In early 2009 I weighed around 250-260 pounds. I was starting to have issues with being short of breath when I would walk up steps or any type of incline. In the fall of 2009, my brother and I were walking in the woods looking for different areas to set up tree stands for that years deer season. After walking up and down a few hills I was gasping for air to the point I didn't feel I would catch my breath, but luckily I did. I decided to see my doctor about my breathing problems. The doctor started doing test on me in November and December. I had stress test, blood work, a lung test and a heart catheter done to check for blockage in my arteries. Everything checked out okay, showing no blockage or any other problems, except after the lung test, they said my lungs were not expanding fully, due to me being overweight. They said I should lose weight to help with my breathing problem.
That was in January 2010. Knowing I should be doing something to lose, I did nothing. My wife would encourage me many times to eat better and exercise but I still did nothing. She started to eat better and exercise and lost weight herself, trying to get me to join her. She was going to her allergy doctor in the same building as the HMR office and told me several times we should stop in to see about the program but I would always make excuses. Finally in August 2010 I broke 280 pounds. My XXL shirts were getting tight and my 42 waist pants were snug. I was also depressed and had no energy.
I went with my wife one day to her allergy doctor and as we were leaving she asked me to stop in the HMR office to check out what they had to offer for weight loss. They were having an orientation meeting that evening so we ran some errands and came back to the orientation meeting. At the meeting they let me sample some of their food, I thought it was great. After the meeting I was talking to two ladies that had been with the program for 11 weeks and had already lost 30 pounds. I was sold on the program. On August 19,2010 I attended my first weight loss meeting and weighed in at 282 pounds. I went back the next week and had lost 7.6 pounds, then 3.8 pounds the week after. I was hooked. I started walking every day and couldn't believe how fast I was getting in shape. I stuck to the Healthy Solutions Program 100%. The meals and shakes tasted great, I could eat as much as I wanted and never felt deprived or hungry. On January 12, 2011, just 21 weeks after attending my first meeting I weighed in at 196.4 pounds. I was really excited about getting into shape. At this point, I started and completed the P90X workout. I feel like I am in the best shape of my life. My lowest weight I got down to was 183.4 pounds in June 2011. My wife and many others said I looked too thin and it was hard to maintain. One year after joining, I have settled in to a weight of 190-194 pounds. I went from XXL shirts down to larges and from 42 waist pants to wearing a 32 waist. Most of all I feel healthy, and I can breathe. I went from walking my 3 mile course in around 60 minutes to jogging it in around 30 minutes. I never thought I would be able to jog but I did it. Thank you to everyone at the HMR in New Albany, Indiana for helping me achieve my goal. Both of my daughters were a big help. They encouraged me every day, but most of all thanks to my wife. Without her help I may never have taken that first step to stop in that day.