groups. A few to look into:

eDiets.com. Matches people with one of fifteen diet plans.

ChangeOneDiet.com. The only diet developed by Reader's Digest, the program focuses on making one small change a week for long-term, dramatic results.

WeightWatchers.com. The online version of the classic.

From Reader's Digest - February 2004

 

• Lose the Weight
• • Get Motivated
• Diabetes
• • Fight Disease
• Nutrition
• Healthy Habits
• Exercise

• Your Diabetes Prevention Plan
• Decrease your risk of getting diabetes.
• 
• Can Hot Dogs Cause Diabetes?
• Surprising new research shows that eating lots of hot dogs can up your risk of diabetes.
• 
• Stopping the Epidemic
• Diabetes may soon be an epidemic in the U.S. What can we do to stop it?
• 
• Detect Diabetes Symptom Early
• Early detection makes a big difference in treating diabetes.
•