I am 50 years old, but until recently I have been feeling like 70!
About two months ago I was in such a state that I could hardly walk down the hall or walk up a set of stairs. I am embarrassed to say that I was a whopping 280 pounds! I had knee pain 24/7. I was always stiff in the joints and tight in the muscles. An MRI on both knees revealed mild arthritis in both knees and a torn meniscus in my left knee. If you look up couch potato in the dictionary, there would be a picture of me!
My Doc has always been preaching for me to "drop a few pounds." I always figured that I would and could do this any time I wanted, but just never wanted to put in the effort. I have had high blood pressure and high cholesterol for many years, and I take three medications a day for to control it, two for high blood pressure and one for cholesterol. So "why diet and exercise when the medications were working," I thought.
Well my latest blood test has revealed a high blood sugar count, now making me at least pre-diabetic. My Doc said for now we don't need to treat with medication, but if I do not lose weight, I will be dependent on more medication to control the diabetes on top of the other medications I now take. Her advice was to lose weight and take fish oil as a supplement.
I know many diabetic people, and the bottom line is I don't want to be one of them! The thought of monitoring my blood and using needles and insulin to control it on a day-to-day basis is NOT something I wanted to do. Surprise! Instant motivation!
About 10 or so years ago I was on the Zone diet at the advice of another long-gone doctor. I did great on it. I remember losing around 30 pounds but did not sustain it for more than six months or so, and I just got fat and lazy again. So this time when I started dieting again, I naturally took up eating in the Zone because it was how I used to diet. I did this without even thinking about what I was doing, I just did it!
Well, one day I was listening to the radio and heard a mention of the new book Toxic Fat, what it was doing for Hollywood Hotties, and that it was written by Dr. Barry Sears. Being reminded about the Zone diet again, I went out and bought the book. I am now about half way through reading it as I write this testimonial.
Here is the great part! After eight weeks of eating in the Zone, but not thinking about it, or even putting in a concentrated effort, I have lost about 15 pounds, AND I am now walking with very little knee pain! I exercise at least 30 minutes a day, mostly walking, where before it took a great effort just to get off the couch! I feel better now than I have in years, and it has only been eight short weeks.
I can't wait to see what happens now that I am concentrating harder on following the Zone diet more closely and properly along with starting the use of fish oils to help!
My original goal is to reverse the diabetes thing, but more importantly I am also now working toward the goal of eliminating the medications I currently take and living a healthier and happier life in general.
Thanks, Barry!
Paul G.