St. Albert resident Jim Starko has a new lease on life after shedding 205 pounds over the last three years to finally reach his goal weight last month.
"I have my life back," he said. "I can now do a lot of the stuff that I enjoyed doing before, because this obesity thing and being as heavy as I was affected absolutely every aspect of my life."
His extra weight accumulated over three years – the same amount of time it took him to lose it – but in that time, he developed Type 2 diabetes and his blood pressure skyrocketed.
These health effects, which can lead to many chronic diseases like heart disease and stroke, were major kick-starters in his weight-loss journey.
"I've always been on the heavier side of things, but I never was this out of control," he said.
The moment he realized he needed to make a change came at an Edmonton Eskimos football game, when he was walking from his seat on the lower level to the parking lot following a game — roughly two to three city blocks.
"I can remember actually physically leaning over the hood of my brother's truck and gasping for air and saying to myself, you have to do something about this; this is ridiculous," he said.
Shortly after, he was referred to both the St. Albert and Sturgeon Primary Care Network (PCN) and Edmonton's Weight Wise clinic.
Weight loss kick-start
Before being accepted into the Weight Wise clinic, individuals must complete two of nine weight-focused modules relating to subjects like emotional eating, mass media influences, nutrition and cravings.
Starko completed all nine to better understand his weight gain, he said. These modules are part of a provincial program and are offered through the local PCN by referral.
There are five modules currently taught at the St. Albert and Sturgeon PCN, including an introduction to weight wise, three nutrition-based courses and a craving-focused module.
"We have decided as a PCN that all individuals who are looking to lose weight can benefit from attending the [modules] because it provides them with the initial skill and information to start their weight-loss journey," said Dena Pedersen, clinical manager.
Claire Izcovich, registered dietitian with the PCN, hosts the nutrition modules, which focus on calorie intake, weight management and planning and preparing healthy meals.
"The most important thing is their motivation — their motivation to make a lifestyle change," she said. "The idea of taking those modules is to begin the process."
She said she recommends all three nutrition modules, as well as 'Craving Change' — the module Starko said was most beneficial for him.
"What we talk about is how behaviours are related to emotions and to actions," she said. "We talk a lot about the strategies and how to handle that craving and accept that there are triggers that you have to actually identify to be able to control that craving."
By attending the modules, Izcovich said there are more benefits than simply the information you will learn. Attendees will also be able to interact with others and share experiences with other people who are going through the same journey.
Lifetime commitment
"I've lost thousands of pounds and put it all back on and more," Starko said. "One of the biggest obstacles is I never accepted the fact that this is something that I am going to have to do for the rest of my life."
This is a fact he said he has come to terms with after fighting to shed the pounds in the last few years and something that seems worthwhile considering the health benefits.
Since losing the weight, Starko reports that he no longer takes insulin shots and his diabetes and blood-pressure medication has switched from high-dose pills to maintenance medications.
He said he is confident he will be able to maintain the weight and have a healthier future.
Izcovich said the most important thing to keep in mind when beginning a weight-loss journey is to do it slow — aiming to lose between one to two pounds per week is a healthy target, she said.
