Share your Victory - Tell about your MFP Experience

cparter

My experience started 3 years ago when I got sick. I was a personal trainer in the early 2000s. I was a fitness and power lifting nut. I taught people how to lift weights, eat and what cardio exercise was adequate. I taught people who were having trouble letting those bad foods go the key of 7 day plan; meaning it is about balancing things over 7 days and not to neglect those urges but do not let them be the norm. If you can not let go make it a little treat instead of the whole meal but count the fat and calories in the 7 days so that meant if you could eat 14,000 calories a week your average should be 2,000 a day which balances in the amount of fat, proteins and carbs.

Then I got sick from bad meds in 2007. I was forced to give up weight lifting and running for a while. My eating did not change and I gained over 40 lbs. I lost my motivation and my energy was horrible. I tried to jog a quarter mile to the gym at a slow pace with my son but could not make it to the corner which was less than 100 yards. I was miserable and was torturing myself mentally because I was not use to this. I hated what I saw in the mirror, the fact I could not sleep at night due to sleep apnea, and the lack of energy to do things with my kids. Although my wife said she loved me as I am I could not love the way I looked.

Finally after a funeral I was assisting with my pastor menitoned that the deacons needed to be careful before we had a heart attack. That day I gave up meat and started making an effort to eat healthy meals and more often. I had already lost 7 lbs just trying to get to the gym but by not have the motivation I did not continue but did not gain that 7 lbs back. Well after changing to vegetables I lost 20 lbs right away and then I found MFP app for iphone and the ensuing web site. I fell in love with the community (good, bad and indifferent) and never looked back. I lost an additional 25 lbs using MFP for logging my calories and exercise. I regained my passion and started praticing what I was preaching all those shares and sharing those tools with my friends here.

With 52 lbs gone I am the lowest weight I have been for over 14 years and I feel so much energy. I eat 5 times a day on non-run days and 6 to 7 times a day when I run. My metabolism is out the roof and I do eat my "exercise calories". I went from running 2 miles in 25 minutes to 5 miles in 43 minutes. I have run the farthest I have ever attempted in my life (previous best was 8.5 miles to 9 miles. I ran 17 miles this past week end. I signed up for a marathon as motivation to getting it together.

This a thread I would love to coninue and hope everyone would share their victories from 1 lb to 200 lbs and above. Share your journey. Remember this is a life style change and if you have read anything about my previous posts I am here for the long run and teach the same. I do not teach over night sensations. I got the way I was over 3 years so I am taking my time getting rid of it and enjoying the journey. My body is adjusting well and friends and strangers recognize my story and start asking for help. It is a wonderful feeling when the changes you make from a positive beginning can touch others to get them motivated as well and it is also humbling.

Please share your stories as we all enjoy the ride.

lutzsher

I had two things that prompted me to take a good hard look at myself . . . and I truly did not like what I saw!
#1 - a mutual friend took a lovely picture of my husband and I and gave me a copy . . . I was amazed and shocked at the fat woman standing beside my husband! I stewed over that image for a long time, wondering how I could let myself get to this state.
#2 - my husband was sick, so sick he was admitted to the hospital. He had IBS and was diagnosed as pre-diabetic . . . completely as a result of our horrible diet and overindulging in beer (he worked for a brewery for 8 years so there was beer a'plenty in our house).

I immediatly started to do research, made an appointment with our family doctor to consult with him and to get a referral to a dietician and nutritionist.

That was 2 years ago . . . .

We now eat completely "clean" . . . and Im not saying "diet" because we are NOT on a diet . . . we have changed our lives to have a long and healthy life.

My husband less than 20 pounds to his goal weight, a weight that he hasn't been since high school . . . Im just over 40 pounds away from my goal, but don't have a physical job like he does so am losing it a bit slower, plus had much farther to go than he did.

We are so much happier and don't feel like we have sacrificed anthing. We don't feel like we are on a "diet" or watching what we eat. I cook the same things but change the ingredients for healthy options and now use herbs and spices for flavor instead of fat. Im completely inspired because I know the weight I've lost is never coming back . . . I know what to do, how to cook, portion control, how many calories to consume . . . its actually quite easy once you have your "ah ha" moment.

cparter

that is quite an experience and victory. Thanks for sharing. You and your husband have come a long ways. I encourage others to share their victories and what they have over come as well. Thanks again for sharing that wonderful story.

Jennyzfit

A very nice topic. Unfortunatley I have no story to share. I just want to stay healthy and fit for just me and my husband. Mostly for me so I can feel great! A very good post thou and I know lots of people will respond.

And Good for you for realizing your potential in your fitness! I like you like to do this slowly and without any "diet remedies" out there.
I am loving the gym and the 'pump' classes an the yoga etc,. For me this is a great balance.

Cheers for you for mentoring other peoples.
:drinker:

cparter

A very nice topic. Unfortunatley I have no story to share. I just want to stay healthy and fit for just me and my husband. Mostly for me so I can feel great! A very good post thou and I know lots of people will respond.

And Good for you for realizing your potential in your fitness! I like you like to do this slowly and without any "diet remedies" out there.
I am loving the gym and the 'pump' classes an the yoga etc,. For me this is a great balance.

Cheers for you for mentoring other peoples.
:drinker:

Thanks and you have been a blessing to me as well. I look forward to seeing your progress and your positive vibes.