Inspiration... 100 Pounds at a Time

We met a man today who makes losing a few pounds look like no big deal.

Don Houseman was 721 pounds.

He had to be rolled into bed. He had a desk in a warehouse because he couldn't make it up the stairs to his office. He had to go to a truck stop to find a scale big enough to weigh himself.

That was at the end of 2004.

Now, he weighs 342 pounds. That's about HALF the man he used to be.

And he's done it all by changing his eating habits. Exercise really wasn't an option; he could barely walk. Now, without all that weight, he can make it up the stairs, drive his own mini-van and go to the baseball games he loves. He's a new man. And he has a whole new outlook on life.

He's an inspiration to anyone who is trying to shed a few pounds.

His entire life has changed. It wasn't easy. But, with the help of some amazing, dedicated friends, he made it happen.

So can we.

Small Steps

Health and Human Services has launched a website called "Small Step."  

It's all about the little things we can change... and have a big impact on our general health and well being.

From SmallStep.gov:
All of these factors may contribute to the fact that two out of every three Americans are now overweight or obese -- defined as having a body mass index over 25 -- and that number is rising.

HHS says 61% of adults in the United States were overweight or obese in 1999.   Reducing your calorie intake by 150 calories a day, along with participating in moderate activity, could double your weight loss and is equivalent to approximately 10 pounds in 6 months and 20 pounds in 1 year. 

Interactive Menu Planner
http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/menuplanner/menu.cgi

Create-a-Diet
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/chd1/create.htm

Officially Overweight

Okay.  Here's a disturbing little website.

The CDC has a Body Mass Index calculator.

You enter your height and your weight... and it figures out your BMI.

Below 18.5 is underweight.

18.5 - 24.9 is Normal.

25.0 - 29.9 is Overweight.

30.0 and above is Obese.

So... at 5'11" and 210 pounds... the BMI is 29.3.  That means I am, officially, Overweight.

How's THAT for a bit of sobering, eh?

Aaaaaaargh!

One more reason to keep hitting the gym.