pilot4500
IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
I posted a thread a few months ago about having trouble renewing my medical certificate. A lot of it had to do with the fact that I basically let my health go to hell. I was 250 pounds and borderline diabetic at my last flight physical. I also had tachycardia and high blood pressure. After doing a bunch of tests my medical certificate wound up being denied. I never thought that would happen to me. I think most of my problems had to be with me being fat and eating terribly. I exercised but I was living on fast food and $5 pizzas from Little Caesars. Eating that kind of food nearly killed me, and it would kill anyone.
Two weeks ago I started a diet and exercise program. I have limited myself to 1,200 calories a day, have not set foot in a fast food or pizza place, and have banned all junk food from my diet. So far I have lost 10 pounds and feel like I have tons more energy than I used to. I am 32 and I feel better than I did at 22. I feel like I am finally taking control of my health.
Today I am going to be trying out the Insanity workout program. This is in addition to the walking and weight lifting that I have already been doing. My goal is to get my weight down to 190. I still have a long way to go, but I will get there.
My message to all the pilots out there is take care of your health because nobody will do it for you! That can be easier said than done when you are on the road all the time, but always make an effort to eat right and exercise. As pilots our careers depend on keeping our medical certification, and it is so easy for that to be taken away from you if you don't take care of your health.
I am working in the IT field now, but might the opportunity to do some part time flight instructing if I can get my medical back. I wish I would have taken control of my health situation sooner, but better late than never. At least I got it under control before going full diabetic. I hope that other pilots out there can learn from my experience.
Two weeks ago I started a diet and exercise program. I have limited myself to 1,200 calories a day, have not set foot in a fast food or pizza place, and have banned all junk food from my diet. So far I have lost 10 pounds and feel like I have tons more energy than I used to. I am 32 and I feel better than I did at 22. I feel like I am finally taking control of my health.
Today I am going to be trying out the Insanity workout program. This is in addition to the walking and weight lifting that I have already been doing. My goal is to get my weight down to 190. I still have a long way to go, but I will get there.
My message to all the pilots out there is take care of your health because nobody will do it for you! That can be easier said than done when you are on the road all the time, but always make an effort to eat right and exercise. As pilots our careers depend on keeping our medical certification, and it is so easy for that to be taken away from you if you don't take care of your health.
I am working in the IT field now, but might the opportunity to do some part time flight instructing if I can get my medical back. I wish I would have taken control of my health situation sooner, but better late than never. At least I got it under control before going full diabetic. I hope that other pilots out there can learn from my experience.