My Father, R.I.P
So my dad died yesterday, his name was Derek. Back in 1985 he was a big guy, and he started eating just one meal a day while he was working in his new Butchers shop in Nottingham, UK. He lost so much weight that he managed to make page 64 of a local newspaper including a photo of him 'filling out one of his old suits' with his one year old son Adam (that'll be me!) Apparently he lost around 140lbs. Of course, back in the 80s in a small village in the UK, it wouldn't have been "intermittent fasting" it would have been "starving himself and not eating properly." My Dad also struggled with alcohol addiction but managed to quit around 15 years ago and stayed sober till the the end, 2 huge achievements in a humble life that unfortunately ended with a lonely whimper rather than a celebratory roar. But I did sit with his body for maybe 30 minutes waiting for the authorities to come and instruct me on what to do. While we sat there I told him to his face what a fucking legend he was, how proud I was of him...of course it was a one way conversation as he had died alone a few hours prior...
'Like Father like Son'
So on January the 2nd 2020 A (now grown up) Alcoholic 370lb Adam says im going to try and stop drinking and lose weight because I do not want to die... I'll skip the Middle bit because its all there buried in my post history for anyone interested. But I used intermittent fasting to help me lose 160lbs, I've maintained mostly, and I've had major skin removal surgery. My dad was witness to all of this and cheered me on every step of the way!
Its only now a day after he's passed that ive come across this cutting again and its dawned on me what are the fucking chances? A weight loss story practically like for like in its details but separated by one generation and 35 years. Its kind of blown my mind. He never really spoke much about it. He admittedly put weight back on again and yo-yod and only ever casually referred to his past weight loss as "back when i lost a bit of weight", he didnt have the Internet to post naked pics of himself on like his show off big headed son does (my words not his) He was more reserved and humble than his son.
Im so proud of my Dad for getting sober and losing 140lbs, and i can say that with absolute conviction. I am proud of him because I know firsthand how hard it is to get sober and lose 140 lbs as I, too, have done it. (Sober since jan 2nd 2020)
I wanted to give the O.G legend another 15 minutes of fame as he deserved more than he had in life.
So here's to you Derek Ronald Price (Dad), a true inspiration to at least one person. I love you. Me and my brother miss you dearly. Rest now.