Last week on our local news it was reported that in the state in which I reside, over thirty-two percent of the people are obese. Of that number over half are children. I am one of the thirty-two percent. I have written this because; a. I was encouraged to and b. because I hope there are those out there who will benefit from my sharing, c. I also wanted to point out some people who were instrumental in keeping me alive and fighting to overcome my problems. I am not saying my battles are over, just that for the first time in a very long time I feel I have some control over myself. Nothing is a miracle treatment for obesity. It takes a desire to fix the problem. When I finally quit smoking, I faced much the same battles I face now. There may be a few who want to take shots at me for my lack of will power because they believe that is all there is to the problem of obesity. Well, shoot away cause I have no defense. I am guilty of my lack of will power. The fact that I admit that most of my problem was a lack of self discipline does not indict everyone who has a weight problem. Each of us is different and each of us fights as best as we can. I hope this helps those who need help. If nothing but to stand up and be accountable.

In August of  2007, I was admitted to the East Carroll Parish Hospital in Lake Providence, Louisiana. I had been sent home from the Veterans Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi because they felt they could do nothing for me any longer. During an attempt to get up from my bed I fell and several of my friends and family had to lift me from the floor and help transport me to the Hospital. My wife(Deenie) tried many different hospitals, doctors and nursing homes and in each instance they felt unable to help me. East Carroll, however said they would accept me and Shady Lakes Nursing home agreed to take me once the hospital had me stable. I weighed 778 pounds. In the next six months with the help of the staff, the hospital and nursing home under the direction of  Doctor Bailey and his staff  I lost over 328 pounds. I learned to walk again and left the nursing home to pursue lap band surgery.

I tried several times to prepare for the surgery but each time I would back out. I was not convinced that I could adhere to the strict diet that I would have to abide by the rest of my life. I had met people who were very successful and those who had many problems because of their inability to control what they ate. The same inability that put me in this situation and the same one I had my doubts about accomplishing after the surgery. I began an attempt to duplicate my stay in the nursing home.  It is one thing to be told what to eat and when to eat it in a controlled environment but a totally other thing to try and do so without that environment.

Over the next 5 years I began to slowly regain one hundred and thirty nine pounds back and yet again to try to regain control. I thought about returning to the nursing home but baulked at the thought of leaving my Deenie alone again. I knew, I had to do something but wasn’t sure about what I should do. My niece Lisa Lykins talked with us about a new product she had been introduced to and seemed to be very excited about its effect on her. She has also struggled with her weight and we agreed to give it a try.

I had tried a myriad of diets and pills and supplements over the years since I left the Army because I had gained too much weight to stay in. Deenie has a weight problem also probably because of the stress of being married to me but anyway she also agreed to give this new product a try. We tried it and within three days I felt like I might have some control over what I ate for a change.

We progressed and eventually signed up to be distributors of the supplements. Many people(mostly family) didn’t believe and still don’t for the most part. They have seen all this before, but I contend they haven’t, because you see even though I had lost before. I suffered all through those losses. I was hungry and tired and felt deprived. Why could other people eat their favorite foods and not gain weight where if I looked cross-ways of a potato chip I would gain five pounds? The more I lost the more hungry I became. I would start to reward myself, telling myself that I suffered for a week so I should be able to have something I really wanted. It worked for a while but invariably something would come up and I would make an exception for a party or special day. If you have a weight problem you know the story. This time there is no pain, I am not suffering because I truly am not dieting. I eat what I want but this time I don’t want like before. Even if I have the desire I can’t seem to eat as much. I have told some of you this story, but many haven’t heard it so here we go.

One day after about a month with ------ we were going to see our son one Sunday and when we went to see him we would leave after church and stop at the Burger King in Delhi, Louisiana. I have always been a two burger kind of guy or at least a double whopper kind. Well I ordered the double whopper but no fries, telling myself I was cutting back. I got half way through the hamburger and was amazed that I was feeling full. I didn’t want to waste what was a special occasion because we don’t have a Burger King in West Carroll Parish. It was 40 miles one way and 30 miles the other way to get one of their flame broiled burgers. So I didn’t want to throw the burger away so I powered through the fullness and finished. I was miserable all the rest of the afternoon. I remarked about it to my wife and she told me well maybe next time you should order the regular whopper. Ha-ha. Well a couple weeks went by and instead of Burger King we went to Sonic, but they have a double burger as well and it is called a Super Sonic. I also like to add the cheese of course and jalapeno peppers makes it okay, right. Anyway I ordered the burger and half way through I felt the same way as before. I mentioned it then but ate it anyway. You would think one would learn but I didn’t. I suffered the rest of the day and vowed that if I went back I would not make the mistake again. Right.

Well you know I didn’t order the double burger again. I still eat burgers but generally they are homemade and single patties with no cheese. As I said we are not dieting but we have reduced our intake drastically. My sweet tooth is gone, even though I still have desert every now and then.

I tell you what I really like is one of those frosted oatmeal cookies (you know the cheap ones they sell at Wal-Mart) with about a quarter cup of sliced peaches on top of it and a tablespoon of cool whip. It is my wife’s new instant peach pie. A bag of cookies and couple cans of peaches and a container of cool whip lasts me all month. I might eat a piece of cake at a birthday party but I don’t go to many of those and the ladies who give it to me know I am trying real hard so they make it small. One party recently they had ice cream and cones and the cake. I just got a cone with one scoop and no cake.

I am amazed at the power of this product. It is so easy, easier than anything I have tried before. I even have a mantra, mix it , drink it , wash the glass and repeat. It is that simple. I have read hundreds maybe even thousands of everyday people talk about the power this product has been in their lives. Not only with people who need to lose weight, but diabetics, and lots of other problems are being helped. I have also heard some stories about how the business has given people some gratification and improve some circumstances.

 If you know me then you know how bad I needed this in my life. If you are sitting on the sidelines waiting for your personal invitation to try, consider this it, cause why else would I open myself to tell this story. You may know my circumstance or not but it isn’t hidden from sight anymore. I am not hiding anymore, you want to denigrate those people who have so little control they gain weight with no thought of who has to take care of them. Go right ahead but know this, someday soon it will not be me you are picking on because I have found my way out. To date on ------ I have lost 54 lbs with a five pound weight loss last week. Deenie has lost 37.5 lbs. We started ----- full time in March when we signed up. We had taken a three day and then shared a month but had been without for two weeks before we signed up and both got a 30 day supply.

I am a ------ user for life. When I achieve my goal, I will find a maintenance level and me, ------ and Deenie will live the rest of our lives. To expensive you say, well I started this on a fixed income and found a way to afford it. We all afford what we choose to afford.

Make your choice, choose your poison. I love you and hope you have a wonderful life and if you get tired of me talking about ------ then tell me and I won’t talk to you about it again for as long as I remember, you asked me to stop. Lol. You know my some-timers shows up at the most inopportune times. Take care.