Life and losing weight begins at 50

LMQC Boomer Blogger Alan Sivell and his friend, Jim. “I’m not on any medicine today,” says Jim, who resisted the delectable-looking scones at the SAU coffee shop when we met for coffee. 

By Alan Sivell

For much of his adult life, Davenport’s Jim Hannon felt he could eat whatever he wanted.

He grew up down south and even though he came to St. Ambrose as a student in 1980, he had not lost his thick, good-old-boy accent nor had he lost his taste for fried southern foods, laden with gravy and bacon grease.

Plus, Jim is the director of the physical plant at St. Ambrose University and his work was often physically taxing. He figured that balanced out his less-than-healthy food choices.

Jim’s change for the better began at 50

But twelve years ago, as he approached age 50, his doctor delivered news Jim didn’t want to hear: Jim needed to start taking medicine to control his blood pressure and cholesterol.

Facing a lifetime regimen of drugs to rectify his unhealthy habits, Jim says, was a wake-up call.

“Hey, Doc,” Jim remembers saying. “Give me a chance here.”

Using technology like the FitBit (pictured above) helped Jim monitor his physical activity and lose weight.

And for the next two years, rather than taking medicine, he worked on changing his diet and exercise habits. And his health did improve. Still, the doctor was suggesting drugs to bring the numbers down more.

But Jim wasn’t ready to head to the pharmacy just yet. He got a trainer instead.

As part of their graduation requirements, seniors in the St. Ambrose Kinesiology Department have to train a client. Jim signed up.

Not only did working with his trainer motivate him to exercise more, but it also helped him pay attention to his diet. And after that six-week session with the student trainer, Jim continued to focus on improving his lifestyle choices. In the next year and a half, he lost 50 pounds, going from 250 to 200.

“I took it off slowly,” Jim says. “That’s why it’s stayed off.”

For several years, Jim made a smoothie every morning for breakfast.

“Then my trainer got me hooked on a banana and a little peanut butter on toast in the morning,” Jim says. “Carbs and protein. Lots of mornings I’ll have that, rather than a pop tart or something quick and easy.”

Jim was doing boot camps and spin classes at the Y until Covid hit. Now he’ll hop on an exercise bike at home and watch the news. Or he and his wife will work out to an app like “Beach Body” in front of the TV.

Jim still eats his favorite foods – he just eats less of them

As far as his diet goes, Jim says his changes weren’t too drastic.

“It was cutting my portions down because I still like spaghetti and lasagna. But instead of a huge plate, it’s down to a practical size.

And the smaller portions give him the flexibility to keep some favorites on his menu.

“I still gotta have gravy on my mashed potatoes,” he says with a laugh. “I won’t give up certain things.”

Change for the better doesn’t always have to be bigger

According to Jim, here are some lifestyle changes that work for him:

• I take the stairs, rather than the elevator
• I walk across campus rather than ride
• I weigh myself every day
• I started wearing a Fitbit
• I read labels

Jim’s change for the better began at 50

Using technology like the FitBit (pictured above) helped Jim monitor his physical activity and lose weight.

Jim still eats his favorite foods – he just eats less of them

Change for the better doesn’t always have to be bigger

• I take the stairs, rather than the elevator
• I walk across campus rather than ride
• I weigh myself every day
• I started wearing a Fitbit
• I read labels