A year after losing 1/3rd my body weight [follow up!]
NattyBo
Posts: 41
Some of you may remember last year I posted a thread "Here is what it looks like when you lose 1/3rd of your body". If not, I've included the original text of that post here.
In any case, it's been a year since I posted that thread, and 2 since I started my new, healthier lifestyle. I consider it a "success story" that I've been able to not regain that weight. For anyone on the fence about starting your journey to get healthy...do it! It's the best decision I've made, and I'm living the healthier, more active life I always envisioned for myself.
Here are some recent pics to show that I've kept the weight off! (well they're actually from my trip to Barcelona last year but I like them and I havent changed since, so :P ;-) )
(being next to a huge church doesn't hurt for scale
)
(double chin still gone!)
I've found maintinence to be challenging in different ways than losing the weight has been. Nowadays, I work out 5 days a week and rest 2. Generally, I jog for about half an hour a day. Other than that, eating my maintenance calories and doing little stuff like taking the stairs, I have been able to keep it off. The main thing is making sure I get in those 5 workouts, no matter what!
And, in the sprit of my original post:
If my lazy butt can lose and now keep off 100lbs for 2 years and counting....ANYONE can. Start your change now.
From the original post:
Hi everyone,
Even though I haven't reached my goal yet, I'm nearing 100lbs lost. In fact, as of my doctors visit on Monday, I was a scant 4lbs away from reaching that milestone, and I haven't yet posted any pics, so I thought it was about time to pat myself on the back after the doctor told me to!
Here is me, circa this exact time last year.
I looked horrible. I felt horrible. I was at 301lbs and spiraling out of control, if you can consider 300lbs in control. I have a family history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, all that fun stuff. Finally, something in me last summer made me decide that I needed to change before it was too late. I can't tell you exactly what it was that made me finally get started. Part of it was my wife's influence - she found MFP to try and help me. Part of it was wanting to be healthy enough to run around after my 2 year old without getting winded. Part of it was wanting to get back involved in playing soccer (can you believe the beached whale in those pictures ever played soccer?). Part of it was not wanting to die before I hit the age of 30. Part of it was wanting to look in the mirror and not hate what I see.
So, middle of last June, I committed to really try MFP as a diet and lifestyle plan. Didn't cut out a single food completely except for soda, and processed junk food (ie, candy bars and the like). I've still been able to eat my favorite foods (not as much, and not as frequently), still been able to drink alcohol (not as much, not as frequently) and still been able to do everything, basically. The only other thing I did besides count calories on MFP was walk 30-45 minutes a day, every day, up until winter hit, which pushed me back into the 3-4 times a week range.
Since that time, I've lost 96lbs. As of my weigh in on Monday, I was down to 205lbs from the initial 301. Over that time, I've dropped from a size 46 to size 36-38 (depending on brand, etc) jean. I've dropped from 2XL to L/XL shirts. My BMI has dropped from the high end of obese to middle/low end of overweight, and I'm closing in on "normal" each passing week. I can walk miles and miles without getting tired, I sleep better, and I feel so much better. I tire less easily. Pretty much everyone in my life has noticed, and it's funny seeing friends who don't see me as often react so positively and seem so shocked.
Ok, enough stalling, here are some "after" pictures (even though I'm not yet at my goal of 170):
[apologies in advance - had to take these with my laptop on a timer, wish I had some better angles, but I think the difference is apparent]
Me, modeling the same shirt in the pictures above:
Could probably fit two of me in there now.
A side profile
Old shorts
The amazing disappearing double chin
Some thoughts:
Guys can have body image issues, too, I've discovered. I know it sounds crazy, but when I look in the mirror, I still see the old body, sometimes, or I don't perceive the very obvious changes that others do.
Guys out there, you can do this too, all it takes is getting started. ANYone can.
Some stuff I've picked up along the way: don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day, but don't let a bad day turn into two bad days turn into a week of bad eating. Treat yourself from time to time, but a treat is special, or it's not a treat. Make some MFP friends, get some accountability somehow. Let people in your life know you've made a commitment to do this, show them you're serious, and let them be something you can lean on to draw strength. Exercise is just as important as the diet part! Don't skip it, you'll feel better afterwards, and less hungry, too. Finally: drink water, and only water, if you can handle that. I don't have any scientific way of proving it, but I'm sure just quitting soda helped me drop a good portion of this weight.
In any case, it's been a year since I posted that thread, and 2 since I started my new, healthier lifestyle. I consider it a "success story" that I've been able to not regain that weight. For anyone on the fence about starting your journey to get healthy...do it! It's the best decision I've made, and I'm living the healthier, more active life I always envisioned for myself.
Here are some recent pics to show that I've kept the weight off! (well they're actually from my trip to Barcelona last year but I like them and I havent changed since, so :P ;-) )
(being next to a huge church doesn't hurt for scale
)(double chin still gone!)
I've found maintinence to be challenging in different ways than losing the weight has been. Nowadays, I work out 5 days a week and rest 2. Generally, I jog for about half an hour a day. Other than that, eating my maintenance calories and doing little stuff like taking the stairs, I have been able to keep it off. The main thing is making sure I get in those 5 workouts, no matter what!
And, in the sprit of my original post:
If my lazy butt can lose and now keep off 100lbs for 2 years and counting....ANYONE can. Start your change now.
From the original post:
Hi everyone,
Even though I haven't reached my goal yet, I'm nearing 100lbs lost. In fact, as of my doctors visit on Monday, I was a scant 4lbs away from reaching that milestone, and I haven't yet posted any pics, so I thought it was about time to pat myself on the back after the doctor told me to!
Here is me, circa this exact time last year.
I looked horrible. I felt horrible. I was at 301lbs and spiraling out of control, if you can consider 300lbs in control. I have a family history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, all that fun stuff. Finally, something in me last summer made me decide that I needed to change before it was too late. I can't tell you exactly what it was that made me finally get started. Part of it was my wife's influence - she found MFP to try and help me. Part of it was wanting to be healthy enough to run around after my 2 year old without getting winded. Part of it was wanting to get back involved in playing soccer (can you believe the beached whale in those pictures ever played soccer?). Part of it was not wanting to die before I hit the age of 30. Part of it was wanting to look in the mirror and not hate what I see.
So, middle of last June, I committed to really try MFP as a diet and lifestyle plan. Didn't cut out a single food completely except for soda, and processed junk food (ie, candy bars and the like). I've still been able to eat my favorite foods (not as much, and not as frequently), still been able to drink alcohol (not as much, not as frequently) and still been able to do everything, basically. The only other thing I did besides count calories on MFP was walk 30-45 minutes a day, every day, up until winter hit, which pushed me back into the 3-4 times a week range.
Since that time, I've lost 96lbs. As of my weigh in on Monday, I was down to 205lbs from the initial 301. Over that time, I've dropped from a size 46 to size 36-38 (depending on brand, etc) jean. I've dropped from 2XL to L/XL shirts. My BMI has dropped from the high end of obese to middle/low end of overweight, and I'm closing in on "normal" each passing week. I can walk miles and miles without getting tired, I sleep better, and I feel so much better. I tire less easily. Pretty much everyone in my life has noticed, and it's funny seeing friends who don't see me as often react so positively and seem so shocked.
Ok, enough stalling, here are some "after" pictures (even though I'm not yet at my goal of 170):
[apologies in advance - had to take these with my laptop on a timer, wish I had some better angles, but I think the difference is apparent]
Me, modeling the same shirt in the pictures above:
Could probably fit two of me in there now.
A side profile
Old shorts
The amazing disappearing double chin
Some thoughts:
Guys can have body image issues, too, I've discovered. I know it sounds crazy, but when I look in the mirror, I still see the old body, sometimes, or I don't perceive the very obvious changes that others do.
Guys out there, you can do this too, all it takes is getting started. ANYone can.
Some stuff I've picked up along the way: don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day, but don't let a bad day turn into two bad days turn into a week of bad eating. Treat yourself from time to time, but a treat is special, or it's not a treat. Make some MFP friends, get some accountability somehow. Let people in your life know you've made a commitment to do this, show them you're serious, and let them be something you can lean on to draw strength. Exercise is just as important as the diet part! Don't skip it, you'll feel better afterwards, and less hungry, too. Finally: drink water, and only water, if you can handle that. I don't have any scientific way of proving it, but I'm sure just quitting soda helped me drop a good portion of this weight.
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Replies
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Wow..awesome progress! You look great!0
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AWESOME job!!!0
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Wow awesome. You couldn't have said this better.0
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that is great! I started my weight loss journey @ almost the same weight (302 lbs) and I'm down about 38 lbs right now. It's great to see success stories like yours to keep me inspired.0
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Its great to see the people take the weight off but to me even better to see people maintaining that lifestyle change.. Great job!!0
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As soon as I saw your first picture I KNEW it had to be the Barcelona cathedral. Amazing. I LOVE that city with all my heart. Also you did a fantastic job maintaining your new body (or what's left of it!)0
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You are so damn cute! Well done young man!!:flowerforyou:0
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Congrats on keeping it off man... You should consider hitting the gym and putting on some muscle. That might help with your body image issues.0
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Congratulations on your success. And on maintaining your healthy weight. After a year of keeping off the weight, do you still log your food daily? Or have you started trusting yourself to judge?0
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Wonderful. I love success stories like this one!!0
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Amazing progress! I'm in the same camp with you about the little changes (i.e. no fizzy drinks.) I lost 4lbs over a couple of months just by cutting out coffee (wasn't really doing exercise back then though.) I've let myself slip a bit over the last couple of weeks, but your words have motivated me to get back on it! Well done. 0
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Congratulations on your success. And on maintaining your healthy weight. After a year of keeping off the weight, do you still log your food daily? Or have you started trusting yourself to judge?
Up until about a month ago I was logging food daily. I still try to most days, I don't freak out if I miss it like I used to, but, 2 years in, I basically know what I should and should not be eating now. The journal is just a visual helper with that.
I will say the biggest thing, that most people DO NOT want to hear, is that totally cutting soda out of my life, 100%, including diet, was probably the biggest help. I did it right away and havent gone back (yes, everyone can have the OCCASIONAL diet coke or whatever with dinner or in a mixed drink, but other than that, no), and I think it's a huge part of my success. All I drink these days is water, juice (on occasion), coffee, and alcohol. Not at the same time obviously!
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Amazing. I started at 301lbs too! I'm down 56 and keep on plodding. Can't wait to be at goal and maintaining! Good to see someone who has kept the weight off! Good for you! Thanks for sharing! :-)0
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Awesome work!!0
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I will say the biggest thing, that most people DO NOT want to hear, is that totally cutting soda out of my life, 100%, including diet, was probably the biggest help. I did it right away and havent gone back (yes, everyone can have the OCCASIONAL diet coke or whatever with dinner or in a mixed drink, but other than that, no), and I think it's a huge part of my success. All I drink these days is water, juice (on occasion), coffee, and alcohol. Not at the same time obviously!
Amen to this.
Freeing myself from soda was one of the best changes I've ever made in my life. People really will fight tooth and nail to keep the soda, glad you discovered that it wasn't worth it!0 -
just amazing! job well done :flowerforyou:0
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Congratulations on your success. And on maintaining your healthy weight. After a year of keeping off the weight, do you still log your food daily? Or have you started trusting yourself to judge?
Up until about a month ago I was logging food daily. I still try to most days, I don't freak out if I miss it like I used to, but, 2 years in, I basically know what I should and should not be eating now. The journal is just a visual helper with that.
I will say the biggest thing, that most people DO NOT want to hear, is that totally cutting soda out of my life, 100%, including diet, was probably the biggest help. I did it right away and havent gone back (yes, everyone can have the OCCASIONAL diet coke or whatever with dinner or in a mixed drink, but other than that, no), and I think it's a huge part of my success. All I drink these days is water, juice (on occasion), coffee, and alcohol. Not at the same time obviously!
My sister is the healthiest & fittest person I know. She's also on the paleo diet and say's that although exercise is very important, you see the most drastic changes by altering diet alone. When I was only drinking water, my weight loss was boosted, I had more energy, and my skin cleared up! You're making so much sense to me, just need to get my willpower back! I look forward to when I don't have to log my food and can control the urge for sweets!0 -
That is a good story...and will inspire some folks..it can be done, but most people do not do it, as you know..0
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This is awesome! And such an accomplishment to keep it off!0
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Great job..............I have lost and gained so many times, nice to hear people talk about maintenance, this is the key
Most people think that losing weight is the hardest part, but it is the maintenance! Again, good job~0 -
Thank you! So good to hear a successful maintenance story.. The idea of gaining back everything I have lost/will lose, fills me with dread (been there too many times before!). But am determined that this is it now - and your story proves it can be done
Well done!!0 -
wow, thank you for taking the time to post your story. I am at the beginning of my journey, it helps to see others have made it. I have given up soda and fast food(for the most part) and it has helped a lot.
You should pat yourself on the back, you deserve it! WAY TO GO!!0 -
CONGRATULATIONS! You have done really well and you look great!0
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Whoa! Awesome job!! 0
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Great job!0
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Congratulations on your success. And on maintaining your healthy weight. After a year of keeping off the weight, do you still log your food daily? Or have you started trusting yourself to judge?
I will say the biggest thing, that most people DO NOT want to hear, is that totally cutting soda out of my life, 100%, including diet, was probably the biggest help. I did it right away and havent gone back (yes, everyone can have the OCCASIONAL diet coke or whatever with dinner or in a mixed drink, but other than that, no), and I think it's a huge part of my success. All I drink these days is water, juice (on occasion), coffee, and alcohol. Not at the same time obviously!
I have heard that people lose a ton of weight after ditching soda completely. Unfortunately, I can't cut something I never consumed in the first place! If I ever had soda once every two months, it was a lot for me.0 -
Amazing story and such an inspiration. Soda was my main problem but I have slowly been cutting it out I'm down to maybe 1 in a 24 hr period. More water for me...0
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Well done! I too started at 302lb & am currently at 216lb & slowly going down but feeling the benefit in so many ways.
My favorite is every time I buy a new pack of knickers they are a size smaller!!0 -
So inspiring! I read your entire story. It really is such a big achievement!0
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Congrats.. you look awesome. I am just beginning this journey and the Success Stories are my favorite. It motivates us and we are cheering you on!0
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