Losing weight can seem really tough, but for me, it turned into an amazing journey that changed not just my body, but also how I think about health and life. I lost over 100 pounds, which was about a third of my body weight, and I want to share my story and the lessons I learned.
At my heaviest, I weighed more than 340 pounds. I was okay with how I looked, but my health was getting worse. My blood pressure was dangerously high, even with medication. As a dad with two young kids, I realized my lifestyle was affecting how long I might live, and I needed to make a change.
After talking to my doctor, I decided to have a stomach sleeve procedure. This was a big decision because it helped me start my weight loss journey with a new attitude. Instead of trying to do things in moderation, I decided to go all-in. I realized moderation wasn’t my strength, and I admired people who took bold steps.
With help from my friend Ray Cronise, I started changing how I ate. I learned that a lot of our eating habits are just that—habits. To reset mine, I tried a mono diet, which means eating only one type of food for a while. I chose potatoes for two weeks, eating them plain, with no added ingredients or set meal times. This helped me lose 14 pounds in two weeks and reset my taste buds.
After the potato phase, I switched to eating bean stew, tomatoes, and salads, avoiding fruits, nuts, and animal products. I lost about 0.9 pounds a day and dropped most of my extra weight in three to four months. This big change in my diet made me feel happier, kinder, and more energetic.
It’s been 17 months since I started this journey, and I’ve kept the weight off. I’ve cut down on blood pressure meds, and my health is much better. I’ve learned that being there for my kids is way more important than eating unhealthy foods.
Interestingly, I didn’t focus on exercise while losing weight. I thought it was important to let my body use the stored fat. Once I hit my target weight, I started exercising, which has been great for my health.
Now, I eat mostly whole plant foods with very little salt, sugar, and fat. I do enjoy less healthy foods on special occasions, but I don’t crave them like I used to. My taste has changed a lot; foods I once loved now don’t appeal to me.
The most surprising part of my weight loss journey is that I now eat what I want, but my cravings have changed a lot. This experience taught me that with determination and the right mindset, you can change not just your body but also how you relate to food. My journey has been about more than just losing weight; it’s been about gaining a healthier, happier life for me and my family.
Write a journal entry about a personal goal you have, similar to the author’s weight loss journey. Describe why this goal is important to you and what steps you might take to achieve it. Reflect on any challenges you might face and how you plan to overcome them.
Create a one-week meal plan that focuses on healthy eating habits. Use the author’s experience with a mono diet as inspiration, but include a variety of foods. Explain your choices and how they contribute to a balanced diet.
Conduct research on the benefits and drawbacks of different diets, such as the mono diet mentioned in the article. Present your findings in a short report, highlighting how these diets can impact health and weight loss.
Participate in a group discussion about making lifestyle changes. Share your thoughts on the author’s decision to undergo a stomach sleeve procedure and how it impacted his journey. Discuss the importance of mindset in achieving personal goals.
Design a simple exercise routine that can be done at home, focusing on the benefits of physical activity for overall well-being. Share your routine with the class and explain how regular exercise can complement healthy eating habits.
Weight – The measure of how heavy someone or something is, often related to body mass in health contexts. – Example sentence: Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall well-being.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury, encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being. – Example sentence: Regular check-ups are essential to ensure good health.
Diet – The kinds of food that a person habitually eats, often planned to improve health or manage weight. – Example sentence: A balanced diet includes a variety of nutrients to support the body’s needs.
Exercise – Physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning the body. – Example sentence: Exercise can help reduce stress and improve mental health.
Habits – Regular practices or routines that are often done unconsciously and can affect one’s health positively or negatively. – Example sentence: Developing healthy habits like drinking water regularly can improve your overall health.
Lifestyle – The way in which a person lives, including their habits, attitudes, and daily activities, which can impact their health. – Example sentence: Adopting a healthy lifestyle can lead to a longer and more fulfilling life.
Cravings – Intense desires for specific foods, often driven by emotional or physical needs. – Example sentence: It’s important to manage cravings to maintain a balanced diet.
Energy – The strength and vitality required for physical or mental activity, often derived from food and rest. – Example sentence: Eating nutritious meals provides the energy needed for daily activities.
Pressure – The feeling of stress or urgency that can affect mental and physical health. – Example sentence: Learning to manage pressure is important for maintaining mental health.
Journey – A long and often difficult process of personal change and development, especially related to health and well-being. – Example sentence: Improving mental health is a journey that requires patience and effort.
