For Him, the Time Was Now
I knew finally when one of my tennis buddies referred to me as “Jubas the Hutt” that it was time to win the battle of trying to keep my waist size less than my age.
The last time my weight had been down was about seven or eight years ago. I recall two important points from that time: It was a lot easier to drop the pounds then, and I was not aware of my actual weight because I avoided the scale.
I’m sure turning 40 was a factor in my weight gain, and that trying to lose weight by judging the tightness of my clothing was no way to succeed. It was now or never: Lose the excess and feel great or resign myself to middle age, spare tire, sluggishness and dowdiness.
My first step was to ask a co-worker who had lost about 40 pounds how she did it. It was with the help of a nutritionist. I hadn’t done well on my own, so I made the call.
Hiring Nicole was the best move I could have possibly made. The first visit with her would be to talk about a nutritional plan, exercise, goals and to get on the scale.
The last time I was on a scale was about 14 years ago. Then, 227 pounds on a 6-foot-5-inch frame was all right, but not great. Now, by guessing based on tight clothes and a tighter belt, what could I be? 240? 245? 250? Not a chance. 272. I don’t remember the rest of our meeting; I went into a catatonic trance.
Enthusiasm and education are the two most important benefits I received from my weekly meetings with Nicole. I thought I knew what was healthy until I sat down with a professional. Her plan is a healthy balance of foods, a specific number of calories per day and to keep records of what I’ve eaten. (Sounds simple doesn’t it? So is driving a car, but it wasn’t when you started.)
Armed with a tremendous variety of food options, I was never hungry and never felt deprived. If I craved chocolate or ice cream I had a little, not a lot.
Being athletic, getting exercise was not a problem. I just made sure it was at least four days a week and to mix up the weightlifting, tennis, stationary bike and racquetball to make sure my workouts didn’t become boring.
My original goal was 225. Six months later, I weigh 210 pounds, feel great and now own a scale.
Vital Statistics
Name: Dean Jubas
Age: 41
Occupation: Real estate agent
Old weight: 272
New weight: 210
Time to get there: Six months
Want to Share Your Success Story?
Losing weight is as individual as gaining weight. Do you have a story on how you got in shape and stayed there? If so, we’d like to hear from you with a 500-word essay listing what worked in terms of diet, exercise, encouragement / support as well as your emotional and physical changes.
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