Welcome to Let's Talk Healthy Living

My name is Pat.

I am a Boomer.

I have, like many people, struggled with my weight and health for most of my life.

I reached my heaviest weight in 2011. My first grandchild had just turned 1. I took her and her mother on vacation to Hilton Head.

After we returned, my daughter gave me a picture of me with my granddaughter.

I looked all swollen!

I could have been the Michelin tire!

I knew then that I had to do something or else I might not be around to see my granddaughter grow up.

I had type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol (which together make up metabolic syndrome).

I was able to lose 30 pounds in about 1 1/2 years but then slowly regained 15 of it.

I had used the standard diabetic diet, which allowed for all foods in moderation while counting carbohydrates.

I stayed at this weight until the beginning of 2017. I had just moved back to Wisconsin and was embarking on my journey of retirement.

But, it was immediately obvious that I would have to address my weight again. My left knee gave out within 2 weeks of moving into our house.

I knew it was time to get serious again.

I had my torn meniscus surgically repaired a few months later. But before that, I went totally plant-based for my diet and lost 30 pounds.

I bought a recumbent bike after the surgery since the physical therapist had me using one.

I took courses on what a plant-based lifestyle encompassed. I brought out my materials on mindfulness and began using the tools again.

Now, 11 years later, I am a total of 70 pounds down.

I laugh at the commercials that talk about how hard it is to lose weight after 60.

It is IF you don't change your lifestyle.

But IF you follow a cleaner lifestyle, more geared toward looking out for your physical and mental wellbeing, it can be done.

I still have some weight to lose, but I know I can do it.

And I know you can, even if you are a Gen X, Millennial, or a Boomer, like me.