The weighting game

by Kathy Linton

DANVILLE — Wade Wingler isn't nearly the man he used to be and he doesn't even mind if people call him a big loser.

Wingler, 34, once tipped the scales at 317 pounds and admits that he had always assumed he would die young.

"I was always the fat kid -- last to be picked for any athletic event," he said. "When I was in Little League football, I had the stripe on my helmet meaning that I wasn't allowed to tackle anyone."

Growing up in Coatesville and graduating from Cascade High School, Wingler said he relied on his wit and his humor to get him through adolescence. He went on to become a successful adult, graduating from Butler University and getting a job with Easter Seals. He now travels all over the country, developing specialized computer systems for people with disabilities.

"I had a hard time with airplane seats for awhile," he said. "And just being able to walk long distances. Those O.J. Simpson scenes at the airport just wouldn't have been possible."

These days, however, Wingler could easily run through an airport, hurdling luggage and other such obstacles. He's lost 99 pounds and gone through a "total lifestyle change."

"People treated me differently when I was heavier," he said. "I think I command more respect now. I used to be kind of the jolly guy that everybody loved. My business relationships are just different now. People seem to respect me more.

"A lot prettier girls pay attention to me than used to. That's been a pleasant surprise."

But those girls missed their chance. Wingler has been married for more than 12 years and has an 8 year old daughter.

He said he was never really miserable as a heavy person, but he did know it wasn't healthy.

"I had this nagging feeling that I needed to accomplish as much as possible as soon as possible because you never know how long you're going to live," he said.

He said he saw both grandfathers and an uncle struggle with heart problems and had just always assumed that he would someday take his own turn on the operating table. It was practically a family tradition, he joked.

It wasn't until his mother, Jerri Lynn, found weight loss success with a diet called Sugar Busters that Wingler started to think he had a chance. While his mother refers to Sugar Busters as a "way of eating" rather than a diet, Wingler said the results are amazing.

He said Jerri Lynn, a diabetic, was introduced to the program by her doctor.

"She definitely lead by example," Wingler said. "She's never been pushy at all. She tried it and lost about 20 pounds. We noticed that she started cooking some things differently and we asked about it. If mama can lose weight with mama's cooking, then we all can."

Jerri Lynn has now lost 75 pounds and has hit her goal. Wingler said his sister and wife have each lost 30 pounds and his brother-in-law is now on the program as well.

But dieting, Wingler said, is not enough.

He said he had tried a variety of exercise programs over the years. He joined a health club, took regular walks, and even took up racquetball for a time. But the programs that eventually did the trick for him were yoga and bicycling.

"I was looking for something that didn't require any equipment, and no certain time or place," he said. "I went to a book store and the first book I picked up was on yoga. I started doing it that night and have never missed. I take yoga classes at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. My instructor is Crystal Crews. I have classes once a week on Tuesday nights, but I do yoga by myself every single day."

He also bicycles, averaging 100 to 150 miles a week when the weather is good and sometimes riding the 35 miles from his home to his Indianapolis office. He's also completed his first "century ride," which is a ride of more than 100 miles in a single day.

"I'd rather be on the bike than on the couch," Wingler said. "My daughter and I love to ride bikes."

To follow Wingler's weight loss progress, for more information on Sugar Busters, or for diet and exercise tips, visit Wingler's website at www.howilost100pounds.com. The website also has information on an online support group and a list of "rules to live by" that Wingler says help him to keep on track.

"I really want to let people know that it can be done," he said. "You see the pictures on TV with the pants out to here ... but that's on TV. I'm trying to pay it forward a little bit -- encouraging people to please try this or something like it."

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