Edit: I am still more active than I once was, and I have kept the weight off.
Originally posted May 24, 2016 on AIXchange
This blog typically covers AIX and other technical topics. However, every now and again I write about something else that interests me. This week’s topic, honestly, is sensitive.
You’re overweight. Or, if you’re not, you likely know someone who is. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least one-third of Americans are obese:
“Obesity is common, serious and costly.
More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.
The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.”
This isn’t necessarily a comment on the IT industry, but obviously our work makes it convenient to fall into a sedentary lifestyle:
“How many of us IT professionals are putting on a few pounds? We do generally have relatively sedentary lifestyles. We drive to our jobs, and sit in front of a computer all day. And if we’re not doing that, we’re sitting in a meeting. Then we go home and play video games and/or watch TV and movies. We eat more fast food than fruits and vegetables. Over time, this lifestyle takes its toll.
Starting healthy new habits like eating better and exercising more can be tough. It can be harder still to maintain these habits. I would argue that some in the IT industry — myself included — should think about getting the habit in the first place.”
When I wrote that back in 2009, I was talking to you — and, as noted, literally describing myself. I was eating junk and putting on pounds. But more recently, things have changed dramatically for me.
I’ll be honest: the logical arguments I made back then did nothing to alter my own behaviors. What happened was my sons got involved in Boy Scouts. I wanted to support them. To become an adult leader, you’re required to get a physical and fill out some paperwork. Basically, you need to demonstrate that you’re fit enough to participate in the week-long summer camps and backpacking trips with troops. One of the BSA forms mentions BMI limits:
“Excessive body weight increases risk for numerous health problems. To ensure the best experience, Scouts and Scouters should be of proportional height and weight. One such measure is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which can be calculated using a tool from the Centers for Disease Control here: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/ . Calculators for both adults and youth are available. It is recommended that youth fall within the fifth and 85th percentiles. Those in the 85th to 95th percentiles are at risk and should work to achieve a higher level of fitness.”
My doctor took this information seriously, and told me that he wouldn’t sign my paperwork until my BMI was where it needed to be. That was my wake-up call. I finally took my weight seriously. I finally stopped stuffing my face.
You’ve heard it all before, diet and exercise. That’s all it is. As mathematically inclined people, we should be able to understand that to lose weight we need to eat less than we burn. Skip the french fries and the hamburger buns and the soda. Mix in a salad. More protein, fewer carbs. Watch your portion sizes.
I’ve been going to a gym. I tried that previously, but I’d either lose motivation or get bored, mostly because I had no idea what I was doing. This time, I hired a trainer and attended classes. For me, it’s well worth the cost. Having someone to hold me accountable and vary my activities definitely helps.
Interesting thing: As much as working in technology can lead you to unhealthy lifestyles, there’s now a lot of cool tech stuff that can help you lose weight. There are apps that allow you to scan bar codes on food packages so you can more easily track your caloric intake. I have a scale that automatically connects to the web each time I get on it. It graphs my weight and tracks my BMI measurements. I have heart rate monitors that show how much effort I put into my exercise. I have fitness trackers that count the steps I walk. Obviously you don’t need the gadgets, but as a techie I enjoy them.
I’m much more active now: running, biking, swimming, hiking. I lived near mountains for awhile. Now I climb them. One of this summer’s scouting activities is a trek to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. For the past three years I’ve participated in an event that purports to be the country’s largest Boy Scout triathlon. The first year I tried it, I was so out of shape I didn’t finish. The second year, I did finish, and last year I lowered my time by 12 minutes compared to the year before. Next time out, I expect to reduce my time again, hopefully by a similar margin.
The point is, since December 2012, I’ve lost more than 60 pounds. I’m still a work in progress, but I believe I’m on the right path.
I know it’s unlikely that my story will cause anyone to change, because I understand that I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. Most of us engage in unhealthy behaviors. We smoke, we drink, we eat too much, we don’t exercise enough. We know about the health risks but for whatever reason, we don’t make meaningful changes. I personally know how it feels to lose weight, and then put it back on. And I know how easy it is to ignore what you see in the mirror.
But now, I also know how it feels to climb mountains without getting winded. I know how it feels to have my heart rate quickly return to normal after vigorous exercise. I know how it feels to go on lengthy hikes carrying a backpack that weighs more than the pounds I’ve lost. I know what it’s like to have to buy new clothes because nothing in the closet fits anymore. And I find all these things so personally gratifying. That’s why I’m sharing this with you.
If nothing else, if you see me at conferences eating junk, you can remind me of this piece. You can help hold me accountable. Or just maybe, someone will read these words and decide to actually make a change. If even one of you does, I’ll consider my efforts worthwhile.