What 110 Days Did to Me... (Lost a toddler & 30 in)

Coach_Simon

At the beginning of 2012 I couldn't bare looking at myself in the mirror. All I saw was fat here and fat there and I knew that something had to change. I was in NEED of a change, a huge change. Most of the clothes I had hanging in my closet didn't fit anymore, so I ended up wearing the same things over and over again. I mean that's not something that's really bad, but if you have so many other clothes but can't wear them, then that's bad.



Those pictures here are probably from when I was at my heaviest, at 339 pounds. Looking at them now I ask myself why I let myself go that far. I remember breathing heavy just getting up from the couch, something that should be an easy task. Over the course of probably about a year, I managed to lose 17 pounds, from which I gained about 5 pounds back. I was able to somehow manage that current weight for probably another year, and that's when 2012 rolled around.

Something changed and I was ready to do this. You know, really ready, not just, "Oh I want to lose weight today, but in the morning you want to stuff yourself with food again." Believe me, I had those scenarios before and they didn't get me anywhere. Anyway, I went to see what was out there and stumbled across MFP. The best thing that could've happened.


I signed up and started the beginning of February with a starting weight of 327 pounds as seen above. I was excited about everything, about logging my food but especially about getting moving, something I never thought I could get excited about. I worked hard to lose those pounds and about 60 days later and at 295 pounds, I looked like this:


I wasn't able to wear those black pants in the first picture for almost 5 years, so I sure was excited about that. I've had many NSV's over the course of only 2 months which made this journey even more worthwhile.

I kept on working hard and pushing myself further and was able to actually see results. I liked where this was going and imagined myself at the end of the year. It's quite amazing how clear you can see a picture once you get started.


Time passed and pounds dropped but I was still not able to button up my shirt. I knew I was getting there and I wasn't gonna give up. I wanted to fit into clothes that just didn't fit me anymore again. So I kept on pushing.

Suddenly there was a time where exercising didn't feel like it used to. I was unmotivated and it took more to actually work out and get it done. That phase went on for two weeks and even though I pushed myself to get it done and stayed under calories I wasn't happy with myself. I wasn't gonna give up, oh heck no. I had come too far already to ever go back again where I was. My friends on here have helped me through that and I realized that all I had to do was pushing through. It's easier said than done, but I managed to do exactly that. I'm still not as motivated as I was in the beginning about working out, but I can feel that with every new day, I'm getting a little bit closer to that. I enjoy working out again and try to do new things, even when it hurts.


I'm now at 280 pounds and for the first time in 5 years I'm able to button up this shirt. That was yesterday and it was a fantastic feeling. I was a little bit disappointed that I couldn't see a difference from the above picture to the one in just black, until my wife pointed out that

1) Black is slimming

2) The black pants look really baggy on me now

and

3) My legs are slimmer and you can tell muscles when zooming in and I've lost some more weight in the face.

That definitely made up for it.

So yes, those 110 days have been good to me, and I'm looking forward to what is coming next. Until next time, when I'm slimmer and more muscular!

339 Pounds

327 Pounds

295 Pounds

280 Pounds

Willbenchforcupcakes

Simon, you are truly an awesome inspiration to me and to every single one of your friends on here! I love seeing your progress, you are looking better and healthier in every successive picture. Keep up the amazing work!

Sunpoet

Your weight loss does show, congratulations! You look great!

allisonrozsa

You're doing a WONDERFUL job! Congratulations & keep up the good work. I know exercise is hard, try and find some activities that require you to moved, but can also be enjoyable (I went on a beautiful bike ride today along one of the long bike paths, it was hard, but so beautiful I wanted to keep going). :-)

lampson1

Great progress! Way to stick with it! It's not going to be easy journey. Keep working hard and set little goals too to keep you motivated! As my husband often tells me, "Nothing worth while comes easy". You are starting to look younger in your pictures and the dress shirt you are wearing actually looks too big on you. Looking forward to seeing more progress pictures in the future! Great job!

SiBarber

I have to ask: Did you ever find the toddler?

ashlinmarie

You look GREAT! Keep up the awesome work and it'll keep getting better and better!

speediejane

Congratulations & keep up the good work. I

jackieatx

What an inspiration! You look so much more happy and your skin looks so healthy- not to mention all the weight you lost!

Coach_Simon

I have to ask: Did you ever find the toddler?

Actually no, I haven't lost the toddler. But the almost 50 pounds I did lose I never ever want them back!

amandammmq

You are doing great! What a difference, and it's so nice to hear that you are FEELING better, too! Keep up the amazing work!

Coach_Simon

Thank you very much, guys. This is such a motivator to keep on going and going and just never stop until I've reached my goal.

SinkTheBismarck

When you said you hadn't seen any difference from the pics wearing black or light clothes, I could only think "what?? how? His shirt looks baggy, his face is so much thinner, the difference is VISIBLE".

You've made fantastic progress, you're a handsome man, and I'm sure you'll be amazed and so proud of yourself when you've finished and look back at all you've done. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Keep up the great work!

DianneOfTheMoon

You got this buddy, everyone is right, you are AMAZING, and a tremendous inspiration to us all!! I have no doubt that you will reach your goal weight, you are a dedicated young man. Congratulations to you, you look wonderful!

Coach_Simon

Reading all those awesome feedback's sure puts a huge smile on my face. Thank you for making my day.

Angmad16

You are amazing. There isn't any word that can describe it better than that:) keep up the good work!

nkrueger1

WOW your looking great...what an inspiration...congrats on your awesome progress...keep up the great work!!! :drinker:

Coach_Simon

Oh, and of course congratulations to all you guys too. Looks like you're kicking some butt as well!

SinkTheBismarck

This MUST be bumped for others to see!!

riskiestlavonn

You're doing great! We started at almost the same time (I'm 105 days now). You're right about it being much easier after you get started. It's only up from here. :-)

AmbyrJayde

First awesome job, You make me wanna work a lot harder lol also lost a toddler? What does that mean?

theyrmysun

Keep up the great work. It really shows.

runfatmanrun

Dude that's awesome. Sometimes all it takes is one moment and things click. I am glad to see yours kicked in. There is a huge difference and I know more to come. Congrats for the past and good luck in the future.

tbetts23

Amazing.........

momjmd

It really does show! You have made tremendous progress!!

suzibanshee

Wow, you're doing great. I'm rooting for you. Keep it up!

toysbigkid

YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! HANDSOME!!!!! A TRUE INSPIRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!
keep up the good work and for crying out loud keep us posted on the next 50!!!! Oh and believe me exercising gets easier and more fun the longer you do it. Because we get creative about it because you get the need to move after awhile. I'm so happy for you

zontuin

Simon, words almost escape me... Thanks for sharing your journey so far. You are inspiring. Continue all your great work! You will be at your goal before you know it! Every day, every decision we make, is a HUGE victory! Hugs to you and your wife.

MamaWannaRun

Congrats. Keep this up!

BackTatJIM

great job bro keep it up

MarisaAvilez17

You look great! I only hope I can lose that much weight! I wanna lose 94 lbs before prom next spring. I wanna look beautiful because it's my last year in high school and I wanna go out with a BANG. I'm very dissapointed to say I weigh 220 and I'm 17! My mother, I'm guessing weighs about 150 lbs, and since May 21st -when we signed up to MFP- we've been motivating each other to lose weight! We even took an hour Spin Class today, which was not easy! Since my last weigh-in I've lost four lbs and that was last Thursday. I'm gonna weigh myself today. Wish me luck guys!