So, I went to the Dr. a year ago today and the news was terrible!
nighthawk584
Posts: 2,023 Member
I was 100 lbs overweight, my cholesterol was high, my blood pressure was high (even with 2 pills) , and worst of all, I was now pre-diabetic. This wasn't really a shock to me, as I was on a downward health spiral for 16 plus years, with the last 5 being the worst. I was so miserable and unhealthy in both body and mind, I was at a point of not even caring if I lived. I can list many reasons why this all happened, but in the end, they are just excuses. I was one HUGE excuse!
When I heard the words pre-diabetic from my Dr., that was the final straw that made me want to change or suffer the inevitable consequences. My Dad had type II diabetes and lost both his legs and eventually his life. Experiencing first hand what he went through the last 25 years of his life, was more than enough for me to finally get my lazy & obese butt in gear!
Fast forward to today and I am 96 lbs lighter from 4/1/2019, and 101 lbs lighter from heaviest known weight in 2018. My BMI went from Obese class II to Normal weight. My waist went from busting out of 42 jeans to fitting comfortably in 34's again. My t-shirt size went from XXXL to a L. Most importantly, my health did a complete 180 and my labs are now the best in my adult life. No longer am I pre-diabetic, my cholesterol is back to normal, and my blood pressure is well into the normal range. I am down to 1 pill and hoping to get off that soon. I look and feel like a new man at age 55.
How did I do it? First, I dropped all my excuses and dropped all my binge inducing foods. (particularly fast food). I also quit alcohol and sugary high calorie drinks like soda, and have not touched them since. I lost my first 50 lbs logging everything I ate, in a notebook. EVERYTHING! Since July, I started logging on My Fitness Pal website and things have been so much easier to keep track of and stay more accurate. I also started on a regular exercise routine, with simply walking for the first few months, to now using my spin bike for cardio and weight training to build muscles. I exercise 7 days a week, alternating between the two.
Has this journey been easy? NOPE! I wanted to quit several times during the first few months, and I have had my days where I want, and at times have eaten everything in sight! But thankfully those days are very rare now, and if they happen I get right back on track the following day. I choose foods that are nutritionally balanced for 98% of my diet, but I also don't deny so called bad foods either. If I want a cookie(s) or ice cream, I'll eat it! As long as it fits in my daily calorie goal, it's all good. Punishing yourself is not the answer and never works long term. Losing weight is as simple as staying at a consistent calorie deficit. The key word is CONSISTENT. How you get there is up to you.
Looking back one year ago, I never thought I would even be half as successful as I am today. Listen, if I can do it at age 55, anyone can do it if they want it bad enough. It was the best decision of my middle aged life by far! My journey continues...
Stats
Age 55
Height 6'1"
Starting Weight 4/1/2019: 280 lbs
Current Weight 4/1/2020: 184 lbs
When I heard the words pre-diabetic from my Dr., that was the final straw that made me want to change or suffer the inevitable consequences. My Dad had type II diabetes and lost both his legs and eventually his life. Experiencing first hand what he went through the last 25 years of his life, was more than enough for me to finally get my lazy & obese butt in gear!
Fast forward to today and I am 96 lbs lighter from 4/1/2019, and 101 lbs lighter from heaviest known weight in 2018. My BMI went from Obese class II to Normal weight. My waist went from busting out of 42 jeans to fitting comfortably in 34's again. My t-shirt size went from XXXL to a L. Most importantly, my health did a complete 180 and my labs are now the best in my adult life. No longer am I pre-diabetic, my cholesterol is back to normal, and my blood pressure is well into the normal range. I am down to 1 pill and hoping to get off that soon. I look and feel like a new man at age 55.
How did I do it? First, I dropped all my excuses and dropped all my binge inducing foods. (particularly fast food). I also quit alcohol and sugary high calorie drinks like soda, and have not touched them since. I lost my first 50 lbs logging everything I ate, in a notebook. EVERYTHING! Since July, I started logging on My Fitness Pal website and things have been so much easier to keep track of and stay more accurate. I also started on a regular exercise routine, with simply walking for the first few months, to now using my spin bike for cardio and weight training to build muscles. I exercise 7 days a week, alternating between the two.
Has this journey been easy? NOPE! I wanted to quit several times during the first few months, and I have had my days where I want, and at times have eaten everything in sight! But thankfully those days are very rare now, and if they happen I get right back on track the following day. I choose foods that are nutritionally balanced for 98% of my diet, but I also don't deny so called bad foods either. If I want a cookie(s) or ice cream, I'll eat it! As long as it fits in my daily calorie goal, it's all good. Punishing yourself is not the answer and never works long term. Losing weight is as simple as staying at a consistent calorie deficit. The key word is CONSISTENT. How you get there is up to you.
Looking back one year ago, I never thought I would even be half as successful as I am today. Listen, if I can do it at age 55, anyone can do it if they want it bad enough. It was the best decision of my middle aged life by far! My journey continues...
Stats
Age 55
Height 6'1"
Starting Weight 4/1/2019: 280 lbs
Current Weight 4/1/2020: 184 lbs
190
Replies
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A super congrats for turning your life around! You look wonderful. Thanks for all your realistic, encouraging posts over the past year.3
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Thanks for sharing your inspriational story. It was just what I needed to hear this AM with all the isolation, social distancing (read: gym closed! ACKKK), and bad/sad news, I have been a bit lax. Appreciate your sharing both here and in your posts. Congrats!4
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Very inspiring! Congrats! Youāve worked hard and it shows. You must feel amazing! š¤2
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WOWWWW! Amazing job, such an inspiration. What amazing hard work you have done.1
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Bravo!!!! Your story is an inspiration to others!2
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I'll add to the chorus! Amazing change and know it wasn't easy. Keep posting.2
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Congrats on such a huge life change. Your hard work and dedication is very visible.2
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That is a wonderful story!! Congratulations and I hope you will now join us in the maintenance forum.1
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Thanks everyone for your kind responses! MFP has really helped me in more ways than just counting calories.
@SummerSkier ....I will forsure join you all there, but not quite on maintenance just yet
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One of the most inspiring success stories I've ever seen. Well done and thanks for sharing!!!3
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That's fantastic @nighthawk584 š2
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Amazing!!2
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You changed your life. Congratulations!!1
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Your journey with weight has truly inspired me. Thank you and continued successes šāļø1
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Awesome!! Thanks for picking us up and reminding us it can be done!!1
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Very inspiring, you look amazing! Great job turning your health and life around. I always enjoy your posts, you come across like you have a good head on your shoulders. Glad you managed to make them smaller ones!1
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That's such an inspiring story for those of us browsing the site and wondering if it really is possible and whether or not to bother even trying. Thank you so much.4
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Well done bud!
I know the hard work that you have put in, again well done 1 -
Inspiring!!!1
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Wow, you didn't just loose weight ---> you became super hot
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Congrats š1
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Congratulations!1
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hey congrads. Word of caution I did almost exactly the same thing at 55 lost from 285 to 181 over about a year and kept it off for couple years. I Hit 253 a few weeks ago and back at it. It determined to turn 60in Oct at 180. It was a gradual slide the last couple of years and got over confident I could check it. The latest 25 was scary fast.3
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scwhitenewb wrote: Ā»hey congrads. Word of caution I did almost exactly the same thing at 55 lost from 285 to 181 over about a year and kept it off for couple years. I Hit 253 a few weeks ago and back at it. It determined to turn 60in Oct at 180. It was a gradual slide the last couple of years and got over confident I could check it. The latest 25 was scary fast.
Oh yes, I know. It can easily slip away if a person lets it. The last time I lost weight 16 years ago, I did it all wrong. I went on crash diet, exercised heavily and didn't count my calories. My mindset was at a completely different place at that time too. I didn't care about my health, I just cared about what I looked like. I'm not saying it is easy as pie now, but I have the tools and the right mindset today. I care about my health first and the rest is just bonus. Good luck on your journey.5 -
hey thats great! Thanks! Wasnt trying to dampen your story just thought my experience might be good to keep in the back of your mind. I was really very on top of it for a few years but after a while I think its good to let eating right and exercising just become the new normal and not a front center focus. I think I burned myself out by making it too much.
The lesson I am trying to take from my plight is that I need to weigh and mark it every week and do those mini diets. Seemed very manageable for a while. I eat healthy, just too much. My labs at 250 were just fine with everything in green zone. My issue is very basic, I work at home from a desk and a well stocked kitchen and graze all day. The bigger you get the more you want.
The calorie counter here is great and I am going down, 6 so far and I know from experience that I put together about 4 months I will be back where I should be and in just a couple will start looking and feeling good. My 60th is Oct and anual phy is Nov so two good motivating dates coming up.
Again congrads!4 -
Inspirational, thanks for being transparent!1
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Hey, well done! Looking awesome!!! š1
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Great job1
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So inspirational! For those of us in our 50s, things seem a little more difficult. This is the encouragement I needed to keep going!1
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