By Elaine Herscher, Senior Editor
Just five months ago, Help Desk Lead Analyst Yousif Kady could barely walk for 15 minutes on a treadmill. Now, he’s completed a solo 10K and lost 100 pounds. “Once I changed my mindset, everything came into place,” he says. “I feel like I’m a completely different person.”
Last year, as the holidays approached, Kady confronted his health. Overweight, suffering from severe sleep apnea, and managing high blood pressure with medication, he struggled with low energy and felt challenged to play with his young children, ages two and six. With a family history of heart disease, he knew he needed to make lasting changes.
He began by overhauling his diet, cutting out sugar and carbs, and focusing on protein, fiber-rich foods, and vegetables. He initially used Zepbound, a GLP-1 drug similar to Ozempic, for a short time. But soon he achieved weight loss through diet alone.
Next, Kady turned to physical activity. His gym sessions were brief, so he started slowly — walking, then jogging, and finally running. “The start was very humble,” Kady says. He gradually built his stamina, running just a minute or two at a time before increasing his pace. After five months, he completed a solo 10K in 60 minutes on neighborhood trails and is now seeking out a runners’ group.
Today, Kady’s energy has dramatically improved, his sleep is better, and he’s off all medications. “If my story can inspire someone else within LifeLong or anywhere, definitely I’m all for it,” he says. “The way I see it, health is more important than anything. Once you have a healthy body, you can do anything.”
Pictured: Yousif Kady and his running buddy, 2-year-old son Adam
