Weight:
When I started this week, I weighed 228.8 pounds. Today, my new weight is 226.2 pounds. That’s a loss of 2.6 pounds. The last time I weighed 226 pounds was 15 years ago as a senior in high school! Today’s weight puts me at 87 pounds lost in 27 weeks.
Exercise:
This week (12-18 July) I ran a total of 21 miles. I have completed week 6 of my 12 week weight lifting routine for the second time, because after finishing week 6, I decided to go back and start at week 5 again.
This week I achieved my goal of running a 5k in under 30 minutes. Saturday I ran in the Lucy Corr 5k and completed it in 28:36.
Doctor’s appointment results:
In April of 2007, I was very thirsty. I was so thirsty that one night I downed an entire 12 pack of 24oz bottles of water. My wife became concerned and did some research. She told me that extreme thirst was a sign of high blood sugar. I went to the emergency room to have my sugar checked, and it was over 600 (if you aren’t familiar with blood sugar readings, normal sugar levels after a meal for most people are somewhere around the 80-130 range). I ended up in the hospital with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, and stayed there for a couple of days while the doctors tried to bring my sugar down. I went home with prescriptions and instructions for controlling the diabetes, and a determination to lose the extra weight that was contributing to it. I didn’t.
In April 2009, I went to the doctor for a checkup, and he told me that my diabetes was still out of control. He did a hemoglobin A1C blood test (which can determine the average blood sugar levels over a period of several months) and found that my blood sugar over the preceding months was very high. I admitted that I had not been taking my medicine regularly, and hadn’t been careful about my food choices, either. The doctor told me that if I could not control my diabetes with pills, I would need to go on insulin. I also found out that I had high cholesterol and borderline kidney damage as a result of my high blood sugar. The doctor gave me a prescription for pills to lower my cholesterol, as well as medication to help protect my kidneys, and renewed my prescriptions for two diabetes medicines. I took all of this medication regularly until January when I began losing weight. For the last six months, I haven’t been taking any medication at all (primarily because my prescriptions ran out, and I hadn’t found a new doctor after the move).
Last Thursday, I finally went to a new doctor to have a checkup after the last six months of losing weight, and the doctor called me today with the results of my blood work. Here is what my health looks like now:
Blood sugar: My blood sugar results are those of a normal person. When it was tested on Thursday, it was 86mpd (milligrams per deciliter), well within the normal range. The hemoglobin A1C result showed 6.4%. Less than 7% is ideal, so again – well within normal range.
Cholesterol: LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) was 97. Lower than 100 is considered optimal. HDL (the “good” cholesterol) was 34. Optimal level is above 39. The doctor said I could start taking fish oil to raise this number, and that continuing my cardiovascular exercises would also help to bring it up. Triglycerides are 99, less than 150 is normal. Total cholesterol was 151; below 200 is normal.
Kidneys: No signs of kidney damage.
All of my other tests (thyroid tests, blood pressure, and hormone levels) came back with normal results, too. The doctor said I appear to be in great health, and I just need to continue what I am doing.
Week in review:
This week was another great week for me. I achieved goals. I found out that I am in good health for the first time in a long time. I am changing my life one pound at a time. I’m also really glad I lost weight this week, because up until this morning I was convinced that I would either gain this week, or stay the same.
I have lost 60% of the total weight I want to lose.
Scheduled Races:
Pony Pasture 5k – 31 July 2010
Henricus Dauber Dash (5mi mud run) – 7 August 2010
Moonlight 4 Mile run – 12 August 2010
VA Beach Rock and Roll Half Marathon – 5 September 2010
US Army X-Country Half Marathon – 25 September 2010
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
And that’s what it’s all about! Love those doc reports!
Thanks Jeanne, I’m stoked about those reports!
Ed, your strides with your health are AWESOME! Congratulations on being normal/healthy in all tested areas, and on ANOTHER great WIN!
Thanks a bunch SeattleRunnerGirl! I am truly amazed that I have come this far!
Awesome news!!! I’m so happy for you and for Stephanie. Now she doesn’t need to worry so much about being a widow prematurely. And you still have so much life left and you can enjoy it. Plus the money you’ll save on meds will put your son through college!
I’m right there with you on that one Heather. I bet it takes a load off of Stephanie, knowing that she doesn’t always have to worry about me.
Awesome job, Eddie!
Thanks Sarah!
You seriously motivate me to stay on track with getting in shape. When I got to FT. Lee I passed my run by 10 seconds and was over weight and body fat (according to the Army). I have improved greatly in all areas and everytime I fall off the wagon I remember your blog and your progress. Keep doing what your doing. I am pushing to shed another 20 lbs by August 30th.
By the way I invite you to come and rock climb with me some time, my treat…It’s an indoor facility and very fun (www.Peakexperiences.com).
Thanks man! I will definitely be rock climbing with you soon. It sounds like fun! I’m sure you can get those 20 pounds off by the end of August. If you want, you can bring your gear and go running with me during lunch. Lets meet up and talk about it.
You were a senior at the age of 15?
Thanks for staying rock steady on this journey my friend. I need to see this more than anything right now.
Nah Tara, I’m 33. and I want to thank you for your blog! It inspires me a bunch! we feed each other!