44 pounds in 108 days (with photos)
noweightfisherj
Posts: 220 Member
42 pounds loss not 44.
My journey began on April 15th 2012 at 232 pounds and BF of 35.2% and as of July 31st 2012 I achieved my goal of 190 pounds and BF of 24.6%. My waist when I started was 46” and currently it’s 37.750.” I’m 50 years old and I have not been in this good of shape since, forever. I eat what I want but only in moderation, however; most of my meals are better for me than not. I eat a lot of chicken, veggies, fruit and salads with fat fee dressing (boy how do I miss Ranch dressing).
This is what worked for me and may help you on your weight loss journey.
1st, find a few friends here at MFP that will help you stay motivated and have the updates sent to your phone. Without the friends I have here and receiving the “WTG!”, and “keep it going,” etc. on my phone, I know I would not have come as far and as fast as I did.
2nd, read at lease once a day, one weight loss success story. You will be amazed what people have accomplished here and what a boost it will be to your own success.
3rd, don’t have “cheat days.” Eat what you want as long as you say within your daily calorie goal; that said, you are better off eating healthier food. I stopped drinking soda with the exception of Dr. Pepper 10. I stopped drinking juice. I stopped eating potato chips and Doritos (I so miss you my good friends). No pre-packaged foods, all my meals are made at home. No fast foods. Most everyday I have some type of spinach salad. Almost everyday I have chicken. No more than once a week I have red meat or pork. My fish consumption went up and most was tuna and sardines. I eat a lot of homemade chicken soup. I eat a lot of yogurt and mozzarella sticks. I also make sure I always have food ready to eat in the fridge so I’m never tempted to eat out (this could have been its own number).
4th, don’t discount NSV’s. If your weight doesn’t change on your scale but your clothes fit better, or you go into a smaller size, or you no longer have joint pain trust me; it’s a BIG DEAL! Remember if you are exercising (and you should be) during this weight loss journey you will be adding muscle so the scale may not drop and could go up some.
5th, working out. You need to exercise. Period. When I started my cardio workout I needed a non-impact exercise on my knees. After 7 dislocations on the left knee and 6 dislocations on the right knee they are not in the best of shape. So running and even most walking is out of the question and I find bike riding a little boring to do alone. So I purchased an elliptical trainer. My first workout lasted 10 minutes and I may have gone a mile. I needed to take a pain reliever before I worked out just so I could do the 10 minutes. I now run 6 miles a day and most of that is under 36 minutes (6 minute miles) and I don’t use any pain medication. Yea!
6th, working out (yes, I know I listed this a second time). I also use a Bowflex to increase muscle mass. More muscle will burn more calories and in turn help get rid of the extra fat we are looking to lose.
7th, weighing yourself. I weigh myself everyday at the same time in the morning before I eat or drink anything. I feel this gives me my “real” weight. I do this because I want to ensure that I’m headed in the right direction. I know from the past if I don’t weigh myself everyday it’s too easy to get off course and gain weight. I’m never going back to that weight again I tell you, it’s not going to happen.
8th, this is not a diet. Diets don’t work. If you are going to lose weight you have to eat at a calorie deficit, eat better food and exercise. Eat less workout more. Nuff said.
9th, how much weight too lose each week. When I started I had set my goal at 2 pounds a week and I was always hungry. I waited a few weeks and the hunger pangs continued so I adjusted my goal to 1.5 pounds a week and with the increased calories most of the time I felt full. This was better for me. I will now adjust my calorie to maintain my weight.
10th, don’t give up. A year from now the time will have past. You can stay as you are and do nothing, or you can do a little, or you can do a lot. 2 pounds a week in a year will be 104 pounds loss, 1.5 pounds a week will be 78 pounds loss, 1 pound a week will be 52 pounds loss and .5 pounds a week will be 25 pounds loss. Any of these numbers should make you proud if you lose them, and imagine how much better will you feel and look?
Remember:
Being overweight is hard.
Losing weight is hard.
Maintaining weight is hard.
Chooses your hard.
My journey began on April 15th 2012 at 232 pounds and BF of 35.2% and as of July 31st 2012 I achieved my goal of 190 pounds and BF of 24.6%. My waist when I started was 46” and currently it’s 37.750.” I’m 50 years old and I have not been in this good of shape since, forever. I eat what I want but only in moderation, however; most of my meals are better for me than not. I eat a lot of chicken, veggies, fruit and salads with fat fee dressing (boy how do I miss Ranch dressing).
This is what worked for me and may help you on your weight loss journey.
1st, find a few friends here at MFP that will help you stay motivated and have the updates sent to your phone. Without the friends I have here and receiving the “WTG!”, and “keep it going,” etc. on my phone, I know I would not have come as far and as fast as I did.
2nd, read at lease once a day, one weight loss success story. You will be amazed what people have accomplished here and what a boost it will be to your own success.
3rd, don’t have “cheat days.” Eat what you want as long as you say within your daily calorie goal; that said, you are better off eating healthier food. I stopped drinking soda with the exception of Dr. Pepper 10. I stopped drinking juice. I stopped eating potato chips and Doritos (I so miss you my good friends). No pre-packaged foods, all my meals are made at home. No fast foods. Most everyday I have some type of spinach salad. Almost everyday I have chicken. No more than once a week I have red meat or pork. My fish consumption went up and most was tuna and sardines. I eat a lot of homemade chicken soup. I eat a lot of yogurt and mozzarella sticks. I also make sure I always have food ready to eat in the fridge so I’m never tempted to eat out (this could have been its own number).
4th, don’t discount NSV’s. If your weight doesn’t change on your scale but your clothes fit better, or you go into a smaller size, or you no longer have joint pain trust me; it’s a BIG DEAL! Remember if you are exercising (and you should be) during this weight loss journey you will be adding muscle so the scale may not drop and could go up some.
5th, working out. You need to exercise. Period. When I started my cardio workout I needed a non-impact exercise on my knees. After 7 dislocations on the left knee and 6 dislocations on the right knee they are not in the best of shape. So running and even most walking is out of the question and I find bike riding a little boring to do alone. So I purchased an elliptical trainer. My first workout lasted 10 minutes and I may have gone a mile. I needed to take a pain reliever before I worked out just so I could do the 10 minutes. I now run 6 miles a day and most of that is under 36 minutes (6 minute miles) and I don’t use any pain medication. Yea!
6th, working out (yes, I know I listed this a second time). I also use a Bowflex to increase muscle mass. More muscle will burn more calories and in turn help get rid of the extra fat we are looking to lose.
7th, weighing yourself. I weigh myself everyday at the same time in the morning before I eat or drink anything. I feel this gives me my “real” weight. I do this because I want to ensure that I’m headed in the right direction. I know from the past if I don’t weigh myself everyday it’s too easy to get off course and gain weight. I’m never going back to that weight again I tell you, it’s not going to happen.
8th, this is not a diet. Diets don’t work. If you are going to lose weight you have to eat at a calorie deficit, eat better food and exercise. Eat less workout more. Nuff said.
9th, how much weight too lose each week. When I started I had set my goal at 2 pounds a week and I was always hungry. I waited a few weeks and the hunger pangs continued so I adjusted my goal to 1.5 pounds a week and with the increased calories most of the time I felt full. This was better for me. I will now adjust my calorie to maintain my weight.
10th, don’t give up. A year from now the time will have past. You can stay as you are and do nothing, or you can do a little, or you can do a lot. 2 pounds a week in a year will be 104 pounds loss, 1.5 pounds a week will be 78 pounds loss, 1 pound a week will be 52 pounds loss and .5 pounds a week will be 25 pounds loss. Any of these numbers should make you proud if you lose them, and imagine how much better will you feel and look?
Remember:
Being overweight is hard.
Losing weight is hard.
Maintaining weight is hard.
Chooses your hard.
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Replies
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Oh wow you look great! Congratulations!!!:drinker:0
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Awesome!!! Congrats!!!
I love what you said about diets not working. I am working on a lifestyle change, NOT a diet! Way to go!!!0 -
Good job!0
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You look terrific! Thanks for sharing your success and how you got there! BRAVO :happy:0
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Amazing and motivating. Thank you for sharing!0
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great job!0
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Wow....Thanks for the post. I need to hear success stories like yours!!!! Congratulations!!!!0
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That rocks! Way to go! Thanks for the motivational tips, especially about clothes fitting better; vs. what scale says- that's where I am at!0
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What a transformation!! You look great :drinker:0
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Dang....that is great!0
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You sound like me. About the same loss and everything. Same method. Same outlook. I put it all down in my blog a while ago and its like reading that haha.
Well done and good luck for the future.0 -
I really love your suggestion to read a success story every day! I'm definitely going to incorporate that into my routine! Congrats on all your success!0
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Really amazing, I love the picture of your old belt. Great little ditty you wrote as well!0
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Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment!! Thanks for sharing your tips, also. I love reading about what worked for each success story.0
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This was such a wonderful success story, thank you!
You look great!!0 -
This inspired me!0
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Great job with your success! Thank you for sharing the information as well. Very beneficial and always a welcome reminder.0
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Conratulations on your success. It's very motivating!0
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You look about 30 now! Way to go!0
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love the tips. so glad someone else finally said no cheat days. I do not have them . I didn't even eat cake on my birthday. I have had alcohol twice. once a month I will have pizza but one slice sometimes 2 with a salad. I rarely comment on anyones diary because they well don't eat like me and they get mad when they don't lose. Hate the eat in moderation
can't do that either thats how I got overweight. I feel like when I hit my goal then I can have an oreo or a candybar or whatever. not now I am serious that is how you reached your goal. I have to add you as a friend. great job!!!0 -
Congratulations! Great inspirational story and advice!!!0
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Terrific results! Congrats!0
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Choose your hard! Love it! Congrats!0
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108 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am stoked! I wanna do THAT! I'll take 42! :laugh:
You look great--and also---Great down to earth practical usable tips.
Thank you!0 -
Congrats Jeff, amazing achievement with your weight loss.
well done !!!!!0 -
Way to go. I agree about having the friends as a boost for the confidence. I started this change on May 25, 2012 and I have lost 45 lbs as of today. I didn't start MFP until June and it has really inspired me. As i read another say its not a diet it's a life change. I have found that if you take it serious and keep track daily you will loose the weight. As I have said, don't get discouraged when you only loose a .5 lb at weigh in, it's a loss. So keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0
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Way to go,you look great,and thanks for sharing your words of wisdom and motivation,you are onto it.0
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Well done! Thanks for the great tips!0
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Great job, congratulations!0
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Thank you for being an inspiration!! This is exactly what I needed to read today! Thank you! You look great! Keep up the good work!0
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