Since I have lost over 100 pounds and have a new life, I am always on the outlook to meet others who have also succeeded at the weight loss game. The journeys are often similar, and it always interesting to share stories in hope to gain new ideas to support your own journey.
Steve’s Inspiring Story
At the end of this year I came across one such person who has such and inspiring story I wanted to share it. Steve Holm is an executive for Associate Foods. A year ago Steve failed his health assessment test at work. He was to report to a wellness coach. Steve decided to go to his doctor to prove the test wrong. The doctor told him he was in worse shape than the assessment.
Steve said, “ I finally asked my health coach for some help.” “Please purchase a pedometer,” she said. “I did (The Omron “go Smart”), which by the way, since then I have logged 5,500,000+ steps.” Steve received some advice from his pharmacist who suggested that he weigh each morning. This became his accountability piece along with following the Weight Watcher point system. Steve said, “I kept a food and exercise journal faithfully so I would have am accurate accounting of what I was eating and how I exercised. I exercise two full hours each and every morning which consists of 6 miles on the treadmill walking.”
My Journey: Adding Fiber and Finding Pancakes
“Fiber is my new middle name as I’m 55 years in age and needed all the fiber I can get to keep my colon healthy and lose weight. Fiber is a huge key to feeling full and being healthy. Seasonings (not oil) saved my life, because let’s face it, raw food and most vegetables need LOTS of spices to make them appealing to the mouth.”
“What more can be said about portion control than 90 pounds off the old body….. Long story short, when I took my first Personal Wellness Plan test (as required from my company) my age was determined to be 65.5 years old…..I wept! Half way through and with a great deal of personal strife, it was 56.5 years. Then almost like someone (I like to refer to him as Deity) made the light switch go on….since then, for my last and final test, 48.5 years old. At 55+, that’s a moral victory.”
Congratulations Steve!!!!!
Like Steve, on my journey I have looked for every way I can to put fiber into my diet both while losing weight and now. One item that I thought was gone because of all the calories was pancakes. I have since put them back into my eating plan by just making a few changes so that I could trim the calories off and add the fiber.
Here is what I have done for pancakes. I found a whole-wheat pancake mix. For each serving it has 5 grams of fiber instead of the 1 gram found in white flour pancakes. Instead of syrup (which can have up to 240 calories per 1/4 cup serving), I went for serving of mixed fresh fruit. I added an egg and now I have a very satisfying and healthy breakfast.
You too, like Steve, can take this journey to weight loss and change your health and life forever. Remember small steps make a big difference to your health, weight, and happiness.
