This is me, one year ago, September 2023. I was with my friend & former classmate Diana on one of our late summer road trips. We were on our way to tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house, but stopped at “Lucky’s Casino” to check things out.
That night when I got home and Diana sent me the photos she’d taken, I almost had a meltdown when I saw this one. How did I get so fat? How? I weighed myself, 270 1/2 pounds. I made a vow to exercise more and lose 20 pounds by Christmas.
Three months later, the week before Thanksgiving, I had my annual check-up with my PCP. When I stepped on his scales, they said 272.6. I was aghast. Dr.Ahmed said “I sure wish you’d try to lose 20 pounds in the next 6 months. You’d feel SO MUCH better.”
Two weeks later I got covid. And two weeks after that I got long covid. And here we are, now in it’s 9th month, and I’m getting hopeful signs everyday, but it’s been a very slow recovery. One of my doctors said “From what we’ve learned about this condition, short of cancer it’s probably the worst thing a person will go through.” I believe that 100%.
At the start of the year, I began weighing myself every 4-5 days (just to have something to do while living in misery). Other than giving up ice cream, I pretty much eat the same foods and haven’t done a lick of exercise. And yet, I still managed to lose 45 pounds. With a little luck I’ll hit 50.
- Jan 04 - 270.5 Feb 05 - 266.6 Feb 20 - 262.5 Mar 04 - 259.1
- Mar 12 - 255.2 Mar 19 - 252.0 Mar 21 - 249.0 Mar 30 - 250.2
- Apri 03 - 249.0 Apr 10 - 250.2 Apr 12 - 249.8 Apr 16 - 247.0
- Apr 20 - 246.8 Apr 23 - 246.4 Apr 28 - 246.8 May 3 - 245.8
- May 08 - 244.4 May 15 - 244.6 May 30 - 246.8 Jun 03 - 245.6
- Jun 06 - 243.4 Jun 09 - 242.6 Jun 14 - 241.4 Jun 18 - 240.4
- Jun 22 - 240.0 Jun 26 - 238.0 Jun 30 - 237.8 Jul 04 - 236.8
- Jul 09 - 238.4 Jul 15 - 237.2 Jul 20 - 236.8 Jul 24 - 236.0
- Jul 27 - 234.8 Aug 01 - 233.8 Aug 05 - 233.0 Aug 10 - 231.6
- Aug 14 - 230.5 Aug 27 - 231.2 Sep 03 - 230.4 Sep 08 - 228.8
- Sep 13 - 226.6 Sep 18 - 225.6
I was trying to prove my weight loss with a selfie, but not having a lot of luck. Trust me, this t-shirt used to be skin-tight a year ago, now it’s baggy
Anyway, I’m hoping to be 85% recovered (or more) by the end of the year. I’d love to visit the senior center again at least once before 2025, I’ve only been outside 4 times since June. Anything longer than 10 minutes causes me to shake and sweat profusely for an hour or so. Still dealing with chronic fatigue (that’s a real thing) and godawful bouts of burning pain in my hands, face and behind but they’re not constant like before.
Still smelling that creepy odor of diesel fuel and burned sugar off & on throughout the day though. I swear I think my brain is frying.
Well, I know this must’ve been a real drag to read but just wanted to put SOMETHING new on here. I also wanted to thank everyone who took the time to leave those very nice comments on my last post. I hope you know I don’t take any of those for granted.
Take care, everyone. Talk to you again soon.
I can certainly see the difference in your photos, Doug. You look great, and I am hoping that within a few short weeks you'll be back to the Senior Center!
ReplyDeleteThanks DJan. I think about you every day, I hope your macular degeneration is being managed okay.
DeleteHi Doug. It’s so good to hear from you. I’m guessing the weight loss is a silver lining for you. But what you are going through is awful. I’m glad you posted, as it gives all of us a chance to let you know we care about you, and are rooting for better days ahead. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteCarole
Thanks very much Carole, much appreciated.
DeleteI'm sorry this is the way you had to achieve your weight loss. I hope you get a little better each day. What a rotten deal this stinking covid is. My son-in-law is trucking along. Had a bad day last week, but he is back to work and even back to coaching as a volunteer. Hope your life gets back on track soon.
ReplyDeleteMiss Merry, thanks for the kind words and update on your SIL. I wonder about him often. That was awesome to read.
DeleteForty-five pounds!!! Wow!!! And only four outings since June?! Have you been getting your groceries delivered? The phantom odours, burning sensations and chronic fatigue sure sound awful. But glad to hear you're on the mend, although slowly. Just imagine the collective cheering when you walk through the door of your senior centre. Keep up the good fight Doug! ❤️
ReplyDeleteFlorence, I've missed you. As for my groceries, there's a young couple who lives on the first floor who has been helping me out. I hope I can pay them back some way soon. I hope you know I still visit your blog!
DeleteHi Doug, I'm happy to hear from you again. I'm one of those 'lurkers', but I check your blog every day in hopes of getting an update. I'm happy that you are making good progress - dang that is sure an impressive weight loss, however I'm sure you agree that it is doing it the 'hard way'! You look pretty good in those photos.
ReplyDeleteKeep the faith, I'm praying that you will achieve your goal of getting to the sr. center before year end. May 2025 be a much better one for you, so much so that you will forget 2024 even existed!. Best, CW
Thanks very much CW, it's nice to hear from you. As for 2024, I couldn't agree more! 🙂
DeleteI'm always glad to see a post from you. It means you're still hanging in there, and it's great to know that you are recovering, slowly but recovering. I imagine you don't recommend Long Covid as a means to losing weight...the significant pain you experienced like had much to do with the loss.
ReplyDeleteWe're all rooting for you to reach your milestones. Take care!
Very true Maebeme, and thank you. 🙂
DeleteDug, I'm so glad you posted. And you do look good. Your face doesn't look swollen and your weight loss (45 lbs!!) is definitely noticeable (and remarkable!). But wish you weren't going through this misery. Hope it's close to over... and you will begin to feel well and healthy again. Sending good vibes, prayers, and virtual hugs your way!
ReplyDeleteRian, you've been a dear friend. Thanks so much.
DeleteLousy way to do it, but since you're happy about it, I'm happy for you! We're still missing your presence out here in Internetland hoping for your complete recovery very soon! Good to hear from you. I'm looking forward to the smiling photo of you when you're finally able to make your first foray back out into the real world.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bobi and thank you again for those emoji stickers! 😊
DeleteYou don’t look too bad in that bottom photo. Of course, you probably don’t feel as good as you look, alas.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be on track to reach your goal.
Don’t do what I do – eat properly, and frugally (well that’s a good thing), but don’t drink all that wine that I do. Oh well.
My t-shirts all look baggy on me, not because I’ve lost weight (see above), but because I always buy baggy ones, so I can pretend that I’ve lost all those kilos.
I’m sorry to potentially bring you down, but my sister contracted chronic fatigue when she was about 25. It stayed with her for the rest of her life.
Hang in there. All we commenters are pulling for you.
Peter I always get such a kick from your feedback. Thank you my friend and it's good to hear from you too. I'm sorry about your sister, but I intend to beat this CFS. It's awful.
DeleteA new post from you is a real lift to the spirits of so many, not just me, I see from reading the other comments. Your face looks much more like you, so perhaps the swelling has started to go away. Best wishes for more good minutes that bad ones in the coming days!
ReplyDeleteCeci
Thank you Ceci, so much appreciated.
DeleteWhat a painful way to lose the weight, Doug! We've all been so worried about you and have been hoping for better news. It sounds like, miserable as you are at times, it's not 100% of the time like it was. I hope you can get outside more and manage a trip to the senior center. They may not even recognize you! Looking good!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Margaret, I miss our talks. I was on your blog the other night trying to catch up, I need to get back on there again. I very much hope things are well with you and your family.❤️
DeleteAs mentioned several times above, you are looking great. The cause hasn't been fun, but the results are worth keeping.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanne, and I'm reminded of you every time I go into my kitchen. I have your lovely red dish towel on my dining table as a placemat. I love it. Thanks to you and Mike who bought it from you for me as a gift. 🙂
DeleteNot at all a drag to read! Glad to hear from you. Useful info re symptoms, plus good news about weight. You look good, but it is hard won. Hope you feel better each day. Olivia
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Olivia. I always enjoy hearing from you.
DeleteAlong with every single other commenter, I'm glad to see a post from you. I've been wondering about you and did not want to aggravate you by bombarding you with e-mails. You look great, and I'm hopeful that you soon begin to feel great. Outside only 4 times since June? Yikes. Those four walls must be closing in on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon. It's funny, I told my friend Diana on the phone the other night that I should be hating my place, but I don't. She said that's because it's your Haven. She was right I'm grateful for these walls but you do make a good point!
Delete