Not new to MFP...
Clobern80
Posts: 714 Member
...but new to this mindset!
***TL;DR***
I've done the ups-and-downs for years but this time is different... and add me if you feel the desire.
***Long version***
So I have been heavy since 6th grade. I grew about a foot taller between 5th and 6th grade as well as a foot wider. I was always active in sports (basketball, baseball, wrestling, football, track) all through junior high and high school but never was in tip-top shape, even as a teenager. My Junior year of high school was probably my best year when I was around 221 pounds during wrestling season. Unfortunately, I was wrestling people averaging closer to 250-260 and even up to 275 during that time. But anyway... always been hefty, chubby, fat or obese.
In 2009, my oldest was 8 years old and she really, REALLY wanted her daddy to play with her. I was so exhausted after only a few minutes I knew I had to make a change. I didn't weigh myself, but after one month of just eating better, I weighed 377 pounds. So I would not be surprised if I weighed 400 pounds or more. So I started a low carb diet (mimicking South Beach) and started walking on the treadmill. Over time, I started adding in weight lifting and circuit training, then working out twice a day and even staying busy on the weekend because I hated just sitting around. In the course of 10 months, I lost 150 pounds and got down to 250 which was my goal. I wasn't in perfect shape, but I was able to do almost anything I wanted athletically, wasn't afraid to take my shirt off at the pool (I hadn't done this since high school) and played with my girls all the time without running out of steam.
I then went through a separation and divorce. In a lot of cases, people find solace in making themselves better when trying to find someone new or trying to just better themselves. I was the opposite. I turned to food. Part of it was sadness and I guess being an emotional eater, the other part was a **** it attitude that nobody would want me anyway so why not enjoy life.
I remarried a couple of years after the separation and my wife and I went through the roller coaster of dieting. There were times we were only a couple of months away from reaching our goals and then let ourselves go again. There were times we tried for a week or two and gave up. But no matter what we did, it never stuck.
A few weeks ago I found an add on Facebook. No, I am not a spokesperson or salesman and I am not even going to say the name of the product (send me a message if you want to know) but I decided to give in and try it. I received the product and use it for 2 of my meals each day while eating one "real meal" every day. At the end of the day, I am getting enough calories without too many, I am getting my vitamins and minerals and still enjoying food I like. I decided to drink 2 meals per day with this replacement beverage and have one "real meal" 5 days per week... Saturday is my "cheat day" where I eat "real meals" all day while still controlling my calories... and Sunday I only do the replacement meals. This has worked GREAT. I am never hungry, I feel amazing, and things are going swimmingly. I have lost roughly 30 pounds since I started and I have a feeling that this time is different.
As I said at the start, it was the mindset that was new. I have changed my relationship with food. Instead of wanting to eat that delicious pizza or eat that scrumptious cookie, I know that food is mainly a fuel for my body. It is easy to say no to things. It is easy to only eat a little bit of those delicious things and not crave more. Something inside my mind snapped and I just knew that this was different.
I've stuck to it for 4 weeks and there is no indication that this will change. I have been to the gym every morning except on rest days, I am walking daily to try to get my 10,000 steps or more and I am sticking to my food plan. Even when I go on vacation I take my drink with me and stick with it. I did cheat a little this weekend but made sure I was still within my calories on MFP.
Anyway, long story eh? Hopefully I can stick with it for good this time. Stress, disappointment, sadness, etc. are going to happen. It all is a mindset change. You can diet off and on your whole life but nothing will stay unless you make that change.
Add me if you like! I don't talk a lot (despite how much I talked here) but can try to be as inspirational as possible.
***TL;DR***
I've done the ups-and-downs for years but this time is different... and add me if you feel the desire.
***Long version***
So I have been heavy since 6th grade. I grew about a foot taller between 5th and 6th grade as well as a foot wider. I was always active in sports (basketball, baseball, wrestling, football, track) all through junior high and high school but never was in tip-top shape, even as a teenager. My Junior year of high school was probably my best year when I was around 221 pounds during wrestling season. Unfortunately, I was wrestling people averaging closer to 250-260 and even up to 275 during that time. But anyway... always been hefty, chubby, fat or obese.
In 2009, my oldest was 8 years old and she really, REALLY wanted her daddy to play with her. I was so exhausted after only a few minutes I knew I had to make a change. I didn't weigh myself, but after one month of just eating better, I weighed 377 pounds. So I would not be surprised if I weighed 400 pounds or more. So I started a low carb diet (mimicking South Beach) and started walking on the treadmill. Over time, I started adding in weight lifting and circuit training, then working out twice a day and even staying busy on the weekend because I hated just sitting around. In the course of 10 months, I lost 150 pounds and got down to 250 which was my goal. I wasn't in perfect shape, but I was able to do almost anything I wanted athletically, wasn't afraid to take my shirt off at the pool (I hadn't done this since high school) and played with my girls all the time without running out of steam.
I then went through a separation and divorce. In a lot of cases, people find solace in making themselves better when trying to find someone new or trying to just better themselves. I was the opposite. I turned to food. Part of it was sadness and I guess being an emotional eater, the other part was a **** it attitude that nobody would want me anyway so why not enjoy life.
I remarried a couple of years after the separation and my wife and I went through the roller coaster of dieting. There were times we were only a couple of months away from reaching our goals and then let ourselves go again. There were times we tried for a week or two and gave up. But no matter what we did, it never stuck.
A few weeks ago I found an add on Facebook. No, I am not a spokesperson or salesman and I am not even going to say the name of the product (send me a message if you want to know) but I decided to give in and try it. I received the product and use it for 2 of my meals each day while eating one "real meal" every day. At the end of the day, I am getting enough calories without too many, I am getting my vitamins and minerals and still enjoying food I like. I decided to drink 2 meals per day with this replacement beverage and have one "real meal" 5 days per week... Saturday is my "cheat day" where I eat "real meals" all day while still controlling my calories... and Sunday I only do the replacement meals. This has worked GREAT. I am never hungry, I feel amazing, and things are going swimmingly. I have lost roughly 30 pounds since I started and I have a feeling that this time is different.
As I said at the start, it was the mindset that was new. I have changed my relationship with food. Instead of wanting to eat that delicious pizza or eat that scrumptious cookie, I know that food is mainly a fuel for my body. It is easy to say no to things. It is easy to only eat a little bit of those delicious things and not crave more. Something inside my mind snapped and I just knew that this was different.
I've stuck to it for 4 weeks and there is no indication that this will change. I have been to the gym every morning except on rest days, I am walking daily to try to get my 10,000 steps or more and I am sticking to my food plan. Even when I go on vacation I take my drink with me and stick with it. I did cheat a little this weekend but made sure I was still within my calories on MFP.
Anyway, long story eh? Hopefully I can stick with it for good this time. Stress, disappointment, sadness, etc. are going to happen. It all is a mindset change. You can diet off and on your whole life but nothing will stay unless you make that change.
Add me if you like! I don't talk a lot (despite how much I talked here) but can try to be as inspirational as possible.
2
Replies
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Dude, that is totally awesome what you have achieved eh. And you are very correct, it is all the mindset. The mind is a very powerful tool. Keep it going my friend and stay positive.0
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Thanks!1
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This is truly inspirational. You can do this. Never give up.0
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Thank you!0
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