Our world is changing and in this computer age there is more information on us than any of us likes. While I am not a fan of the ACLU they make a point in this video about ordering pizza in the future. This is absolutely hilarious, but the scary part about it is that it’s probably not too far away from being reality. Want to know how to order a pizza in 2010? Click here and see. . turn up the volume. . listen closely. . watch the pointer carefully!
We live in a world where being overweight is criticized by the entertainment industry, media and even by our friends. While the majority of Americans are overweight we still seem to treat those that are fatter than us as second-class citizens or do we? Most of us have experienced hitting bottom as our issues with obesity have crashed down around us. So often we feel all alone as we fight that very vicious Obesity Monster. It is natural that we question if weight loss can really help us to develop a positive self image. Read more
On Halloween we see it all. Now if you are looking for a special costume? How about going as a pumkin? Here is an idea you might not want to try! Let me warn you that when you see the following picture the person is certainly showing a lot. But hey, at least they were in good spirits and found good use for an obese butt or perhaps they hit the spirits before bearing in all. Read more
The other day I visited the doctor that performed my gastric bypass surgery. This was my 3-month follow up and I must report that all is going well. Since I started preparing for bariatric surgery I have lost about half of my excess weight. While I am certainly anxious to loose a lot more weight the drop will likely be slower from here on out. My body mass index BMI has dropped about 40 percent from my first visit to the Oregon Weight Loss Clinic. For those that may not be familiar with the BMI scale it works as follows:
BMI Range and Rating
Underweight 16.5-18.5
Normal 18.5-25
Overweight 25-30
Obese Class I 30-35
Obese Class II 35-40
Severely Obese 40-45
Morbidly Obese 45-50
Super Obese 50-80
Hyper Obese above 60
I started out being classified as Morbidly Obese and am now classified as Obese Class II. The important thing for all of us to remember is to try not to get caught up in all of these classifications. As you will see there is not a classification for Terminal Obesity. Terminal Obesity is a term to remind us that many of the diseases caused or exacerbated by obesity lead to early death.
Many people say why don’t they just call us fat instead of all of these gloomy names. The truth is I do not have a good answer for that other than to say that these obnoxious terms can be an incentive for each of us that has a weight problem to loose a few or a lot of pounds.
Speaking for many of us that are either dieting the traditional way or have had weight loss surgery we can get to our goals. We can get to where we are just a bit obese or even normal weight. It may take time but going down is certainly better than going up.
Below are a couple of pictures the one was taken just before my wife passed away due to complications to diabetes. The other picture was just taken and while I am still fat I am pleased at the progress that is being made. I know by site statistics that thousands of people are visiting Terminal Obesity each month though they are not posting. I would love to have you most and am sure that others are tired of hearing about me and would like to here your success stories so please email me with your stories and pictures so that we can share them with others.
Those of us that wish to loose or control our weight need to have exercise as part of our plan. In developing and exercise plan there are three basics that you need to keep in mind.
- Stretch: Stretching before exercise warms your muscles and prevents injury.
- Aerobic Exercise: Plan 20 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week.
- Strength Training: Preferably include strength training every other day and no less than twice a week. Read more
As some of you may know Medicare, Medicaid, many state programs and private insurance plans will cover weight loss surgery. As a matter of fact my own laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery was covered by Medicare and my supplement plan Secure Horizons. What about that loose and saggy skin that does not go away? Will Medicare pay for a tummy tuck?
The answer to that question is NO and Yes. In most circumstances they will not cover a tummy tuck for they consider it cosmetic surgery. In situations where the surgeon determines that a tummy tuck is medically necessary because of infections they may cover it. Your surgeon will diagnose the situation to determine if a tummy tuck is necessary and then present an honest evaluation to Medicare. A person that has lost a huge amount of weight and has heavy masses of hanging skin causing serious infections has the best chance of getting a tummy tuck approved. If the request is turned down the surgeon can appeal but there is still no guarantee that it will be covered.
Terry
Recently I was asked what the United States Marine Corps Boot Camp “Pig Farm” was? Over 45 years ago I had the opportunity to experience the Marine “Pig Farm” first hand. While I am now 67 years old I remember that experience as clearly as the sound of a bell. I do not know if the “Pig Farm” still exists. I do know that for me Marine Corp Boot Camp including my time in the “Pig Farm” was one of the best yet most difficult experiences of my life.
Boot Camp is tough and for good reason. First of all most boys at that age have taken on few adult life responsibilities. While they may have played organized sports, been in Boy Scouts or in a gang most are still self-centered and certainly not prepared for war. In Boot Camp, Drill Instructors have only a few weeks to turn these boys into a cohesive, responsible unit of men. Men that may soon see their own life and the life of others in danger.
At the start of Boot Camp boys that have been active in sports may be in good physical condition. Others are totally out of shape and their physical conditioning will start from scratch. Not all boys are mentally or emotionally prepared for the new responsibilities they will be expected to take on. Very few if any are mentally, emotionally and physically prepared. By the time a Marine graduates from Boot Camp they are expected to be Men prepared to take on immense responsibility. Men that will act quickly and decisively for the good of their country and their unit.
Terry High School Graduation
Prior to enlisting in the Marines I had lost a lot of weight though at the start of Boot Camp I was still about 30 pounds overweight.
During the first test to evaluate our physical strength I could hardly do a push-up, could not do a single pull up and could barely out run a turtle.
It was kind of strange that a boy in my physical condition would have joined the Marines. The truth is that it was a last minute decision as I had joined only a couple of days before I was to have been sworn into the Air Force. To this day I do not regret that decision.
After failing the first physical strength evaluation I was sent to the Pig Farm. At the Pig Farm we were placed on what seemed like a starvation diet and a rigorous exercise program. Thinking back I wonder just how we were able to perform so well based on that diet. In the cafeteria only certain foods were to be placed on our trays. As we walked through the cafeteria line and passed food not on our diet plan we would yell DIET. Humiliating, yes!
Breakfast usually consisted of one to two hard-boiled eggs and a carton of skim milk and sometimes a piece of fruit. For lunch and dinner we would have a green salad, piece of meat, skim milk and usually a piece of fruit. Each evening we weighed in and were given a vitamin.
Our day in the Pig Farm would start early in the morning with a run of 1 to 3 miles, rigorous calisthenics consisting of push-ups, setups, pull-ups, squat thrust, etc and more running. After lunch we would take another run and do more physical conditioning. The San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot was next to the Navy base. In the afternoon we would often go over to the Navy facilities and race rowboats. After a short nap in the afternoon we would go to dinner. Upon our return from dinner, anyone that had fallen out on a run or not performed well during the day would go on another run. I can proudly say that I never had to go on one of those after dinner runs.
In the Pig Farm us boys that were less than prime physical specimens were whipped into shape in very short order. Myself I spent about two weeks in the Pig Farm and was then reassigned to a unit. Within that short period of time the Pig Farm had turned most of us from overweight weaklings into strong boys that were now ready to be turned into men.To this day there have been periods in my life when I wished that I could return to Boot Camp. The Pig Farm turned each of us into the Biggest Loser’s. Marine Corps Boot Camp turned each of us into the Biggest Winner’s.
Semper Fi
Nearly three months post gastric bypass surgery the inches continue to come off. The other day while dressing I got up the nerve to glance at my body in the mirror. As some of you may have experienced, glancing at ones self does not come easily for us obese people. With very mixed emotion I noticed that where my nice round, full belly once stood out like a medicine ball was now a deflating ball with large folds of skin hanging below and these sagging man boobs above. Read more
Do I need a tummy tuck?
