ESRD Fighter

deepsea117

Hello!

I actually joined on Feb. 23rd, but wanted to get a few weeks and some results in before I actually posted anything:
I've lost 14.6 pounds as of day day 40 (today!)

And it's all because of just using the MyFitnessPal app as a tool.

Like the title says, I'm currently having a grueling fight against ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease), a lot of which has to do with the rigors of Dialysis. How I progressively lost almost all my kidney function is post for another time, but the important thing to take away is, when my kidneys finally gave out in the beginning of February--I didn't quit. And believe me, I know how easy it is. It can be daunting and depressing for many.

On top of that, I've personally battled so much against what I can only describe, as literally soul-crushing stress. And yet even then, I reached deeper than ever before into that willpower that allowed me to knock down challenges and kept me resilient throughout my past.

I'm currently trying to get back on the kidney recipient list (I was dropped because of a terrible choice I had to make), and I started this journey to make myself as viable a candidate as possible.

I'm STILL here as a testament to the willpower each of us has inside, which we can reach for as life is challenging you again for the umpteenth time. I still have a long battle ahead, and have been enduring almost entirely alone through it all. That challenge sparks the fire in me as it always has throughout my life.

But talk is cheap, so...
Since mid-December I've lost a total of 34 pounds.
BMI: Still overweight (we all know BMI is useless.)
BFP: ~14%

I used the Macros and worked with a Dietician to base it off Protein requirements based on dialysis, then Carbs (I wanted 180 max at first), then Fat,...with a total of 1800 calories max.
Protein (g): 100
Carbs (g): 140
Fats (g): 45.

I divided protein per meal/snack, then filled in the other nutrients from there. And I did moderate exercise from home for a lot, considering the pandemic. As I progressed, I raised the bar my lowering the calories: 1600 for the past month or so. And I am on a roll!

Biggest Reward so far?
Finally starting my weight with a "1"

Biggest Surprise?
The beginning of a six-pack...?!

Biggest motivation?
Investing in myself--I'm worth it.

Sorry for the long intro...I just want whomever needs to hear this; you too, can do this!
WE can do this.

Dean C.

mehshell420

Congratulations on your progress! Good luck getting on the kidney list. You got this! 💪 Thank you for sharing your story and all of the positivity!!

snowflake954

Wishing you the very best!