Tim Lyon

"Be ready and commit to changing"

For some people, turning 50 can be a time for general angst or profound reflection. For others it’s a big party and cause for celebration. 

For Tim Lyon, who celebrated his 50th on June 10, it has involved preparing for a 210-mile bike trip, training at the gym through an Olympic weightlifting program and feeling better than he did in his 20s and 30s.

That’s what happens when you drop from 465 to 215 pounds in 13 months. That’s 250 pounds – more than half his body weight.

It all seemed overwhelming

This wasn’t the first time around the weight-loss-block for Tim, a St. Cloud area radio digital managing editor. He’d be the first to tell you it’s hard and the commitment has to be there. But it’s so worth it.

“At first there was a little bit of kickin’ and screamin’, but I was asking myself ‘do I really want to be this heavy when I am 50?’” Tim said. His primary physician, George Morris, M.D., who also serves as the medical director for CentraCare Weight Management started dropping hints in 2013 that Tim’s medical issues were serious and he needed to lose weight.

“I was on blood pressure meds, my diabetes was out of control and I was a heart attack and stroke candidate. Everything was a struggle and it all seemed overwhelming,” Tim explained. “I thought ‘where do I start?’”

On Sept. 9, 2014, Tim entered the Medical Very Low Calorie Program through CentraCare Weight Management, which meant (initially) he consumed only 800-850 calories a day and was closely monitored by his physician, dietitians and health coaches.

By October 2014, he was down to 428 and starting working with a personal trainer. He didn’t cheat, made all of his medical appointments and weighed in twice week.

Tim had tried twice before to lose and keep off the weight – once in his 20s and again in his 30s. Both times he gained all the weight (and more) back. What’s different this time?

“I knew I had to really commit, I didn’t want to go through it again,” he said. “I really like the support and education I receive through the CentraCare program. Most importantly, they don’t just cut you loose after you’ve lost the weight.”

A new life

These days, Tim is in his “maintenance” phase. Not only does he workout five or six days a week, he’s also very mindful of what he eats His weight hovers around 225. His diabetes is under control and the rest of his numbers are in the “normal” range so he doesn’t have to take blood pressure or diabetes medications anymore.

At the beginning of 2016, he committed to being in the CentraCare program for at least two more years which will ensure that he has regular check-ins with Dr. Morris, dietitians and a nurse as needed.

When asked about what is different about his life now, Tim had a simple answer: “Everything! I have more energy, more confidence and I’m willing to get involved in more activities. It’s just go, go, go for me these days.”

He offers several sound pieces of advice for those who should lose weight:

• Be ready and commit to changing
• Be OK with investing time and money in yourself
• Be accountable to yourself and others 
• Be mindful of everything you eat and learn to say “no” to anything that leads you from your mission
• Don’t be afraid to move your body and have fun!

Wise words coming from a man who is looking forward to his 50s with a renewed sense of hope and optimism.