3 years of life changing

rwood566

3 years ago today i started my life change with a lot of professional help. i started at 566 pounds, housebound for 1 1/2 years, unable to walk 150 feet or stand for more than 2 minutes. i am now at 229 pounds, without surgery. it took me 6 months to lose my first 30 pounds because i was learning to change my bad habits. starting in october 2019 i lost 10-12 pounds a month until october 2021. i just used calorie in counts and walking 2-3 times a week. in all honesty, i do feel like i had it easy compared to most people here. i didn't have work problems, since i was to heavy to work, and i didn't have any small children to take care of, which i know is very stressful. one of my biggest regrets on this journey is that i have no pictures of me at the beginning, except for my driver's license. the first ones i took were when i was about 425 pounds and just starting to get out.
my next year starts tomorrow with an initial consult for skin removal surgery at my v.a. hospital. i am hoping they will either decide i need it or at least tell me how much all of my extra folds weigh. that way i won't drop to low trying to get to an "ideal" weight.
about me, i am 57 years, 6'4" and medium to large boned. i am currently wearing 1-2x shirts, down from 6x and 40-42 pants, down from 6-7x gym shorts after sizing out of 66 pants. i was on 2 blood pressure pills and have been removed from both, i was pre-diabetic and now not even close, my cholesterol has gone from 450 to 150.

JBanx256

WOW congrats on all you've done so far & best of luck with the skin removal!

PurlandSeam

Such an amazing journey. Congratulations. Hoping the skin removal is approved. Good luck!

snowflake954

This is a wonderful success story! Wishing you the best with your future goals.

Sinisterbarbie1

@rwood566 your post should be required reading for anyone but especially when they post a complaint about stalled weight loss or lack of motivation to remind them that we all have the same struggles and that even with great goals ahead of us it is possible to stay motivated for the long term, It is beyond question the most inspiring thing I have read here because it is stated so simply and honestly, without complaint and without bragging and without artificial goals based on some social event or number on a scale, but on a real interest in health. It not only proves that it is possible to successfully lose weight wherever you start, but that the journey is similar in process for everyone - reduce calories, exercise as you can, have a lot of patience, be kind to yourself and accepting of your body as it changes, and revel in the victories along the way. Thank you so much for sharing your success and your kind heart in doing so so openly.

dawjr1952

Amazing. Congratulations and good luck!!

Dianedoessmiles1

EXCELLENT!!! I wish you could sit in Dr Nows office and show others how this can BE DONE without surgery!! I get so frustrated with those who "think" surgery is the only option. Shoot in the end they always have to eat so much less anyways. GREAT JOB!! FANTASTIC job!!!

Our stories are different, and yet have some commonality. I started at 288 (Check with family and friends they may have pics of you at a larger point. Mine did) I was using a power chair 97% of the time, not able to hardly walk. Sure part of that was the weight, the majority of it was due to back/foot pain. I moved from Maine to Colorado for a bit for medical help around those. Thanks to that help I slowly started to walk, and hence the weight came off easier. Than I got a bone infection which lasted for 18 months. They FINALLY amputated my big left toe (They did NOT want to because by that point I was walking, well on crutches with the foot or my knee scooter. They thought I'd end up back in the power chair, I DID NOT!). Once that was cleared up, I did well,,, LOL until a brain aneurysm was discovered by accident, but that was taken care of too! After that heart failure!! So life keeps a coming at me, but that's OKAY!! We grow, we change as you are doing so wonderfully and we can beat down any health issues,,, you've been through so much!! Your COURAGE and determination are showing.

Would you like to join us on the 2022 Spring 5% Challenge? We can help support you and you help others to be supported by your zeal, and example. WOW!! Oh there are few I'd LOVE to have you talk to on the various teams within the 5% Challenge. The ones who say "I can't" when OH YES THEY CAN!! I've done so, you have too. Just your posts would lift many.

Here's the link to look over the team if you wish.

Anyone else reading this you are also very welcomed to join us.

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/142698-2022-spring-5-challenge-community

LiveOnceBeHappy

Wow, that's amazing. Congrats on what I imagine is a whole new life.

arlenemcavoy9970

Amazing you should be so proud of yourself! xx

GrammyWhammy

I am almost speechless! Your post and accomplishments are stunning. Congratulations on your tenacity, effort, and focus. Thank you for sharing and giving me hope for a better, healthier life.

avatiach

rwood566 wrote: »

3 years ago today i started my life change with a lot of professional help.

Can you tell us what kind of professional help you got?

rwood566

@avatiach I received in home care from the V.A.. I had a nutritionist and a behavior therapist visit every 2 to 3 weeks for over 2 years, first in person then video.

JustAMurmur

You are amazing! I am so happy for you! 🤗

lacylucy1935

Congrads to you, huge success! You must feel so much better and confidence through the roof!! Keep up the great work and know that you can help others as well.

Megan_smartiepants1970

Roger I am soooooo proud of you and your accomplishments ... You have done so well and you are an inspiration to many ...Great job ..hugs

beautyandababe

How many calories did you eat per day? What was your daily meal plan like?

lindamtuck2018

Roger, I have told you many times and I will say it again, you are inspiration.

KobiHensley

Wow, I am so inspired by your post!! What an amazing journey Thank so much for posting!

rwood566

@beautyandababe when I started counting calories I was eating 2500. Then it moved down as I lost weight. 2200, 2000 then 1850. At 1850 I would eat 1600-1800 daily. Now that I am near the bottom of my loss I am slowly raising it to find my maintenance amount. I am eating 1700- 1950 daily.
For the 1st year I had some foods off limits since I couldn't control my eating. Once I got a handle on moderation I was able to slowly bring them back. Now I can eat anything, but in moderation. I try to plan all meals for my day before I eat breakfast. That way if I am going to have a large meal sometime then I can modify my other meals to allow for the extra calories. I also like to leave 200 calories after dinner to allow for a dessert later. I can dip into that and not eat dessert.

fatty2begone

When and if you are comfortable, would love to see a picture of this inspiring individual... Yourself. Awesome job. Thanks for sharing your story.

ReenieHJ

What an amazing accomplishment! It must've been a lot of commitment and challenging times along the way but wow, you did it!

grltaz

Congratulations ! You have turned your life around and probably made it several more years than you might have originally. Blessings to you.

springlering62

What a fabulous, inspiring story. Humblest props to you for a stellar job.

NewBetterBest18

You are an inspiration to so many people. I know you don't know me, but I'm so proud of you! I hope you get your answers and wishes at your local VA Hospital.