Chronic pain? Read this. 6 months, 74 lbs. (with pics)

kylejh

I joined MFP on February 19, but had already been "dieting" for a week, so today is the 6 month mark for my lifestyle transformation, and wow, has it ever been an awesome 6 months!! I haven't missed a day logging into MFP since I joined, and today it is at 176 consecutive days.

Here's my story: overweight my entire adult life, and suffered from major low self esteem because of it. I also had an untreated lower back injury 20 years ago, and the extra weight and inflammation of my joints resulted in osteoarthritis in my SL joint that caused chronic pain in my lower back, thighs and groin for 3+ years. I felt like I couldn't exercise, yet still ate like crap, and eventually ballooned up to 262 lbs (I'm 5'9"). On top of all this, I have smoked for 25 years.

Shortly after turning 40 at the beginning of this year, I had a major wake up call, realized I was slowly killing myself, and that the best thing I could do was lose weight. I didn't think I could exercise, so I decided to make diet changes, and MFP became an awesome tool for tracking food. After 2 weeks, I had the most amazing thing happen: the chronic pain was gone. I couldn't figure it out at first, but some research showed me that my diet changes were the cause of this. All the fatty processed food I had been eating for years were the main cause of my enflamed joints, and by changing the way I ate, my SL joint was very grateful. I started walking every day, and on March 1 I went to the gym for the first time in 10 years, and have never looked back.

I have lost 74 lbs so far, and umpteen inches (have never measured that, but it's significant). I exercise every day for at least an hour, and although I still enjoy food, I am pretty consistent with keeping 300-400 under my net calorie goal for the day. I alternate between 60 mins of cardio one day, and 30 min full body workout and 30 mins of cardio the next. I still feel self conscious about my small belly and love handles (and stupid stubborn back fat!) but those things will be gone in the next few months. I also still need to quit smoking, and have Labor Day slated for that. I've slowly been replacing all of my clothes, and I'm sure the people at Goodwill have been grateful for my weight loss as they've gotten A LOT of donations from me. I feel better than I have since I was a teenager, and never want this feeling to go away.

Sorry this was so long, but I hope it can help inspire people with chronic pain. Weight loss and lifestyle changes are purely about mental discipline and not giving up. You need to push your body to its limit each day, and then do it again the next day and the day after that.

Not ready to post pictures with my shirt off, but here are a few before and after shots...




New Year's Eve



January 28



August 31



July 1, 2011 to July 1, 2012

kristinacottle

What an inspiration! Some people use their disabilities as an excuse to not try to get moving. When in reality, most of the time, it is very possible. Good for you :flowerforyou: You look awesome.

angelraguel

you look amazing! and i think those piccys may come sooner than you think as you look rly close! ive also noticed changing my diet has helped me with joint pains, i saw a nutritinist and he told me that wheat is pure evil for agravating joints! im trying to do a paleo sort of diet life

lifewerks

You are truly an inspiration! I am going through a similar situation. I hurt all the time. My joints, my back, my feet, my insides, etc. I know it's the junk I eat everyday. I'm tired all the time too. Not a good recipe for a healthy life. Your story gives me hope that I can do this too. That I can help get rid of my pain or at least get it under control. The impact that being overweight has on a person physically and mentally is overwhelming. Great pics by the way and congrats on the weight you've lost so far. Thanks for sharing and putting a liittle light in my darkness.

kylejh

you look amazing! and i think those piccys may come sooner than you think as you look rly close!

Thank you, but noooo. I still have a small belly and love handles to deal with. A few more months.

slrrese

Great job!! What an inspiration. Best to you in your continueing quest to get healthy.

pen_thief

You've made amazing progress! I have a hip and spot on my back that tends to hurt if I overdo it, and I'm hoping those will get better with fewer pounds on my frame as well. Good look with the rest of your journey

Mommypeanut

You look awesome! Good work, I am jealous! I have a major transformation to make!

12skipafew99100

I am so happy you are pain free! And even happier you will stop smoking. I know you can do it!

jkcrawford

Thank you for your inspiring story, I also have joint pain. I am new to MFP, if you can do it so can the rest of us. You look AMAZING, great job. The pain I have was my excuse for not exercising, but I took a 30 minute walk today it hurt but I did it. Good luck with the rest of your journey.

kylejh

I am so happy you are pain free! And even happier you will stop smoking. I know you can do it!

If only I were as confident, lol.

ctalimenti

Wow! You look so much better, younger, and happier! Good for you!

kylejh

Wow! You look so much better, younger, and happier! Good for you!

Thanks! :happy:

tammyopolin

What an inspiring story. Congratulations on all of your success - you look amazing! Good luck with the next big step. You've accomplished so much already and I'm sure you can't wait to add quitting smoking to that list. You can do it!

tmusci

Congratulations on your weight loss goals to date it's hard work and determination but worth it in the end. Started my journey over a year ago just using a different method and lot 78 pounds, but during this time I was still a smoker, my fear was putting the weight back on. When you have an addictive personality it is hard to break a cycle but in February of this year I put the smokes down and havent' picked them back up. I used the smokless ciggarret to get through and it did work but was still hard. I gained about 20 pounds but never stopped working out even during my eating binges. I am happy to say I am completely back on track and the weight is going away I contribute that to Myfitnesspal who showed me what I was putting in my mouth. Best of luck

ladyicye50

Congratulations on your total life style change. Your story is inspirational. I wish you continued success on your journey....You can kick the smoking habit too. Just keep the faith.

Asil02

Incredible and very inspirational story! And quitting smoking is not as hard as you might think. I did it 15 years ago. I started with the patch, but it hurt my arm so I stopped using it after a week. Went cold turkey from there on. You can do it! You look great!

ShellyKay67

you look incredible! way to take control and get to feeling better without tons of medication, etc. Good job!

emalay

Congratulations on your success....you really are an inspiration. You should be so proud of yourself.
I think it is amazing how even your diet choices helped to eliminate your pain, that is a true testament to the power of healthy eating for sure.
PS. I am from Ontario too!

dsjohndrow

Nice work!

TrailRunner61

Wow! Congratulations! You look like (and I'm sure you feel like) a totally different person! Wtg on reaping the benefits of your hard work.

jms3533

Fantastic story, and no you didn't bore us with details! Very inspiring, thanks for sharing!

Carfoodel

excellent weight loss and attitude/perspective - great transformation

yroma

Keep telling your story--it's a goody! Think how great you will feel after you quit smoking. Good luck to you.

stephcthomas

I love hearing about the "other" side effects of losing weight and getting healthy. It is so great to hear that you are living a pain free life now! There isn't anything more motivating than that.

Wonderwoman2677

Amazing job! Congrats!

waskier

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

alanpaulyoung

Thanks for this - a great story. I packed up smoking almost 3 years ago. I'd tried in the past using patches, tablets, gum and willpower, but what helped me quit finally was a book called "Overcoming Your Smoking Habit" - here's a link to it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Smoking-Habit-David-Marks/dp/1845290674

It uses cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and whilst st forst glance they seem a bit like mumbo-jumbo, it definitely worked for me. When you do stop smoking you will feel great, smell great and save a small fortune!

susan1024

Great job on your weight loss!! I smoked for almost 30 years and never thought I could stop. I tried hypnosis, patches, gum, and hospital stop-smoking classes. Nothing worked until I read Alan Carr's book, "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking." I highly recommend that you read it. I had minor success quitting over the years, but was always miserable and felt deprived and eventually went back. After reading the book (2 times) I finally quit smoking and have been a very happy nonsmoker for 10 years. The book really helps you understand the addiction.

txcaveman

Congratulations on the weight loss! I’m trying to follow in your steps.

Here is my take on nicotine addiction. --- You are going to go withdraw. It does not matter what you take to slow the withdraw or curb the suck... you have been an addict for a long time and if you want to quit, withdraw is part of the game.

I recommend quitting cold turkey. The physical withdraw symptoms will last about 3 to 4 days. After that it's just a head game. If you use a nicotine patch, pill, suppository... the withdraw symptoms will just be prolonged until you are clean.

Find someone you love and trust. Every day, first thing, promise them that you will not use nicotine in any form for just that one day. Repeat the next day. Tell them to beat the living $h1t out of you if you don't make that promise every morning for the next 6 months. If you fail one day, get up... dust yourself off, and make the promise again.
Quitting like this gives you balls of steel. You become strong mentally… and physically, because your muscles have oxygen that make them grow. Then the last bit of belly fat and back fat will vanish and never return.
That's what worked for me almost 10 months ago. Hope it helps.

vafeas

Great job and dedication. Keep it up!