82 pounds in 6 months with pictures
dharbeck24
Posts: 8 Member
Hello everybody. I am not one to publicly post about my weight but I am hoping to post my story to inspire someone. Like many people, I was overweight and out shape. I am a 34 year old 6'3" Male. I weighed in at 292lbs on December 29th of last year. Back in October I was playing with my 5 year son and realized that I was not fun to play with because I was unable to be active enough to maximize the quality of time I spent with him. I decided that enough was enough. I had let my self go from 235 to 292 in about 12 years. I was not looking like the guy my wife married and honestly was feeling guilty because my wife is a model of health. It was time to make a change. I convinced my work to hold a biggest loser contest that about 25 people joined. I decided to make it my mission to will this. I am a VERY numbers driven person so my HR manager introduced me to Myfitnesspal and explained that it helps a lot of people. I researched it, the science behind weight loss and decided it was just a matter of math and will power. My thought process was it is only 6 months, I can hit this hard. I committed to myfitnesspal and was able to eat almost 2000 calories a day to lose 2 pounds a week. I found out that I was satisfied with about 1400. If I needed more I ate more but never more than 2,000 calories. Here was my method. I know this won't work for everyone but it did for me as I now weight 210lbs on my goal of 200.
Month one: Follow myfitnesspal and ate only about 1500 calories per day with no cheating. The weighed started melted off...I understand it is easier for me because I am tall and big. I decided it was time to add exercise to the equation.
Month two: Started going to the gym and maintaining my calorie goals. I felt no need or desire to eat back my work out calories. I focused 100% on cardio and lost even more even faster. Started to consider weight training to ensure minimal muscle loss. I worked out about 4 days a week on average.
Month three: Bought a fitbit. Best thing I ever did since like I said earlier I am very numbers driven and can log almost all my progress easily. I become obsessed with hitting my daily fitbit goals and I still am. I start working out my upper body because I have gained a ton of leg muscle simply by using and adaptive trainer, elliptical and walking.
Month four: I begin replacing some gym time and started riding my bike outside. I find out I love out door fitness and how good I feel. I decided it was time to get more serious about bike riding since I enjoy it so much. I am now realized that this is no longer a temporary thing, this is now how I live life. Started a walking group at work and got 4 other people to walk everyday at lunch with my to lunch. We walk two miles to lunch every day and 2 miles back whenever we can.
Month five: Start doing fun rides. Completed my first 20 mile and 16 mile charity bike rides. I am down over 75 lbs at this point obviously weight is not coming off as quickly because I am now much smaller. My calorie deficit is much less but still making good progress and get full a lot easier.
Final Month. Final month I am truly a different person and think about food and fitness differently. I have purchased all new clothes. I started with a 40-42 pant size and now a size 34. is a little lose on me, I went from a 3XL shirt to an XL shirt. I have energy and feel great. I will the competition by losing 27.7% of my body weight and 82 lbs. I no longer snore. I used to have GERD and now show no symptoms of acid reflux at all. I can fly on an airplane comfortably. I can play and enjoy my children like I never have before. I am now a fun dad and not just the sit on the couch and watch TV dad. I went from a BMI considered obese to normal (using the new BMI scale, I will have to get to 200 to be considered normal on the traditional BMI scale). I no longer have high blood or cholesterol. I wish every person could experience how I feel now and the energy level I have now. If everyone could feel it for one day before they started, I believe it would change their life. I hope this helps someone. I am not done. I have 10 lbs to go and plan on maybe gaining some back through strength training in the future. I hope this helps some one. I hope it doesn't sound like a brag but if I inspire even one person, I will be thrilled.
Month one: Follow myfitnesspal and ate only about 1500 calories per day with no cheating. The weighed started melted off...I understand it is easier for me because I am tall and big. I decided it was time to add exercise to the equation.
Month two: Started going to the gym and maintaining my calorie goals. I felt no need or desire to eat back my work out calories. I focused 100% on cardio and lost even more even faster. Started to consider weight training to ensure minimal muscle loss. I worked out about 4 days a week on average.
Month three: Bought a fitbit. Best thing I ever did since like I said earlier I am very numbers driven and can log almost all my progress easily. I become obsessed with hitting my daily fitbit goals and I still am. I start working out my upper body because I have gained a ton of leg muscle simply by using and adaptive trainer, elliptical and walking.
Month four: I begin replacing some gym time and started riding my bike outside. I find out I love out door fitness and how good I feel. I decided it was time to get more serious about bike riding since I enjoy it so much. I am now realized that this is no longer a temporary thing, this is now how I live life. Started a walking group at work and got 4 other people to walk everyday at lunch with my to lunch. We walk two miles to lunch every day and 2 miles back whenever we can.
Month five: Start doing fun rides. Completed my first 20 mile and 16 mile charity bike rides. I am down over 75 lbs at this point obviously weight is not coming off as quickly because I am now much smaller. My calorie deficit is much less but still making good progress and get full a lot easier.
Final Month. Final month I am truly a different person and think about food and fitness differently. I have purchased all new clothes. I started with a 40-42 pant size and now a size 34. is a little lose on me, I went from a 3XL shirt to an XL shirt. I have energy and feel great. I will the competition by losing 27.7% of my body weight and 82 lbs. I no longer snore. I used to have GERD and now show no symptoms of acid reflux at all. I can fly on an airplane comfortably. I can play and enjoy my children like I never have before. I am now a fun dad and not just the sit on the couch and watch TV dad. I went from a BMI considered obese to normal (using the new BMI scale, I will have to get to 200 to be considered normal on the traditional BMI scale). I no longer have high blood or cholesterol. I wish every person could experience how I feel now and the energy level I have now. If everyone could feel it for one day before they started, I believe it would change their life. I hope this helps someone. I am not done. I have 10 lbs to go and plan on maybe gaining some back through strength training in the future. I hope this helps some one. I hope it doesn't sound like a brag but if I inspire even one person, I will be thrilled.
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Replies
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I'm following almost an identical plan. I started at 284 on April 15th, and I'm now 238. So glad to see that you were able to keep it going! I also have a goal of 200. Sounds eerily similar to my journey thus far, only I have been primarily running. Great work!0
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Great job! It doesn't sound like a brag, but even if it did, you're allowed to brag when you've done something so inspiring!0
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Awesome story! Congratulations, you look great. Fitbits are wonderful.0
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You look fantastic!well
Done on all your hard work ..I'm down 58 lbs so far have another 30 plus pounds to get to my ideal weight.i go to the gym 3 times a week..kettle bell class once a week and spinning class 3 times..stories like yours keep me pushing on so thanks for sharing0 -
Great job! Congratulations on all the hard work.0
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Congratulations and thank you for sharing! did you win the contest at work?0
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Wow! This is great!
first off you look great, and I bet you feel great also.
thank you for sharing your plan with us!
what types of foods did you focus on? and on workout days did you get closer to your 2000 calorie goal?
Kudos to you and for your hard work!0 -
Very inspiring story! I just re dedicated myself to weight loss and am following the MFP calorie goal daily. Your story has given me even more motivation to keep going. Thanks for posting!0
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Thank you for sharing your story! Very inspiring!0
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Wow! This is great!
first off you look great, and I bet you feel great also.
thank you for sharing your plan with us!
what types of foods did you focus on? and on workout days did you get closer to your 2000 calorie goal?
Kudos to you and for your hard work!
I cut out all fried foods, most but not all red meat and focused on fruits, vegetables and chicken and turkey. I also ate very little bread. On my work out days I would tend to eat 3-400 calories more at most.
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It sounds like you've not only lost the weight, but have totally changed your life. It sounds like you are much much happier! When you find activities or fitness classes you love, it can definitely change your life. I know it has mine. When you are active, your body feels strong and powerful! I have lost 54 pounds, and I feel great and look so much better, but I really love life now! I can keep up with my grandkids and swim, bike, run and play with them and not get tired at all. That's the real pay off. It's about being the best version of yourself you can be! Congrats on all your success! You've worked hard and you deserve the rewards that come with it. Most people who have worked hard to do the same thing you've done, love hearing your story. And yes, I too, love inspiring others whenever possible. That's another reward you get from your accomplishment.0
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Congrats! I bet you feel awesome because you sure look awesome!!!0
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You are amazing!!! Love the monthly breakdown.0
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Nice progression! Playing with the kids is so worth it! I like to play chase with my daughter because I get more steps in
Congratulations0 -
This is an awesome story. It's inspiring. Keep up the good work.0
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Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off big!0
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YAY!! So proud of you! You look great and I'm certain that your son is so happy to have a daddy who is energetic! Great job!!0
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Wonderfully inspiring story, thank you for sharing!0
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I am so happy for you
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This is so true. Our stats, timeline, and story are almost identical. When I started on the morning of January 6th, one of the first things I did was remind myself of how great it had felt to be in great condition several times in my previous life. I wrote down some memories of long runs and endorphins and this helped motivate me to get back into this condition again. You've done a great job for yourself, your wife, and kid(s).dharbeck24 wrote: »... I wish every person could experience how I feel now and the energy level I have now. If everyone could feel it for one day before they started, I believe it would change their life. ...0 -
Well done truly inspiring your children and wife must be so proud0
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I'm at the start of my journey weighing in at 319 lbs at a height of 6'3". Your story is extremely motivating, and I hope to get where you are. Thanks for sharing!0
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