I'm a 69 year old dude recently semi-retired from my business ... about 4 years now. Before retiring I weighed 245 pounds, which was a lot for a 5'9" small-boned guy, and, even though I was active, My doc at Kaiser told me I was facin' all kinds of meds if I didn't straighten out my diet.
Like many of us "out there" I'd tried everything, including meds (like phen-phen & other meth-type stuff, etc.); pre-boxed or pre-frozen meals; every piece of exercise equipment sold on late-nite TV; and intense activity, like ridin' my mountain bike 250 miles along the Great Divide in Montana and STILL gaining 8 pounds -- uh fat, not muscle. Nuthin' worked.
Finally, in desperation, I looked into Wt. Watchers. Best move I ever made. In a little over a year (66 weeks to be exact) I'd lost 80 pounds, my blood work was completely normal, my energy level was incredible, I could still eat volumes of food, and I've kept the weight off for well over a year. The only change was the kind of food I chose to eat.
The reason I'm writing this is I was recruited to be a WW leader ... and who'da thunk a blue-collar type such as myself would end up facilitating meetings about eating well, losing weight, and gettin' healthy? I'm enjoyin' it to the max and feel like I'm doing something that's really helping folks as well as addressing the over-weight epidemic now facing our nation.
So what's this all about? I'd like folks to check out the "new" -- absolutely new -- Weight Watchers program. Be great if some more guys would come to our meetings ... more women too, but if a blue-collar guy like myself could overcome my prejudices about WW bein' only for women then I know others can also. Take a look at your bellies guys, then come and see how to lose 'em. I'm so positive about this new way of life that I'm even going to leave my e-mail address here so I can answer any questions you may have: ed@oconnellplumbing.com.
One last note: I facilitate a noon meeting in San Rafael (at the Montecito Shopping Center near Trader Joe's), and a 6:30 meeting in Petaluma (at the Plaza Shopping Center just off McDowell near East Washington). If all you want is to meet and ask some questions I'm always there 45 minutes early. No pressure malarkey either -- just info.
Best and good luck,
Ed O'Connell
