After seeing a facebook posting from Drew about this opportunity to win money participating in a weight loss challenge, I impulsively signed up. Since I tend to approach things cautiously after much reflection, I wonder if I'm prepared to accomplish this goal. Four percent would be roughly twelve pounds lost in one month, or three pounds per week. If I can meet this challenge, it will be a win/win for me. I invited my kids, my mother, and two other friends so they would at least know I was playing the game; I don't expect them to participate.
My name is Ken. Being forty-seven and morbidly obese with a Body Mass Index of 39 (Obesity Class II) and a waist measuring over forty-nine inches, I'm at very high risk for developing heart disease. Members of my family have suffered from heart disease, so that increases my likelihood for developing the number one cause of death in America.
If that were not enough reason to embrace this challenge, my favorite activities include strenous outdoor pursuits such as abalone diving, hiking, bicycling, and climbing mountains. How can I enjoy these activities very much longer if I don't take better care of my health?