Back to Health

In 2004, after graduating from IU and starting work in Milwaukee, for many reasons, Mike decided to stop taking a medication that he had been taking since he was a child. One of the side effects of the medication was decreased appetite. So for the first time in his post-9 year old life, Mike had to learn how to eat. Sounds funny but it was true. Most of us have had years and years to learn about balance and moderation. He was simply accustomed to eating 1 legit meal a day (that could consist of a LOT of macoroni and cheese or hot dogs). Learning how to eat, combined with working tremendously long hours led to weight gain. And when he quit that job and went back to school there was a great couch to be laid on. And when that couch moved to a new suburb it was still quite comfortable. And then we had a newborn. And then we had another one. And then...okay you get it now right? There is always a reason not to do what is so difficult. It can be overwhelming, feel unattainable, uncomfortable, and be exhausting both physically and emotionally. 

In August, Mike and I discussed buying Insanity, a vigorous workout program. I was reluctant. We had already bought an elliptical and take  enough time to do that. I was skeptic that now we were all of a sudden gonna find that time and motivation that had been missing. But after a few talks, I agreed to it. It seemed legit and I could hear the need in my husbands voice. 

He completed the Insanity workout. Sixty days of intense workouts ranging from 40-60 minutes. And after completing Insanity, we ordered T25 and he will have completed that program in 2 days. 

He ate well balanced, nutritious foods almost all of the time (he once ordered a salad with balsamic from McDonalds, I brought home a Big Mac because get serious). He made good choices when we ate out or sometimes we didn't go out. He showed such discipline and self-control. He's very good at the what you want now vs. what you want in the long run thing and I so admire him for that. 

He went to the doctor today after losing all of the weight he needed to in order to return to a healthy place for him. His blood pressure went from normal but borderline high into the low range of normal. We are awaiting the results regarding his cholesterol but I'm confident in what we will hear back (one of the reasons he needed to lose weight was because this was high and the way to reduce it is to return to a healthy weight). His doctor congratulated and praised him for his good work. 

He will tell you that his motivation was to return to health for his family. His family is most grateful. With health you can add years to your life. I can adamantly speak for all of us that we will take ALL of the years we can get and will still long for more. Thank you Mike for working so hard and so consistently to provide this for us. You are the provider you want and need to be to this family.