Day 328 Remarkable Numbers and Becoming The Normal Guy

Day 328

Remarkable Numbers and Becoming The Normal Guy

Our 5K power walk last night was just wonderful. Now that I can keep pace with the best of 'em, I've actually enjoyed talking while walking. I never did before, and don't get me wrong---I still love my music while working out. It was just nice to talk with Irene last night as we walked. We were so deep in conversation, we didn't even realize how hard we were working out there, and before we knew it a 5K was in the books. Actually slightly more than a 5K. Now that we know a 5K is 3.75 times around the trail—it just makes sense to go four times.

My fast started at midnight last night in preparation for blood work this morning. I didn't get to sleep until after 3am, so my morning wasn't until slightly after 11am. I've never been more excited to go to the doctor. Before, a doctors visit meant something unpleasant and of course I was no doubt going to get the “you've just got to lose weight” speech. But I don't get that speech anymore. Always the opposite these days. I had a fantastic conversation with the doctor about my weight loss and the wonderful changes I've experienced. It was a new doctor I hadn't met before and he was very interested in my approach and success. He determined that I no longer needed the blood pressure medication, but still I should monitor it often enough to notice any changes. My blood pressure was 125/87---and both the nurse and the doctor said “perfect.” I even questioned that lower number “isn't that one a little high?” The reply was simply, “it's fine.” And so it's official now! No more blood pressure pills. How wonderful is that? It was fitting that this consultation took place in the exact same room as my visit on June 10th of last year. I weighed 505 back then and my blood pressure was raging to deadly heights. The doctor brought me to tears that day while describing my dire circumstances. I still didn't do anything about it until September, but the important thing is...I did do something about it, and in the nick of time!

The blood work kept me anxiously awaiting the results phone call this afternoon. When it finally came, it wasn't the nurse like I expected. It was the doctor. I was slightly concerned. Oh no, it's something bad...why would he be calling me? I thought. He didn't keep me waiting too long, good thing---I was about to panic. What he said next and how he said it was the most joyous thing. I wish I would have written down his exact words, but I'll do my best to remember them: “Sean, your blood work is remarkable, just amazing considering everything, I wish I had numbers like this.” OK—maybe not an exact quote, but if not, very close. The numbers impressed him to the point of saying “I'll call him.” That was so cool of him to do. What a wonderful doctor. He then started giving me numbers on things I didn't really understand---but he was very impressed with where they stood---and that's good enough for me. Then he got to the numbers I understand. Blood Sugar: 84 Total Cholesterol: 170 LDL (the bad kind) was 117, well below where they like it. And the HDL (the great kind) was 36. He did say that number was a little low—but still wonderful. He said 40 would have been better and with a little more intense exercise, plus working some walnuts into my “calorie bank,” it would easily get there. Yes, he referenced my “Calorie Bank and Trust,” that was cool of him. My VLDL was 17, just fine. And my triglycerides stood firm at 87, just perfect. I'm a very lucky man. He also checked out this blog and asked if I had ever considered converting it into a book. That's one compliment I never get tired of hearing. I certainly hope to someday. This phone call could not have been any better, it was just amazing. It completely made my day.

I had a broadcast this evening at the Rodeo. I must have been the only one in attendance not wearing boots. I don't own a pair of boots. Now I don't know if I'll ever become a boot wearer, but I do know that I'd like to try riding a horse one of these days. I thought about that tonight as the rodeo contestants and rodeo queen contestants came riding into the arena. Riding a horse is something that I could never do at 505, unless it was a Clydesdale. I watched as some riding were maybe heavier than me now. So I'm pretty sure a good sturdy horse could handle the new me. Isn't it exciting to think about doing all of the wonderful things that seemed so impossible before this journey? Another one: An amusement park. I don't even know if I have the stomach for rides like that, but I know I could fit on them now. We must go to one soon. I'll no longer be the “fat miserable guy” watching everyone else have fun. I'll be the normal guy enjoying the amusements with his family...I've never been able to do that. I really think that I must start putting myself into situations like that to fully convince my brain that I'm not the 505 pound guy of old. I'm a brand new man these days and somehow it just gets better from here.

Irene just walked through the door from work, so I'll wrap this up. We've got to workout and spend some time with Amber before we retire for the night. Amber is leaving us tomorrow, headed back to college as a sophomore. We're so proud of her! It'll be hard to see her go, it always is, wish she was going to a college a little closer. I guess some kids travel hundreds, even thousands of miles away for school, but still---even three hours away is too far for us! Thank you for reading. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean