Tipping the scale

Losing 57 pounds in three months is easy to do if you are motivated to do so. Stepping on the scale and realizing I weighed 312 pounds was all the motivation I needed to get it done.

***image1***In 10 years, I gained 76 pounds. Some of the reasons my weight had reached this all-time high was because of my overindulging during the holiday season, but the majority of it was because of my frequent visits to McDonalds on the way home every day as well as my love for German Rumpsteak with Krauterbutter.   

Seeing the number 312 forced me to restrict my diet and begin an intense workout plan. It also forced me to replace my after-work trips to McDonalds with trips to the North Side Fitness center.

My New Year’s resolution was to free myself of this extra body fat.My initial workouts were limited to the elliptical trainer because I was on a knee profile. I made sure I did at least one hour of cardio everyday. In addition, I also lifted light weights using the machines in the gym.

By Jan. 9, my efforts in the gym and my 1,300-calorie-a-day diet were beginning to pay off. I was down to 291 pounds and was feeling pretty good.

Around this time, I ordered two sets of Airman Battle Uniforms. Although I had lost weight, I still had to order the largest shirt and pant sizes available. The pants fit perfectly, but the belt made it around my waist with only an inch to spare.

A few days later my wife, Camille, began to follow the plan as well. We turned our computer room into our own personal gym. We purchased a treadmill and a set of weights.

The added convenience of having a gym in our home allowed me more time to work out. I increased my workouts after work and began doing two hours on the elliptical trainer. Additionally, I would work out for another hour on the treadmill along with some light weight lifting before bedtime. 

By Jan. 31, my weight was down to 280 pounds. I then turned my efforts to preparing for my February physical test. Unfortunately, my profile did not allow me to run; therefore, I had to do the Ergo test.

By Feb. 7, I was down to 275 pounds. I decreased my weight lifting and began using five to six different workout machines each day and one hour on the elliptical trainer. In addition, I was still using my home treadmill as often as possible. During our workouts, Camille and I routinely watched motivational television shows like The Biggest Loser while we took turns walking or running on the treadmill. Watching television seemed to reduce the boredom of walking in the same place.  

On Feb. 15, PT test day, I was down to 270 pounds and my waist was down to 40 inches. I completed 34 push-ups and 51 crunches.

I was very excited about my progress, and then the most discouraging thing happened. I failed the ergo portion of my PT test. I scored a 28 which only counts for nine points. According to the test, it would have taken me 18 minutes to run one and a half miles. My total score was 48. Needless to say, I was furious. I felt like I had not accomplished anything over the last two months. I decided at that moment that I would never take the bike test again. 

Although I was down, I was not out. The next day I was back on the treadmill and began my workout routine with the new goal of passing my PT test as soon as possible.

Working out every day became enjoyable. However, I hated the fact that I was now enrolled in the Fitness Improvement Program and workouts were required to be supervised. Reporting to someone I didn’t know and having them sign my AF Form 1975 every time I went to the gym bothered me. Fortunately, my profile soon expired and that allowed me to begin training my knees for running. 

By March 24, my running was going great and I was feeling good. I was working out two to three times a day almost every day of the week. My weight was down to 264 pounds and things were going really great at home and work. On March 28, I retook my PT test and my goal was to complete the one-and-a-half-mile run in 13 minutes or less. I crossed the finish line at 12 minutes and 27 seconds. I could not believe it. That was my fastest time ever. In addition, I did 35 push-ups, 60 crunches, my weight was 255 pounds and my abdominal circumference was 38 inches. We were all excited. I passed my PT test with an overall score of 78.60. That was a 30-point improvement from my Feb. 15 test.

This has been a long and difficult road but thanks to my wife, Camille, and my supervisors, Tech. Sgts. Cameron Davis and Kody Pruitt for their wonderful support, I got it done.

My overall goal is to reduce my weight to 236 pounds … the weight I was when I joined the Air Force in May 1998.

As of today, my belt now fits. Actually, it’s almost time to buy a new one and my pants and shirt are too big. But the most important fact is I feel so good.