Weight-loss leader working with YMCAs across the country
August 31, 2004
By Josh Bickford
BARRINGTON - Mike Meyerheim is nowhere near finishing his trek. Over the past 11 months, the Barrington resident has improved his lifestyle and dropped nearly 200 pounds in the process. Relying on the doctrine provided in a weight-loss book by Dr. Phil McGraw, Mr. Meyerheim has gone from an inactive 412 pounds to a super-busy 224 pounds. He has established a five-days-a-week workout schedule, and also leads support groups at the Bayside YMCA in Barrington and the Newman YMCA in Seekonk.
And while he's just 12 pounds away from reaching his own weight loss goal, Mr. Meyerheim says he's only at the beginning. He recently began working with other YMCAs in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and across the rest of the country, hoping to set up more support groups and help more people change their lifestyles.
"It's not only about the weight loss," he said. "There are other benefits. People have come to me and said that their doctor has taken them off their heart medication. Their diabetes is diminishing, their blood pressure is getting better, they're sleeping at night, their relationships with family and friends have gotten better. They've told me that they're moving again. I met one woman who was afraid to leave the house, now she's getting out."
Mike Meyerheim started down his path last September. He was frustrated with the diets that had fallen short of fulfilling their promises. He stood five feet, eight inches tall, weighed 412 pounds and was embarrassed by the way he was living. When he went to buy a new car, he didn't compare prices and styles or gas mile efficiency. "I bought the car that I could fit in," he said.
When he went out for dinner he couldn't fit into a booth, and chairs with arm-rests made him feel like he was wedged in. He bought his clothes at only one store, a shop specializing in large-peoples' sizes. If he had to travel for his work, he'd grow anxious in the airport terminals, knowing that he'd have to ask for a seat-belt extension. He hated the way he felt, and knew that if he didn't change his behavior he didn't see much of a future.
"When I weighed 412 pounds I had started making a photo album for my daughters," Mr. Meyerheim said. "I didn't think I'd be around much longer."
As a last-ditch attempt to change, he checked out a Dr. Phil television program at his wife's urging. The message from the psychologist and TV talk show host stuck.
Mr. Meyerheim bought the book, read it and began to change. He became accountable for his diet, not cutting out food just limiting his portions. He also began to exercise. The new approach worked and pounds began to disappear. Mr. Meyerheim felt better, started sleeping better and grew optimistic about the future. He was even invited onto Dr. Phil's television program.
But there was still something missing from his life, he said. He decided to take the approach that helped him and bring it to others. With help from the staff at the Bayside YMCA, he put together a 10-week support group program and opened the doors to anyone interested. He expected a small turnout, maybe 10 or 20 people. More than 100 people showed up and signed on. Over the course of the program, group members shed hundreds of pounds and shrunk inches from their waistlines (see Numbers game).
"I've gotten a lot of people at the end of each group coming to me and saying thank you," Mr. Meyerheim said. "I'm not doing this, they're doing this. Everybody is taking care of themselves. Something that started as a very selfish journey has allowed me to give back to everyone else."
Word spread from Bayside that "the guy from the Dr. Phil show" was running a support group. Other YMCAs called the local facility to find out more. Newman YMCA in Seekonk ran its inaugural session earlier this year (with Mike as the leader) and had a strong response. Meanwhile, Bayside and Mr. Meyerheim organized a second 10-week session. More people of all ages showed up and joined on.
Newman is now planning a second session starting Sept. 13, and Bayside will host its third starting Sept. 14 (see Getting involved). YMCAs in Foxboro, Franklin and Wareham, Mass., have all contacted Mr. Meyerheim, as have facilities in Ohio and New Jersey. The more work the better, said Mr. Meyerheim.
"I would like to go national, because I am committed to this," he said.
Help along the way
Mr. Meyerheim redirects much of the credit to the YMCA staff members who help run the groups. He said they all play a crucial part in the success of the message. For Josh McCabe, a trainer at Bayside YMCA, it's an easy job helping others take the steps that he once took.
Mr. McCabe was a professional bodybuilder for years, an avid athlete and a man who kept physical training and a healthy diet as top priorities in his life. A few years back his focus shifted from bodybuilding, when his wife became ill and Mr. McCabe donated one of his kidneys to her. The road to recovery for Mr. McCabe was a bumpy one. He stopped working out in the gym and filled in that gap with an increased attention to food, especially ice cream and pasta. Then one day he decided he had seen enough. He decided it was time for a change in his lifestyle.
"I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired," he said. "I decided to become accountable with my diet and exercise."
Stories like that have become useful tools for Mr. McCabe, Mr. Meyerheim and all the other staff during the support group sessions.
"This is not about a diet. This is about a lifestyle change," said Mr. Meyerheim. "This is about changing a few habits in your life that you're not happy with."
Getting involved
"This is absolutely open to anybody," said Mike Meyerheim, referring to the Bayside YMCA support group. So far Bayside has hosted two 10-week sessions — both have been well attended. The local YMCA is planning a third that will start on Tuesday, Sept. 14. The group, which meets once a week, is open to anyone, not just YMCA members. There is a nominal fee which covers the cost of the Dr. Phil book. For more information, call Bayside YMCA at 245-2444. "We've had people in the group as young as 11 years old, up to 80 plus," said Mr. Meyerheim. "Anyone can do this. Anyone."
Numbers game
Mike Meyerheim can cross his legs again. It was 15 years ago when he last could comfortably cross his legs while sitting in a chair, but now, after dropping nearly 200 pounds, the act is again natural. While his weight loss numbers may be the most impressive, they are not alone.
Mike Meyerheim
* Previous weight: 412 pounds
* Current weight: 224 pounds
* Previous waistline: 58 (tight)
* Current waistline: 38 (loose)
* Previous collar size: 23 inches
* Current neck size: 17 inches
Bayside YMCA
Group one
* Total pounds lost: 916.5
* Inches lost: 644
Group two
* Total pounds lost: 160
* Inches lost: 143
Source:www.eastbayri.com
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