Crazy Positive Self-Image Boost

gmhaggie06

Hello Everyone,

I started on here 14 days ago exactly when I stepped on the scale and saw the number 4 at the beginning of my weight. That was the shock of my life. I'd gone waaay off the rails since marriage and had gained 150 pounds in a little over 5 years. My height and my former Shotput chucker build had allowed me to carry almost 400 pounds "well" (can anyone carry 400 pounds well) for years and delude myself into thinking I was just a "beefy guy" I saw the light two years ago, and I'm committed to living my life in a healthy fashion.

I've only lost 13 pounds so far, so no one has really noticed, but the biggest change has been in my self-image and my confidence. I'm a naturally confident guy, I've been a high achiever my whole life, but I've been so damn depressed the last few years. I think it's because I was living a life separate from who I am, eating my feelings when everything I knew and had learned growing up had taught me to face my problems head on. I'd tried juicing, and only eating one meal a day, and all these other fad diets and none of them worked and I grew more and more depressed; I started worrying about having a heart attack in the next 10 years, and what my family would do without me; it was MISERABLE. Now, I have hope, I've stopped drinking 5 liters of diet coke a day and switched to 190 ounces of water. I feel confident again, I feel capable again, I feel like I'm in control of my destiny and I feel like I'll actually lose the weight this time, and keep it off because it's a new phase of my life I've entered. I'm happier, I'm more decisive, hell I'm even walking straighter, with my back straight and shoulder's square! I've got so many great friends on here who keep motivating me, but the #1 motivator is myself!

AnnelizabethB

You are doing so well! It's not all about the number on the scale. This was a hard lesson for me to learn. I've noticed sense I've stopped caring so much about the scale and focused on being healthy and happy my confidence and self image have sky rocketed. Good for you buddy :drinker: cheers

Pandora_King

I started a week after you, friend, and I am also starting to feel more confident. I am sticking to my walks and my meal plans. I'm splurging, but not too much. I have lost 8 pounds last week and hope to add another two to that loss by the end of this second week. One thing I noticed about you was your confidence, just from your pictures. Your smile, your stance. You beam a positive energy out. You are a very motivating and inspiring MFP friend and I'm glad to walk this journey with you.

gmhaggie06

I started a week after you, friend, and I am also starting to feel more confident. I am sticking to my walks and my meal plans. I'm splurging, but not too much. I have lost 8 pounds last week and hope to add another two to that loss by the end of this second week. One thing I noticed about you was your confidence, just from your pictures. Your smile, your stance. You beam a positive energy out. You are a very motivating and inspiring MFP friend and I'm glad to walk this journey with you.

Wow! thank you, that's very touching!

TJtastic

I was ready to congratulate you and give you a high five...until I saw that Texas A&M ticker. :noway: :laugh:
Seriously - GREAT JOB and fantastic attitude. From the start to the finish, YOU are what keeps YOU going!
:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Eli716

I was ready to congratulate you and give you a high five...until I saw that Texas A&M ticker. :noway: :laugh:

This... this made me laugh as I wondered when someone would call on it!

Anyway, you're doing a remarkable job buddy, keep up that confidence and good work!

chasethesky125

The same thing happened to me when I was starting out! And I feel that I don't need to eat as much anymore to be happy! It's crazy how the little things can motivate you immensely

ksmithnh

Ok... apparently this was my moment to cry tonight I loved reading what you wrote. Such powerful words... CONFIDENT and CAPABLE! You are in total control of this journey and I can tell just from knowing you this short couple of weeks that you are going to do this and be everything that you want to be. I agree - for some reason this is the most inspired and capable I've felt in so long. I dont know exactly where I will end up but I feel so much more hope for what I might accomplish and I feel confident and powerful taking charge and doing it just for me. Way to go and thanks for the inspiration!!

gmhaggie06

Ok... apparently this was my moment to cry tonight I loved reading what you wrote. Such powerful words... CONFIDENT and CAPABLE! You are in total control of this journey and I can tell just from knowing you this short couple of weeks that you are going to do this and be everything that you want to be. I agree - for some reason this is the most inspired and capable I've felt in so long. I dont know exactly where I will end up but I feel so much more hope for what I might accomplish and I feel confident and powerful taking charge and doing it just for me. Way to go and thanks for the inspiration!!

WoW! thanks; you guys are great! You guys are all a big reason for my success and my confidence; I have the BEST MFP fam!