September 2011 marked the beginning of a rough patch for local public television celeb Ernie Manouse.
"I was literally laid up for two-and-a-half months after the accident," he says of a bike crash that left him with two broken hands . . . just in time for pledge drive season.
"All that time wearing pull-on clothes and just laying around . . . really took its toll. I just let myself go."
"During the recovery, I never really felt much pain. All that time wearing pull-on clothes and just laying around, however, really took its toll. I just let myself go."
While he's always battled weight issues, Manouse says he noticed how differently he was treated as he became heavier.
"It was like my energy changed in some way and people could see that. I used to go into a room and everybody would be like, 'Hey, it's Ernie!' But as I got bigger, it was almost like I was invisible. At first, I chalked it up to getting older or having been around long enough that I wasn't as unique to see."
In the end, Manouse found his weight was affecting not only his health, but his overall mood and outlook.
Enter, Sean Burks — the Houston personal trainer who Manouse credits with creating a "nearly perfect" program that has helped him shed more than 60 pounds since this past summer.
"I finally realized you just have to concentrate on these two funny little things called diet and exercise."
"After trying all the fads through the years, I finally realized you just have to concentrate on these two funny little things called diet and exercise," he laughs, noting how easy Burks' plan was to follow.
The diet period called for the total elimination of sugar as well white carbs like potatoes, rice and bread. Exercise requirements involved training with Burks for an hour twice a week.
With his weight once again under control, Manouse has returned to biking in recent months, clocking as many as 14 miles a day.
"I feel like I have one more period in my life when I can feel young and thin and healthy," he says. "It's great to be actively doing something about it."
Be sure to check out Manouse's current Downton Abbey talk show, Manor of Speaking, which airs Sundays on HoustonPBS at 10 p.m. The station runs episodes of the award-winning series InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse throughout the week. See the KUHF Ch. 8 website for details.
Ernie Manouse, NoH8, December 2012
Ernie Manouse Facebook
Ernie Manouse, NoH8, December 2012
