Jim's Progress Thread
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Thanks everyone. Was smiling there for couple reasons, it was just after the start so was still feeling good and I was just passing my small cheering section who were screaming support.
Other photos from the finish didn't turn out so well due to shadows.2 -
My niece found a pair of my old big man pants in my closet and wanted to take a picture.
Hard to believe that was me.
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Jim, you're such an inspiration!!! That is absolutely amazing!0
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Wow! You see the stories on the internet and commercials and wonder if they are actually true. I am inspired that I "know" a true to life success story. You are a changed man for sure.0
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Unbelievable, Jim!0
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Wow! That is awesome... Congratulations on the race, you sure have come a long way!0
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WOW! That pic in the pants is something! You could put two of you in those pants (I know you did lose 1/2 of your old self so that makes sense). Congrats on the 1/2 marathon. That is a great accomplishment. You have a great story and should be very proud of your accomplishments!0
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Thanks Britt, Tracey, Joe, Sarah, Bob!
I find myself telling my story more and more.
Here, twitter,etc. I've been contacted to be interviewed for a health type YouTube channel. Some doctors asked if they can use my story in a book that is coming out soon.
Just now in Starbucks for lunch I pass by a table and I hear them talking about insulin resistance, keto, etc.
These are two very hefty guys so I couldn't help but go over and chat. I showed them my before/after and they were floored. They would have talked a lot longer but they were from out of town and had to get going. They asked if they could have my contact info to ask more questions so we swapped emails.
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See, You are an inspiration to sooo many
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Spreading the word! That’s so exciting....0
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Again, very awesome!0
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Month Weight
August....184.2
Sept........178.8
Oct.........176.7
Nov........176
Maintained well this month with my carnivore diet, OMAD, and no extended fasting.
In the later part of December I'm going to begin to push for more weight loss.
In a couple months I'd like to be down 10 pounds and begin permanent maintenance in the 160's.
At that point I want to focus on putting on some muscle while maintaining weight.1 -
You’re doing great, Jim! Sorry if you answered this upthread, but how are you calculating your monthly weight? Do you just go by what you weigh on the last day of the month?0
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brittdee88 wrote: »You’re doing great, Jim! Sorry if you answered this upthread, but how are you calculating your monthly weight? Do you just go by what you weigh on the last day of the month?
Thx Britt.
For my official monthly weight what I'm listing is the average weight of the final 7 days of the month.
So it's current but with the trailing average it makes it a little smoother.
Honestly though except for one or two days my weight for the month was almost always in a narrow range of 175 to 177.
Last few days it's been trending down for some reason, for example this morning was 174.
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Thanks for the explanation!
And yay for the downward trend!0 -
Month Weight
August....184.2
Sept........178.8
Oct.........176.7
Nov........176
Maintained well this month with my carnivore diet, OMAD, and no extended fasting.
In the later part of December I'm going to begin to push for more weight loss.
In a couple months I'd like to be down 10 pounds and begin permanent maintenance in the 160's.
At that point I want to focus on putting on some muscle while maintaining weight.
How tall are you? Sounds like a good plan!0 -
Month Weight
August....184.2
Sept........178.8
Oct.........176.7
Nov........176
Maintained well this month with my carnivore diet, OMAD, and no extended fasting.
In the later part of December I'm going to begin to push for more weight loss.
In a couple months I'd like to be down 10 pounds and begin permanent maintenance in the 160's.
At that point I want to focus on putting on some muscle while maintaining weight.
How tall are you? Sounds like a good plan!
6' 1"0 -
You will be thin in the 160s at your height but not un-healthy thin. Adding muscle will be good to. I'm your same height. I would like to get down to about 175 or so and reassess then. I would maybe like to gain a little muscle also but not a ton. My ultimate goal would be to be about 7% body fat and weigh around 170-lbs. I think that would be good for both how I would look, strength, and also would still be light enough to run. I think you will end up at about those same stats if you get to 160's and then add a little muscle. Good luck! How old are you?0
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I'm 58. I want to stay as lean as possible in order to try to help get rid of some remaining belly fat that is sloshing around in my baggy skin in the mid section.
I too am not looking to bulk up per se, just to strengthen my core and upper body. A lean but well toned 165 to 170 would please me greatly.0 -
I'm 58. I want to stay as lean as possible in order to try to help get rid of some remaining belly fat that is sloshing around in my baggy skin in the mid section.
I too am not looking to bulk up per se, just to strengthen my core and upper body. A lean but well toned 165 to 170 would please me greatly.
Yep I think we have about the same goals! Same height and about the same age I too. I'm 56. Your a bit ahead of me though. I think you have a lot more discipline than me in this area but hopefully I will eventually get there also.0 -
I'm 58. I want to stay as lean as possible in order to try to help get rid of some remaining belly fat that is sloshing around in my baggy skin in the mid section.
I too am not looking to bulk up per se, just to strengthen my core and upper body. A lean but well toned 165 to 170 would please me greatly.
Yep I think we have about the same goals! Same height and about the same age I too. I'm 56. Your a bit ahead of me though. I think you have a lot more discipline than me in this area but hopefully I will eventually get there also.
I didn't used to have much in the way of discipline, but I'm on a mission now. Confidence is high and I think my goals are reasonable and achievable. We'll get there.1 -
You guys will both totally get there! Love following you both... 0
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Thanks Britt, Tracey, Joe, Sarah, Bob!
I find myself telling my story more and more.
Here, twitter,etc. I've been contacted to be interviewed for a health type YouTube channel. Some doctors asked if they can use my story in a book that is coming out soon.
Just now in Starbucks for lunch I pass by a table and I hear them talking about insulin resistance, keto, etc.
These are two very hefty guys so I couldn't help but go over and chat. I showed them my before/after and they were floored. They would have talked a lot longer but they were from out of town and had to get going. They asked if they could have my contact info to ask more questions so we swapped emails.
Word to the wise, Jim...
You are now where I was at the end of 2015, when my channel first surfaced and I had already started working with people from MFP. Your story is "big" enough to get and sustain critical mass. Thus, here are some things to consider.
Now, people will start coming at you with all sorts of offers. There will be a temptation to offer to help - and, of course, it's good when it's welcome - but know that for all of the fascination with your weight loss that gets generated, remember that most will never change. They'll sit and they'll listen in amazement, but they won't follow your success. That will be a rare thing because, like me, you are a doer. Your mind can set clear goals and disregard internal conflicts that derail people.
I've turned down every offer I've received since my channel has grown, every single one of them. I have purposely thwarted the growth of my own channel because I would not go with the popular video runs (veganism, keto, etc.) because I knew that my journey involved none of the sharp calculations of these trends. As a result, I have less to say. it really is a whole lot simpler than people make things. They want to create special rules on how to succeed for the sake of their own ego. I decided that wasn't for me.
People will soon try to get you to sell stuff and try x and y products, or just mention them in some agreed public venue, etc. to be paid. You will have people throw offers at you to give you a monthly salary or gift to say something or else wear an item of clothing, or something. It's proven a bit much for me since most who come at me are not willing to help themselves. This site and the channel have helped many, for sure, but it's astonishing at just how many cannot be helped for one reason or another. It's an ego blow to accept it, but it's true.
The truth is, if I'd have wanted to, I could have angled things to be able to cash in and eventually quit my day job. I decided I didn't want that. There is simply too much disingenuousness in the health scene, no matter what venue it happens to be in. Beyond speaking engagements and consulting (which I still do), I have purposely shied away from it so as to not be associated with the nonsense. I have now upped my fee just to keep away people who are time-wasters. Trust me, it all gets very old. And people will monopolize your time left and right.
Reading your words takes me back to how I felt back in 2014-15. It felt enlivening to be needed then. In a small way, it kinda still does. But OMAD isn't the end to all health struggles, nor will it solve everything. Human nature is what it is. People are always looking to hear a story, to receive stimulation, to get a hold of something that moves them forward and gives them hope. But that's where much of it ends...with just the story. it hope this doesn't sound overly bitter, but know where your limits / values are. They will be tested at some point.1 -
I'm 58. I want to stay as lean as possible in order to try to help get rid of some remaining belly fat that is sloshing around in my baggy skin in the mid section.
I too am not looking to bulk up per se, just to strengthen my core and upper body. A lean but well toned 165 to 170 would please me greatly.
Every formerly big person has just a little "belly sludge" sloshing around. I've got a little, too. Are you familiar with Paul's thorn in the flesh? If so, just leave the belly. It's like a "battle scar" and has much honor.0 -
Thanks for the advice Joe. I too am not looking for anything "big" to happen, in terms of offers etc.arguablysamson wrote: »Thanks Britt, Tracey, Joe, Sarah, Bob!
I find myself telling my story more and more.
Here, twitter,etc. I've been contacted to be interviewed for a health type YouTube channel. Some doctors asked if they can use my story in a book that is coming out soon.
Just now in Starbucks for lunch I pass by a table and I hear them talking about insulin resistance, keto, etc.
These are two very hefty guys so I couldn't help but go over and chat. I showed them my before/after and they were floored. They would have talked a lot longer but they were from out of town and had to get going. They asked if they could have my contact info to ask more questions so we swapped emails.
Word to the wise, Jim...
You are now where I was at the end of 2015, when my channel first surfaced and I had already started working with people from MFP. Your story is "big" enough to get and sustain critical mass. Thus, here are some things to consider.
Now, people will start coming at you with all sorts of offers. There will be a temptation to offer to help - and, of course, it's good when it's welcome - but know that for all of the fascination with your weight loss that gets generated, remember that most will never change. They'll sit and they'll listen in amazement, but they won't follow your success. That will be a rare thing because, like me, you are a doer. Your mind can set clear goals and disregard internal conflicts that derail people.
I've turned down every offer I've received since my channel has grown, every single one of them. I have purposely thwarted the growth of my own channel because I would not go with the popular video runs (veganism, keto, etc.) because I knew that my journey involved none of the sharp calculations of these trends. As a result, I have less to say. it really is a whole lot simpler than people make things. They want to create special rules on how to succeed for the sake of their own ego. I decided that wasn't for me.
People will soon try to get you to sell stuff and try x and y products, or just mention them in some agreed public venue, etc. to be paid. You will have people throw offers at you to give you a monthly salary or gift to say something or else wear an item of clothing, or something. It's proven a bit much for me since most who come at me are not willing to help themselves. This site and the channel have helped many, for sure, but it's astonishing at just how many cannot be helped for one reason or another. It's an ego blow to accept it, but it's true.
The truth is, if I'd have wanted to, I could have angled things to be able to cash in and eventually quit my day job. I decided I didn't want that. There is simply too much disingenuousness in the health scene, no matter what venue it happens to be in. Beyond speaking engagements and consulting (which I still do), I have purposely shied away from it so as to not be associated with the nonsense. I have now upped my fee just to keep away people who are time-wasters. Trust me, it all gets very old. And people will monopolize your time left and right.
Reading your words takes me back to how I felt back in 2014-15. It felt enlivening to be needed then. In a small way, it kinda still does. But OMAD isn't the end to all health struggles, nor will it solve everything. Human nature is what it is. People are always looking to hear a story, to receive stimulation, to get a hold of something that moves them forward and gives them hope. But that's where much of it ends...with just the story. it hope this doesn't sound overly bitter, but know where your limits / values are. They will be tested at some point.
I might be interested simply to the extent of telling my story, what I did, what worked for me. But to advise others or promote this or that, it's really not my thing. So while I would tell my story to the right audience if there was interest I'm not interested in consulting or self promotion.
Know thyself. Frankly speaking I'm a private person and don't like talking about myself, it's a real first that I've posted photo's and other personal information on this forum. I thought I should do so because by chance perhaps others like I was (morbidly obese, miserable, feeling defeated by life) might stumble upon my account and find the resolve to do something similar for themselves. Also there was a feeling of accountability and of a shared experience with others that I found motivating by contributing here.
And I have had enough experience with people to see what you are talking about in terms of people not willing to make the commitment, going through the motions but not going far enough. I think it's fairly common, I didn't succeed until after many failures, so I can relate to it.
I've read the comments on your channel, you must realize that you have reached many people with all those video's. Granted many of those folks failed to go all the way, but many commenters talk about how their lives have been changed. So you should be proud, you didn't cash in and stayed true to your principles, but still managed to help so many.
I figure over time this stuff will fade off, become routine. Probably the best thing I can do is to just maintain my weight and health, be an example of a continued success. I know that deep down there are those who probably expect that I'm going to backslide, and gain it all back. That's the usual story right? that fads don't work, radical diets don't work. It was true of me in the past, but this time it's not going to happen, I have changed. I want to prove to myself and be an example to others that given sufficient commitment you can change for good. But to do that one has to be willing to let go of old comfortable of habits in order to make a break with the past, and enter a new improved lifestyle. I'm sure you know this.
thanks again for the helpful advice
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I don't know about Paul's thorn in the flesh, but I really do look at it like a battle scar, and in a way it's a constant reminder of how far I've come. I know it will never truly and completely go away, but I'd not complain too much if this "battle scar" was much reduced in size. lolarguablysamson wrote: »I'm 58. I want to stay as lean as possible in order to try to help get rid of some remaining belly fat that is sloshing around in my baggy skin in the mid section.
I too am not looking to bulk up per se, just to strengthen my core and upper body. A lean but well toned 165 to 170 would please me greatly.
Every formerly big person has just a little "belly sludge" sloshing around. I've got a little, too. Are you familiar with Paul's thorn in the flesh? If so, just leave the belly. It's like a "battle scar" and has much honor.
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Non scale victory today.
Sitting and fitting quite comfortably in a rather small airplane seat. My old self dreaded flying because it was so uncomfortable, seat belt extension required, belly too big to lower table, couldnt use arm rests, etc, etc. And the bathroom? Forget about it.2 -
Awesome Jim 0
