WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. We want to be encouraged by your successes as you have waged the war against excess weight and other health matters. In each issue of our newsletter we will print one or more stories as we all try to encourage and inspire one another to stay the course. Submissions must be less than 1000 words and may be emailed to peter@pacificrimwellness.com ». Please include your name and your city.
The Team Hoyt Story
by Peter Mason
WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE YOUNG I read them stories. Some stories were only read once but some others were read over and over again. Why? Because in someway or another, they told a great story, often a heart warming story — and little children (as well as adults) like those kind.
Team Hoyt is one of those stories. It is about a great love between a father and a son. It is a story set against incredible odds and goes against what many of us would have done in a similar circumstance. It is a story that brings value to all human beings and once again ignites our hope in one another.
The daily news seems to dwell on world disasters and the grisly aspects of life. Team Hoyt doesn't do that but it may make you tear up in any case — but in a good way.
Regardless of whether you have seen these two videos before, it will renew your spirit to watch them again ... and, just maybe, prompt you to reach out to someone who needs the gentle touch of love in his/her life.
Although these pages [Dr. Sharmas's Blog] are primarily intended for a ‘professional’ audience, I am well aware that a lot of people struggling with weight read my blog.
Not surprisingly, I get countless e-mails everyday from people telling me heartbreaking stories about themselves or their loved ones and their struggles with excess weight.
Unfortunately, I simply cannot answer any of these e-mails or provide any specific medical advise on the many questions.
Nevertheless, occasionally, certain letters very nicely illustrate what this blog is all about.
The following is taken from such an e-mail — the personal data has been edited to maintain anonymity:
“I heard you on a recent podcast on CBC Radio and I want to thank you. I just wish everyone in Canada heard this. I am a 28 year old female, stand five foot five with a weight of 480lbs and a BMI of 79.9. I am currently fighting for weight loss surgery. I saw a surgeon in September. He made me and my mother feel hopeful until he told me that I am looking at a 2- 5 year wait.
I have written letters to the Prime Minister, Health Minister and my local MLA. The replies from them have not been helpful at all.
I recently lost my job a day after learning they couldn’t get me a uniform to fit me at all but of course they didn’t say that when they let me go. You said something in the podcast about laughing or coughing and leaking. You’re the first I’ve heard bring that up but I know all about it all to well.
I just want to thank you very much for the information you shared on that podcast. The 3-5 year wait kills me inside to hear. It hit me hard as I am a single parent to a very amazing 9 year old boy and with a 3-5 year wait, I’ll be lucky to see his 14th birthday.
I’ve tried everything: not eating, eating little, making myself get sick, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, TOPS, Pills, Atkins, Soups everything. Im pretty healthy for my size: no high blood pressure etc. The only things wrong with me due to my weight are sleep apnea, sores all over, my knee cracks nonstop, can’t stand or walk any longer then 5 mins as my lower back causes me so much pain and my bum almost goes numb and I do leak a lot. But I have been told due to my weight lots can go wrong fast.
I don’t go out anymore due to stares, giggles, rude people, fear of not fitting somewhere. I just wanted to share with you my story and to thank you. I know if I don’t get this procedure soon it will for sure be too late for me. I just wish people knew more about all this so it can save the next person who truly needs this life saving chance.”
What can I say? The letter speaks for itself — this is just one of many that reach me every day.
Click here to listen to the CBC 1 podcast referred to in this letter.
LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME I wrote a piece in the YOUR Story section of WELL titled 2nd Anniversary. I recounted that I had walked every day and that I had not missed a single day of getting my 10,000 steps or more over that two-year span.
I am glad to report that the same can now be said for three years. One might think that this is becoming a daily habit of mine. And that is actually the point — if we want to be successful in a walking program, we need to make it a non-negotiable, daily habit. We can't look outside at the rain or snow and put it off until another fair weather day. That type of thinking becomes a slippery slide and before you know it you won't be walking at all. No, every day is a day to walk. There will be some days when it is a little uncomfortable and some days when perhaps it is inconvenient but daily consistency is the key.
If ever the devil on my shoulder whispers in my ear that I don't really need to go for a walk, I remind myself of this quote: He who does not make time for exercise will, by default, need to make time for illness.
As of December 2nd, 2009 I have now walked 10,000 steps or more on 1096 consecutive days. My average number of steps per day is actually 15,044.
Other facts for my three years of walking:
Total steps 16,247,711
Distance walked 12,998 km
Calories consumed 725,834; or an average of 673 per day
Circle Canada (virtual walk) Starting in Victoria, I have walked across Canada and most of the way back. My trip is now 90.1% complete. I am currently heading towards Prince Rupert.
May I invite you to start your own journey (to better health)? It will be the best Christmas present you could ever give yourself.
I’ve tried everything: not eating, eating little, making myself get sick, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, TOPS, Pills, Atkins, Soups everything. Im pretty healthy for my size: no high blood pressure etc. The only things wrong with me due to my weight are sleep apnea, sores all over, my knee cracks nonstop, can’t stand or walk any longer then 5 mins as my lower back causes me so much pain and my bum almost goes numb and I do leak a lot. But I have been told due to my weight lots can go wrong fast.
If ever the devil on my shoulder whispers in my ear that I don't really need to go for a walk, I remind myself of this quote: He who does not make time for exercise will, by default, need to make time for illness.
