A New Year’s resolution to lose weight may top the annual list more than anything else.
Seldom do any last past the end of January, although most people start out with good intentions. Opportunities to eat out, tasty food and hard-to-turn-down desserts get in the way.
I have had my share of bouts with dieting. The first few days are easy, but when you hit a plateau or pounds start coming off at an excruciating rate, it’s hard to maintain your enthusiasm.
No one knows that any better than Iolan Terry Muntzert, who works in circulation for the Register.
In 2002 he was diagnosed as being diabetic.
Over the next few years his weight crept up to 350 pounds, a pretty good load for anyone.
Then, with depression a constant companion, Terry stopped by a TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meeting in April 2011. What other attendees and leaders had to say made an impression.
He changed his eating habits to more salads, as well as smaller portions that included fruits and vegetables. Basically, Terry adopted a healthy eating regimen.
He stayed with TOPS for about three years, and lost weight in the best of all ways, slowly but surely. He finally got down to 275, when he hit the inevitable plateau, even gained a bit back up to 288.
Then, Debra Ballagh entered the equation, which made Terry “happier than I’ve ever been.” It also prompted him to get back to healthy eating.
Now, he’s down to about 200 pounds and can squeeze into pants with a 42-inch waist band, which is important.
Debra is a Denver Bronco fan while Terry’s lives and dies with the Chiefs. To encourage his diet and keep her beau healthy, Debra promised to cheer for the Chiefs when K.C. plays Denver, if he lost enough weight to wear size 40 trousers. That in itself will be quite an accomplishment. He once had a 58-inch waist.
While Terry is strict about following his diet, he does allow himself an occasional malt or dish of ice cream.
“You can’t deprive yourself of sugar all the time,” he quipped.
Iolan has good reason to diet as pounds melt away
