Defying the Odds: Reclaiming My Health with Fitness, Nutrition, and Determination
Finding Strength and Health: My Journey Through Diabetes, Exercise, and Real Change
At 52 years old and weighing 425 pounds, life with diabetes often feels like an uphill battle. For years, I fought exhaustion and weakness, trying every tip and trick, but nothing seemed to make a lasting difference. Eventually, I reached a turning point where I realized that I had to take control of my health journey and make changes that felt authentic to me. This is the story of how a boxing workout, a change in my approach to supplements, and sheer determination led to some of the biggest health transformations of my life.
Starting Slow and Simple: Boxing My Way Forward
I began with something that felt exciting: boxing. Now, I wasn’t bouncing around the ring like Muhammad Ali. Instead, I stood flat-footed, throwing punches as best I could. Boxing was something I enjoyed, and even though I could only manage a few punches at a time, I loved it. The progress was slow, and despite my efforts, I could tell that my body wasn’t holding on to the nutrients I needed.
A Hard Truth: Blood Sugar and Supplement Reality
It wasn’t until later that I started connecting my slow progress to a deeper issue – my blood sugar. My diabetes was preventing my body from retaining essential nutrients. I realized that protein shakes and random supplements weren’t cutting it. That’s when I found Gary Brecka, whose philosophy resonated with me: only take supplements for deficiencies, and use vitamins that your body can absorb. “Don’t take supplements just to take supplements” became my mantra.
I stopped relying on quick fixes or anything that only masked the problem. Instead, I looked for a real solution. But here’s the tough part – when your energy is low, it’s hard to push through, even if you’re motivated. I pushed anyway, and while I felt some improvement, I was still tired.
The Game Changer: 10X Multivitamin and Perfect Amino
Everything shifted when I started using the 10X multivitamin. About 90 days in, I felt my energy begin to return. I had more strength, and I could see real change. Then, I swapped out my post-workout whey protein for Perfect Amino taken 30 minutes before my workouts. That move tripled my results, adding more strength and muscle than I’d seen in years. I’ve now lost 55 pounds while building muscle and feeling stronger than I have in 15 years.
While I’m not a doctor, if you’re in a similar situation, here are six steps that worked for me:
Start Moving in Any Way You Can
Even if you can only move your arms for 10 minutes or take a short walk, it counts. Just start. Moving after dinner is especially helpful for blood sugar.
Take the Right Supplements
Don’t take supplements blindly. If possible, invest in a genetic test to identify what your body actually needs. If that’s not feasible, start with a comprehensive multivitamin like the 10X multivitamin, which provides over 70% of what your body requires.Set Goals and Keep Progressing
Break down your big goals into smaller, achievable steps. Each time you hit a small goal, set a new one. This forward momentum kept me focused.Try Keto for Weight Loss, Then Transition to Whole Foods
A ketogenic diet helped me kickstart my weight loss. After 12 weeks, my plan is to transition to a whole-food-based diet for long-term health.Set One Big Goal, Then Smaller Monthly Goals
Staying consistent and committed to my big vision, with smaller monthly targets, has kept me on track without feeling overwhelmed.Stay Focused on Your Path
People will give you well-meaning advice, but it’s easy to get lost in others’ opinions. Choose a plan, commit, and don’t get swayed. Bouncing between diets and workouts only led to frustration.
Final Thoughts: My Progress and What’s Next
I still have a way to go, but I’m finally seeing and feeling the changes I’ve dreamed of. If you’re like me and have faced challenges with health and fitness, I hope my journey inspires you to take that first step and find what truly works for you. Remember, it’s not about overnight results – it’s about staying strong, finding what energizes you, and choosing a path that makes you feel alive.
Always consult you doctor before making changes. Go to loseweightwithbigdave.com to follow my progress and to products.iambigdave.com to see the supplements I use.
