I was diagnosed with type I diabetes at the age of 2 years old. Over the course of my life I have attempted to maintain a diet plan but had trouble sticking to anything long term. In terms of physical fitness my medical conditions have always been a detriment to attaining any significant goals.
I had sought for years to get advice from my medical providers on how to accomplish the body image, health and vitality that I desired with the same results. That with my diabetes, asthma and heart condition that a rigorous fitness routine was not advisable.
My job requires a lot of business related travel including eating out with clients. Over the past several years my lifestyle had become increasingly more sedentary and my diet was horrible. I had continually increased my clothing size and continued to gain body fat while not being able to physically do any of the things I enjoyed.
I went through stages of trying to use hotel treadmills with no real success.
In September 2008 I had to buy a pair of pants that measured a 42" waist. I was taking over 16 prescription medications not including my insulin that all had adverse side effects including weight gain and loss of energy at the top. I was determined to stop this trend and to take control of my life.
I began a very strict nutrition plan in September of 2008 that provided 70% of my caloric intake from protein sources, 20% from low glycemic carbohydrates and 10% from healthy fats high in omega 3,6 and 9 essential fatty acids.
My main sources of food include fresh vegetables, chicken, fish and low glycemic whole grains and oats. I eliminate all carbs outside of fibrous carbs from broccoli and cauliflower after 6 PM each day and do not have a cheat day, ever. I buy everything organic that I possibly can to avoid the hormones, chemicalsâ and steroids that are so prevalent in our foods. I do not eat processed or fast foods.
In the end of March of 2009 I started going to a local gym after going from 262 lbs down to 172 lbs. I wanted to firm what I had and gain lean muscle. I began and maintain a Monday through Friday workout routine targeting a different major muscle group each day and work 30-60 minutes of mixed intensity cardio in daily as well.
Now when I travel my first stop is a whole foods market to purchase my groceries to cook and prepare in my hotel room. My second stop is a local gym that accepts my IHRSA Passport where I can continue my daily workout routine.
For the first time in my life I have energy to spare and I feel better than I ever have. I am sore many days from my workout routine but I am healthy and feel great.
My lab results have been perfect on every three month check up, my doctor does not like the intensity that I work out at nor that I have stopped all my medications. But he cannot argue that I have a medical need for them with the lab results.
At 45 1/2 years old on my last visit he stated that although he would never advise anyone to undertake the fitness routine I have that I had the body, health and lab work of a healthy 23 year old male. He said he cannot explain how I have reversed the complications I have but that I should continue to do what I am doing.
I attribute my health directly to my body building, my nutrition plan and my supplementation.
At present I do not take any prescription medication other than my insulin. I have perfect lab results.