Doctors Visit Update (07/2025)

 Originally, I wanted this blog to be about weight loss and I started adding some recipes because I thought that's what cool bloggers did but eventually, I discovered that I wasn't much of a blogger at all because I did that to look healthy when it was one recipe or meal I was sharing while I didn't account for the rest of my days calories. Now, I just want to share my health journey to the dozen or so people that stumble across this blog. 

Maybe I shared this previously, maybe I didn't, but the short and sweet is that I was majorly unhealthy growing up and that led me to bad habits in my early adult years. Lots of greasy burgers in my 20's and milk shakes, soda or drinks that generally weren't water. This led to several health problems that I discovered in my late 20's and now 30's. 

As I turn 32 years old in less than a week, I just saw my doctor last week for an update to my A1C and a few other blood tests he wanted to look at. Boy, was I shocked. My A1C is now down from 7.2 to 5.6, which for those unaware, is in NORMAL ranges again! My cholesterol is good and not a concern and my blood pressure meds are being reduced from 20mg to 10mg to see if that's better for my light headedness although I was told I am not even drinking close to my daily amount of water and need to be much more intentional about that (like setting reminders intentional). 

Also, my liver enzymes are much lower and if I keep on the path I'm going, I might get rid of my (non alcoholic) fatty liver disease. Lastly, I am down from 365 lbs to currently 345 lbs. My doctor agreed to put in a prescription to raise my Monjouro from 2.5mg to 5.0 mg so I can hopefully keep my A1C low but also lose some additional weight as this is still high for my age/height. 

I have been through enough therapy at this point that I no longer blame my verbally abusive, fire and brimestone preaching father. I had daddy issues, now I have a "I want to stay alive" issue. My wife is my biggest supporter, from the moment we started dating, I knew I had made the right choice. We are closing in on our 1 year anniversary in August and what better gift then for her to know that I'm making healthier choices and will be around on this planet longer to enjoy our time together. 

As someone who deconstructed, partially, I came to realize that I will always believe in God. I will always believe in heaven and hell and the rapture happening one day and sin being bad so don't be a jerk to your fellow humans. That being said, I don't think cussing will send me to hell but I still choose time and place and curb the level of colorful language I put in my vocabulary. I think that it's important to pray and be intentional about my goals, choices and way I live my life. I don't ever think I'll be a disciple as shown in the bible who preaches to strangers but I will be happy to talk about my faith in an organic way if it comes up in conversation. I am not ashamed of my faith but I will not be another bad apple that spoils the bunch, as so many extremists have done in the past.

I say all this because in my depressed youth, when I struggled with wanting to be alive, I thought a loophole would be to eat badly enough that I have a heart attack and then God still has to let me into heaven. I was so afraid of hell and damnation that I decided to poison myself for a decade or so with a bad diet and habits. All the while not paying attention to gluttony being a sin as well. 

I was a troubled young adult with a trauma that made me people pleasing and begging for love from whomever would give it to me. I was in friend groups as the fat, funny guy and I stayed because it was better then being alone. I had several failed relationships because I had to feel in control and if I lost that, I lost everything. So many of my ex's have great stories they probably share with their family or friends and I'm embarrassed to have given it to them.

My wife, when we were dating, saved my life. Maybe not in the literal sense, but she gave me a reason to see a doctor, get yearly physicals, see a therapist and all around better myself. I would quite literally be where I was 10 years ago today if not for her. I refuse to believe any other narrative. For my birthday, I don't want gifts and I don't really want attention because I'm more concerned with my anniversary a month later in August where I get to celebrate my favorite person alive and the love we share together.

At the end of the day, I'm not a blogger. I am a writer and that takes many forms. Today, it means blogger. Tomorrow? Songwriter. Sometime after that? Novelist. I am taking back my health and demanding a full life of memories and love. What happens next doesn't matter as long as who I am doing it with loves me and takes the passenger seat with jubilation.

Until Next Time, Friends.

Into the Future!

I'm not even sure where to start, honestly. It's been 2.5 years since my last post and I feel as though so much as happened in that span of time. I suppose the best place to start in any story is the beginning. Two and a half years ago, I was roughly 29 years old if memory serves. I was dating my now wife and in a slightly better place mentally. I guess you could say I was making progress in certain areas of my life whereas in others, I simply was not. 

The run down is that, yes, I am married now, happily. Also, I am down 20 or so lbs thanks to Monjouro. That's right, I am on the Type II diabeties medication that has a side effect of weight loss. This is not by choice though, it's the product of years of telling my doctor that I was lazy and wanted to prove to myself I didn't need help to lose weight. Once my A1C got over 7.0 though, he drew a line in the sand and told me this would be what's best for my overall health and by losing weight, it might give me the motivation I'm looking for to jump into a routine of healthy habits.

I agreed and went from 367 lbs at my heaviest to recently weighing in at 346 lbs. It's not monumental to most but I haven't been under 350 lbs in years. I am currently on the low dose of 2.5 mg but as I have recently noticed a plateau, I will likely need to start the 5.0 mg dose upon my next doctor visit. I really thought the Monjouro would be the breakthrough, especially when I was starting to see tangible weight loss.

The truth is much more sobering, however.

Turns out, Monjouro can only do so much. It might give me constipation and lower stomach pain but it also eats the fat in my body. Though I would have preferred to have earned the 20 lbs off my body with a more disiplined diet and introduction of excercise, I had to take a shortcut. I truly believe that most doctors want to help us. Mine especially has proven that over years of being there for me and listening when I had concerns about my health.

I just wish it didn't affect my mental health. Have you ever wanted something so badly but felt as though you were being physically held back? LIke you were fully capable but this other part of you just thew chains over you and laughed as you struggled to break free? Mental health is so important and I have learned over the years several ways to combat this other side of myself. I no longer allow myself to speak negatively when looking in the mirror, in fact I try very hard to cut out talking to myself as a whole. 

It's an uphill battle but learning about yourself, your struggles and your tendencies/habits go a long way in making progress. I just wish people saw that progress physically. Instead, only those close to me (i.e. my wife) get to see that progress. Don't get me wrong, I love my wife to pieces and am thankful every day for her in my life. Without my wife, I never would have started seeing my current therapist and made the progress I have. It's thanks to years of intentional effort that I am where I am mentally and physically.

I just know how my brain is wired and having depression, anxiety, ADHD and childhood trauma just don't make the greatest adult cocktail. To add to that mixture of factors, let's not forget religion. The fear of going to hell if I make one mistake, if I listen to the lies being whispered in my ear daily. I simply put so much pressure on myself and it's sometimes debilitating. 

This is a blog about weight loss though, so let's get back on track. 

I am not doing anything with intention of losing weight other than taking Monjouro and playing pickleball once a week with friends. I used to go for daily walks but stopped when it got above 80 degrees outside. I do see my chiropractor every week though and I have stretches I try to do daily but for sure am doing before my appointments. My alignment is much better and if I can get on the 5.0 mg dose of Monjouro with my stretching habits, I might just get in a healthier place.

I can feel the pressure to perform and I don't want to let anyone down. Wish me luck on this journey ahead because we all know how good I am about keeping this blog updated. If you find me on socials, offer me words of encouragement. I appreciate the kind words.

Until next time, friends.

P.S. Please forgive any gramatical errors, I am typing this post on my tablet and it doesn't do the normal spellchecking my computer does.