By Linda Clark
A little over a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes and high cholesterol by my family doctor. He had warned me during a couple of previous visits, encouraging me to manage my health myself, but of course I did not, so he had no choice but to put me on medications for both. I was so upset, I left the doctor’s office that day and sat in my car and cried. I saw myself going down a path that would lead to all kinds of health issues and would shorten my life. I didn’t really know what to do other than take the drugs.
About two weeks after that, I heard Jerry McDonald from Mountain Home Athletic Club speak at my Lions Club meeting, and his message hit me like a ton of bricks. I called Jerry in tears and said I needed help.
I signed up for personal training with Jerry, and my life changed forever. He assessed me on my first visit, and I cried again. My situation was depressing.
Jerry said, “Look at me. We are going in the other direction. No going back.”
That has been my mantra ever since. No. Going. Back.
Jerry focused me on both nutrition and exercise. He says that you can’t eat your way out of bad exercise habits and you can’t exercise your way out of bad eating habits. I have exercised all my life, but I had never really gotten a handle on nutrition. Jerry advised me on what to eat and not eat, how to shop for food, how to eat out, and I learned to completely change what I choose to eat.
My first few trips grocery shopping were frustrating. I went into Walmart, came out with nothing (!), and sat in the car for another crying session. It was hard and frustrating at first, but after a few months, I had all the bad stuff out of my kitchen and all the good stuff in. My tastebuds changed, and I really love and prefer what I eat now. I concentrate on high proteins, meats, fresh vegetables, nuts, beans, and berry fruits—no carbs, dairy, or sugars—for six days a week. On the seventh day I splurge and have things I love, like ice cream, pasta, and even pizza. Jerry says that splurging one day a week shocks your system and when you get back to eating right the next day, you will burn more fat and calories. It seems to work for me. I don’t feel deprived like I did on other diets. I should know, I’ve tried most of them. I don’t have to count calories, buy any special foods, or take diet pills or drinks. My diet is just good fresh meats and vegetables.
Exercising has been a learning experience as well. By hiring a trainer, I’ve learned how I really need to be exercising and at what intensity. I had never exercised to the level that I should have been all these years. There were lots of exercises Jerry showed me in the beginning that made me think, “Are you crazy? I can’t do that.” But Jerry would hear none of that, and you know what, I did it.
After a month or so, I was doing exercises I never thought I could do. I began to think, “What else have I thought I couldn’t do that I really can.” So I developed an “I Can” attitude rather than an “I Can’t” attitude. That concept has affected every aspect of my life—business and personal. I have a lot more confidence in myself than I did before. Is it hard? Oh yeah. I am sore after almost every session with my trainer, but that tells me that I am improving and getting stronger. I try to work out at the gym for at least an hour Monday through Friday, and on the weekends I do lots of physical activities like hiking, swimming, walking, and even running. I have run two 5K races so far. If you had told me a year ago I would be running in a 5K, I would have laughed, but I did it and I loved it. I plan on running a lot more 5Ks in the future.
It has been a year since I started my weight loss journey with Jerry, and I am happy to say that I have lost 52 pounds, I am no longer on diabetic medication, I am no longer on cholesterol medication, and my heart medication is cut in half. I no longer have heartburn, digestive issues, or knee or back problems.
Best of all, I am into a size 10. I cried again after my annual doctor visit, but these were tears of joy.
My new regimen has definitely been a lifestyle change, not just a diet I am on for six months. I really think about what I eat and what it is going to do to my health. The exercise, I love. I feel so good after a hard workout. I have truly made my health a high priority in my life. I would like to thank Jerry McDonald for his help. Having a trainer gave me someone to be accountable to and has been the best investment I have made for myself. My faith in God has sustained me as well. I pray before every workout session for God to let me be able to do what my trainer asks me to do. This is my life now, and my mantra will always be, “No Going Back.” M! October/November 2014
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