My third class medical was renewed at the conclusion of my Feb. 1, 2023, flight physical by a new AME.
After I got home, I pulled my old medical from my wallet to make room for the new one.
Looking at the two side by side I noticed my prior exam was Feb. 2, 2021, and that I weighed exactly 20 pounds lighter on this most recent exam.
That’s a win in my book.
How I Lost
After my Dad died of brain cancer in 2011, I took that as motivation to start seeing my doctor for an annual exam.
Standard stuff: Bloodwork, balance, nose, ears, heart, prostate, general discussion. So far, nothing to be concerned about.
Beyond that, about three years ago — just before I turned 50 — I realized I was closer to grandkids ahead of me than children behind me.
That realization was met with a desire to be able to get down on the floor to play with any grandkids we may be blessed with. More importantly, I want to be able to stand back up without assistance or making a big production of the process.
It was mid-life inspiration as opposed to mid-life crisis.
So I started walking more often and with more purpose.
Then I started jogging for a few minutes while out for a walk. Eventually, I was jogging more than I was walking.
Last summer, I managed to run the Sound to Narrows 5K in Tacoma, Washington. My only goal was to not stop jogging until I reached the finish line. Of note, the start and finish lines are very close to each other and since the first half of the 5K is downhill, the second half must be uphill. Very cruel. Thankfully, I met my goal.
Beyond increasing my exercising, I’ve also been more mindful of what I eat. Nothing major. No pre-packaged meal plans or programs, just smaller portions and trying to NOT eat when I’m not hungry.
Today, I weigh about what I did when I started my senior year in high school. Better yet, I am down about 70 pounds from my unhealthy peak before Deb and I had our first kid. Thankfully.
Twenty pounds lost in two years. I like that trend. That’s a bit more than three gallons of avgas.
Please know, if you find my 20 pounds, I don’t want them back. And if you happen to see those 20 pounds before you pick them up, best to leave them alone.
F you gain weight for no apparent reason have your kidney function tested. You could be retaining too much water.
Congratulations, Ben! Good inspiration, as you did it the right way: view it as a self-care goal, not a self-torment drudge; start with small steps; have reasonable milestones; use nature’s gym, the outdoors; and no crazy diets or programs. Little things mean a lot, and add up.
Congrats, Ben. Way to go! An excellent move to keep your life and FAA medical intact.
In ten years (I’m now 75) I achieved to decrease my weight in 35 pounds and I’ve maintained now that weight. Congrats to You, Mr. BEN SCLAIR.
Congratulations Ben! I am right behind you. I want to deposit 5 more pounds to meet my high school weight. I am 66 years old now.
Your last comment on the equivalent weight in avgas rang true with me. When doing the costings on fitting lighter parts to reduce the weight of my aircraft, so I can take more pax AND fuel, it struck me I could lose 80lbs at no cost, and be much better off outside of flying. 40 down so far…
Congratulations, Ben! Keeping healthy should be priority #1 for us all, and you are a good role model. Besides the daily life benefits to weight loss, us pilots can carry more “useful load” for bags, fuel, and other gear when the seat fillers don’t weigh so much….that’s a win! Keep up the good work sir.