800 plus day consecutive streak logging in to MFP and 207 lbs lost!

Nahnie2552

Wow!! I loved your words so much, I quoted them and put it on my vision board at work. You said "the human body is amazing . . . and it is possible to turn things around and heal naturally." Congratulations on your transformation!! :-)

SavedByGrace26356

staffordshire62 wrote: »

Hello to all MFP users!
I'm a 54 year old man who has had some tremendous health problems from years of abuse due to poor diet and an overall destructive lifestyle which included terrible nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. Two and a half years ago , I was on 9 different medications with multiple health issues including depression and type 2 diabetes and I weighed 402 POUNDS at 5 foot 7. Within the past two and a half years I have managed to turn my life around and now, I am in better shape than I was in my 20s weighing in at 196 lbs.
Currently, I am on no medications and was able to successfully reversed my type 2 diabetes which I was on the threshold of at my last doctor's appointment weighing 402 pounds.
Currently my resting pulse rate is 52, A1C is 5.1, and cholesterol and blood pressure readings are perfect! Through a combination of good quality clean eating , and a wide variety of cardio exercise as well as weight training , I have found the key to a better lifestyle with no gimmicks, diets, or pay programs etc. I truly believe that the use of the My Fitness Pal app is the single most important tool in my arsenal because of all the quality information available, and I like the "accountability" which I derive from it. What I have achieved is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but adapting to this type of Lifestyle is extremely rewarding, satisfying, and pays off better than anything a person could do for themselves especially at the age of over 50. I am a firm believer that an active healthy lifestyle combining consistency with exercise, and healthy food choices with the addition of food logging through MFP is a recipe for success. For long term results, these habits need to turn into a way of life.. Never say DIET.. It needs to be a healthy way of life with knowledge being the key to healthy choices. The first 2 fat pictures showed me at only around 335 lbs and I maxed out later at 402. One final thought... don't make too many lofty or aggressive goals at first because you might just set yourself up for failure so take it slow and gradually ease into your new lifestyle. For instance, I used to get out of breath just going to the refrigerator so I started walking around the block slowly. Each week I tried to go a little further until I was able to walk a mile or two and then I gradually started to jog a little bit. So the lesson learned here is to take it slow and have a plan but don't try to do too much at one time or you'll set yourself up for frustration and possible failure. I hope my success will help to motivate some other people who are in the same situation I was more than two-and-a-half years ago. Remember, the human body is amazing and it is possible even at the ripe old age of 54 to turn things around and allow yourself to heal naturally by just taking care of your health, gaining knowledge and making the right choices. I always remember one thing a friend of mine who used to be very heavy told me and I quote "nothing tastes as good as being thin and healthy feels"
Happy New Year to everyone and let's make 2017 the best and fit year of Our Lives. If anyone would like to contact me for specifics on what I have done or just need a little bit of inspiration , I would be more than happy to share some of my success tactics and secrets which aren't really secrets at all.
Chris

You look amazing!! Congratulations!!

momofamadhouse

Floored. Amazed. Inspired. Speechless! You just rock!

ClubSilencio

Looking strong (and tanned) at 54! I'll sign up for that!

omakase619

Your story is amazing and inspirational. Thanks for posting. To do this at 54 and at 400lbs!?!? What! I have no more excuses.

tarothelp

unreal! What an inspiration way to GO!!!!

royalslover

Holy cow, this is one of the best fitness turnarounds I have ever seen. Maybe you mentioned this before but have you had problems with loose skin? you look freakin amazing and it gives me hope as I am about your age.

ssajwa1

Very impressive! Good for you!

staffordshire62

royalslover wrote: »

Holy cow, this is one of the best fitness turnarounds I have ever seen. Maybe you mentioned this before but have you had problems with loose skin? you look freakin amazing and it gives me hope as I am about your age.

One of the reasons I decided to weight train was to add some muscle especially to help with the loose skin. I do have quite a bit of loose skin around my midsection, but I would venture to say that could only be addressed surgically. Does not seem the skin will retract or shrink any more. At this point, its all relative and all I can do is worry about the stuff under the skin and try to keep everything as healthy as possible. If I had unlimited funds, I might look into the surgical option just to remove the loose skin around my stomach/midsection.

stevegraygb

Mate- that is awesome.

Genuinely inspirational, and much respect due for your determination in turning things around.

Regan45

Absolutely amazing! Now you just need to pose with a nice ten pound WALLEYE and the transition will be complete

AngelinaB_

I am so happy for you! Great job turning your life around! Thanks for sharing

aznthundrhed

this is awesome! congrats to you! I'm currently on my own 900+ days streak.

smkondy

Very motivating & inspiring!! You look really good-thank you for sharing-Congratulations!!

lynder64

An inspiring transformation!!! Bravo!!!

Evamutt

fantastic, I'm so happy for you, awesome job

Bayluvr

Amazing...just AMAZING!! The tux pic is SMOKIN'! And let's not forget the fish (I'm an angler too). Congratulations on this magnificent achievement, and continued great health to you

Nicole_M4

WOW!!! Such and inspiration!!
Its almost unbelievable. Gives me hope for me!! I have 135 lbs to go. I've lost 50lbs. I wish that I'm able stick to this and get to my final goal without quitting. Just wow!! You are amazing. Don't think I'll ever forget your storey. Thanks for sharing!.

fitin50s2

Sensational! Beyond measure...

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

Damn you look good!

Your family must feel like they have won the lottery knowing how much healthier you are.

neldabg

Incredible!!!! I'm glad this was bumped up for more of us to see!

Pseudocyber

Wow what a change! Great work!

I'm 50, and a few months into my weight loss - and coming off diabetes med's myself. I've just started weight training, and would like to look like you - any tips in starting a weight training regimen? I've "discovered" my "chest" was really just fat ... and now, I don't have one. So, I want to concentrate on building my chest - and i"m doing circuit training of machines - so doing all over "core". Chest, I think I'm going to do free weights bench press - flat, incline, decline, and flys with dumbells.

cathipa

I love this!! Thank you for sharing your inspiring story!

jenilla1

MFP Rockstar!

staffordshire62

Pseudocyber wrote: »

Wow what a change! Great work!

I'm 50, and a few months into my weight loss - and coming off diabetes med's myself. I've just started weight training, and would like to look like you - any tips in starting a weight training regimen? I've "discovered" my "chest" was really just fat ... and now, I don't have one. So, I want to concentrate on building my chest - and i"m doing circuit training of machines - so doing all over "core". Chest, I think I'm going to do free weights bench press - flat, incline, decline, and flys with dumbells.

Try to get away from machines if possible. Start using free weights with strict and proper form. Machines are better than nothing at all, however because of the fixed range of motion there is a higher probability of injury. Using free weights involve so many more stabilizing muscles and core as well. At our age it's important to stretch the muscles you will be working out prior to exercising to avoid injury. Also, I now only work a body part every 4 days or so because recovery is much longer at our age. When younger, I could train muscle groups every other day. I do chest/triceps day 1, back/biceps day 2/ shoulders day 3/ and legs /day 4. Abs and core can and should be worked on daily. After the 4 days, I take 1 day off usually doing some cardio or swimming.
If you would like to friend me send a request. We have a great group of supportive peoole
Chris

staffordshire62

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

Damn you look good!

Your family must feel like they have won the lottery knowing how much healthier you are.

Yes, that's a nice bonus to the weight loss as well.
Thanks Chris

sdereski

Such a truly amazing and inspiring story. Congratulations Sir, on your incredible determination, hard work and success! Hard earned and well deserved.

Timshel_

staffordshire62 wrote: »

RedPioneer

I really needed to read this today. I have been running hot and cold with tracking and staying motivated. Must keep moving forward.
Thank you for sharing!

kinnurse0754

Thanks for putting your message on MFP. I was on MFP for a year and then slipped. Since then, I've retired and lead a much more sedentary life. I've gained about 20 lbs in the past 3 years and am a newly diagnosed diabetic. My AIC was 8.4 this week and having some cardiac and circulatory problems. I've chosen to get back on MFP and work toward getting healthier as well as losing some weight. Was wondering how you've managed to balance your diet with your obviously active lifestyle and still got your Blood sugars under control. I'm impressed and envious. I've had a couple of low sugars this week with the introduction of Metformin to my medication regime and really don't like the shakes and sweats that it caused. Any suggestions or info would be helpful. Thanks.