1 year later
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tross0924
Posts: 909 Member
August 24, 2010, I weighed 357 lbs. My self esteem was at an all time low. I hated how big I’d gotten. I was even seriously considering a gastric bypass surgery, but I was too big for the one I wanted. I needed to weigh 350 or less. Stupid huh? So I figured I’d lose 7 lbs, so that when I saved the money I’d be able to get it. I knew that I couldn’t lose 157 lbs on my own so I was just going to lose 7 so that when I saved the money, I could get it.
So there I was, one year ago, 357 lbs, 53% body fat, 221 cholesterol, and 140ish over 93ish blood pressure.
I decided to eat healthier and less. I ate a chicken leg and thigh instead of a chicken. I ate a cup of rice-a-roni instead of the box, and I ate veggies till I felt full. Long story short, I ate better, healthier, human sized portions. The first 7 lbs came off in a week. “Heck . . . that was easy. This wasn’t such a bad week. I’ll keep it up for a while, until I save my money for the surgery.”
Six months later the surgery option was off the table. I CAN DO THIS. 65 lbs down and still falling, it was time to add exercise. It was just about Lent season, and instead of cutting out a bad habit, I decided to add a good one. I would exercise every single day of Lent. I rode an exercise bike at first . . . slowly. But soon I picked up the pace and duration. At Easter I was feeling way better. I’d continued to lose and started riding faster and farther each time I got on the bike. It was time for something different.
Enter P90X. I was scared, I’ll admit it. I wasn’t ready for it, but I was determined to do what I could. Turns out that wasn’t much . . . at first. The first day I did more pushups (all off my knees mind) than the last 3 years combined. The second day I wished that a meteor would plummet from the sky and kill my before I pushed the play button. But I’d made the commitment, and I was going to finish 90 days. 3 months, a slightly torn rotator cuff, 40 lbs, a couple thousand pushups (not all from my knees), and some strange yoga posses later, I finished. “Hey, that was actually kinda fun there . . . let’s do it again.”
I took a month off and just rode the bike again to let my previously mentioned rotator cuff heal up a bit, and then started round 2. Every day, I notice improvements. One more push up than the week before (none from the knees, thank you very much). A little lower in warrior one. Not as much assistance on the pull-ups. And I noticed something else about myself. In my head, I weigh 199 lbs. I’m under 10% body fat, and I look great. :-) I’ve committed to the lifestyle changes needed to get me there, now all I have to do is wait for my body to catch up to my mind.
Today I weigh 243, and have 26% body fat. For those of you counting that means I lost 114 lbs while gaining 12 lbs of lean muscle mass. My blood pressure is 118 over 78. Cholesterol 169. And self esteem index is much improved.
The reason I’m writing this is also the most amazing thing about this journey. I’m NOT special in any way. If you’re just starting your journey, please know that it can be done by the ungifted, untalented, and ordinary. All you have to do is commit. Commit to living better, being healthier, and improving yourself in the tiniest of ways every day, and then start. You don’t have to go from no exercise to running marathons tomorrow, but TODAY you do have to park a little farther from the store than normal.
Good luck to all of you as you continue on your chosen road.
So there I was, one year ago, 357 lbs, 53% body fat, 221 cholesterol, and 140ish over 93ish blood pressure.
I decided to eat healthier and less. I ate a chicken leg and thigh instead of a chicken. I ate a cup of rice-a-roni instead of the box, and I ate veggies till I felt full. Long story short, I ate better, healthier, human sized portions. The first 7 lbs came off in a week. “Heck . . . that was easy. This wasn’t such a bad week. I’ll keep it up for a while, until I save my money for the surgery.”
Six months later the surgery option was off the table. I CAN DO THIS. 65 lbs down and still falling, it was time to add exercise. It was just about Lent season, and instead of cutting out a bad habit, I decided to add a good one. I would exercise every single day of Lent. I rode an exercise bike at first . . . slowly. But soon I picked up the pace and duration. At Easter I was feeling way better. I’d continued to lose and started riding faster and farther each time I got on the bike. It was time for something different.
Enter P90X. I was scared, I’ll admit it. I wasn’t ready for it, but I was determined to do what I could. Turns out that wasn’t much . . . at first. The first day I did more pushups (all off my knees mind) than the last 3 years combined. The second day I wished that a meteor would plummet from the sky and kill my before I pushed the play button. But I’d made the commitment, and I was going to finish 90 days. 3 months, a slightly torn rotator cuff, 40 lbs, a couple thousand pushups (not all from my knees), and some strange yoga posses later, I finished. “Hey, that was actually kinda fun there . . . let’s do it again.”
I took a month off and just rode the bike again to let my previously mentioned rotator cuff heal up a bit, and then started round 2. Every day, I notice improvements. One more push up than the week before (none from the knees, thank you very much). A little lower in warrior one. Not as much assistance on the pull-ups. And I noticed something else about myself. In my head, I weigh 199 lbs. I’m under 10% body fat, and I look great. :-) I’ve committed to the lifestyle changes needed to get me there, now all I have to do is wait for my body to catch up to my mind.
Today I weigh 243, and have 26% body fat. For those of you counting that means I lost 114 lbs while gaining 12 lbs of lean muscle mass. My blood pressure is 118 over 78. Cholesterol 169. And self esteem index is much improved.
The reason I’m writing this is also the most amazing thing about this journey. I’m NOT special in any way. If you’re just starting your journey, please know that it can be done by the ungifted, untalented, and ordinary. All you have to do is commit. Commit to living better, being healthier, and improving yourself in the tiniest of ways every day, and then start. You don’t have to go from no exercise to running marathons tomorrow, but TODAY you do have to park a little farther from the store than normal.
Good luck to all of you as you continue on your chosen road.
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Replies
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great job!!! :-) you are an inspiration!!0
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Wow, you should be very proud of yourself, well done.0
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Fantastic job! Good for you doing it the natural way! Good luck on the rest of your journey!!0
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Wow...this is exactly what I needed to ready for inspiration. I was feeling a little down today and I wanted to give up on the diet...just for today. However, after reading your story I am truly amazed. What an amazing journey you've had. You're truly an inspiration. Thanks for giving me the motivation I needed today.0
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What a wonderful thing to read. This has given me back the will to continue. I havent been on my journey long, but one bad night and all I want to do is cram my face with food. Mind you, i havent done that. I think I just feel bad for not exercising this morning cause i was up all night with a sick baby.
Either way, I plan on being a sucess story. It was really nice of you to share yours. Thanks for the boost! Congrats on all your weight loss.
:bigsmile:0 -
I love your story, very inspirational! Keep up the great work!0
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Wow! Great Inspiration!:flowerforyou:0
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Incredible...very well done!!!0
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Thanks you so much for the post. I was feeling really discouraged today since i gained .4 of a pound and have not lost for 4 days. I needed to hear that it will work for the ordinary like me. You are an inspiration0
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Wow. Awesome post... You've definitively inspired me!
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Thanks for sharing! the Plus in all this is you saved yourself a lot of money and time healing! Congrats!0
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Now, THAT'S some story!!
I am very impressed, and you are truly an inspiration!
I wish you all the best!!
)
Trude1 -
Awesome story about your journey. Just reminds me that everyday, ordinary people can do this. I can do this. Thanks for sharing.0
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Great job!0
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thanks for sharing, great story.0
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You're amazing!
That was very inspirational - thank you for sharing. 0 -
I enjoyed reading your story and it inspired me even more!!!! Thanks!
Lana0 -
AWESOME JOB!!! And in reality it was probably 100% better for you than the Gastric Bypass Surgery!0
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What a fab story ,you should be so proud of yourself you have done a brilliant job ,well done you just prove "ordinary" people can do the "extraordinary" :bigsmile:0
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An absolutely amazing story - thank you for sharing and for encouraging me to look forward to a year from today when my new healthy habits pay off.
Nicky0
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