I lost 52 lbs (23 kg) in one year! - You can do it, too....don't give up!

StephanMarvin

**Important note at the end if you're just starting your fitness journey**

I'm a little late in posting this, but I was allowed to work from home on March 19th, 2020, and by using the MyFitnessPal calorie and exercise trackers, I was able to manage my intake and go from 231 lbs > 179 lbs in a year. No crazy diets, I still ate all my favorite foods (bread/butter, rice, Orville Redenbacher's Movie Theatre Butter, etc.)

I'm 53 years 'old' and feel the same as I did when I got out of the military 31 years ago. I bought an indoor bicycle for $300 and logged between 10-20 miles/day, along with completing several monthly bodyweight challenges using the www.darebee.com website (free!!!).

Since the one year anniversary, I've been able to maintain my weight. I don't get hung up on the little weight gains because they're usually a result of building lean muscle.

Good luck to everyone out there - we all have different stories, but we all have similar goals, and that is to improve ourselves in some way.

**Note: If you're just getting started, it's important to be patient and stick with your plan, no matter how long it takes. Stick. To. Your. Plan. I didn't notice any physical changes until I'd lost the first 30 lbs. This was because I was seeing myself in the mirror every day, and it's almost impossible to notice the little changes that are taking place along the way. Once I lost 30 lbs, I noticed a tranformation (muscles rebuilt and visible, a noticeable loss of body fat, my face was now sculpted, and my slanted neck/double chin was completely gone, my favorite pants were now four inches too big at the waist. At -52 lbs, my new favorite pants that replaced my old favorite pants were now 2" too big at the waist, and I am now wearing M shirts instead of XL's and L's. Friends I hadn't seen in 1-2 years didn't recognize me, or were completely blown away. And....I had a lot more success on my Match dates hahaha

Let go of those people who don't support you..even if they are family, and surround yourself with those who force you to level up - they are your true friends, and yes...you can let go of anyone who doesn't support you in your path to a better you.

AyasLife

amazing job and a great inspiration and I totally agree with the limited visibility you have for those changes yourself - starting to notice the little things helps a great deal.

Bluetail6

@StephanMarvin

"Let go of those people who don't support you..even if they are family, and surround yourself with those who force you to level up - they are your true friends, and yes...you can let go of anyone who doesn't support you in your path to a better you."

So very true!! Congrats on your success!!🙂

cmac388

Wow I like your comments. I am 51 yrs old and just starting my journey. I hit rock bottom when I jumped on a scale and realized I had gained so much weight. I was pushing 250lbs. I was so angry with myself and realized that unless you make that decision in your mind with real conviction, it ain't happening. It was like a switch went off and I started my changing habits immediately, on the spot...I said "no more!! My goal is to get to 195 or just below and see my abs by May 1st in 2022. My birthday. I'm walking a ton, eating a very healthy whole food diet. I have absolutely stuck to the new way of eating and I'm so proud. I say to myself, I'm not a diet at all, I have changed my lifestyle. For training I'm doing 4 days a week of weights and then this week I'm going to start a HIIT class and see if that goes well. So I am eating right, doing the exercises and trying to get healthy sleep. So far I've lost about 12lbs in 5 weeks. Sometimes I just want the results faster though, so reading your story has inspired me. Who says a 51yr old cant get ripped and look his best? This whole journey breeds confidence too and so far, I'm liking what is happening. Just wanted to share. My first reply/post

GetFitFatBastard

cmac388 wrote: »

Wow I like your comments. I am 51 yrs old and just starting my journey. I hit rock bottom when I jumped on a scale and realized I had gained so much weight. I was pushing 250lbs. I was so angry with myself and realized that unless you make that decision in your mind with real conviction, it ain't happening. It was like a switch went off and I started my changing habits immediately, on the spot...I said "no more!! My goal is to get to 195 or just below and see my abs by May 1st in 2022. My birthday. I'm walking a ton, eating a very healthy whole food diet. I have absolutely stuck to the new way of eating and I'm so proud. I say to myself, I'm not a diet at all, I have changed my lifestyle. For training I'm doing 4 days a week of weights and then this week I'm going to start a HIIT class and see if that goes well. So I am eating right, doing the exercises and trying to get healthy sleep. So far I've lost about 12lbs in 5 weeks. Sometimes I just want the results faster though, so reading your story has inspired me. Who says a 51yr old cant get ripped and look his best? This whole journey breeds confidence too and so far, I'm liking what is happening. Just wanted to share. My first reply/post

I look forward to see how you go. I am i a similar position, 51 years old but feel and act younger, tipped scales over 103kg (223lb or so), it just crept up on me, no excuses... i was flabbergasted and embarassed with my myself not so say very disappointed in terms of a role model to my children especially ... it was the shape i was in that got me, unwanted fat and poor fitness,,, i was in the military and super fit back in my twenties, my ideal weight for my height is indeed 23 kg less than i am now.. seeing this post is encouraging to learn i am not the only one in this and losing weight to acheive your goal can be done...

I'm watching what i eat and learning more about nutrition and this is where myfitnesspal is great.. i am following an exercise plan from another fitness site and I have taken up a goal to run 10k again with the help of another great running app... my mood levels have improved with the help of a health supplement for digestion and gut health which i can't recommend enough... incredible how it has made me feel ....

I am going to update as I go along with this but so far so good,,, i have crossed the start line in this journey.....