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Tom Stoddard Lost 120 pounds on Weight Managment, an HMR program

February 21, 2012

Decisions Determine Destiny

by Tom Stoddard 


“Decisions Determine Destiny.” That was the prophetic counsel I had heard back as a teenager, and though it made sense intellectually, it never really penetrated my heart and soul until I needed to make a life changing decision as regards to my own personal welfare and health.

Family History of Diabetes

I guess I had all the markers. My mother’s family had a history of diabetes. My father had developed Type II diabetes later in life. When an irregularity in my health patterns came up and the doctor advised the reason was my elevated blood sugar, I guess I sort of nodded acceptance, and figured it was just “my turn.”

Everyone in my family had been heavy, and there was the gnawing uncertainty as to how much of our profile was from genetics (that’s just the way I am) or how much is the fact that we all sat at the same dinner table. There was little accounting for our intake. I’d never had any challenge doing whatever I wanted to do, physical condition was never an issue. And food was just part of the gusto of living. My doctor and I started on the old “control with diet and exercise” program; but, the challenge was that I still retained all the habits from my previous 45 years.

Blood Sugar Climbed and Insulin Was Introduced

I never thought that I would be writing “my story” for anyone who would be interested in reading it. But, I have learned that my history tracks like so many that it might be useful to share. As my lifestyle went on, the blood sugar continued to climb. I was trying, but the checkups indicated the need to introduce oral medications. Then, after a couple of years, still not stemming the tide, we had a “heart-to-heart” about introducing insulin.

Though I remained heavy, we put stock on the insulin therapy. But, again, without the correct diet modifications sufficient to make a difference, more and more insulin became necessary. It almost seemed that the insulin accelerated the weight gain, scavenging any carbohydrate it could come across. As more and more medications were being introduced to stem the blood sugar, and feeling chagrin at every check up as I got the same warnings over and over again. I knew I had to do something to make a difference.

Tried Weight Watchers

I sought out help from a clinical dietician. I enrolled in Weight Watchers. Somewhere, I was missing some key element that I needed to reverse the trend.

It was then that my doctor told me about what was going on at HMR. She indicated it was a diet program, with support and accountability, that she knew a few people for whom it had been very useful. Sure. I’d try it, I said. Decisions Determine Destiny. I had already determined it was time to make a decision! 

Time to Try Something New

I met Diana Davis, the dietician and program lead at Wilmington Health Weight Management, an HMR program for the orientation seminar. The replacement meals were explained, and I was skeptical at first. Too many out there hawking these products. But, they turned out to be a lifesaver for me. By removing me from the habits of my former life, I have been able to see certain ways in which different foods which I did not think were harmful were absolutely sabotaging my weight loss efforts. The “separation” from then current habits was needful to reveal such to me.

Medical Component to Weight Management, an HMR Program

I appreciated that there was a medical component to the program. Dr. Michael McGarrity at Wilmington Health Weight Managment, an HMR program advised, "Regard 'weight loss' as your new drug." And, so it was. I committed myself to the “Decisions Free” regimen which involved only program foods. And the pounds began to shed! Then, the medication began to be removed. Blood tests showed I didn’t need them anymore, as one by one, we reduced dosages, then eliminated many altogether. Eventually, the insulin was removed, and I was put on precautionary dosages, which I maintain today. Life is cheaper, as well as more energetic!

I'm an engineer by profession, so it has been a matter of good humor around the Wilmington Health Weight Managment, an HMR program staff as to my crunching numbers and doing the diet with technical precision. But, I projected my weight loss, based on my progress over the first few weeks, and then set myself some "bounds," plotting my weekly metrics. When I diverted a bit, and threatened to go out of my bound, I knew to hit the treadmill and take some added effort to get back on track. The staff afforded me the structure, and Dr. John Parker indicated that was the secret of my success, that I would catch myself EARLY during those moments of deviation and immediately take corrective action to get myself back on course within my self-imposed bounds.

As I completed Phase I, and moved to Phase II, of course, different foods were introduced back into my diet. I’d been raised on fruits and vegetables. So, I appreciated them all the more, with the intelligence, now, on butter, condiments, sauces and other ways in which damaging calories would be added, hurting my diabetes. Now, I enjoy them with abandon, equipped with the Wilmington Health Weight Management, an HMR program awareness of alternate methods of preparation and things to avoid.

Meats, and breads were introduced. I learned what was “getting past the goalie” in my past diet efforts. I have every confidence that with new understanding and new habits reinforced by Linda Gaylord, my HMR Educator, I will be able to keep the weight off. 

Tom's Success

   
 Before  
   After   

Over about nine to ten months, I was able to lose over 120 pounds, and feel great. I enjoy most the reaction of people who haven't seen me in awhile. Some come up and suggest inquiringly if it happened surgically; that was one false rumor around the church congregation. Old high school friends have remarked at how "young" I look.

My wife was wondering what was going on, while I started and did 'decision free,' but, has said how remarkable it was. And, I have my "bounds" all set, so that as I reinforce healthy eating habits, I can catch myself if veering too far and immediately take the measures to get it reversed and back in the "safe" zone.

Wilmington Health Weight Managment, an HMR program has been effective when other efforts had been fruitless.This is one decision which truly has determined what I hope to be a longer, more vibrant and more enjoyable destiny.

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