An Inspiring Journey to Health

BUCK D.
SQL Developer
Part of our family since 2009

An Inspiring Journey to Health

In my mind, I was always just a big guy. But, I didn’t realize how big until I saw a photo of myself without a shirt. It shocked me to tears.

For years I struggled with my weight. I’d try something, lose weight, not be able to maintain, gain it back. In 2017, I ran a mud run weighing about 300 pounds. Later that year, I blew out my knee. Fast forward to 2018, right before my weight loss surgery, I weighed 375 pounds and had a 66-inch waist. I was a diabetic taking 120 units of insulin per day with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

It was time to get serious about my health, and Red Wing Shoe Company was there for me.

Three years later, I’m fit, focused, and the only things I’m taking are vitamins. I wake up at 4 a.m. to run, and am more awake and productive for it. In July 2021, I ran the Badger Trail Race 100K (that’s 62 miles!). It took me 29 hours and most of the time was spent walking with a torn meniscus, but I finished it because I said I would.

Do What You Need to Do

The mentality here at Red Wing Shoe Company, from executive leadership to Human Resources to my direct manager, is to do what you need to do. Whether it was during my weight loss surgery, or more recently when I had to put my dog down, I’ve always been supported. (A physically and mentally well employee is a happier, more productive one!)

During sessions with my weight-loss surgery support group, I often hear stories from other people about their companies. I’ve heard first-hand stories about not getting support at work. Not at Red Wing Shoes.

At Red Wing, when we say “you belong to our family,” we mean it.

We take care of one another. During one of our big IT meetings, our chief information officer asked me about my progress—because he was interested and he cared. So, whether it is covering appointments, supporting you in going to a specialist, supplementing a gym membership, or supporting your physical or mental health, Red Wing Shoes will help you find a way to get what you need.

Get on Track With Your Health

When it comes to eating right and exercising, it needs to be sustainable. You have to schedule time for yourself because you need it as much as anyone else does. Here are some of my top tips for getting started and staying healthy:

  1. Make yourself a priority—when you are healthier, you can do more for your family. If that means getting up 30 minutes earlier to work out, do it.

  2. Do something active with intent—walk instead of drive, play with your kids, workout during television commercials. The more fun it can be, the more likely you will continue to exercise.

  3. Eat fresh foods—this requires planning ahead and may be a little more expensive, but cooking fresh, natural foods is better for you. And remember, protein is your friend and too much of any one of them (protein/carb/fat) is not good in the long run.

  4. Don’t play games with your diet—you can’t go from 1,500 calories a day to 500. You need to eat to lose weight. It takes time to gain weight and it will take time to lose it.

  5. Know that surgery is not a magic pill—if you’re active and eating right, surgery will help you get where you want to go. But surgery alone doesn’t work. It’s a tool that you need to use correctly for it to work.

At work, I develop technical programs that help people. And, I’ve also been able to develop myself and inspire others. There’s a loyalty I feel now, more than ever, to Red Wing Shoes for what the company and people have done for me. If you have a question or need help, ask for it. Trust me when I say we’d all rather you ask for help than to find out later you could have used it.

It makes a difference to everyone when you come to work feeling good. If you’re looking for more advice on how to take back your life or to see my journey since 2012, head over to my personal blog: One Fat Guys Journey to Health.

Join a company that supports you at work and in life.

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