Losing 160+ lbs, for the second time in my life. (Long)

Hi! I have to admit that my eyes were welling up while reading your post. I think everyone who has been morbidly obese could relate to your story and it seems like yesterday I felt the same way. I was at one point 300 pounds so I know the pain and embarassment that comes with it. I also know how it goes online. You start a profile on some weight loss site, fill out the info, and never come back again. At first, it was difficult for me to keep logging on. I'd mess up now and then and leave for a week or so, but always made myself come back. If you can keep going and get a good system of friends on here to support you, this site with help you. I promise!

I always tell my husband that it seems so unfair. If you're addicted to drugs, you just have to not take them anymore. With medical and psychological help, you can kick the habit forever. Unfortunately, you need to eat forever! So it's difficult to do something that you have to do every day to live, but it can also kill you.

A big piece of advice I'd like to offer you is to read about eating disorders. No matter what kind you have, they're all pretty much stemmed from the same thing. I found a book called "Overcome Binge Eating" and it changed my life. I felt as if the book was written about and for me! It helped me understand my thinking and really analyze food situations as they came up. I continue to use the knowledge I gained every day to make better decisions. Sometimes I fall off the wagon. Sometimes I feel like my diet consumes all of my energy and time. Sometimes I eat in excess and don't want to fight anymore. But you have to. You owe it to your love, family, friends, and most of all yourself. It's a real disorder that is so difficult to overcome but possible.

I have been yo-yo dieting for years. I have lost the same 35 pounds probably 4 times and found it again. I am once again up the 35 pounds. I need to eat healthier and I need the support of my family which is hard. (I have 2 teenaged daughters that can eat literally ANYTHING and stay thin and a 10 year old who is a healthy weight also). My husband would like to lose 20 -30 pounds so our journey starts today....clean eating, we already exercise 4- 5 times per week, and now we just need to get our calories in line. Looking forward to supporting you Jon throughout this journey! I will friend request you...ready to encourage you to a healthier you!!

I'm also doing a higher protein, lower carb, 1000 calorie diet under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Clark at the Center for Weight Loss Success in Newport News. They do both medically supervised weight loss and bariatric surgery. It's the best investment I have ever made in myself. I'd love to be your friend. You can leave the old foods behind and learn new foods that you will enjoy just as much. I was 356 pounds at one time and have hovered around 170-175 for at least 20 years but just couldn't get the last 40-50 pounds of it off. It's important that I do because I have COPD and osteoporosis.

You have such a great attitude and I know this time you will not only lose the weight but successfully keep it off. Thanks for sharing your story. You don't know who you might have unknowingly touched to finally do what it takes to get healthy themselves.

Jon,

Your story brings tears to my eyes. What an incredible, brave thing you've done to share your story. I think in some way or another, most of us here can relate. You can do it. You have done it before and you will do it again, totally rooting for you!

Heidi

Thank you for sharing your story. You can do this!

welcome to MFP bro. I think you'll enjoy it.

Thank you so much for posting your story. We are here for you. There are are so many great people on MFP. Read my profile if you want and send me a FR if you like.

I get a lot of support from my friends. I don't always got to the forums. It's your personal preference.

Thanks Shadus,

Accountability is without a doubt my biggest issue. I told Dr. Cheskin, that he had to verify my weight each week, I am too good at gaming the system, as he calls it, or lying to myself, as I call it.

I also make appointments a month in advance, which helps me not avoid going.

Finally, I gave him my dad's number and told him, if I don't show, or am gaining weight, call him. My parents have done so much for me, the last thing I want to do is let them down.

Those are short term (relatively) speaking though. What still worries me is 4-5 years down the road. That is what motivated me to make that post, and join this community.

I look forward to becoming part of it, and having it to lean on.

You'll have your good days and bad days, we all do... but your attitude here is one of the best I've seen on MFP. Keep the attitude and I expect you'll be one of the many long term success stories. The hardest and first step is admitting to yourself what is really up... it's damn hard.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. On a bit of a side note, you are an excellent writer and I think a blog would be a great way for you to stay focused on your goal and inspire others. It sounds like you have a good understanding of what it is going to take to make the change again and not fall back into old habits. I have been working at losing weight for 4 years now and I have gotten to the lowest weight I can remember being (I've been overweight my whole life). I still have work to do to lose more and then there is that whole maintaining thing, but I'll figure that out when I get there. I would like to be your friend if you are interested, check out my profile of you like and send me a FR. You can do this and this site has a lot of wonderful people with helpful information and experiences. You are apparently one of them as well!