How I Took Control Of The Only Aspect Of Life That I Could!

 

How I Took Control Of The Only Aspect Of Life That I Could!

 

Do you walk into a restaurant and look for a table because you can’t fit in a booth?

Do you always take an elevator because even one flight of stairs leaves you exhausted; gasping for air?

Is the simple act of tying your shoes a contortionistic maneuver?

At one point in my life, the answer to the above questions would have been an embarrassing — yes!

I had finally tired of compromising my life so on a fateful day in March 2008, I hopped upon my dust-covered scale. The spring moaned and groaned as the needle revolved past the end of its limit. I held my breath and peered down over the beach ball ballooning from my abdomen — I couldn’t quite see the rather large and over-sized dial. With a gale forced inhalation, I sucked in my gut and strained to see the dreaded digits:

3 … 4 … 0

Three hundred and forty ponderous, pachydermian pounds.

I released my breath and heaved a heavy sigh. At least I could console myself with the ten pounds that clothing adds — never-mind, I was only wearing, well I wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing.
Stunned, I paced the floor. I knew I had gained weight, but there was no way I was over 300 pounds, let alone close to 350. Surely, the scale must be out of calibration. I place a 40 pound weight upon the platform expecting the number to reach 80. No such luck — the indicator stopped spot on at 40.
It was official — I was morbidly obese.  Yet, even with the numbers right in front of me; I still didn’t buy it.  In my deluded mind, I was simply a massive guy.  Sure I had some body fat, but I was still strong so and you won’t believe this; I thought I was powerfully built.

I went to my office and had my office manager take photographs from the front and the side. I was expecting to just see a what my mind’s eye saw staring back at me — what I saw was a pin-sized head atop a rotund, pear shaped body.  I closed the door to my office and I began to sob uncontrollably.  My eyes were fixated on the photos, and all I could ask myself was… How?  My office manager entered my office and told me I had to pull myself together, we had a waiting room full of patients.  I just shrugged her off.  Finally, after almost an hour I got it together.  I stood up from my desk and said to myself, ENOUGH!

I went home that night and I dug into my closet.  I found some clothing that had long been unworn and placed those  older clothes side by side with my then wardrobe. It was eye opening.  I wondered again how this could have happened. Then I remembered, plenty of burgers, fries, pizza and pasta, washed down with beer or whiskey, sometimes both, then  followed each night by two servings of ice cream — blasted Ben and Jerry for those single serving containers.

The next day I headed down to my old gym and reactivated my long dormant membership. The owner cheerfully greeted me. I told him I had to get back in shape and with an optimistic and confident tone he told me, “You can do it.”

He was correct. In one year I had recaptured my physique; but more importantly, I have recaptured my wellness. I am very aware of the potential damage I may have done to myself. However, I am blessed with being cared for by a cadre of skilled physicians and they have reassured me, at least for now, there are no apparent signs of damage.

Obesity is a direct cause of some serious diseases, serious, PREVENTABLE, diseases.
Obesity is not just a concern among adults. It is a growing, dare I use the word, epidemic concern with our youth. Type II diabetes, commonly referred to as adult onset diabetes, is showing up in children as young as ten or twelve. We have a grave public health concern; one that does not need to exist.  With the exception of underlying medical conditions, obesity is a direct result of some form of a loss of self control.  Obesity robs one of their ability to live life to the fullest.  My obesity effected every aspect of my life, from my business to personal interactions.  The layers of lard insulated me from the outside world and it kept me in a state of existing, instead of a state of living.

I was asked recently that if now that I lost the weight, I thought I was going to live longer. For a moment I pondered the question then answered, “I honestly don’t know, however I do know one thing, I am living better.”
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Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, A Life Beyond Weight Loss.  He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Tough Talk with Joe Peters, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.

Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his web site www.betterlifeseminars.com.



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************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.*************