Nurse loses 157 pounds in one year
We are all searching for the next thing to lose weight quickly – cabbage soup, gluten free snacks, a cayenne pepper-lemon juice concoction.
A nurse at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago says one simple step helped him lose 157 pounds in just a year.
“I started taking the stairs every day at work – it’s five flights to get to my office, and I’d take the stairs all day,’’ says 30-year-old Jeffery Garcia, known throughout his hospital wing for his infectious smile and quick wit.
While increasing his cardio, Garcia also reduced his intake of soda pop, fried foods and midnight snacks to lose the weight, which at its height hovered at 353 pounds. That’s about twice what his 5-foot-5 -inch frame should carry.
The high-protein, high-fiber Paleo Diet, also known as the Caveman diet or the Stone Age diet, guided his culinary choices and directed the way Garcia looked at food.
“Before I would eat for pleasure. Now, I eat for survival,” says Garcia, who today relishes snacking on nuts and yogurt.
Frequent warnings from his doctor about high blood pressure and looming diabetes were always playing in the back of Garcia’s mind. What broke through the noise and spurred him to action was the sound of his own voice talking with patients about making better dietary choices. “I thought, ‘Wait, how am I talking about living healthy when I’m not?’ ”
Immediately, the self-proclaimed Hot Wing King gave up greasy chicken parts, then pop and eventually carbs.
Today, he doesn’t recognize his own diet. For Thanksgiving, Garcia had choice pieces of turkey “white meat — not the skin and fatty parts” and a small portion of dressing. He feasted on an organic sweet potato with a sugar substitute and vegetables.
Co-workers say he’s inspired them.
“I am so very proud of Jeffery for making a difference in his own life and the lives of others,’’ said co-worker Cynthia Malone, RN, a clinical educator. “I hear associates say, ‘If Jeffery can do it, so can I.’”
The words wash over Garcia, and he beams with pride. Then he shrugs his swimming-toned shoulders and says his work is not done.
“This is just the beginning of my journey. I’m excited about next steps and helping people live a healthy lifestyle.”
Before (June 2015) and After (September 2016)
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health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.
Congratulations Jeffery. You are a true inspiration. May God bless you
Wonderful Job!!!
Way to GO! Keep up the good work!!
Thanks for reading! Jeffery’s story is fabulous!
Congratulations Jeffery!! You did an amazing job!! Thank you for sharing your story.
I am truly inspired and want to send my congratulations to you! Keep up the great work!
So happy for you Jeffery!!!
You look amazing ????
Hey Jeff congratulations super exciting and inspiring to do the same keep up the good work you look fabulous!!! ????
Great job Jeffrey know that to me u are a great nurse u are the only one from all my three deliveries there that helped me more and was most patient with me I was yelling and screaming for the epidural and u would not get mad or be all mean u were very helpful I remember u trying to get the epidural guy but once he got there the baby was already out thank I so much there should be more nurses like u I asked for u when I was there with my third the following year lol but they said u didn’t work in that department any longer… Remember u asked me when I had my second child “see u again next year” and I was like hell no but guess what I was back in there in may of the following year lol
Whatva transformation. Spiritually and physically. Keep inspiring others to chose health over unhealthy desires.
Great job look amazing
Great inspiration Jeffrey……Thank you
We need to talk! That is amazing and took lots of hard work and determination. Proud of you and wishing I could do it myself!
Jeffrey you look amazing. Keep up the good work
You are an inspiration to so many. I’m very happy for you!
Congratulations!
Thanks everyone! I’m glad I could be an inspiration! I can truly say this journey wasn’t easy and there is still more to come! Just remember to never give up, strive for the best and have fun while you are doing it!!!
What an inspiration! I will use your story to inspire my patients, many of which will be taking a similar journey.
Congrats Jeffery! I’ve known you for many many years and it’s great to see the changes you’ve made! Keep up the hard work!!