By Melissa Rollins (Morning News)

Monk Jordan had plenty of reasons for joining the Florence’s Biggest Loser 2015 competition. One of the biggest motivators, though? Walking his daughter down the aisle and giving her away at her March wedding.

While he is close to his wedding weight goal already, having dropped nearly 30 pounds in the first few weeks, Jordan almost missed this special moment altogether. In the past two decades, Jordan has had three heart attacks.

“I had my first heart attack when I was around 39,” Jordan said. “I went through the cardiac rehab , but I did not follow up with the maintenance program due to my job duties. I had another one five years later. Finally, after my triple-bypass, I went through the same rehab program again, and I completed the maintenance program and decided to start working out.”

The new lifestyle stuck with him for a little while.

“It worked out for two or three years,” Jordan said. “I have played sports my whole life and never liked running, but running became a stress reliever for me. If I had a bad day, I’d go run; if I was mad at someone, I’d go run. With my heart condition, I always had to watch my maximum heart rate, but I knew that I could run a little bit and then walk a little bit.”

After losing 90 pounds, Jordan looked forward to signing up for a timed race, but life got in the way again, and he began to gain the weight back.

“I really wanted to do a half-marathon,” Jordan said. “For some reason, I didn’t get signed up for it, and for the next few years, I just never got signed up for it. At that point, I didn’t fall off the wagon, I fell off the earth. I quit exercising, didn’t do any portion controls, totally got out of the habits, and I ballooned back up.”

Jordan’s daughter Alison said she was worried about her dad after his heart attacks.

“Every time he had a heart attack, I thought that he might not be here, that he might not make it,” Alison said. “It’s scary to think that that could happen. I have friends who have lost their fathers before, and it is not something that I want to go through.”

Although Jordan was initially turned down for the Biggest Loser, his wife, who is a nurse, got his case re-evaluated, and he was permitted to take part. Jordan said he knows what limits he has and keeps a close eye on his heart rate when working out.

Alison said she is proud of the steps her dad has taken to get his healthier lifestyle back.

“I was excited when he told me that he was going to do the Biggest Loser,” Alison said. “I’ve known for a long time that he needed to do this for himself. It was good to hear that the wedding was a motivating factor. I definitely want him there; you only get one daddy. I’m so proud of him for doing this. He has done it before, and he is tough, so I know he can do it again.”

While he is working out with his group and their trainer, Preston Ford, Jordan also is making sure that smart food decisions are part of the journey.

“I have totally changed my eating habits,” Jordan said. “Instead of going to a buffet, I am doing my meals at home. I’ve cut out soft drinks, which probably helps a lot. I was drinking 10-12 soft drinks a day. Before, I would stop by the store and get candy bars or a Rice Krispy Treat. Now, I have some nutrition bars and a banana; I keep some fruit with me. It is all changing, and that’s what you have to do.”

Jordan said he is already making plans to run two half-marathons, one in December and one the following December, reaching a total of five before he turns 60.

 

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