170 Pounds Lost In Less Than 10 Months!!

chrismsherman
chrismsherman Posts: 4
in Success Stories
Hello all!! This is my first ever forum post! I am so excited that I discovered this space to read about all of the success stories along with the real life, every day struggles that everyone is experiencing. I have never lost weight before in my life and one day, I woke up and thought enough is enough! My wife introduced me to myfitnesspal and on March 28th, 2012, I started using it and NEVER looked back! I started at a little over 420 pounds and today, I am 250.6 pounds!!

I know that I am not the only one to have been grosly overweight, but holy cow, can I appreciate life now!! To even be able to bend over to tie my shoes without almost passing out from inability to breath. To buy clothes off the rack!! To simply exist in society. It's just incredible! I am not a fitness buff, in fact, I have not even really exercised during this journey yet. Just being more active and doing more, has been a rush in and of itself.

I didn't know that there was this online community here until one day I went onto this website and saw all of these people sharing similar stories. With that, I know that my story is not unique, however, I just had to share my story here.

One thing that makes me feel really good about all of this, is the many people that have come up to me, to tell me that they started using this app since seeing my transformation. To hear that they have all started losing weight - That is beautiful! That makes me tear up every time I think about it. To have inspired people!!! Just amazing. I never thought I could make a difference in my own life, much less a host of others'.

I am still going strong and plan on losing another 30 pounds. The hard part, and where I will need your support, is getting myself to the gym. I want to start to incorporating a fitness plan into my daily life. To complete this journey and to have made the complete transformational lifestyle change.

Thank you to all who have helped me through this, and to all of you for even taking the time to read this post. Good luck all of you, and thank you for your support!!
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Replies

  • slowly_changing12
    slowly_changing12 Posts: 192 Member
    Good job!!!!!!! you look great!!!! and I love and appreciate your story!!!!!!!!!!!
  • lh1626
    lh1626 Posts: 241 Member
    Congrats to you on your amazing journey! This site is awesome!!!!
  • firemanfive0
    firemanfive0 Posts: 228 Member
    good job man...you and everyone should be proud of your accomplishments!!!!
  • CraigAtter
    CraigAtter Posts: 94
    Ive lost 210lbs and its the small things that most people take for granted everyday that i couldnt do that i take great pleasure in doing now same as you. Just being able to walk around work and not be out of breath, clothes shopping off the rack, tieing shoes laces etc i love life now.

    Well done and i wish you great sucess with the rest of your journey, what you have achieved so far is awesome.
  • Sweetiekat54
    Sweetiekat54 Posts: 7 Member
    Chris, that is *inspirational*, my friend! So glad for you! I know you feel so much better, too! I am 55 and I am looking at losing 150 pounds, no matter the time it takes to do it. I am astounded at such progress, Chris. Did you have a particular type of food or foods that seemed to help you most? I realize it's the *type* of calories you put in as well as how many you consume. I know you'll be able to get motivated to be at the gym, or just to walk around the block several times a week. Just steps at a time, and that will be a great way to keep yourself active. Several people at my office walk during lunch and I am thinking, when I get to the point my leg and foot doesn't hurt me that much, I'm going to start walking, too. I have arthritis in my right foot somewhat and a leg issue from an old injury, but I know it isn't as bad when I don't weigh as much as I do right now. I'm just very, very proud for you and of you! Congratulations!!!
  • sphira
    sphira Posts: 132 Member
    Congratulation on your amazing weight loss! Keep up the great work!
  • iwantdesperately
    iwantdesperately Posts: 43 Member
    That is truly a remarkable achievable! Keep up the good work!!! So amazing!
  • oohmercyme
    oohmercyme Posts: 279 Member
    Congrats! Amazing story :)
  • myndsi
    myndsi Posts: 6 Member
    Congratulations! Your story IS inspiring.

    The gym is a great place to reinforce & promote the good feelings of weight loss.
  • Brianna72994
    Brianna72994 Posts: 887
    Aw congrats, you look fantastic!
  • jessicarabbit2966
    jessicarabbit2966 Posts: 1
    That is an awesome story and an awesome journey, thanks for posting it gives me hope for me and all of us. :)
  • StephCoff1969
    StephCoff1969 Posts: 357
    Amazing and inspirational story... You look amazing, congratulations...
  • Vercell
    Vercell Posts: 437 Member
    wow amazing job. You look great .
  • peggy822
    peggy822 Posts: 23 Member
    Wow! What an amazing amount of weight to lose, and without much exercise! I lost 30 lbs in the last year and so jealous! I wish I would have found MFP a year ago, I know my # would have been bigger. So looking to posting my success story! Thanks for the inspiration and good luck on your final leg of this journey.
  • Meali_bug
    Meali_bug Posts: 11 Member
    Your story is fantastic and a great inspiration!! Cangrats to you!! You said you haven't incorporated much exercise into your routine so I just wanted to know if you did it all with MFP?? I am just starting out and I do workout but I want to know if the days I don't, if counting the calories will still lead to weight loss.
  • DeborahBatewell
    DeborahBatewell Posts: 147 Member
    Great job!
  • ravenchick
    ravenchick Posts: 345 Member
    Awesome story, thanks for sharing and Congratulations!
  • dawneekoz
    dawneekoz Posts: 18 Member
    Wow, you are inspiring! Especially impressed that you managed to do it the first time you tried. That is a feat all in of itself!
  • Santan9ful
    Santan9ful Posts: 37
    Awesome Job! Such an inspiration:smile:
  • bartcal
    bartcal Posts: 40 Member
    Congratulations on your accomplishments so far. If you've made it this far, I'm sure you'll be successful with the next component at the gym. I'm sure you'll get lots of advice, but take the small wins as you go. I started my fitness component by walking for 15 minutes and then working my way up. Once I got used to walking on a regular basis, I started working the gym and weight training/cardio (elliptical) into my schedule. I still try and walk 1-2 days a week to supplement my 4-5 days at the gym. Good luck!
  • miriamwithcats
    miriamwithcats Posts: 1,120 Member
    Congratulations on your weight loss. You look wonderful.

    It may be easier to incorporate a fitness plan into your home life than in going to a gym, especially with children. (Although some find it great as an escape.) You can do an incredible amount of fitness work at home, using DVDs or a weight machine, or even a treadmill or stair stepper. The hardest part is making it a habit. Once it is a habit, you don't have to even think about it. I make myself not debate over whether or not to do it. Just do it. (A technique I have had to use a lot in my life since I have a depressive disorder.) Make it as convenient and accessible as possible. For instance, I have bone on bone arthritis in my knees, so my surgeon said no walking or bicycling anymore. Just swimming. But I live in small town Iowa where the nearest public pool is half an hour away. Am I going to get to the pool for their scheduled lap times often? No, but I bought a hot tub and put it in my unheated garage. I can get out there five times a week, sometimes more, to do half laps- I hang on the side and do my kicks, then I sit in the footwell and do my arm strokes. It is easy to access and convenient, so I do it. Before, I did aerobics videos- Richard Simmons. At home. And it got done, even though my eating wasn't under control!
  • tdreamprn
    tdreamprn Posts: 4 Member
    Very inspiring....congrats to you!
  • cynthea2013
    cynthea2013 Posts: 1
    I am so happy for you ! I know how you must feel, feeling more "accepted" in a world you couldn't before because of others opinions. I have struggled with my weight all my life, up and down but in the last year I have put on more than 30 pounds and have only stress and medicines side effects to blame (probably could throw in a bit of depression too). But back to YOU...*smile*. You have done it, made it through the "hard" part, congratulations !!!

    On adding the gym to your routine, one of my daughter's doctors told us that when adding exercise to your routine, it should be something you can do within and around your "home" base, simply because most people will always find a reason or more to not be able to go to the gym. If it is something you can do at home then you'll more than likely work it in and around your current entertaining and living ways.

    Treadmills are good, stationary bikes, even those pedals you use while you are sitting watching TV are good for getting you moving. I highly suggest any form of line dancing, a person can do the electric slide to any genre of music. It helps you with cardio and definitely burns some calories.

    Good luck with the rest of your journey and the maintenance of. Again, CONGRATULATIONS !!!!
  • allifantastical
    allifantastical Posts: 946 Member
    Awesome!! I looked at your pictures in your profile and wow, you look amazing!! Congrats. What a great accomplishment!
  • goldied01
    goldied01 Posts: 149 Member
    Pictures, pictures. The before and after pictures are so inspiring. Do you have any???
    :glasses:
  • Crazy4Healthy
    Crazy4Healthy Posts: 626 Member
    Well done buddy!! What a wonderful job you have done, congratulations!!
  • Cyndi1
    Cyndi1 Posts: 484 Member
    amazing loss... Fabulous that you worked so hard and now can see the health benefits to weight loss... Thanks for sharing and wtg..... : )
  • linsey0689
    linsey0689 Posts: 753 Member
    Wow that is so wonderful to hear!!! People (not on this site) tell me it took years to gain it and it will take years to loss it. You are an example of that is not true at all. This was so amazing for me to read. Great job! I am very new to this site and all this so it was great to read how wonderful it has been for someone.
  • chrismsherman
    chrismsherman Posts: 4
    Thank you all for the comments! This is amazing! To answer a couple questions, yes, I have done this all by just using MFP. I add everything that I eat into the app and just go from there.

    I have cut out all soda (I used to drink 2-3 per day) and fried foods. I do occasionally eat some boneless wings at BW3, but I limit that. I did NOT give up favorite foods, however. I love bacon!! :) I make different decisions on how I eat. Instead of mayo on a sandwich, I use mustard. I eat pickles instead of chips as a side. If I go to Qdoba, I get the naked burrito instead of a regular burrito. I get very little cheese and no sour cream. As for cardio, one thing I have noticed is that people will add everything they do into the app. If I cut the lawn, I do NOT add that. It's something I should be doing anyway, so I don't want to add 'false' allowable calories to my diet. If I am shopping, walking at a park with the kids, again... Something I would be doing anyway.

    The biggest thing is that I don't stray from the app. If I do allow a 'cheat' day, I don't go too far off course. Since I have started, maybe 3 or 4 times have I gone above my daily goal. I think it's cutting out the fried foods and sodas that made the biggest difference. Oh, and if you want a great snack, wrap ham or turkey with mustard and a Fit-&-Active string cheese in a piece of lettuce.

    Don't get me wrong, I am still a sucker for chocolate chip cookies and milk, but again, I need to eat snacks like I mentioned above in order to enjoy the sweets. Just don't starve yourself, or cut out what you enjoy. Just enjoy less of it.

    I hope this helps. I am NOT a nutritionist by any means. It just made sense to me. To anyone who is just starting, TRUST ME, once you feel the results, and can fit into smaller clothing, you will NOT want to stop. I've gone from a size 48 loose fit jeans to now, currently being in a size 36 SLIM cut jeans.

    Good luck!!! I can't wait to read more stories from all of you amazing people!
  • dub73
    dub73 Posts: 70
    Wow! High five to you!!:drinker:

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