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How I lost 150 lbs with diet and exercise

by Philip F. Jacobus, CEO | January 02, 2019
About 5 years ago I weighed 340 lbs. At 6'5" I was a tall guy and I always wore a suit coat but I still looked... let’s just say I was stout.

My wife Barbara, kind and considerate person that she is, made gentle little suggestions but I was too much of a boob to pay attention.

Then Barbara gave me a Kindle and put on it the book “A Short Guide to a Long Life” written by Dr. David Agus, who was Steve Jobs' physician. One of the things Dr. Agus suggested was to look at yourself naked in the mirror every day. When I did that I was not proud.
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It was around this same time that I’d developed lower back pains, knee pains and sciatica. I tried injections but that didn’t help. My doctor told me I had to lose weight and strengthen my core if I wanted to solve my knee, back and sciatica problems.

If all that wasn’t enough, my GP told me my hemoglobin A1c (a test that measures your average blood sugar) was at 5.9 and that I was now a pre-diabetic.

I was totally flipped out because I hate needles and the thought of being a diabetic and needing to inject myself once (or possibly several!) times a day was not appealing.

The straw that finally broke my back came one day standing in a line, when I overheard two women in front of me discussing how terrible it would be to be with a rather stout fellow in the room who looked a little like me, and I felt bad for my slim and trim wife.

I told Barbara how worried I was and she went online and bought me a used paperback copy of The PRE-DIABETES DIET PLAN written by Hillary Wright, a nutritionist from Boston.

I never understood what the pancreas did, or what it meant to have diabetes, but Hillary explained it all. Call me stupid, but I did not realize that bread and pasta (my favorite food!) contained carbohydrates that would break down into sugars and affected my hemoglobin A1c.

The book explained how to manage your diet in two different ways that could work for both math and science majors and for dummies like me.

If I was going to lose the pain in my knees and back, solve my sciatica, and lower my hemoglobin A1c I knew I had to change. And not just change my diet but also exercise.

Overnight I cut out almost all carbohydrates and started to eat a balanced diet. For two years I exercised every day even when I traveled. On days I was not on the road I exercised twice a day, once at 5 AM and then again at 7 PM.

I hired a trainer and then a yoga teacher and then a weight trainer.

At a restaurant I never ate the bread, and unless I was alone on a date with my wife, I never drank wine.

The weight came off little by little and I felt better and better. I found that my stomach seemed to get smaller because sometimes after just the appetizer at dinner I felt full.

View all The Jacobus Report Blog Posts


About Phil Jacobus

Phil Jacobus has been involved in health care since 1977, when he visited China to sell equipment. He has done business in 35 countries and still travels extensively. Phil is active in charity, helps rural clinics and always tries to help DOTmed users when he can.

Phil is a member of AHRA, HFMA, AAMI and the Cryogenic Society of America. He has contributed to a number of magazines and journals and has addressed trade groups.

Phil's proudest achievement is that he has been happily married to his wife Barbara since 1989, who helped him found DOTmed in 1998.

(1)

Jim Pringle

Proud of you

January 03, 2019 10:33

I have been struggling with weight and my wife is on the cusp of diabetes as well. I would appreciate a copy of the book if any are still available.

Thanks an congratulations, Ted Stevens

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(1)

muh kubeitari

re: Proud of you

January 08, 2019 02:54

GOOD NEWS

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Philip F. Jacobus

re: re: Proud of you

January 14, 2019 03:23

Thank you

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(1)

Philip Templeton

duly impressed

January 03, 2019 11:35

Phil,
Very impressed with your story- definitely hits a nerve here! Most grateful that you saw fit to share it with everyone and encourage everyone.
Appreciate the offer and will read any book that can be helpful!
Thanks Phil

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Philip F. Jacobus

re: duly impressed

January 14, 2019 03:23

I will send you a book. Offline I will ask for your address

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Mudi Ramesh

You are an inspiration!

January 11, 2019 09:52

My usual Thursday routine includes reading the DHB Daily news with my morning coffee. I missed this last Thursday 01/03 as I was away in Texas on holiday with my family. Today's issue triggered my memory. I went back to my Inbox and read last week's issue. I am glad I did. I would've missed your inspiring column otherwise!

Congratulations on your achievement. You are an inspiration to so many who are in the same boat. I don't have major weight problems to deal with but I sure do realize I don't eat right. I have to follow your footsteps. The only thing in your column that comes as a damper to me is you are saying you don't drink wine regularly. Ever since the medical fraternity started singing praise of red wine, I have made a glass a day with dinner my daily routine. Perhaps I should rethink in the light of your experience!

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Wayne Moore

re: You are an inspiration!

January 11, 2019 11:20

Hey Mudi, how the heck are you doing? Wayne

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Mudi Ramesh

re: re: You are an inspiration!

January 12, 2019 04:31

Hi Wayne, this is a new year surprise! Happy New Year to the Moore family. I continue to peddle in used MRs and CTs. Can't believe I'll be hitting the 11th year anniversary in 2 months! Update me on you. I'm pretty sure you are firing on all cylinders as usual :)

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Philip F. Jacobus

re: You are an inspiration!

January 14, 2019 03:23

thanks

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