Biggest losers

tmwyles

I am just beginning on my weight loss journey I would love to hear from those biggest losers out there who have lost 50 pounds or more and how did you do it/ how long did it take? How much did you weigh at your heaviest versus how much do you weigh now? Once you lost your weight what changes did you make to maintain? And how about saggy skin has anyone experienced going from extremely heavy to fear what is your experience with your skin? I’m sorry for so many questions?

rldeclercq4

Started at 367 In Jan 2016
Lowest was 225 in January 2017
Was back up to about 270 this past summer
Weighed in at 250.4 on Friday (before my family got together for Christmas and I ate and ate to my hearts content).

I would say three years in I haven’t made any maintenance changes because I haven’t reached my goal weight - though I am extremely satisfied with where I am, with more confidence, and equipped with greater knowledge than ever. The weight melted away at first, but I was nearly 370 lbs and went on a strict 1200-1300/day diet that was unsustainable. BUT in my mind it was necessary as I wasn’t trying to lose vanity weight I was trying to save my life, so I went after it at an extreme. Nowadays I pretty much eat what I want to eat, I just focus on measuring and logging accurately, and if I’ve done really well for a couple of weeks and I wanna enjoy and pizza and beer with my wife for dinner then we’ll enjoy pizza and beer. Nothing wrong with a little indulgence now and then so long as it is the exception and not the rule.

Since you seem new to MFP I would encourage you to peruse the success story boards and many people have spent time outlining their stories in great detail. It’s truly awe-inspiring stuff.

Vicham76

Started at 380 in July 2017, I am currently down to 219. I looked up my calorie intake at a healthy weight on the TDEE website (which is around 2000-2200 calories). That is what i have tried to eat. I also tried to get a half hour of exercise 3-4 days a week which mainly was walking with the odd day of rowing. This has been manageable for me as that amount of calories keeps me full throughout the day. I am just over 6 feet tall so i get the extra calories.

As for loose skin i have it around my thighs, arms and belly. I would not worry about the loose skin as it is better to have that then to be obese like i was. Only my wife and I see the loose skin so I don't worry about it.

I am still working my way to around the 185-190 lb mark and then i will maintain from there. The last couple months have been up and down for me. You have to stay consistent and keep you goals in mind.

Congratulations on your new beginning and good luck!

GottaBurnEmAll

I get foggy on dates sometimes, but I went from 210 to 120 (I was as low as 115 and futz around with trying to get to 110) in about 18 months. It's been about 2 1/2 - 3 years I think.

As for changes for maintaining, sometimes I dial back exercise and eat the same amount, sometimes I just add a bit more cheese or slightly increase my portions. Since I'm older and short, there's not much of a calorie difference for me between maintaining and losing.

As for loose skin? Yes, I have plenty, but I already had it from having a big baby at 40 I now have even more. The thing about loose skin is that it's always worse right at the end of your loss, it tightens up a bit over the following 2 years, and some people continue to care about it and others find that it doesn't bother them much. I'm in the latter camp. Sure I'd love a perfect body, but I'm happy enough having a much better one that's a healthy weight.

skinnynurse2019

Highest: 260lbs. Current: 210lbs. Used intermittent fasting and clean eating. Lost all my weight primarily since sept 2018

Cowsfan1

236 to 179 . Currently around 185 - Track your intake - even when you don’t want to and even on days you go over - sometimes seeing the overage puts things in perspective- and you’ll slow down- I try not to drink calories - been struggling with beer lately tho - but I eat whatever I want just less of it - gonna try to drink more water this year and actually work out consistently - good luck my friend -

BeckyKalish

I started on 1/29/2018 at 330 pounds. As of today, I have lost half of me! I weight 165 pounds...lost exactly 165 in less than a year. I ran a half marathon on Su day to celebrate.

Not done yet...but I feel SO good You can all do it! Celebrate your successes, jump back up if you fall, and look at small victories instead of the far of goal!

BeckyKalish

Of...forgot something I wish I had done at the beginning.

Don't just focus on cardio. Use the machines for strength at the gym...or use free weights. Building muscle carries you so much father than just burning through cardio! I do cardio 5 days a week and strength 3 days a week

BeckyKalish

Tried to add a photo...but it won't work. Oh well!

tmwyles

BeckyKalish wrote: »

I started on 1/29/2018 at 330 pounds. As of today, I have lost half of me! I weight 165 pounds...lost exactly 165 in less than a year. I ran a half marathon on Su day to celebrate.

Not done yet...but I feel SO good You can all do it! Celebrate your successes, jump back up if you fall, and look at small victories instead of the far of goal!

Wow How did you lose that much that fast

tmwyles

I want to thank everyone for your stories they really help me. Yesterday was awful in-laws are in and they insisted on a huge breakfast. I did my best with that and Lunch was ok too. After lunch I did some yard work I have been neglecting. My back was hurting pretty bad before the work but when the pain really hit during the work I knew I was in for it later. Sure enough by the time I rested 5 min my back pain was in full bloom. I hurt to move anything. Well for me it is kind of a self inflating problem. My back hurts when I work, when my back hurts I want to eat, when I overeat I gain weight, the heavier I am the more I hurt, the more I hurt the more I want to eat. But I’m determined not to fail I may not hit my 100lb this year but it will happen and more.

stormtheworld

Started at 357 In Sept 2017. I am currently down 138 lbs so far (219 lbs). I still have about 80lbs or so to go but it takes time so I am hoping to hit goal by this time next year. I try to walk at least 4 days a week with some strength training about 3 times per week. I have saggy skin in my belly, arms, and thighs and I expect I will continue this trend for a while. The excess skin is much better for me than the excess weight. My husband is just about to hit maintenance after losing 189 lbs so far (10 or so left to lose). He has similar skin issues but is worries about maintenance. It is completely doable but it helps to have a partner is weight loss. Good luck and remember that is takes time to lose the weight in a healthy way and hopefully keep it off!

tmwyles

stormtheworld wrote: »

Started at 357 In Sept 2017. I am currently down 138 lbs so far (219 lbs). I still have about 80lbs or so to go but it takes time so I am hoping to hit goal by this time next year. I try to walk at least 4 days a week with some strength training about 3 times per week. I have saggy skin in my belly, arms, and thighs and I expect I will continue this trend for a while. The excess skin is much better for me than the excess weight. My husband is just about to hit maintenance after losing 189 lbs so far (10 or so left to lose). He has similar skin issues but is worries about maintenance. It is completely doable but it helps to have a partner is weight loss. Good luck and remember that is takes time to lose the weight in a healthy way and hopefully keep it off!

Having a partner is the reason I came here my wife is diabetic is waiting to get her sugars under control before she really starts🙄 so I’m basically by myself. I would like to lose 100 in the the next year or so. From others on here I know I can do it just really need support. If you would like your or your husband can friend me I would really appreciate the support from someone who has already been through what I’m going through.

mikea2g

tmwyles wrote: »

I want to thank everyone for your stories they really help me. Yesterday was awful in-laws are in and they insisted on a huge breakfast. I did my best with that and Lunch was ok too. After lunch I did some yard work I have been neglecting. My back was hurting pretty bad before the work but when the pain really hit during the work I knew I was in for it later. Sure enough by the time I rested 5 min my back pain was in full bloom. I hurt to move anything. Well for me it is kind of a self inflating problem. My back hurts when I work, when my back hurts I want to eat, when I overeat I gain weight, the heavier I am the more I hurt, the more I hurt the more I want to eat. But I’m determined not to fail I may not hit my 100lb this year but it will happen and more.

Sounds like my old cycle of pain eat pain. I’ve lost 64 pounds since 7/25/18 and started right after a bad knee injury (which still gives me trouble) and have persistent back pain. The one thing that finally “clicked” to me was that I can no longer exercise my way out of these weight problems I get myself into. Food had to come first! So that’s what I did. I’m on a 1000 calorie / day deficit and am eating about 50% of my exercise calories back. It’s all about tracking religiously, making correct food choices (portions / lower calorie options) and moving when you can. It takes perseverance, determination and definitely sacrifice. Especially if you are use to using food as an emotional crutch. I’m 6’4” and started at 309, currently at 245. Goal is 225.

My knee is killing me today. I went for a short walk. No other exercise. But I’m making the choice (and yes, it still is a daily choice for me) to eat under calories, healthy food.

Good luck on your journey. Just get started. Make a decision to track everything (using a food scale) and cut back until you get to whatever deficit you and MyFitnessPal decide on.

BeckyKalish

tmwyles wrote: »

BeckyKalish wrote: »

I started on 1/29/2018 at 330 pounds. As of today, I have lost half of me! I weight 165 pounds...lost exactly 165 in less than a year. I ran a half marathon on Su day to celebrate.

Not done yet...but I feel SO good You can all do it! Celebrate your successes, jump back up if you fall, and look at small victories instead of the far of goal!

Wow How did you lose that much that fast

Nothing crazy....1000 to 1200 calories a day. I made sure to eat a healthy balance of protein fat and carbs. I also exercise 5 days a week. Cardio 5 days a week and strength 3 days a week. I started with about 15 minutes of walking a day...now I run 7-8 miles a day. Last Sunday I did a half marathon

Best advice, get your primary care provider in your corner! I saw him more in the past year than I have in the past 10 lol. He was great support...and helped to make sure I was doing this in a healthy way.

Best of luck!!!!

HarryJamesPotter7

I lost over 150 lbs over a year and a half. I was 278 lbs. Got down to 120 lbs and then gained some muscle and began toning. I'm now in the 140's/150's.

Changes that are really important to maintain is making sure you stay within your calorie range. And watching sodium levels. Too much sodium = water weight. And making sure that you keep moving/exercising, at least a couple times a week.

I did have some loose skin but taking a collagen supplement helped tremendously. Loose skin also adjusts over time, as well.

Consistency is KEY. If you eat well (calorie deficit) AND exercise *consistently* you WILL see results. It's a matter of WHEN you lose weight, rather than IF.

Having a Fit Bit helped me tremendously. It was a fun and exciting way to track my weight loss along with logging food on My Fitness Pal. Speaking of logging– Log EVERYTHING. Even if you're ashamed or embarrassed. Logging accurately and weighing food (like fruit/meat/veggies with a food scale) can make a huge difference & help you be aware of what you're putting in your body and the affect it has on it (why you gained/why you lost).

Something that I want to share as well that I feel was the true success to my weight loss is this: Taper your calories gradually. And cut the bad food out slowly. If you go from eating high fat/high sodium foods at 3,000 calories a day to eating lettuce leaves at 1,000 calories a day, it'll throw your mind AND body into shock. Cutting back slowly is how I truly feel helped me lose the amount that I did.

Water is also very important. I recommend drinking HALF your body weight in water ounces throughout the day (when I weighed 240 lbs, I would drink 120 ounces). I bought one of those 64 ounce water bottles, filled it up twice, & would sip it throughout the day. Often when we think we're hungry, we're actually thirsty.

Finding an exercise that you enjoy is crucial, as well. Something that you would like to return to, again & again. I do the Leslie Sansone Walk at Home DVDs. They get you moving, are fun, motivating, & easy to do! I have extreme social anxiety, so it's very difficult for me to go to the gym. Finding an exercise I could do at home was life saving.

Wishing you the very best in your journey!!

bship15

First I would look at what you are eating and drinking. Thats the biggest part is getting your calories under control. I drink my calories or used to (Pepsi) but like my GF drinks nothing but water and eats her calories. We just had this talk about how different we are when it comes to our extra calories.

When I lost my biggest chunk of weight (8 years ago) it was changing diet and working out. The pounds start to melt away once the change is actually made and set into. Its also not just cardio that is needed I know many people who only strength train/lift but lose the weight.

Jimb376mfp

@tmwyles Have you been to Dr? I had a “bad leg” I thought it was my knee from surgery a couple years ago. Finally got correct diagnosis of a pinched nerve, but two years late. Surgery 11/7/18 now getting back to my pre pinched nerve leg.

BTW My WLJ
2013 SW 376 (age 65) Joined WW
2015 hit my -100 Made my focus to NOT gain it back. Lost -15#
2016-17 Lost 80#
2018 made my GW 184 (age 70)
2019 CW 178 (Less than when I was in High School)

Been doing aqua aerobics and swimming. Tried new things to experience Tai Chi, Chair yoga, kayak lesson and volunteering at LPGA tournament.

After my Lifetime of Losing then gaining it all back I learned there is no Finish Line if you want to not gain weigh.

12Sarah2015

I do Leslie sansone too

gonzalezc2017

Way 2 go

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