Mike Clark

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Age: Soon to be 54
Project Manager
Single for now

I believe that life is grand and it is also what you make of it! My 2 boys are grown and gone on their own. Now so I find myself with 4 dogs to keep me running. For a while, I did not care much about taking care of myself letting things like marriage problems, stress from work, financial woes and other issues get me down. I gave no thought to my health and would look forward to eating and flop in front of the TV to escape from my worries. After surgery a couple of years ago, it showed that I had let myself go and it was taking a very heavy toll on my health. I had symptoms of high blood pressure, diabetes, hi-cholesterol, and sleep apnea. Most all of this was secondary to the extra weight and lack of exercise which left me not sleeping well, tired and generally feeling bad. I weighed a few biscuits over 300lbs., ached from over-stressed joints, and generally did not care much about life. After all, I was fat, bald, over 50 and did not have the happy home life that I felt I deserved and had worked for. I got fed up with where I was headed and began turning it around. I’ve been going to a health club regularly and now eat smarter. Today, I see and feel the difference. I lost 50+ pounds, resolved the marriage problems, and I FEEL GOOD!! I have a long way to go but I feel like living again and love it!!

I am thankful to work at Strongwell and for the company’s interest in improving our health. Wellness won’t happen unless you work at it. This is a great chance to commit to better health but it takes work and is not easy to do by yourself. The spirit of competition and with friends giving you encouragement will make this a great opportunity to improve your health and weight issues. Do it now!! I am living proof it definitely gets tougher with age, but IT CAN BE DONE!!

My goals are:

• Help Salad Dodgers become the Challenge Champs
• Increase my energy level and endurance through exercise
• Continue my weight loss and firming the body with muscle
• Complete 5 or more workouts per week