Recently, the FAA published updated medical standards (temporarily withdrawn after an uproar) that required anyone with a BMI of over 40 to undergo testing for Sleep Apnea. I’m under this threshold, so there’s no immediate worry but it’s a sign of things to come. They are going to start lowering the BMI standard and I’ll get swept up in this eventually. I feel this is only the start of the FAA cracking down on medicals.
So what’s a pilot to do? My Medical needs renewing around March of this year so I’ve got time to lose more weight (or at least maintain).
I’ve started running (as of January 1st) and am going to try to shoot for a 5k this spring/summer. Nothing loses weight as easily as running and to help me get in the swing of things, I’ve purchased new running shoes (nothing says commitment from me like putting down $130 for gear).
I’m going to step up my weight training and build muscle. While it will gain me weight in the short run, the extra muscle will improve my resting metabolism (resulting in more calories being burned) and directly burn calories as I work out. Burning more calories = less weight.
My final goal is to eat better. I plan to eat breakfast of a non-McDonalds variety every day 🙂 I’m going to try to cut down to 4 salads a week for lunch (and eating out only once a week). My dinners tend to be ok so I’ll live off my brats and Italian sausage.
Hopefully, ultimately the FAA doesn’t go through with the rule making but I’m not going to hold out hope in the long run. It’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of time and if I can keep my BMI below the arbitrary limits they set.