Fat 2 Fit: Andrew Erickson: The Difficulty of Gaining Weight
Yes, you read that right. Getting fit doesn't always mean losing weight, as the one man's story illustrates.
By: Carole Carson | Source: AARP.org | 2008-12-18
Most of us struggle with keeping unwanted weight off, so sympathy for the person who needs to gain is hard to come by. Andrew Erickson is one of the few people whose well-being once depended upon gaining weight and getting fit.
A few years ago, Andrew moved back home to Grass Valley, Calif., with a broken heart after an 11-year stint in Santa Barbara. An unwanted divorce left him too depressed to take care of his health. His 5-foot 9-inch frame had withered to 136 pounds. He was weak, out of shape, and lacked stamina. He had no exercise routine. His type 1 diabetes was poorly managed.
Insulin-dependent since he was 10, Andrew knew he would face dire consequences if he continued on the self-destructive path.
He made three major decisions: First, he'd eat three regular meals a day. Second, he'd manage his diabetes. Last, he'd exercise three times a week to strengthen his muscles. Two months later, after gaining four pounds, he increased his workouts to five days a week and added another meal.
He also began cardiovascular training (stationary and mountain biking) and now exercises six days a week. Weight gain (15 percent), increased muscle size (arms 11 percent and legs 17 percent), plus a lower resting heart rate (18 percent) took one year to achieve. Now, after seeing the benefits of his changes, he's continuing his new lifestyle.
"Instead of emotionally and physically running in place like I was at the time of my divorce," Andrew said, "I set achievable goals and will continue my regimen to maximize health and vitality."
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