The Virginian-Pilot, July 28, 2008
FOR HANK MILLER, the smallest of tasks proved excruciating. His fibromyalgia, a debilitating syndrome characterized by fatigue, chronic pain and stiffness in muscles and tendons, had taken over. He wanted a better life and to free himself from more than a dozen pain-relief prescription medications. Losing weight has set him free.
What was your breaking point?
Our breaking point came in December 2007. It centered around Hank. His pain from fibromyalgia was unbearable. He was taking 13 different prescription medications to reduce pain, but he felt that they "messed with my emotional well being" too much.
On top of that he only slept two or three hours a night.
Hank felt he had to find a better solution.
What was your physical condition at that time and what were your goals?
Hank was 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighed 293 pounds.
"I could not get out of bed and walk to the bathroom without resulting in pain," he said.
I, at 5 feet, eight inches, weighted 180 pounds.
Our goal was to lose enough weight for Hank to stop taking all medications. We both wanted to feel better.
How did you achieve your goal?
Under the recommendation of Hank's pain management doctor, we began the meal-replacement program at Tidewater Bariatrics. Our plan had us eating a minimum of 1,000 calories per day and exercising enough to burn a minimum of 2,000 calories per week.
The more we attended class, the more we believed that the goals we had previously thought to be unreachable were reachable.
We learned that we could live on 1,000 calories per day and not be hungry, and we could exercise enough to burn 2,000 calories per week without pain.
We are now burning between 4,000 and 6,250 calories weekly.
What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself along the way?
We learned that the things we considered impossible in our lives are now more possible than ever before. Hank could not burn 400 calories in a week when we started the diet in December 2007. Today, six months later, this past week he set a personal record of burning more than 6,250 calories.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
We know this diet was about changing our lives forever. It was not a bandage to Hank's pain. We decided this was for the long haul. Our motivation is the memory of what life was like before.
Your best advice for others?
Have your mind totally made up that you want and need to lose weight for the long haul.
meet the motivator
Dr. Margaret Gaglione, internist and bariatrician and medical director of Tidewater Bariatrics - and Hank and Robin's physician
Tidewater Bariatrics
1413 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake
(757 644-6819; www.tidewaterbariatrics.com
What part did you play?
Our staff provided twice weekly support for Hank and Robin. Additional support came from other patients as they worked together in the weekly educational classes.
While we provided the directions and the roadmap, Hank and Robin deserve all the credit for their hard work, drive, commitment, and encouragement of each other.
With a combined weight loss of 124
pounds, Robin and Hank are undoubtedly far healthier than they
were just six months ago.
