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Bye Bye Fat Me

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This poem just came to mind as I was reflecting on a choice I made more than 20 years ago that changed my health and probably the length of my life. Currently healthy and happy and in normal weight range for height and body type. I lost 80+ lbs of useless fat in 18 months.

Man in background mirror hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy additio

I can’t believe it’s really me Waist to head, I’m a Christmas tree From this fat, I’ll never be free A healthy life I’ll never see I gained a little here and there And now the people seem to stare This weight my bones can barely bare My body now needs special care Less sugar, less salt -- that I know And a walk each day – start out slow Make healthy choices as I go Learn it’s okay to just say no Make lifetime changes carefully Let my weight change naturally

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Peter Dome

Date: 3/23/2024 12:19:00 PM

Great Bill Well done. Quite achievement mind over matter. Enjoyed the read. I need to follow your plan too. Pete.

Bill Baker
Date: 3/23/2024 4:07:00 PM

Thanks for the mindful comments, Pete. Have a pleasant weekend, my friend. Bill

Brian Sambourne

Date: 3/14/2024 8:36:00 PM

Excellent personal care advice here. I hope your new attitude to weight loss + fitness yields the results you wish to achieve. Best wishes, Brian

Bill Baker
Date: 3/14/2024 9:28:00 PM

Thanks Brian, it's just a matter of going back to being me. lol Have a great weekend, my friend. Thanks for the visit and comments. Bill

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/14/2024 12:51:00 PM

good one on that feeling of hopelessness that fat gives us. At one point, I became this way and I quickly lost 20 pounds, only to end up with cancer at the end of that. Then after cancer, I made sure to get 7 fruits and veggies per day. It helped me lose even more weight, but that last ten pounds I'd love to get off, It will never happen because I simply cannot eat like a mouse!! Congats for your weight loss.

Bill Baker
Date: 3/14/2024 3:01:00 PM

Thanks for the congrats, Andrea. Ten lbs is not dangerous at your age, eating enough to stay healthy is. With all you've been through medically, it's amazing you didn't put a lot of weight on. I know you're a strong woman, I admire all you do with your challenges in life. live long and keep sharing! Hugs, Bill

Ink Empress

Date: 3/14/2024 6:48:00 AM

Thats really impressive how you were so disciplined and determined to lose weight and your journey that youv described is impressive too; what was your routine? Is it changing your diet? I love the flow and depth of what youv written here. “ Less sugar, less salt -- that I know And a walk each day – start out slow Make healthy choices as I go Lear it’s okay to just say no” yes! I hope you will keep reaching your health goals. Pleasure always reading your work. Sending you light always.

Bill Baker
Date: 3/14/2024 3:07:00 PM

When I lost all that weight, I walked or jogged every day 3 miles and watched my salt and sugar intake closely. I also when to the gym for an hour three times a week, plus I was coaching track and field at High School and teaching full-time. Now I just walk 1 hour a day and try to get to the gym twice a week. I eat enough to never be hungry, but never feel bloated either. I try to keep my calories per day between 1200 and 1500. That's about it at 79. I've been very fortunate to not have been seriously sick or had major surgery. Love and Light, Bill

Vijay Pandit

Date: 3/14/2024 6:06:00 AM

Wonderfully dwelling in humor and self reflection, my friend. A lesson for us to look within for what may ail us. Well done, Bill.

Bill Baker
Date: 3/14/2024 3:09:00 PM

Thanks for the comments, Vijay. As we age, we just don't need as much food and drink as when we we're younger. Stay active and the rest takes care of itself. Have a great day! Bill

Sara Kendrick

Date: 3/14/2024 4:26:00 AM

I used to eat green salads probably 5 or 6 days a week to help keep my weight down because it just runs in my family to put it on. Now, I can't eat the salad that much anymore because of stomach problems. I look like the couch potato. LOL..Thanks for sharing this one and for dropping by my page. Sara K

Bill Baker
Date: 3/14/2024 3:13:00 PM

Too much fiber can cause stomach and bowel problems as we age, my friend. Watching the sugar and salt intake is often all we older folks can do to maintain our health. Thanks for the visit and comments, my friend. Have a pleasant day! Bill

Tonye George

Date: 3/13/2024 8:06:00 PM

This is coming in sync with my thoughts. I'm telling my friend to work on his diet and be as good as snow. Reducing some weight is the best decision anyone can make. There are lots of sicknesses that come with being overweight. Thank you for making the right decision to live and be healthy. Cheers Bill.

Bill Baker
Date: 3/13/2024 10:44:00 PM

Thank you, Tonye. I ultimately lose 90 lbs in 2003, and kept it off until the covid disaster in 2020. I've put 30 lbs on in the last 3 years. At 79 that's not a good thing. My daily walks and my gym workouts are much harder. Thanks for the encouraging comments. Have a great week! Bill

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 3/13/2024 4:32:00 PM

I do remember how courageous and disciplined you were during that time period. As you know, I had a similar revelation regarding my size/weight when I was 28...it's a shock when one realizes with disgust as one sees one's own reflection. Nicely written Sonnet, dear Bill

Bill Baker
Date: 3/13/2024 6:25:00 PM

I remember meeting you just after you reached your goal and life has never been the same since that night. Thank you. My loss pales in comparison to yours, I remember you lost more than twice what I lost according to the article in Shape magazine. You were and are an amazing woman, Sara. Thanks for sharing your writing and poetry with us along with your encouraging and uplifting comments. You're the best! Bill

Deb M

Date: 3/13/2024 10:54:00 AM

The title of this poem made me laugh Bill! The content is something l relate to also….its not easy my friend l know!! You are a lovely christmas tree though My brudda from anudda mudda!! Debx

Bill Baker
Date: 3/13/2024 3:07:00 PM

Covid to present was disastrous in terms of weight gain. I'm going back to what works for me or I'll die trying. Thanks for the kind works, Deb. Have a pleasant evening! Bill

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 3/13/2024 9:39:00 AM

Congratulations on your weight loss. Your poem is very inspirational.

Bill Baker
Date: 3/13/2024 3:09:00 PM

Kept it off for almost twenty years, but It's trying to come back now since the covid years. Back to the basics again. :-) Thanks for the comments, Hilda. Bill

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 3/13/2024 9:15:00 AM

Well done Bill, an inspirational poem. I know it isn’t easy but so worth it in the end… Beryl

Bill Baker
Date: 3/13/2024 3:16:00 PM

Thank you for the comment, Beryl. It is hard, especially as we age. It takes longer to get these extra pounds off than it used to. LOL Have a great week, my friend. Bill

Lin Lane

Date: 3/13/2024 9:05:00 AM

Good for you and your fortitude to take off the pounds and keep them off, Bill!

Bill Baker
Date: 3/13/2024 3:20:00 PM

I've been quite proud of keeping them off all these years, then covid came along and the country fell apart and I stated eating everything I could get my hands on. BIG Oops! Now I have to go back to the basics and get these extra lbs off, so I have more time with my (7 years younger than me) wife. Thanks for the kind words, my dear friend. Hugs, Bill