Nahale’s Lifestyle Changes Nets 140 pound weight loss

Charles Nahale

One of the biggest health issue facing Americans today is that of obesity.  Many of us are blessed with abundance and it is easy to overindulge and our busy schedules allow us to make excuses not to exercise.

As we age our metabolism slows and added pounds begin to stick to our bodies as we get larger and larger.

For Charlie Nahale the mixture of added job responsibilities and family demands coupled with his love for food began to show within a few years as he went from 235 pounds to 350 pounds.

“My health issues began many years ago when I gave up sports and began coaching,” Nahale said.  “My huge appetite continued, but my exercise regiment diminished.”

Nahale grew up in Kona, on a coffee farm in Captain Cook, the eldest of seven children.

“Growing up on a farm with a large family required a lot of cooperation and shared responsibilities,” he said.

The Nahale family grew coffee and bananas and raised cows, pigs, rabbits, ducks and chickens to supplement their income.

“It took a lot of negotiating and help from my brothers and sisters to free up some time for me so that I could play sports,” Nahale said.

During his youth Nahale played on the Parks & Recreation Pirates Basketball team and in high school play junior varsity basketball for Coach George Yoshida.

“I ran track and did the high jump, shot put, discus and the long distance relay races,” he said.

By 9^th grade Nahale began lifting weights so that he could play football and ended up on the Wildcat team for all four years.

“In 1971, during my senior year, we (Konawaena) won our first Big Island Interscholastic Federation Football Championship,” he said.

Nahale continued his education by enrolling at Hawaii Community College in the Police Science Program.

“I wanted to become a Police Officer for two years so that I could qualify for a Fish and Game Warden position and make that my career,” Nahale said.

Throughout his early career Nahale stayed active and in great shape as he participated in a variety of sports programs and even played a few years of Semi-Pro Football.

In 1981 his dream came through as he accepted a position with the State Department of Conservation Enforcement Division as a Conservation Officer.

“I gave up playing sports and dedicated my time to coaching my sons, baseball and basketball teams,” Nahale said.

In 1984 Nahale was approached by members in the community asking for help in reorganizing the Kona Marlins Pop Warner Football Association.  With the help of several key members of the community they managed to get the Marlins Pop Warner football team off and running.

Nahale served as the President of the Kona Marlins Association until he was elected Vice President of the Big Island Pop Warner Conference in 1989 and the following year found himself as League President which he continues to serve in today.

Nahale retired as a Conservation Officer in 2008 and found that his years of excess and lack of exercise had led to him tipping the scales at 450 pounds with the diagnoses of borderline high blood pressure, morbid obesity and arthritis in his right hip.

“I had tried many weight loss programs and I seemed to gain back the weight I lost and then some,” he said.  “Being a musician and coming from a large family I am constantly surrounded by an abundance of delicious food.  I felt helpless, without the willpower to stick to a diet.”

Nahale ‘s weight became a burden and he had pain in his back and in his legs.

“I couldn’t walk much without resting and getting off my feet,” he said.  “I was limited in places I could go because of my size so I decided that I needed to get surgical help to address my weight and health issues.”

Nahale opted to get a gastric bypass and had three-fourths of his stomach removed.

“I had the procedure done this past May and have lost over 140 pounds as I continue to lose weight,” he said.  “My blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels have returned to normal and I plan to have a hip replacement surgery in a few months so that I can return to some form of physical exercise in my quest for a healthier and more fulfilling life.”

For Nahale life had gotten so busy that he was sidetracked from staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  There are many people just like Charlie Nahale who feel helpless and trapped with health and weight issues.

“Life gets so busy and everyday zips by as we are working and have bills to pay, with family needs to tend to,” Nahale said.  “I chose Medical Intervention because of my failed attempts to lose my weight on my own and my increasing health issues.”

Nahale recognized that he had a serious health issue and did something to help conquer his growing fears.

“My health is getting back on track and I feel great and thankful each and every day,” he said.  “I hope to inspire others who are faced with these same issues to seek medical help or speak to someone who has gone through the same trials.”