So, how did I lose the 225 pounds?
mrdmevans
Posts: 149 Member
I have been asked for advice on losing weight a lot lately, so I thought I would share this.
I have tried every fad diet out there, sure I would lose a little weight but then I would gain it back plus some. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Over Eaters Anonymous, I have been a member of them all. All great programs, but just ones I failed at. I even tried restricting my calories to a dangerously low level, just to have my body break down even more.
After trying everything, I finally had an AHA moment! I realized, that for me to be successful I needed to figure out a way to create a diet that I can actually stick with for the long haul. I needed to make this a life style change and giving up bread and red meats just wasn’t going to work for me. All these other diets may be great for some people, but I had to find what was great for me.
So, I scheduled an appointment with a dietician. We discussed what a healthy diet looks like, and we formulated a game plan that I could actually follow through on. I learned about the correct portion sizes and ways to prepare my "must have" foods in a healthier manner. This has been instrumental in me losing the 225 pounds.
The next thing was getting active. I had to convince myself that anything is better than nothing. If that meant I walked up and down the drive way a couple times that’s what I did. It's better than nothing. I had to realize that I had to start somewhere and I wasn’t going to be able to jump right into a marathon. The exercise thing really took me figuring out a way to get past my own insecurities. I was so worried that other people would think I was weak or lazy or slow or any other number of things. Well I am past that now and I am comfortable exercising several days a week.
All, of the above has been soooo important. However, there is one other thing that I had to have to be successful. I had to have the right motivation. I had to figure out what was going to motivate me and then focus on that always. For me my motivation is my family. In fact, I still find that I ask myself a couple of questions when I go to the fridge. "Do I need this? Is this going to help me LIVE my life with my family?" If my answer is no, then I move on.
I just got tired of being afraid all the time, wondering if I would fit or would I break the chair? I couldn’t handle not being able to take my wife out on the town. I couldn’t take her to a play, or ballet because the seats couldn’t handle me. I couldn’t take my son to a ball game or to the amusement park. I was imprisoned and in turn I was imprisoning the two people I love the most.
Since losing the weight I have been able to take my wife to a show and my son and I are going to a ball game this coming Saturday. We have been to and enjoyed the local amusement park many many times, and this past weekend we went jet skiing and enjoyed time at the lake. These are all things I could not have done before. This is what motivates me.
So, my question to you is "What motivates you?"
I have tried every fad diet out there, sure I would lose a little weight but then I would gain it back plus some. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Over Eaters Anonymous, I have been a member of them all. All great programs, but just ones I failed at. I even tried restricting my calories to a dangerously low level, just to have my body break down even more.
After trying everything, I finally had an AHA moment! I realized, that for me to be successful I needed to figure out a way to create a diet that I can actually stick with for the long haul. I needed to make this a life style change and giving up bread and red meats just wasn’t going to work for me. All these other diets may be great for some people, but I had to find what was great for me.
So, I scheduled an appointment with a dietician. We discussed what a healthy diet looks like, and we formulated a game plan that I could actually follow through on. I learned about the correct portion sizes and ways to prepare my "must have" foods in a healthier manner. This has been instrumental in me losing the 225 pounds.
The next thing was getting active. I had to convince myself that anything is better than nothing. If that meant I walked up and down the drive way a couple times that’s what I did. It's better than nothing. I had to realize that I had to start somewhere and I wasn’t going to be able to jump right into a marathon. The exercise thing really took me figuring out a way to get past my own insecurities. I was so worried that other people would think I was weak or lazy or slow or any other number of things. Well I am past that now and I am comfortable exercising several days a week.
All, of the above has been soooo important. However, there is one other thing that I had to have to be successful. I had to have the right motivation. I had to figure out what was going to motivate me and then focus on that always. For me my motivation is my family. In fact, I still find that I ask myself a couple of questions when I go to the fridge. "Do I need this? Is this going to help me LIVE my life with my family?" If my answer is no, then I move on.
I just got tired of being afraid all the time, wondering if I would fit or would I break the chair? I couldn’t handle not being able to take my wife out on the town. I couldn’t take her to a play, or ballet because the seats couldn’t handle me. I couldn’t take my son to a ball game or to the amusement park. I was imprisoned and in turn I was imprisoning the two people I love the most.
Since losing the weight I have been able to take my wife to a show and my son and I are going to a ball game this coming Saturday. We have been to and enjoyed the local amusement park many many times, and this past weekend we went jet skiing and enjoyed time at the lake. These are all things I could not have done before. This is what motivates me.
So, my question to you is "What motivates you?"
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Replies
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What an amazing success story! Congratulations on coming so far. My current motivation is my two month old baby girl. I want her to see what healthy and strong looks like
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Great story and congratulations on your transformation!!!0
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Thank you so much for sharing! Great job!0
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Wholly Crap you did amazing good for you you look awesome all I can say is WOW0
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What an inspiration this is! You have done an amazing job and I related to SO many of the same situations you went through! You have done a fantastic job and your family is blessed to have a father and husband who loves them so much!! WAY TO GO!!!!0
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FANTASTIC! what an inspiration you are to us all! I needed to see this today. thank you!0
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You have done an amazing job! Thank you for sharing so that you can be an inspiration to others out there!0
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Amazing story, well done and thanks for sharing.0
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What an amazing job you've done. Congrats to you and your family.0
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amazing work and great philosophy for a healthy, happier life! congratulations!0
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Thanks for sharing. Congrats to you!0
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Thank you for writing this. It helped me so much. And a huge congrats on all your hard work!0
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Amazing Job!! Congratulations!!0
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Thanks everyone! Good luck to all of you!0
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Very inspiring story.0
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Congratulations on the new life you have given to yourself and your family. May it be long and richly blessed!0
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Inspiring. Thank you for sharing this with us.0
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Great success! Keep up the dedication and persevere. You':smile done awesome! 0
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Fantastic story - Thanks for sharing with us!!0
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You're amazing! You look fantastic! it's so true. You just have to find what motivates you! =D0
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Very, very amazing!! This is the exact same realization I came too. Good job!!!0
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Congratulations! I think that you are right on in what works. It is a lifestyle change because going on a diet means you have to go off it. When you make a lifestyle change it is for life and not for an extended time. And you have to do what works for you. You did great. Continued success in all the things that are ahead for you. Here is to a healthy new you! Cheers!0
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What an amazing transformation, your hard work and willingness to change allowed many wonderful new experiences with your family and hopefully a longer life to enjoy them. Job Well Done.0
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Wonderful story/ congrats on taking your life back0
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You finally put into words the key elements in maintaining weight loss. Anyone can lose weight but how do you maintain it.. This is fantastic!0
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being stronger and getting better at what I do motivates me plus....I never wanna be over even 200 ever again....no where near the old me at 350!!! amazing work man!! amazing!!!0
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What a great success story! And one that strikes many chords with me. OA, WW, etc. Been there, done that, not for me. This has been the first time in YEARS that I've stuck to something. I'm only at the beginning, but I'm heading in the right direction. And stories like yours motivate me.
But what REALLY motivates me? My son. He is 1, and his Mommy and Daddy are VASTLY overweight and VASTLY low in energy for keeping up with a toddler. I want him to have active, healthy, engaging parents. So, we're on the path to that goal.
Thanks for sharing!0 -
GOOD FOR YOU!!!! That's some awesome results! So happy for you and your new found freedom. CONGRATS!0
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Thank you for taking the time and share your story. Part of my motives in joining MFP is to be inspired by people just like you, so thank you for being inspirational. Bump.0
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WOW! Thank you so much for posting! I have been in a bit of a bad place mentally recently/getting down on myself about bad eating habits. Your story was so motivating and reminded me of why I started this journey in the first place. You look absolutely fantastic! Keep up the great work 0
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