Joe's Story: Just Add Water

Losing 184 pounds in 18 months sounds like a miracle. A once-in-a-lifetime occurrence that only happens to other people – or maybe on a reality TV show.

But for Joe Cardinal, it’s simply his life.

The 48-year-old didn’t use any kind of secret weapon or special trick to shave off nearly half his body weight in a year and a half. He just started exercising at the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre.

Or, to be more specific, aquacizing.

At his peak weight, Joe weighed 464 pounds. He was in such poor shape, the oil and gas company he worked for sent him home from his physically demanding job in Ft. McMurray. They told him to shape up.

It was a tough Christmas. Joe was away from the job he loved and feeling unhealthy.

Things started to turn around soon after his wife, Judith, showed him a listing for an AquaFit class at the TLC. It was the perfect fit for him: low impact, easy on the joints and suitable for all fitness levels.

So, the first week of January, Joe hit the pool. And he continued to do so every weekday for the next 18 months.

Those first few classes weren’t easy, he remembers. His face would be beet red and the trainers would encourage him to slow down.

“It was hard for me at first, I was so large. It had been a long time since I’d ran. It felt awkward because my body was finally doing something.”

Before...

But he never stopped. He started enjoying himself and his new routine, which soon became an automatic part of his day. He met new friends and got to know the other regulars in the class. Staff and members greeted him by name every morning. He liked the variety of movements and exercises the different instructors offered. And he began seeing results he could barely believe.

After losing 11 pounds in the first two weeks, he started doubling his efforts, adding an extra hour-long aqua class to his routine and eventually putting in miles on the stationary bike on top of that.

At home, he and his family changed their diets. They replaced refined sugars and processed foods with lean meats, homemade vegetable soup, eggs, chicken and yogurt smoothies for breakfast. “The Froot Loops had to go,” he laughs.

By June, Joe had lost 100 pounds.

Today, the weight continues to drop, bringing along with it life-changing results. He continues his weekday routines, working towards losing a final 30 pounds to reach his goal weight of 250.

Unlike before, he can now hop on his bicycle and go riding with his two pre-teen girls. He rests well at night without the help of his sleep apnea machine. He no longer needs custom arch supports for his shoes. And, once he recovers from upcoming knee replacement surgery, he’s looking forward to returning to work. His bosses have kept track of his progress and can’t wait to welcome him back. Best of all, his wife can now touch her fingers together behind his back when she hugs him.

“I’d really encourage people that can’t do it, or think they can’t do it, to think about me,” Joe says. “I know me, and if I can do this, anyone can.”

It was hard for me at first, I was so large. It had been a long time since I’d ran. It felt awkward because my body was finally doing something.