My Dad lost 90 pounds without any quick fixes or gimmicks!
Happy Wednesday!
With my Dad’s permission, I have a really interesting post today. It’s his personal weight loss story.
Several long time readers commented on my Dad’s weight loss over the past year because it’s been quite profound. He has really been the incredible shrinking Dad each time he makes an appearance on Running in a Skirt.
Here is my family Father’s Day 2014…
And here we are Easter 2015….
The only thing missing is about 90 pounds of Pops!
Crazy huh? I’m so proud of him.
Better yet, he lost the weight with shear determination. No surgery or pills required.
After talking with him, he changed four big things in his life that finally took the weight off.
1. Diet
Dad completely changed the way he eats. He focuses on a low-carb diet, without going meat Atkins crazy. He eats of lots of vegetables, but avoids bread, pasta and anything really carby. It’s basically a variation of the South Beach Diet. He is a huge fan of salads with a good portion of meat on top. He even has become cautious of the salad dressing he uses.
His favorite local restaurant in Orlando, even carries a specific salad that is perfect for his diet!
2. Working Out
Dad started meeting with a trainer and started working out! After several appointments he learned enough to do it on his own and committed to going several times a week. He has terrible knees so his favorites are water aerobics, walking and the elliptical.
3. Tracking Steps
Dad got a FitBit this past year and he loves it! He religiously walks at least 10,302 steps a day, which is his five miles. He will even go for a walk late at night if he hasn’t met his goal for the day. The tracker is perfect motivation for him.
4. Make it Social
Dad made much of his exercise fun and social! He joined a Meetup group that meets at Disney several times a week. They walk around the hotels and parks for exercise. He always enjoys it and gets to see his friends. It’s hard to blow something off when a bunch of people are expecting you!
He also uses the FitBit to challenge his friends. He’s a competitive guy, so the social motivation is just what he needs!
Dad worked so hard to get the weight off and I’m so proud of him. He says now the real challenge is to keep it off, but he is determined. I've got faith he can pull it off!
Thanks for stopping by! Tomorrow I’m sharing a light and refreshing homemade popsicle recipe with watermelon and mint.
I’m linking this post with Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday and Annmarie for Wild Workout Wednesday.
Your turn!
Do you have any weight loss tips or stories to share?
Crystal Renaud says
That is such an inspirational post! You must be so proud of him! I hope he is equally as proud of himself!
JulieWunder says
Thank you! I am very proud of him.
Bernard Shuford says
And, exactly zero men have commented on this post. What a shame, because it has inspired me already.
jill conyers says
Such an inspiring story. High 5 to your dad Julie. I have to brag about my dad who was told he had high cholesterol and instead of taking a prescription he told the doctor he wanted to try for 6 months to lower his cholesterol without medication. Bam! He did it. Diet and exercise trumps a prescription.
JulieWunder says
That's amazing!!! Congrats to him too. Such great testaments to healthy living.
Jenny @ apples & kale says
That's awesome! Congrats to your dad; way to go!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jenny! I'm so proud!
Andrea says
This is awesome! The fitbit is great for those with a competitive soul. Tell him congrats on the great work!
JulieWunder says
Totally! Its working great!
Cassi says
Go Dad, losing weight the right way!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Cassi! I'm proud of him!
GinaB @ Mirror Watching says
This is awesome. He is looking great and I'm sure feeling so much better.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Gina! He is!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Congrats to him! I am always so proud of people who do it the healthy way!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Heather! I'm proud of him too!
Ivanna says
Congrats to your Dad. That is so awesome that he lost weight the old fashioned way. Such a great testimony!
JulieWunder says
Yes! Hard work totally paid off. I'm very proud of him.
Jess @hellotofit says
Thank you so much for sharing your dad's journey with us! Love that he is progressing the "normal" way 🙂
JulieWunder says
Yes! Hard work and dedication! Goes a long way.
Erin@BeetsPerMinute says
That's so great! I love that your dad's weight loss was based on making sustainable changes, getting active, and making it fun and social. This is how people make big changes and stay successful. So great of you to share this story with us, Julie! 🙂
JulieWunder says
Yes! This is how you REALLY do it. Very proud of him.
Dan says
Your posts are always interesting , but yes , this post was especially interesting because of the human interest element involved and because it was your Dad. I've lost 36lbs myself (and need to loose 20 more), so I know how hard your Dad has worked , and I admire his disciplined approach.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Dan! He did work very hard and I'm very proud of him.
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
This is a wonderful post!! I am so happy for your dad. It's really the little things that make all of the difference, and consistency every day over time.
JulieWunder says
Yes! Big goals require big changes.
Edward S. says
This is great! Everyone needs to stay healthy!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Edward! I agree!
Beverley Cheng says
this is so inspiring! congrats to your father and probably to yourself for motivating him 🙂 I am hoping to get my father to see a personal trainer because he has so many aches and pains. i will show him this post!
JulieWunder says
It can be done. There is a way for anyone to do something!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
Congratulations to your dad - he looks great! I have a Misfit Shine, and I wish it was as interactive as the Fitbit, because I can see it being so fun to compete with your friends!
JulieWunder says
Yes! I think that is his favorite part.
Cailee says
Well done to your dad!! This is awesome!! I'm just like him in the fact that I LOVE my Fitbit!!! It helped me lose weight, and helps me maintain my health!! 🙂
JulieWunder says
He swears by his Fitbit! It's a powerful tool.
Angelena Marie says
That is so great for your dad! What an inspiration!!
JulieWunder says
Thank you! I agree!!
Nancy says
Wonderful post. Congratulations to your Dad. And for doing it the right way. With the lifestyle change he will be able to continue in his healthy habits and keep the weight off.
JulieWunder says
Yes! He worked his rear off!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
This is so great!! I think your dad and my mom would be good friends and workout buddies!
JulieWunder says
I think so too!
Danyelle Musselman says
Wow, that is so awesome! Congrats to your dad, loved this post!
JulieWunder says
Thank you! I'm very proud!
April says
Awesome !!! Keep it up DAD...
JulieWunder says
Woop!! I agree!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
That is so incredible! It sounds like your dad has made very healthy and achievable lifestyle changes and he's gotten amazing results! I gotta say that I'm super jealous of his Disney walking group. I wanna join!
JulieWunder says
You'd love it! I go with him when I'm in town.
Blane Sherer says
I'm glad your dad was willing for you to share his weight loss story with us. It certainly is a great fit for your blog. Congratulations to him and thanks for sharing.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Blane! I'm very proud!
Annmarie says
Congrats to your dad, that is AMAZING!!! Such awesome progress in such a short amount of time!
JulieWunder says
Yes! He really well!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
Your dad's weight loss and taking the initiative to improve his health is truly inspirational! You must be so proud of him.
JulieWunder says
Thank you Wendy! I am very proud!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
That's great that your dad decided to take his health back and major changes that he can sustain. Yay dad!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Deborah! Proof it can be done too.
Dan Steadman says
wow!!!! That is amazing...you must be so proud...and tips we can all use no matter what amount we are trying to lose
JulieWunder says
I am very proud! I agree-- great tips at any weight.
sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says
WAY TO GO DAD!!! that is awesome...i need to send this to my dad 😉 thanks for linking up!
JulieWunder says
Yay for Pops! Best of luck to your Dad. It's great to see them get healthy.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Bravo! Thank you for sharing this--this is real life success, people!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Susie! Proof it can be done!
Mary Jean Henson says
Very inspirational story. Sounds like your Dad will keep the weight off! Proud of his accomplishment.
JulieWunder says
I think he will! He totally revamped his life!
Michelle says
That's so great! What an inspiration he is to others! Thanks for linking up!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Michelle! I am very proud!
Heather @Fitncookies says
Totally awesome and amazing. Way to go dad! That's so fantastic, Julie. I love that he did it all on his own and no pills or surgery! That's huge motivation for others out there!
Amanda says
This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Martha says
Good for him! Pleased you wrote about his success.