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'No Matter What, You Have To Keep Going'

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 5, 2008

Hiram Mercado, 71, Tampa

Goal: Better fitness following major heart surgery

Why I did it: My story is that I never drank. I never smoked. But I used to eat like crazy: I loved to eat Spanish food and Chinese food. Six years ago, I weighed 210 lbs, and I am 5-foot-9. I started walking every morning and afternoon, and I lost 30 pounds.

But I was fishing one day (about three years ago) at the Gandy Bridge, and I started thinking that I couldn't breathe. I knew since I had done exercising, something was wrong. And from my family history, I knew something bad like this would happen someday.

I was taken for open heart surgery at Tampa General Hospital. They found four blocked arteries, and they decided I needed surgery. My doctor told me I'm in shape. He said I was a strong man.

I am a Christian and have a lot of faith in my God. I went along with the surgery, knowing what may happen to me. Thank God, everything went fine.

How I did it: When I was younger and living in Puerto Rico, I would work out. I used to be so skinny. So I started doing free weights and got some muscle. I always loved to exercise.

After the surgery, I had a lot of problems with my nerves and sleeping, and my doctor recommended I go and do some exercises. I went to the YMCA in South Tampa, and they treat me very good. Right now, everything is going good with my health.

I go every day to the YMCA. One day, I will concentrate on my chest and arms, and another day I focus on my belly. I am using free weights. Sometimes, I do the stationary bicycle. But mostly what I preach is that walking is No. 1 for everyone. Right now, I weigh 180 pounds. I will be doing those exercises until the day I die.

The difference was that in those days I couldn't afford to go to the gym. Now I have health insurance, a Humana plan, and I can go.

Also, I used to fool around and eat everything. Now I don't. I concentrate now on fruit and I never drink alcohol. I like fish and chicken. And my wife is a great cook.

Hurdles: The doctors explained that some people, after surgery, have a hard time sleeping. I used to go to sleep and get up and get up. The sleeping problems started to pass away after I exercised.

Going the distance: I am much better now. I can walk, walk, walk, and I feel like a champion.

In a couple of months, I'm planning to get a part-time job. I would like to try and help other people with the exercises. I'm trying to get a license to be a personal training instructor. I don't like to see anybody in trouble. I see people who carry too much weight and I worry.

Best advice: I always say I have to go and do exercises. It's part of my life. And you are what you eat. Watch what you eat. That's the name of the game.

I want people to know that when you go to the hospital, no matter what, you have to keep going.

Keyword: Made It, to tell us about a personal fitness goal you have reached and how you accomplished it. Or send your story to mshedden@tampatrib.com or Mary Shedden, The Tampa Tribune, 200 S. Parker St., Tampa FL 33606.

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