My late brother, Mike, was always big on taking great family vacations -- taking his kids to places such as San Francisco and the San Diego Zoo. A lot of special memories came from that trip and my nephew, Ryan, has carried on that tradition with his wife and six boys.
In the past couple of years, Ryan and his family has gone to Disneyland, and he's planning another trip there in January. Good for him. He puts in a lot of long hours and saves up money to make the trip. But the vacation, and the memories about those good times, are well worth the 72-hour work weeks. I'm convinced that Ryan is just about the best father in the world; in my book, nobody can ask for a better nephew.
My hope is that Jack will be taking trips to Disneyland, or wherever, for a very long time. My fear is that his excessive weight at some point will prevent him from taking those wonderful vacations -- let alone working 72 hours a week.
Those fears would be immediately erased if Ryan were to get his weight to about 190. He weighed almost 270 pounds earlier this year, and a hernia operation took him down to just over 250 pounds.
To fully appreciate Ryan's situation, put 60-70 pounds of bowling balls in bags and carry them around on your shoulders. Do that for 20 years, and your body breaks down -- knees, hips and feet to mentioin a few. Obese people can live into their 40s, 50s and beyond, but not without severe health problems.
I have told my nephew that the train wreck that lies ahead if he continues with his weight pattern. He's opening the door for a heart attack, diabetes, knee and hip replacements. If he has a heart attack, or diabetes, he'll have to slow down at work. When that happens (not if, but when), he'll lose his job -- as I did years ago with the combination of diabetes and near blindness.
Ryan tells me that one reason he has not lost weight is because he feels a lot of pressure, which comes from raising six boys and long hours at work. He feels overwhelmed at times, which is understandable. So one of his outlets is eating big meals. About all he needs to do is cut his portions in half, which to a lot of people is easier said than done. In Ryan's case, it's going to take a lot of determination -- the same level of determination he has used in raising six boys.
If he doesn't do those things, his kids will lose a father and I will lose the greatest nephew ever.
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