William, a father and budding chef, enjoyed life and serving at his church. It was one fateful day that changed his whole outlook on life and health. The result? William losing nearly 70lbs and fighting diabetes.
Question: Was there a defining moment that made you decide to lose weight?
William: On December 1, 2013 I went to the ER feeling very tired, sluggish and with a stomach ache that would not go away. It was this day that I found out that I had new on-set type 2 diabetes. This diagnosis was the catalyst that ignited the fire in me to lose weight and get healthy.
Did you or your family have a history of disease or health conditions?
Yes. I had a history of health issues/conditions. Yes my family has a history health issues/conditions. I was always told I was border line hypertensive and I have been on medications for hypertension and cholesterol. My father had diabetes and he died of congestive heart failure. My mother is a diabetic, as well as my brother and I had a cousin who died from complications of diabetes. Notice I referred to diabetes and any other so called diseases as conditions. I say this, because their progression in ones life is conditional on the person doing what he/she has to do to live a quality life or a less than quality life.
What was the most difficult part to getting healthy?
Consistency. Being consistent is the most difficult. I don’t always want to go to the gym, however, I’m always trying to be active and keep moving.
What are you doing to stay on the path of good health?
Two Words, Monitor and Management. I monitor and manager my weight, food intake, diet, and my blood sugar numbers. Each day is a great challenge to beat the disease. Also, I have a great relationship with my healthcare team of providers. Notice I said team. I’m affiliated with a hospital where my health care providers are able to work together to provide me the best care. I’m confident that I am on a path to complete health and healing.
I know I did not start with HIM, but I was saving the best for last: God. God is my sustainer through this and going forward. Prayer, fasting and my faith are all integral parts to me being healed of this condition. As a Christian man of Christ, I believe and receive my healing in Jesus name. God has the final say in it all, and I know he wants me healed. So my faith along with the work that I have been doing is confirmation that my healing is on it’s way.
In October 2013, I weighed 364 pounds and wore a 54″ waist pants and a 4x-5x shirt. As of today, I am no longer in the 300 club, I weigh 297.4 pounds and I recently shopped for pants and I am wearing a size 44 waist and as of 3/29, I was getting styled and the stylist was able to put me in a 2x shirt and a size 40″ waist pants. Therefore, my total weight loss of 66.6 the results speak for themselves.
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What would you recommend someone else do to get healthy as well?
Stop committing daily suicide with your life, with how you live and how you eat. Life is a gift, so cherish God’s gift that He has given you. Also, take an active role in your own health and care. Which means getting educated on your family history and then make the needed adjustments to living a healthy life so that you can have a quality life. Then, act on it, act on a plan to get healthy. The results alone will make you to want to keep going to continue to meet new heights in health. Don’t wait until you are diagnosed to start a plan, which is called being reactive. However, if your are given a diagnosis, just make the needed changers to get better. The ultimate goal is to be proactive when it comes to your health and wellness.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Diabetes center for more articles and tips.
