It was the Glide Step, learned in marching band decades ago.

As I have expanded my track walking to include scaling the bleachers, two thoughts have occurred to me.

1. It seems like the higher I get on the bleachers the more gravity has an effect, and...
2. Actually bending the knees on the steps makes me realize that the way I walk has been my saving grace with my weight over the years, and I can only credit one thing for that.

In the August leading up to my sophomore year in high school, we had the opportunity to get on the field and learning the finer points of field and street marching. No bent knees, but a glide step. If your instrument bobbed, you did a lap. I thought about that this year as I was watching the Paola band director giving guidance to his band on the field while I was walking the track. They weren't getting a proper formation marching off the field, and he was perplexed, as I walked by, I mentioned he should have them do a lap. Yeah, no, 

Do you know how hard it is to hide a sousaphone's movement while practicing? 

So that is what I am writing about? Laps, glide steps, and bleachers?

Sorry, just had to provide context. Six months ago, I couldn't have completed my three mile walk without stopping and stretching my back, and there was no way I would have even thought of doing the bleachers. I was physically unable to do those things, without getting into the danger zone.

I watch with horror that TV shows, and other media seem to celebrate obesity. How fat shaming is a crime worse than murder. Believe me, I understand that overweight people have a problem that goes beyond will power, that goes beyond just putting the plate down, or not going for 2nds or 3rds. But I know a few other things too, which caused me to take the drastic step that I did.

I have prolonged my life by, for the past 18 years, walking at least 5 days a week. No matter the weather, I would try to get in 3 miles, beyond just the normal steps of the day. As I am getting older, my body was starting to rebel. Ankles, hips and back were constantly yelling at me, not allowing me to do my three miles straight, without stopping and stretching.

I was too fat?

The world of weight fitness seems to revolve around BMI. Maybe even more so than pounds. and while BMI calculators do not take into account individual body characteristics, it is a good general bench mark, I guess.

When I started my pre-op diet, my BMI according to the calculator was 52. That was April 8, 2021.

At my weigh in today, the calculator showed 37.4. I have shed over 100 pounds. Of course, looking at what was my goal weight, which still shows as "overweight", I have to question how that scale works, but what have I gained so far on this journey?

If you did not know me before I transferred from my first Air Traffic job at Topeka Forbes Field (FOE) to Omaha RAPCON (R90, Club Radar), you have not seen me at the weight I am now. That means when I lived in Omaha, moved down to KC, out to Twin, and back, you have not seen me as thin as I am now. My kids technically have, but they were so young, that it is doubtful they could remember such a thing.

I think I highlighted previously that I felt only those who had reached the end of their rope on weight loss would make the choice I did. At my age it becomes much more difficult to shed weight, short of extraordinary measures. I am not thrilled with my choice, but I had tried everything else. It is working. Of course, how could it not?

Are you overweight? Obese? Start by working your heart, doing something as simple as walking every day. That will buy time, do something with it. Consult your doctor, or health care provider. Seek out counseling. Let my tale be that warning to you to do something about your weight. Or better said, your fat. Try not to end up on the table, taking drastic measures to correct a life of bad choices.

Here are three pictures, the first is the last, heading to pow wow, the second is heading  to staff week and Feast, and the third is prior to starting my prep for surgery. Can you see a difference? If you know me, you know how much I hate being photographed, It is that important.



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