3 years of dedication and 315 pounds lost.

Stogie40

I didn’t want to post in the success area until I reached my goal, but today officially marks my 3 year anniversary of my new lifestyle, and my daughter said it will help inspire others. This time 3 years ago I was leaving the hospital with the determination to get healthy and be a bigger part of my daughters’ lives. For too long my health made me an empty seat. It has been a long, hard, and lonely road, but I can honestly say, I never looked back and never faltered. I wanted to get healthier more than anything, because that meant being there for my family as much as possible. I read and researched as much as I could about eating healthy. In my case, diet was the only way I could loose weight and get healthy, because working out was not an option due to a serious issue with one of my legs. To everyone reading this, know that a clean diet is the key to being healthy. Every pound I lost was from diet alone. I’m not saying this is an easy lifestyle, I’m saying it’s the best lifestyle IMO. There are plenty of people that say, they can eat this and that everyday and still loose weight, but yet are they getting healthier? Just because you loose weight doesn’t make you healthy. I understand stopping the crappy food isn’t easy, we are going against a lifetime of eating a certain way. In many cases, food is our addiction. With our addiction, we can’t just quit it, we have to smell it, touch it, taste it, and consume it everyday, just to survive. I’m not saying give everything you want up. I have cravings bad, but I get over them by having a few bites. Like when my daughters get French Fries, I’ll steal 5 or so from them, or I’ll grab a few Pringles, just enough to take the edge off. If I don’t, I find myself fixated on my latest craving. I’ll stare at it, and loose myself in the though of eating it, much like a dog begging. I also allow myself to splurge on holidays, one meal of calorie and carb overload won’t make you fat, just like one salad won’t help you get healthy. Just remember this is to get healthy not a punishment. Moderation really is the key. When I left that hospital 3 years ago, I had a handful of prescriptions that I had to take 3 times a day. It took 2 1/2 years, but I am off all my meds, and I owe it to a clean diet. I eat lean proteins, healthy fats, lots of raw veggies, half my body weigh in ounces of water almost everyday, and I keep my carbs low. Not Atkins low, but lower. Carbs are great for long distant runners, but not my big ol butt. It takes longer for carbs to break down, so it takes longer for our body to go into Ketosis. Trust me, it is so worth every sacrifice you make to get healthy. It may be 80% diet, and 20% exercise, but it’s 100% mental. I would wish you all good luck in your journey, but luck has nothing to do with it. You need strength, and with that, stay strong and never give up.

JordanMK_

You're amazing!

Booksandbeaches

Stogie, this is an amazing before and after. 315 pounds lost without gastric bypass! Wow! Probably one of the best transformations I've seen in my 2+ years on MFP. :flowerforyou:

jaebennetti

You are an inspiration!!

adamitri

That is amazing, I can't imagine how hard you worked to get where you are today. Simply outstanding.

mohanj

Amazing. Truly inspirational.

besaro

congratulations!

Jayma375

Thanks for your amazing story! I appreciate the words your wrote and process you followed to get to your new and wonderful new life!!!

Illini_Jim

Awesome job!! You should be very proud!!!

QuillensMom

*high fives*
awesome dedication!! and you're right, it's **100%** mental!

kessler4130

Amazing, truly inspiring sir, keep up the hard work and never look back my friend.

aseshad

Awesome!!

luckyme9596

Your story is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

MusclenMascara

Wow! 3 years well spent. Amazing work!

kimbuh74

Congratulations on all of your hard work and dedication paying off! Bravo!

Oi_Sunshine

*standing ovation*

ianthy

Great job!

eranganm8

Wow... You are such an inspiration.. I really hope I'm as strong as you to complete my goal.... good luck.. :drinker:

hyg99

Congratulations. Fantastic work

Kate7294

Outstanding!

Hearts_2015

Stogie,

Great job changing your life, you did it well! I really enjoyed reading what you shared, it resonated strongly....

Congrats on getting your life back and adding more years to spend with your daughters:flowerforyou:

Laoch_Cailin

An amazing transformation!! You are a real inspiration to everyone on here. I can't wait to see your final success story!!!

arewethereyet

Great job!:flowerforyou:

solarpower03

Superstar! Incredible job!

meltedkeys

amazing! you look incredible!!!

arussell134

Congrats!! Do you realize you lost the equivalent of two human beings? That's crazy unbelievable.

You have much to be proud of. Enjoy a long, healthy & happy life with your family. They must be so proud of you.

Sabine_Stroehm

Absolutely fabulous. Congrats on taking control!

bananna30

Wow!!! You are such an inspiration!!! You are amazing and look great keep up the good work!!!

weblur

So awesome! Thank you for posting this!

999tigger

Utterly awesome m8 to keep at it for that long. You wont get many victories in life greater than the one youve just achieved.

bainsworth1a

You are truly an inspiration to me. It proves that no matter how long it takes to get to your goal it is worth it.
I am thrilled for you. You look like a brand new person and you have a new lease on life.

I also greatly appreciate your comments about exercise. I am trying to do more but I have some health issues too that make exercise hard and painful. I'm hoping that as my weight goes down my exercise will increase.


CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!