Someone asked for big men...

RiverTom

Someone asked for success stories of big men, because apparently there are "too many" women on here... :laugh:

I've published part of this before, but in a closed group where only group members could comment. So here we are, with a few updates and things.

This WAS me. I barely recognise myself in those pictures these days. Living in that body, I always felt as thin as I am now. I felt lost in all that flab. And when I first reached my target weight in December last year, I was quite angry at a few people for a while for never telling me that I was THIS BIG.


The pics below are from December 2011 to January 2012.



I'm a German guy who's been living in South Wales, UK since 2007 now. My weight loss journey started in March 2009, after my GP gave me a military style dressing down when I approached him for help with my severe back pain. He bluntly told me to lose weight as the only help he could offer me was this advice and pain killers.

So after grumbling for a night, I decided that he was right and went for it. First thing I cut out was my usual 1.5 to 3 liters of full sugar Coca Cola. That made the 1st stone (14 pounds) difference within the first 4 weeks. I've gone slowly, but steady since then.

I haven't been on any diet as such. I've done lots of research online and took nutrition advice from different sources. Just combined what I liked the most and it worked. Healthy eating and moderate exercise for the start. I started with walking, cycling and swimming and added time and distance to that.

In October 2010 I joined Slimming World , after having lost 4.5 stone on my own. In November 2011 I finally reached my initial target of 14 stone 13 pounds. Just after Christmas 2011 I reached my new target of 14 stone 3 pounds. (Actually a pound under that.) I could lose a further stone to reach my ideal BMI .... But with a current body fat percentage of 11.4 % (last checked mid February 2012, so could be even lower now), my Personal Trainer told me not to worry about BMI, as it is outdated anyway. I would have to lose muscle mass to get to my "ideal weight". No thank you!

Ever since reaching this lower target, I've been around that weight, changing by 1 to 3 pounds above or under it. So ideal maintenance really. Body fat has dropped by 1 % on a monthly basis from 14.8 % in December 2011 to 11.4 % in February 2012.

Some facts about clothing sizes

I used to wear 54 inch jeans and trousers from specialist stores. NOW 31 inch waist, but jeans are all between 30 and 33 inch waist, some of them are starting to be too big yet again.

I also used to wear XXX to XXXXL shirts and other tops. NOW tops are mostly S or M

=====

So the rest of 2012 I'm not working on losing more fat and gaining muscle, whilst sculpting the body of my dreams. The maintenance and sculpting challenge is on. Come on Summer 2012!

And now even the lower outer obligues (aka Adonis Belt) are starting to show, so some of the "sculpting" is working greatly. (March 2012)

bluex232

Way to GO!! 8-)

naomi8888

Good on you - you've obiously worked incredibly hard.

And good on the doctor for not just handing out some painkillers.

Queen2day

Awesome job !!!!

redfroggie

Wow that is completely awesome! You don't even look like the same guy. Congrats and good luck on the rest of your journey! :drinker:

RiverTom

Thanks guys, appreciate the kind words. I'm considering to sit down and write down some of my struggles and knowledge I've gained over time. I'm just quite strapped for time, but some of it may be useful for one or the other?!

arsalak

Wow! Great job. I want to be like you as well. You are an inspiration.

niknak0508

Great job! This is one inspirational transformation!

melanielockard

awesome job!! congrats on the hard work.

Nicola0000

So amazing!!! Well done!!!!!!!!!!

jennibell81

Awesome job!!...You look amazing! Yes, if any tips please let me know....

Aleara2012

You are awesome and such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing!

P.S. Did the back pain disappear?

RiverTom

You are awesome and such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing!

P.S. Did the back pain disappear?

Thank you. yes, all back pain has gone within the first 90 days.

tdj819

Someone asked for success stories of big men, because apparently there are "too many" women on here... :laugh:

I've published part of this before, but in a closed group where only group members could comment. So here we are, with a few updates and things.

This WAS me. I barely recognise myself in those pictures these days. Living in that body, I always felt as thin as I am now. I felt lost in all that flab. And when I first reached my target weight in December last year, I was quite angry at a few people for a while for never telling me that I was THIS BIG.


The pics below are from December 2011 to January 2012.



I'm a German guy who's been living in South Wales, UK since 2007 now. My weight loss journey started in March 2009, after my GP gave me a military style dressing down when I approached him for help with my severe back pain. He bluntly told me to lose weight as the only help he could offer me was this advice and pain killers.

So after grumbling for a night, I decided that he was right and went for it. First thing I cut out was my usual 1.5 to 3 liters of full sugar Coca Cola. That made the 1st stone (14 pounds) difference within the first 4 weeks. I've gone slowly, but steady since then.

I haven't been on any diet as such. I've done lots of research online and took nutrition advice from different sources. Just combined what I liked the most and it worked. Healthy eating and moderate exercise for the start. I started with walking, cycling and swimming and added time and distance to that.

In October 2010 I joined Slimming World , after having lost 4.5 stone on my own. In November 2011 I finally reached my initial target of 14 stone 13 pounds. Just after Christmas 2011 I reached my new target of 14 stone 3 pounds. (Actually a pound under that.) I could lose a further stone to reach my ideal BMI .... But with a current body fat percentage of 11.4 % (last checked mid February 2012, so could be even lower now), my Personal Trainer told me not to worry about BMI, as it is outdated anyway. I would have to lose muscle mass to get to my "ideal weight". No thank you!

Ever since reaching this lower target, I've been around that weight, changing by 1 to 3 pounds above or under it. So ideal maintenance really. Body fat has dropped by 1 % on a monthly basis from 14.8 % in December 2011 to 11.4 % in February 2012.

Some facts about clothing sizes

I used to wear 54 inch jeans and trousers from specialist stores. NOW 31 inch waist, but jeans are all between 30 and 33 inch waist, some of them are starting to be too big yet again.

I also used to wear XXX to XXXXL shirts and other tops. NOW tops are mostly S or M

=====

So the rest of 2012 I'm not working on losing more fat and gaining muscle, whilst sculpting the body of my dreams. The maintenance and sculpting challenge is on. Come on Summer 2012!

And now even the lower outer obligues (aka Adonis Belt) are starting to show, so some of the "sculpting" is working greatly. (March 2012)

great job! you look like a totally different guy!

Birder150

Wunderbar! :drinker:

Lauren8239

It's only that cheeky grin of yours that gives it away that you are the same person, lol. You did an amazing job. I bet you feel incredible. Well done! :flowerforyou:

RiverTom

Wunderbar! :drinker:

Hehe, German compliments?! Great.

RiverTom

It's only that cheeky grin of yours that gives it away that you are the same person, lol. You did an amazing job. I bet you feel incredible. Well done! :flowerforyou:

I still surprise myself in the mirror on very tired mornings. Hehe

jhungate

Excellent effort!

Abells

looking good! great hard work!

Sarahbara76

wow you worked hard and it shows!! great job!

YouAreTheShit

That's amazing dude...! Good job.

candlesrme

well done x what an insperation

sammi402

Complete awesomeness!!!! :bigsmile:

kym117

Wow well done you! What an inspiration you are to us all you remind us that hard work gets results and you look great!

SCVSarah

Wow, you look amazing. Very handsome!!! Congrats. You are truly an inspiration :-)

Quasita

I'm on a similar journey, myself. The only difference is mine was, we can't do surgery to fix your back unless you lose weight. It was the first push that really got to me and made me think, I have to do this.

This morning, I reached 20 pounds since the beginning of the year. I have lost around 50 since I was given the news that nothing short of 200lbs in loss would be acceptable for the repair I possibly need. The loss is also supposed to improve my pain, and your story gives me hope!

Thank you for sharing, I truly hope to post a similar topic when I get to where I need to be

TheDoctorDana

Nice! I am on a major journey myself. Thanks for the inspiration

SCH67

Congratulations... very inspirational... thanks for sharing

RiverTom

I'm on a similar journey, myself. The only difference is mine was, we can't do surgery to fix your back unless you lose weight. It was the first push that really got to me and made me think, I have to do this.

This morning, I reached 20 pounds since the beginning of the year. I have lost around 50 since I was given the news that nothing short of 200lbs in loss would be acceptable for the repair I possibly need. The loss is also supposed to improve my pain, and your story gives me hope!

Thank you for sharing, I truly hope to post a similar topic when I get to where I need to be

My back pain was definitely a "motivator". But it was also motivating how other people noticed the difference and how I was able to walk more and more without having to take breaks to gasp for air all the time. My journey was slow, but steady. Other people lose the same amount of weight in a shorter time. But I believe it is thanks to the slow loss, that I haven't got many issues with loose skin, etc.

RiverTom

Wow, you look amazing. Very handsome!!! Congrats. You are truly an inspiration :-)

Thanks, that comment put a big grin on my face this morning.