Dad Beats Food Addiction, Loses 191 Pounds to Be Present for His Family
Angel Diaz didnt think hed ever be able to overcome his food addiction but with determination and exercise, he was able to get healthier.
Angel Diaz didn’t think he’d ever be able to overcome his food addiction until a friend asked him if he was considering bariatric surgery.
“The fact that he was worried about my weight and health was an eye-opener that my situation was probably worse than I thought,” Diaz told Yahoo.
At his heaviest weight, Diaz weighed 405 pounds
“Ultimately though, I knew I didn’t want to die early and miss out on the lives of my two kids and leave my wife to raise them alone,” he said.
Diaz struggled with his weight for most of his life and was always self-conscious about the way he looked as a kid.
By the time he turned 18, Diaz weighed 325 pounds and decided it was time to give weight loss a try.
With loss comes gain
Over a six-month period, he lost 125 pounds by making changes to his diet and through exercise, only to regain it back, and then some.
The more weight he gained, the more unhappy he felt
“I was a very negative person. I felt as though I was stuck, helpless, and hopeless,” Diaz remembered.
When his friend voiced concern over his health, Diaz didn’t feel ready for surgical intervention, but he did feel ready to give natural weight loss one last try.
“So, we made a deal. If I couldn’t lose 100 pounds naturally in a year, I would start to seriously consider surgery,” said Diaz.
The fear of leaving his family behind drove him to jumpstart his weight loss journey by completely overhauling his diet.
The first big change
“I knew for me to be successful, I would have to eliminate all unhealthy food,” he said.
Diaz focused his efforts on tracking his calories, cutting out all added sugar and artificial sweeteners from his diet and counting macros.
Within weeks, he started to notice his energy levels improve.
“After the first month, I realized that I actually was going to lose the weight this time. It was just a matter of waiting for time to pass.”
The game-changer
Two months into his transformation, Diaz began incorporating exercise into his routine by going out for jogs.
“The first night I jogged 0.19 miles and thought I was going to die,” he remembered.
“The next night, however, I went back out there and ran a little farther. The following night I did the same — until eventually I ran 1 mile without stopping.”
After losing 88 pounds and despite his anxiety of being overweight and out of shape, Diaz pushed outside of his comfort zone even more by signing up for a gym membership.
“As soon as I started in the gym I began looking forward to going every day and really enjoyed strength training. I’ve been going to the gym, consistently strength training and running, five to six days a week since June 2018.”
It was all worth it in the end
Since the beginning of his weight loss journey, Diaz has lost 191 pounds and feels better than ever.
His sleep apnea and high blood pressure have been reversed, he can run 1 mile in under 7 minutes and is able to lift weights heavier than he ever thought possible.
For Diaz, the mental and emotional changes are the most rewarding.
“Since losing the weight, my mentality has completely changed. I feel as though I have a new lease on life,” said Diaz.
“I am a more positive person: I wake up happy, I go to sleep happy, I’m a better father, a better husband, and just overall a better person."
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.