A Story of Recalibration

Judge Engelhart worked out sporadically over the years— running was his exercise of choice—and he had also worked with a trainer at times. But, beginning in 2018, he found himself weighing more than 300 pounds and dealing with sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and arthritis in his hip. He decided it was time for a lifestyle change. He knew he had a lot to live for— a wonderful wife, two teenage sons, and a great career.

So, Judge Engelhart began making changes, starting with his diet. He bought a food scale and began weighing all of his food. He now owns two food scales—one at home, and the other on the corner of his office desk. He also counts calories, limiting himself to 1,900 per day, and regularly tracks all his meals using a phone app.

Throughout the process, Judge Engelhart realized the need to become educated about diet, finding the foods and snacks that best served his goals. For example, when he reduced his red meat intake, he found he had become iron deficient, so he found sources of iron that he could incorporate into his diet. He also found low-calorie snacks that were tasty and filling. The same was true for finding desserts that could satisfy a sweet-tooth craving without putting a dent in his diet plan.

At first, Judge Engelhart gave himself two weeks to see what, if anything, might begin to change by counting calories. When he saw the changes that two weeks brought, he became increasingly motivated to stick with his plan.

Judge Engelhart began making changes, starting with his diet. He bought a food scale and began weighing all of his food. He now owns two food scales—one at home, and the other on the corner of his office desk.”

Now, four years later, Judge Engelhart has successfully lost 125 pounds and kept it off. Along with that change, his self-confidence has improved. Gone are the days disliking seeing himself in photos and the difficulty in finding clothes he likes.

But even more valuable is the fact that Judge Engelhart is off the medications he had previously needed to treat his high blood pressure and cholesterol. His resting heart rate is in the mid-40s, and he no longer needs a CPAP machine.

Although difficult at first, the habits became more routine as Judge Engelhart experienced a mindset shift about food. And while he routinely eats the same meals for breakfast and lunch and does not schedule planned cheat days, he does allow himself to splurge occasionally, most often at dinner. But now he stops eating after a slice or two rather than eating the whole pizza. The key is moderation. He also knows that if he ever strays for too long, he has the tools and knowledge to make the necessary changes to get back on track. The plan is to put in the hard work to continue enjoying all the gifts he’s been given.