Weird title eh? What does this guy have against 5 O’clock? Is that morning or evening? Fair question for Like a Dad readers. For us it means kids and video games
For most 5 O’clock in the pm is awesome. It’s home time for most. A time of joy and hope for a fun evening ahead. 5 O’clock for many is just the best.
In our house, this time of day is also pretty sweet. In the week, we are pretty much home and, on the weekend, it’s when my wife and I actually get to sit in a room in peace and no children.
Where the kids at?
Well, 5 O’clock has become like Christmas that comes around every 24 hours. As our youngest would gleefully say – It’s video game time!
Today marks 6 months to the day since I walked out of The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in Toronto and went home after what seemed like months in a bed hooked up to all kinds of devices. That day will always stick with me. The smell of fresh air and the feeling of relief.
As most of you know, I was admitted for some pretty scary heart issues and remained in the hospital (UHN represent!) for almost 2 weeks. Amazing how things have changed since.
I had my 6 month check in with my cardio team and it was fitting that it was with “Dr. Nadia” as she will always be known. The doctor who helped me a great deal mentally and physically to get through to the other side. She was elated at seeing me for the first time since.
Today was a key milestone in the road to recovery. I had always known the 6 month mark was a big one. And it was.
In early 2018, I finally gave in to all the ads where a young person talks about their thoughts and worries about saving money while a beep bop tune plays in the background. The ads were for WealthSimple, an online platform to make saving for retirement easier. I knew you have heard of it.
I like tucking away money for the future. I like online platforms that make things easier. I like bread and butter.
Then one day at work, coworkers were talking about it and the success they were having compared to a person managing their savings and that’s all it took. I finally decided to give it a try.
I have become a huge fan of WealthSimple because of its simplicity. Hence the simple in their name. Duh. But it’s 100% the truth.
Sorry, sorry if the title was misleading. It’s actually the subject line I used in a mass email to family and friends almost nine years ago.
This email was sent out a few days after Katie and I became parents for the first time. The day we came home with the responsibility of another person. So many moments to remember from that day and the nine years that followed. Anyways, I just wanted to share the email and I have to say it stands up after all this time. Ha ha Miley Cyrus.
One of the biggest outcomes of my summer of 2018 is a big change in weight. People who don’t know my story are leaning towards me having some kind of sickness, rather than I am just working my ass of to be skinny.
I get why. I have not been working out. I feel like I am shrinking in terms of muscle and I keep joking, I’m not Christian Bale from The Machinist.
Also, it was not a gradual weight loss. I picked up a Fit Bit in April and really got into the idea of getting fit. I walked to work a few times and was pushing 11-12K steps a day. I lost 11 lbs. in a few months.
Then the July thing hit. From July 4 to the end of the month, I lost another 20 lbs. That was from the water pills, the tiny food intake and pretty much not moving for most of my stay in the hospital.
All the water weight was gone. I never really saw it. But others were shocked. I looked much skinnier and actually seemed taller than the usual 6’5.
So in April 2018, I was 238 lbs. The heaviest I have ever been.
August 2018, I am 206, the lightest I have been since high school.
My clothes are big and I really need to do some shopping.
But while feeling small, I do feel good. I don’t have any pains, feeling of being tired or signs of retaining water. That means I am not stock piling the salt anymore.
The medical team would like it if I stayed around 210 lbs (or at least not go over to quickly).
For those envious of my weight loss. It was not the most ideal way, so I don’t recommend it. But I do recommend taking a look at what you can cut out. What salt or sugar you can live without.
The water weight will start to drop. I was amazed how much of my weight was simply retained water because of the salt stored in my system not letting it go.
Before it all happened I was doing well in losing weight. But I can’t truly believe I would have ever lost 20+ lbs. without having the hospital stay to cause it.
Next up, getting back to working out and getting some muscle definition again. I can’t wait.
