I started watching The Biggest Loser from the very first season. But it was not until I saw Ali Vincent’s

transformation that I really took notice. Sure, there had been remarkable changes on almost everyone, but for me, hers was the most memorable - one of total change – both physically and from what I could tell – personally.

Fall – 2007. Weight: A very fluffy (as the picture can attest to) 235 plus pounds. Cool weather was on the way and the holidays were fast approaching. I guess I was not prepared for the diagnosis when I checked into the VA for a check up for an entirely different matter. After all, I didn’t have any of the so-called symptoms that are normally associated with prostate cancer.

I was suffering from symptoms that were associated with PTSD, (formerly known as Post Viet Nam syndrome).

Forty years after being “in-country” I was now having episodes. I was approaching 60, my weight had increased by around 50 pounds over the years, (and at the time, I was already clinically obese) my workouts were affected, my diet had gone south and I was feeling out of sorts and a bit off center. Checking into the VA, like being inducted, one goes through a myriad of tests – blood work, urinalysis, x-rays, etc.  The tests indicated that I had my PSA was elevated to 13 - more than six times the normal range and I was to be tested further..

Interestingly enough, prostate cancer is the most common cancer, other than skin cancer in American men. I was told that it is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer and accounts for about 9% of cancer-related deaths in men.

The American Cancer Society estimated that during 2007 about 218,890 new cases of prostate cancer would be diagnosed in the United States. About 1 man in 6 would be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 man in 35 will die of it. More than 2 million men in the US who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. And, one-third of the more than 500,000 cancer deaths in the US each year are attributable to diet and physical activity habits, such as being overweight or obese. That’s about the same number of cancer deaths caused by tobacco. And here I was – a statistic. Scary stuff.

Prior to this, I was teaching up to 18 fitness classes (senior and aqua) a week and still found it difficult to make ends meet. I had to have total knee replacement on my right knee and was in need of the other one as well. This, in turn, had an affect on my teaching of the water classes. As a result I had to cut back on my classes.

To further complicate things, the biopsy that followed proved to be positive and that I was to undergo treatment which included hormone treatment along with radiation. 

However, having been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it simply didn't occur to me to stop working out, even with being overweight. I saw myself as “big” and not fluffy, certainly not fat.  I felt relatively healthy and strong, so I scheduled my radiation treatments in the mornings and continued my afternoon workouts. Throughout my cancer treatment, I kept up with 2 part time jobs working as a group fitness instructor for seniors.

But working part-time and having health issues has its drawbacks. Bills were piling up and as a result, I ended up receiving food stamps but was denied SSI and welfare – bankruptcy loomed on the horizon – things looked pretty dismal. Despite my sometimes chaotic schedule, I handled the treatments surprisingly well. So well in fact, that my doctors and cancer guide wanted to know what I was doing that their other patients weren't. After a closer look, my medical team concluded what I myself had always believed in: Exercise had made the difference.

Many cancer patients experience a loss of energy due to treatment. For me, it wasn’t too bad. For the most part, I noticed a loss of energy after completing the radiation and, to this day, I still suffer from a lack of energy.  

"I guess, when I was first diagnosed with cancer, I felt that my body had betrayed me, that I had been stripped of my pride and had lost all control. A healthy lifestyle and exercise is all about taking control and regaining that pride."  Something that I had taken for granted.

I finished my 40 radiation treatments as well as 6 months’ of female hormone treatment for the cancer. I was informed that due to the hormone treatments, there was a chance of a stroke. In June of last year, three months after termination of the hormone shots, I suffered a stroke, affecting my left carotid artery, right arm as well as the frontal lobe.  After being discharged from the hospital, I trained as well as I could – in the water and with light weights. My weight did not change – but at the time, that was not the goal. Nor did I see myself as a FAT person. I still convinced myself I was just BIG. 

In December of 2008, I decided that from all that I had been through – it was time to get serious. This was only after an infomercial with Ali (once again) of the Biggest Loser talking about diet, exercise and how her life had changed. She then mentioned the Bodybugg and how she still uses it even after her initial weight loss.

Even after making the decision to get serious, I saw myself as a “somewhat” out of shape man – by no means FAT. It wasn’t until I saw myself recently in the enclosed pictures that I realized that I had been fooling myself for all of this time. How could I change someone’s life or be a positive role model, when I looked like I did?

So, I purchased a Bodybugg. Then, I figured that if I was going to spend that much money on something I need to take it seriously. So, on January 1^st, I made a promise to myself. “Lose the weight and get healthy”.

Because of the cancer and the radiation, I would find myself tiring very easily. I was going to the gym and intent on doing 2 muscle groups a workout – on a split routine as I had done in the past. However, I would have to work one muscle group and then come home and nap. Then, later go back and finish.

This was not an efficient way to work out. So, I invested in a Bowflex, a set of Perfect Push-ups, a combo chin-up/dipping apparatus, a P90X exercise program, a Smith machine and started training at home. I converted an Arizona room into a gym. I also purchased the Bowflex dumbbells and a bench. Also, after seeing Bob on TV demonstrating the TXR, I purchased one for training outside.

Almost ready. While watching TV, a commercial came on demonstrating the Nordictrac Incline Treadmill, endorsed by Jillian. So, I purchased that as well - from there, a stability ball, abcoaster and back inverter. All avenues were covered.

Now my gym was ready – was I? I focused on my workouts and my diet. I set up the Bodybugg on the computer and documented everything. Time to get serious. New diet – new workouts and a new outlook on life. Time for a make-over.

I converted a spare bedroom into a meditation/relaxation room to totally develop the mind/body/spirit connection along with a home for the “new” Smith machine. All thanks to the Bodybugg and Biggest Loser and the impact it has had on me.

The total affect on me from the cancer and the stroke was one of enlightenment and growth. Looking back, I had rationalized and made excuses for my unsuccessful attempts at fitness – blaming the futile attempts on extrinsic circumstances; it’s a younger person’s profession; the location is bad; this is a small town; whatever; never admitting to myself or focusing on the real reason for my demise – I WAS FAT. I had made excuses and told myself I was “big.”  It was not until I took a really hard look at myself, in pictures and inside that I realized what the true issue was. I needed to be held accountable.

Over the years, I have followed every conceivable diet that was out there. It was not until The Biggest Loser and Bodybugg that I fully understood the concept of portion control and caloric deficit. To me, at the time. a portion of macaroni and cheese was a box of macaroni and cheese. Aside from being a superb nutritional tool, I believe that the mainstay of Bodybugg’s success is in the portion control. Now that I have to weigh and measure everything, it has become second nature for me and a part of life. Bodybugg holds one accountable and shows one how to eat and monitors all activity. No excuses, no “should haves – could haves.”

During treatment, I noticed that people being treated for a chronic illness such as cancer, were often advised by their doctor to sit back and rest, and limit or reduce their physical activity. That is not necessarily the case. Now, at 61 years old, I am training everyday in one methodology or another. While I still have some collateral damage on the right arm from the stroke and side effects from the radiation; and tire easily, I feel great. I feel like I have been given a 2^nd chance at life. All in all, in almost 25 weeks I have lost 43 pounds. My goal is another 20 pounds by late Fall.

My blood pressure is now normal, my medications have been reduced to almost nothing and my friends tell me that I am not the same person – physically as well as personally. I look at things differently today – full of zest and encouragement. Very positive. I have developed a closer relationship with my faith and am comfortable with my progress and my body. While I still have not reached my overall goal, everyday is a step in this ongoing journey. One can go either forward or backwards – I choose forward. For me, now anything is possible.       

Being a published author and really living the lifestyle of choice, I feel that my place is to share and help others. Now I have the experience to back it up. That was one reason that I joined Pound for Pound. This would allow me to give back to the community. My next step in this journey is to do workshops or seminars for cancer patients, middle-aged adults and seniors as well as overweight people or become a spokesperson to promote healthy living. I am focusing on writing articles on this journey and how I overcame, not only the cancer and stroke, but also the weight problem.

In closing let me say, that exercise is not only safe and possible during cancer treatment, but it can improve physical functioning and quality of life as well a help with the mental and emotional upswings that are associated with cancer. Use whatever tools that are available to you, such as Bodybugg, and let exercise provide you with the benefits of stopping the progression of muscle wasting, reducing the side effects of treatment, improving your fitness, and thus improving your quality of life.

Ali, Bodybugg and The Biggest Loser, thank you so very much for giving me a new life and a new beginning. Also, a special thanks to Bob and Jillian for their motivation and helping me to choose to overcome this disease and while I may be a statistic, I need not be a victim.

In Good health,

Gregg Goodrich

gregg1125@netscape.com