Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, July 3, 2017
(UNDATED) - “I cry a lot.”
"Yeah, but they're tears of joy."
Johnny and Kate begin their fourth week into their Southern Indiana Wellness Journey today and all they can see is hope as they start to reach their goals.
Johnny is down 32 lbs while Kate has lost 16 lbs.
"Sunday was the first time in a long time I was able to put my belt on with my pants already on without Kate having to do it in the back. I can reach around. It wasn't easy. But I was determined and it was the first time in ages I was able to button the first button on my dress shirt. Those are small things. But they are huge to me," said Johnny.
Kate said she has already reached two goals on her list of things to take away from this journey.
"I can bend over and tie my shoes now without feeling like I am going to pass out... it feels like your eye balls are going to pop out because all that pressure when you're trying to hold your breath. And you have to get them tied fast because you can't breathe."
Kate would like to wear her original wedding bands, be able to hold her husband without both of them losing their ability to breathe, and have more energy.
"One goal is to get into clothes that aren't granny clothes and I don't mean that to be offensive to anyone!" Kate said laughing.
"All the grannies are going to whip us now," Johnny joked.
Johnny wants to get back to announcing local high school games, going to ball games and get back to doing things with Kate. Johnny said, "any more for me to get out of the house was a chore."
The couple both admitted that their journey isn't easy, but the love and support they've received encourages them to continue pushing to reach their goals. The results from the program also contribute to their motivation.
"And it is emotional! My goodness, because we've carried this for so long. Thinking that there's no way. At this point, really? What are we going to do? I mean we knew that we could probably lose weight. But not to the amount that we needed to lose weight," said Kate.
Eli Bowling, their Southern Indiana Wellness Coach, encouraged them in the beginning believe the Southern Indiana Wellness Weight Loss Program will get them to their goals.
Southern Indiana Wellness's main goal for Johnny and Kate is wellness. Kate said, "If you see the mineral and vitamin regime they have us on because that's the focus first... they don't focus on the weight loss. They focus on getting us healthy first. And when the body gets healthy and does what its supposed to do... how God created it to work. God created it to say, I don't need that much fat, let's get rid of it."
Along with their weight loss accomplishments, Johnny and Kate have also seen benefits in their overall wellness. Johnny has noticed Kate is resting easier at night and that she smiles a lot more.
Kate has also noticed changes in Johnny that go beyond the scale.
"His mood," said Kate. "His mood is especially not so depressed and melancholy. He's got more positivity that he had before..."
The pair has 24 more days in the first round of their Southern Indiana Wellness Journey.
"I remember the day when we bought his belt, a new belt. I'm thinking it was like 60 inches, which is 5 foot. The reality at that point was when I ordered that 60 inch belt I thought, 'he's almost as big around as he is tall.' That was my reality check for him where I really went, "Oh my gosh," we can't be doing this," Kate said.
Now, Johnny is on his last notch of his current belt. Johnny said, "Got to put a new one in, get out the ice pick!"
Johnny and Kate will be at the next free dinner held by Southern Indiana Wellness at the Orleans Weslyan Church on Sunday July 9, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. There, attendees will be able to learn about overcoming their own weight gain and health challenges.
To reserve your spot at the dinner go to http://southernindianawellness.com/.
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