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| Walt -- Tour Supporter |
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| 2005 | Today |
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| Office location |
Owner of Walt's Cafe Restaurant in Huntingdon, PA |
| Before the Tour |
When members of the Tour visited my restaurant in 2005, I was following in my family history of obesity and diabetes. The tour members, in particular Chris and Gary, encouraged me to visit my doctor and begin to change my lifestyle of eating anything I wanted and getting no exercise. |
| Action Taken |
I went to my doctor who immediately put me in the hospital. I was 424 pounds, had diabetes, and my blood sugar was out of sight. The hospital put me on a strict diet, which I hated. So, when they released me from the hospital, I developed my own diet that included lots of fruits and vegetables. I started parking farther from the restaurant, and added healthy options to the menu. |
| Results |
With ongoing support from Chris, who is once again a rider in this year's Tour, I now weigh 220 lbs., no longer have diabetes, have taken up lifting weights, and co-own a farm where I am able to bail hay ... something I could never have done only two years ago. Instead of sitting around the house, I have a whole new bunch of younger friends and lead a very active life.
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| Your personal "health revelation" or success story that motivated you to adopt an active lifestyle |
Speaking with the members of the 2005 Health Awareness Tour, I realized that if I kept going the way I was, I would not live a very long life. I deserved better! |
| Why a healthy lifestyle is important to you |
It makes me feel good about myself and has totally changed my life for the better. |
| One piece of advice to help others live a healthier life |
Find an encouraging friend, like Chris, who acts as your coach and checks in on you regularly and helps you to keep going when the change gets tough. |
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