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At age 57, my struggle with food addiction remains unabated, excluding some successful periods keeping it at bay. My health has suffered as a result:
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- IGA Nephropathy
--- 7 years on dialysis 3x/week, ending with kidney transplant in Feb 2009
- Hyperglycemia / Prediabetes (possibly at times undiagnosed type 2 diabetes)
- Dyslipidemia
--- 8.2% 10-year risk ASCVD (intermediate) as of Aug 2022
- Age-related Macular Degeneration since Oct 2018
--- eye injections now in both eyes monthly
Over the past year, my average weight was 252 lbs - the highest yearly average since early 2000s, when I was first diagnosed with kidney disease mostly likely due to prior years of uncontrolled high blood pressure and diet.
As I near retirement (hopefully by age 65) I want the final chapter of my life to be the healthiest and happiest. I want to find a woman to love and accompany me travelling the US and abroad, going on cruises, meeting others, making new friends and enjoying great cuisine.
I also want to ensure that I as approach my 80s the physical decline (neck bent/head forward) I witnessed in my grandfather does not happen with me. So, after I lose sufficient weight, I plan to integrate a regular strength training and stretching/yoga to ensure I retain or gain muscle mass.
I've started a carnivore diet (mainly beef, butter, bacon and eggs but with occasional other meats and dairy) and plan to abstain from drinking alcohol until I reach a healthy body fat % for my age.
Updated targets & goals for 2024:
- March 2024 - Obesity Class 1 (BMI <35) - <236
- June 2024 - Overweight (BMI <30) - <203
- November 2024 - Normal weight (BMI <25) - <170
Factors contributing to a **final success** reaching goal weight this year include:
- I need my health in check by age 60 to ensure my retirement years are the best years of my life. Time is running out.
- I need to arrest further degeneration of my eyesight - this is perhaps the most critical factor. I simply cannot go blind and still live the life I want to live.
- I have sufficient savings to avoid working for a year (and more if needed) allowing me to focus fulltime on diet and exercise. No excuses that I don't have the time, or am too stressed, etc.
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