The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

While it may be too late to make that New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, it’s never too late to decide to get healthy. That was the number one reason Puget Island resident Mike Backman lost the weight.

One morning in November 2007, Mike was buying fish in the Puget Sound area and found his leg to be in great pain. A doctor’s visit informed him he had cellulitis. He was given pills and for two weeks, ordered to stay at home with his leg elevated.

During a sleepless night while watching television, Mike, saw an infomercial about weight-loss hypnosis. Something the hypnotist said clicked. He kept saying “It’s not here,” Mike said pointing at his stomach, “It’s here,” he said pointing at his head. “You think you need this. You think when you go to the show you have popcorn.” It is what a person is accustomed to. “You believe that you have to have two sandwiches at lunchtime because that is what you are used to having.”

As he watched the testimonials, Mike thought to himself that it seemed like a neat idea, but it wasn’t something he would do. The information he gathered from the infomercial translated into the times he ate his meals.

“If I eat at this time, then at this time, then I’ve got control.” So for two weeks, that is what he did. Mike would have breakfast between 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and have dinner between 3:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. That can be adjusted depending on the time change or where he is.

At the end of the two weeks, with his leg feeling better, Mike went to Costco in Warrenton, Ore. While walking around the store, he avoided the free samples, which he said he never would partake of anyway. But on his way out, the hot dog stand caught his eye. Somehow, Mike said he avoided the temptation.

As he drove through Astoria at lunchtime, fast food row was pumping the smells that lure into the air. Other drivers were turning left and right into the parking lots of these restaurants. “Everyone else is having lunch; why don’t I get lunch? Everyone else is having lunch,” he said he thought as he gripped the steering wheel.

Once he passed the provocation of McDonald's, Burger King et al, the hunger pangs went away, Mike said. When he arrived home, he ate at 3 p.m.

“That was the day that I won, because it concreted in my head that it was here, and not here,” he said. "It’s all about control."

For breakfast, Mike will usually eat a bowl of cereal, or some toast and a banana. Dinners will usually consist of pretty much anything. The rule is to broil instead of fry and little starches, and no snacking. To drink, he only consumes water, tea or coffee. No alcohol at all.

After a month, Mike started walking with a neighbor, who was recovering from a heart attack. At first he would only walk a short distance, but eventually found himself walking further and further each day. Soon, he would walk twice; alone and with his friend.

Walking isn’t the only thing Mike does to get exercise. For the longest time, Mike said he would just hop in the truck and go. Now, he said he is like a big 12 year-old. He has a row boat and a bicycle. “I’m out and about cruising miles one way or another.”

Mike will usually walk or ride six to 12 miles daily but some days as many as 20. That is just walking. He will bike 10-20 miles daily, but not when it’s icy. After his bike rides, he will walk again in the evenings.

Anyone who wants to start walking can contact him, he said. “We will walk the distance they want to get started.” He is a self proclaimed talker and said whatever it takes to get that person going, is what they will do. Even if it is just to “the stop sign and back.” Before they know it, “we’re back where we started.”

Things have changed quite a bit since Mike lost 220 pounds. He is starting to date, which he said is a new experience for him. Now at 37, he said “I was outside the dating circle. I was everybody’s friend.” He has no girlfriend as of yet, but is looking for “a nice girl.” As long as she is a non-smoker, family and healthy minded, he said with a smile.