An Open Letter to All Fathers Dear Fathers, I am writing to you today from a place of deep personal experience and a sincere desire to see you live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. My name is Dr. Tro Kalayjian, and I am not just a physician; I am a father who has walked the painful path that many of you are on right now. Once, I weighed 350 pounds and struggled with diabetes. I was a father in pain, a husband whose wife worried constantly about my premature death. I was lost in a sea of metabolic disease, feeling helpless and desperate for change. But I found a way out, and so can you. We live in a world where men die more than a decade before women on average. We are more likely to suffer from alcohol and drug abuse, more prone to mental health issues, more likely to be incarcerated, and tragically, more likely to commit suicide. This is not just a statistic; it is a stark reality that we must confront. Yet, instead of being supported, men are often labeled toxic or misogynistic, rather than being championed and celebrated for their strengths and potential. It is time for us to change this narrative. It is time for us to take our health into our own hands and fight back against the system that has failed us. When I was at my heaviest, I knew something had to change. My family deserved better, and so did I. I started with the basics: lowering my intake of processed carbs and sugars, and incorporating regular exercise into my routine. It wasn’t easy, but the results were life-changing. I lost over 150 pounds, reversed my diabetes, and found a new lease on life. My journey wasn’t just about losing weight; it was about reclaiming my health, my energy, and my happiness. As fathers, we have a responsibility not just to ourselves, but to our families. Our children look up to us; they need us to be strong, healthy, and present. Our wives need us to be partners, not patients. By taking control of our metabolic health, we can break the cycle of disease and set a positive example for the next generation. I challenge all fathers out there to take their health seriously. Start by lowering your intake of processed carbs and sugars. These substances are not just empty calories; they are poison that is slowly killing you. Begin exercising regularly, and find a community of positive and supportive people to join you on your journey. Whether it's CrossFit, jiu-jitsu, or any other group activity, surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can make all the difference. We need to support each other, to lift each other up, and to fight back against the forces that seek to keep us down. It’s not enough to just survive; we need to thrive. And we can do it together. Let us not be statistics. Let us not be defined by our struggles, but by our triumphs. Take your health back. For yourself, for your family, for your future. In good health and solidarity, Dr. Tro Kalayjian

Posted by Doctor Tro at 2024-06-15 12:57:20 UTC