Folks with 100lbs or more to lose

Perrybarger
Perrybarger Posts: 37
in Introduce Yourself
I started my weight loss journey July 17th. I weighed 389lbs at the time. I was border line diabetic and on hypertension meds. Every time I went to the doctor I was getting my medicine increased. Being obese was killing me. We went on a family camping trip and when i saw how I looked in the photos I couldnt stand it anymore and had to make a change. I had two choices.. I could get bariatric surgery or I could do it the old fashioned way. I was very tempted by the surgery because our insurance would pay for it in full and I certainly qualified. But I wanted to really try to do it on my own first. I did research and found many folks that had done it without surgery. There are lots of awesome transformation videos on youtube. I wanted to find that kind of success! I currently do carb cycling, intermittent fasting, and strength training as my primary tools. I also do some cardio but mainly focus on the weights. Im down to 295 now and have 70 to go to reach my goal weight of 225. I would love to hear from more folks with similar situations. I also would love to hear from folks that have had the various surgeries done as well. My wife is getting the sleeve done this summer.
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Replies

  • jesswithsuccess
    jesswithsuccess Posts: 8 Member
    Hi, my name is Jess. I have WELL over 100lbs to lose, and am also looking to talk to people in similar situations. I, too, had the option of surgery and chose not to go that route. I'm simply cutting and counting calories, trying to increase my protein, and trying to eat "clean" as much as possible. So far its paying off with 5.3lbs lost my first week. Since your wife is considering the sleeve, I HIGHLY recommend Lessofsarah on youtube. You can find her here as well on myfitnesspal. She is an amazing woman and has been such and inspiration to me. Good to "meet" you!
  • StarFall90
    StarFall90 Posts: 133 Member
    I started at 364 the beginning of February. As of last Friday I'm at 325. I am cutting and counting calories completely cut out soda and sweets. I am walking every day. I plan to lose 160 more pounds. I keep a blog with progress pictures and my thoughts. I would love to add anyone as a friend.
  • DietingMommy2008
    DietingMommy2008 Posts: 107 Member
    Also looking for ppl with 100lbs or more to lose.

    Feel free to add me EVERYBODY. :o)
  • celticempress
    celticempress Posts: 19
    Hi I'm Mary. I've been on this journey for awhile actually, I have over 120 pounds to lose total and I'm a little over half way there. This started out because I was in so much pain, I was having trouble sleeping and breathing sometimes. Last year I got to half way, lost 60 pounds and then I found out we were having another sweet baby. So I got side tracked a bit making sure he was okay and well fed. But, when all was said and done, I had only gained a total of 13 pounds during the pregnancy and I have lost most of that already.

    This is a journey, it's a day by day adventure that involves a lot of will power and resolve, but when it comes down to it all is worth it. When I am finally at my goal, I will look back and be happy that I did this for myself and my family.
  • silenceinspace
    silenceinspace Posts: 142 Member
    I started at 364 the beginning of February. As of last Friday I'm at 325. I am cutting and counting calories completely cut out soda and sweets. I am walking every day. I plan to lose 160 more pounds. I keep a blog with progress pictures and my thoughts. I would love to add anyone as a friend.

    Incredible progress! Good for you :)
  • Docfloyd
    Docfloyd Posts: 11 Member
    first off congratulations on going losing almost 100 pounds already. I always read success stories like those of people who lost over 100-200 pounds. One day i stepped on a scale at 360 myself. currently i'm 328, and just joined MFP as another tool to help me along. I'm hoping i can be one of those stories on day myself.

    so if anybody wants to add each other as friends, keep each other focused and honest i'd be open to it.
  • djprice_69
    djprice_69 Posts: 115 Member
    I set a goal of just shy of 100 lbs (97) to get down a weight I haven't been to since I was a sophomore in high school (<200 lbs). I actually signed up for a study through the Mayo Clinic where I had about two in three chances to get a new bariatric surgery which is not yet approved here in the US. Admittedly, I was kind of hoping for the surgery, but I still believe it to have been a blessing to be put in the 'control' group which only receives the 'lifestyle therapy.' Basically eat better, track intake, and try to move more. Of course there are a few other nuances such as taking a multivitamin, but the rest is what you're referring to as the old-fashioned way. I'm only down 18-19 lbs or so in the first few months but winter here in MN has been terrible. Couple that with working full time and taking 9 on-line credits in an attempt to finish a degree and you can probably see why I've started out so slow. Nonetheless, best of luck to all of you :-)
  • 30lbsorbust
    30lbsorbust Posts: 27 Member
    Kudos to you for deciding to try the natural way of weight loss. Neither way is easy, and I don't have any prejudice for those who decide surgery; I just believe it is much healthier the natural way and learning a lifestyle of eating and exercising.

    I do not have over 100 lbs. to lose but was checking it out to email the link to a friend who does; however, I am 60, have hypoglycemia (have to eat every 2-3 hrs) and hypothyroid, so weight loss for me is like pulling teeth even when I am doing everything right. Or, so I thought. I wasn't doing everything right. Amidst my total discouragement with my weight and weight loss, in August, I donated all my smaller clothes! In Sept., I decided it deserved one last chance where I would give 100% to portion sizes, diet, healthy choices, being honest with myself, logging, exercising vigorously & drinking my water. If I didn't lose within several months of being totally honest and doing all these things, I would make myself be satisfied and happy with my 2-3 size larger person. However, even though it has been slow, I have lost 17-20 lbs (depending on the day) and two sizes! I had given up hope! I never thought it would be possible to be this size again.

    I say all this to say, be encouraged, look at this as THE DIET THAT WORKS. Look at this diet as different from all others. Look at this one week at a time. One pound a week would make you 52 lbs. thinner this time next year!!! Two pounds a week would make you 104 lbs. less this time next year. It is not easy ~ BUT it is Doable! You can do this! I know you can. Just one step/ one week (or day) at a time! Here's to you and the best you! Kay
  • 30lbsorbust
    30lbsorbust Posts: 27 Member
    You go, girl!!! You are already beautiful . . . but the best is yet to come. Making this a lifestyle will mean we all will never have to start all over on this journey again! My best to you! (I was actually on this group page to copy/paste the link for a friend, who is over 100 lbs.) Kay
  • 30lbsorbust
    30lbsorbust Posts: 27 Member
    To be honest, I am not over 100 lbs. overweight. I copied/pasted the link for a friend who is. However, it is very difficult for me to lose weight especially now that I am 60, hypoglycemic and hypothyroid. But I am a motivator and sometimes need a motivator. MFP has been so helpful to me. K
  • Perrybarger
    Perrybarger Posts: 37
    I know one of the BIGGEST things that has helped me is adjusting my calories to the right amount. I started out not even counting calories. I just went to the store and bought what was considered "healthy" foods and attempted to cut out the junk. For exercise I was just walking. Then I added a gym membership and started a little weight training but still most of my time was spent on a treadmill. SO what happen was I hit a WALL very very HARD at around 360lbs. I was counting calories at this point and I was eating 1300 calories. Ok simple math logic says that if Im 360 and Im eating 1300 calories Im in a caloric deficit so I SHOULD lose weight right? WRONG!! I was on that plateau for 3 weeks! I was on the treadmill doing 3 miles a day and wasnt losing nothing. I was frustrated but determined to not give up. So I started exploring other options. If you have ever watched the biggest loser or any of those shows they are always telling those folks that they NEED to eat the proper amount of calories. I got with a friend who had lose 175lbs by using carb cycling and intermittent fasting. Carb cycling is the method that Chris Powell uses in his book and he explains it in depth on his website. So what I do is the "turbo" carb cycling method. I workout on MWF and I eat higher carbs like sweet potatoes on those days and on the other 4 days I eat low carb. This combined with IF (intermittent fasting) got me off that plateau and has kept me off. I still hit peaks and valleys but nothing that extreme anymore.
  • djprice_69
    djprice_69 Posts: 115 Member
    Interesting - I've never heard of carb cycling, but from what you've explained it does make sense. And it obviously worked if it helped you break through that plateau! Also, I should have mentioned this earlier, but props to you for already losing so much weight. It is is inspiring for all of us on the same journey to see someone who has walked the walk and as you've said, done it the old-fashioned way!
  • Gwennie9476
    Gwennie9476 Posts: 45 Member
    *whistles* I have over 100 pounds to lose. My first goal is 100 pound loss however, and then maybe 20-40 more. I'm so not going to push it if all I ever lose is 100 pounds. I will be ecstatic. Right now I have lost almost 15 pounds (whoo hooo) and that makes me 305. I will be doing a dance when I get below 300 and another when I reach 250. I have seen those both more times than I can count and one more is coming up.

    I live by the motto: "I have not failed because I have not quit trying."
  • Perrybarger
    Perrybarger Posts: 37
    Just remember that a caloric deficit doesnt have to be so extreme that your body goes into self preservation. At 295lbs Im doing 1700-1900 calories on low carb days and 2500 calories on training days. I have an occasional cheat meal. But the cheat meals I try to keep to once a month. Also I found tracking your macros carbs,fats, and proteins more useful then the calories. You need to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight but knowing your other numbers and having targets for those that fit your goals helps a lot too. And of course I am a high protein guy. That's been another big part of my success.
  • Perrybarger
    Perrybarger Posts: 37
    http://chrispowell.com/carb-cycling-101/ here is a link to a good explanation of carb cycling.
  • walkingmywaytohealth
    walkingmywaytohealth Posts: 21
    I WAS the full blown diabetic on 80 units of insulin and taking 2 pills for my hypertension. For whatever unknown reason I never cared about me and my health and wound up in the ER with sugars at 500....then I became a grandmother, my heart melted and the reason for me became clear....fast forward to today. I quit my highly toxic full time job, have weaned myself down to ONE pill for my diabetes and ONE pill for my hypertension and I research everyday on the correct food to eat to keep me healthy. How did I do that? I started out by walking for 20 minutes at a speed of 1.5
    I am now a Zumba addict and I also started running 1/2 marathons. Am I good, um well no, and I even placed dead last on my first 5 mile run last September, but I still trumped the one who sat on the chair watching me try to run. I am a multiple weight watcher and Jenny Craig drop out, however MFP is amazing with the daily cheerleaders and keeping honest with one another. Speaking of which I've been in a months long rut...kinda like jogging in place and going no where, but I refuse to give up. Surgery has never been an option for me. It's a delicate balance of mind over matter, what you put on your plate and exercise that will make you succeed and succeed you have!
  • HopeNShelton
    HopeNShelton Posts: 59 Member
    Hi my name is Hope. I have recently lost 111 lbs since November 2013. I recently rejoined on here and would love some buddies to help me for support. I have found that unbiased support helps more than any other. I workout all the time and yet still need or want to lose another 80/90 lbs.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    I did it.

    this is how:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
  • HopeNShelton
    HopeNShelton Posts: 59 Member
    FYI: I forgot to mention I had gastric bypass surgery. With all my numerous health issues, it was surgery or the morgue. I have 4 children aged 21, 19, 10, and 7 and I am not ready to leave my babies. And if anyone thinks surgery is the easy way out let me tell you just how wrong you are. I for one am grateful that I had the option and it saved my life and now my children have a much healthier mommy. I would ask that unless you understand the situation that no one judges my decisions. After having a stroke while 7 months pregnant with my last child, my weight spiraled out of control to the point to where it was surgery or die. And it took two years to get the surgery once I was approved. So it isnt something the surgeon, insurance companies, doctors, or yourself take lightly. It involves alot more than a surgical procedure. It is a LIFETIME COMMITMENT.
  • Loz220662
    Loz220662 Posts: 58 Member
    Hi my name is Loz, 100lbs loss is my aim. Glad you decided to go the hard way and work it off, for no other reason as your own self pride, you'll also realize how hard it was and wont be tempted to put it back on.
  • lisaz0265
    lisaz0265 Posts: 2 Member
    I've been down this road a couple of times. My highest weight was 352 lbs. I am currently at 270ish pounds. I had gastric bypass 5 years ago and I got down to about 195 lbs, the lowest I've been since child birth. I realize that the surgery helped my stomach with loosing weight, but unless I get my head fixed I will never be able to get to a goal or keep it off. Here's what I mean. . . I think I deserve to eat food. I know that sounds crazy, but I see all my thin friends eating anything they like. So I have this inner talk telling me, you are just as good as they are, you should be able to have that piece of cake, pie, cookie, 2nd helping, mc donald's, etc. . . I know I feel better when I'm eating less, but I feel like I'm missing out on something. Anyway, I'm on this thing to stick it out and hopefully in the meantime, be able to learn a little self-control.:blushing:
  • Amandarae119
    Amandarae119 Posts: 11 Member
    I am working my way to loosing over 100 pounds. I never cared what I ate when I was younger and have always had an unhealthy relastionship with food, using it as my medication. In my younger days it did not add any weight, I however was a competative swimmer, swimming 2 hours a day 6 days a week, throw in lifting and 2 a days I burned what i did eat. Then I stopped swimming but continued to eat like I did when I was swimming. 12 years later here I am, one child, and one back surgery and about 150 pounds gained since high school. I am down 20 pounds, and back in the pool, bound and determined to be happy and healthy for myself and of course my son. I still have a long way to go but I will be there. My biggest struggle is thinking it is happening too slowly, then I have to step back and think that even with my loosing and gaining over the years it took me 12 years to get at my biggest point, so not that i want to take 12 years to loose it, but it puts into perspective that I am actually loosing faster then I gained!! Good luck to everyone!! feel free to add me a friend.
  • SkinnyBubbaGaar
    SkinnyBubbaGaar Posts: 389 Member
    Great progress so far and good on you for taking this on in such a sensible manner. Similar boat here where I stand. Peak weight just under 350. Currently at 298 and slow and steady goals to get that down into the 200-210 range.

    Let's get this **** done.

    FR sent.
  • Perrybarger
    Perrybarger Posts: 37
    FYI: I forgot to mention I had gastric bypass surgery. With all my numerous health issues, it was surgery or the morgue. I have 4 children aged 21, 19, 10, and 7 and I am not ready to leave my babies. And if anyone thinks surgery is the easy way out let me tell you just how wrong you are. I for one am grateful that I had the option and it saved my life and now my children have a much healthier mommy. I would ask that unless you understand the situation that no one judges my decisions. After having a stroke while 7 months pregnant with my last child, my weight spiraled out of control to the point to where it was surgery or die. And it took two years to get the surgery once I was approved. So it isnt something the surgeon, insurance companies, doctors, or yourself take lightly. It involves alot more than a surgical procedure. It is a LIFETIME COMMITMENT.
    I could not agree more. With my wife having surgery I have gone to the meetings with her. I have been to the doctor and listened to everything and all the risks. Having surgery is a huge step and one that for some folks is unavoidable. I have the same admiration and respect for folks that have the surgery as I do the natural methods. There is no magic bullet for weight loss. Either way your going to be in for a fight! If I had not had such success this time I would have got the surgery because I felt like at my age I was pressed for time. But I didnt have a life or death immediate reason to do it. The fear of getting to that point made me turn things around.
  • rj113
    rj113 Posts: 4 Member
    My name is RJ and I'm 26 years old and currently 236 lbs (I've lost 4 since joining MFP). Hoping to lose 100-115 lbs total. I had successfully lost about 55 lbs during my high school years doing Weight Watchers, but I put everything back on during my time in college. At this point, I'm pretty much the heaviest I've ever been and I'm battling hypertension. I really want to change my lifestyle and make smarter, healthier choices regarding what I put into my body. I don't want to do any crazy diets (I've tried and failed both Atkins and South Beach), I just want to teach myself better food habits.
  • HopeNShelton
    HopeNShelton Posts: 59 Member
    I completely understand how you feel :smile:
  • HopeNShelton
    HopeNShelton Posts: 59 Member
    FYI: I forgot to mention I had gastric bypass surgery. With all my numerous health issues, it was surgery or the morgue. I have 4 children aged 21, 19, 10, and 7 and I am not ready to leave my babies. And if anyone thinks surgery is the easy way out let me tell you just how wrong you are. I for one am grateful that I had the option and it saved my life and now my children have a much healthier mommy. I would ask that unless you understand the situation that no one judges my decisions. After having a stroke while 7 months pregnant with my last child, my weight spiraled out of control to the point to where it was surgery or die. And it took two years to get the surgery once I was approved. So it isnt something the surgeon, insurance companies, doctors, or yourself take lightly. It involves alot more than a surgical procedure. It is a LIFETIME COMMITMENT.
    I could not agree more. With my wife having surgery I have gone to the meetings with her. I have been to the doctor and listened to everything and all the risks. Having surgery is a huge step and one that for some folks is unavoidable. I have the same admiration and respect for folks that have the surgery as I do the natural methods. There is no magic bullet for weight loss. Either way your going to be in for a fight! If I had not had such success this time I would have got the surgery because I felt like at my age I was pressed for time. But I didnt have a life or death immediate reason to do it. The fear of getting to that point made me turn things around.
  • HopeNShelton
    HopeNShelton Posts: 59 Member
    Thank you for that. I deal almost daily with someone telling me I took the easy route. I just laugh and go on. I know how I feel and what circumstances I take. I have never been a huge eater and I have always enjoyed walking yet I put the weight on. I weighed 120 when I found out I was pregnant with my first child and with every pregnancy the weight blossomed on. I couldnt lose it. After my stroke it was crazy out of control. I workout 4/5x a week now and am currently down 111lbs since November. I feel great for the first time in over 20 yrs.
  • DJLMB
    DJLMB Posts: 43 Member
    Hiya :) I have nearer to 200lb to lose and did consider surgery after my doctor implied that I'd be eligible to have it done on the NHS.. but I didn't consider it for long for two reasons, firstly because I think it's my own damn fault and i should try a lot harder to fix it myself before taking money away from, in my mind, more deserving patients, and secondly because the literature I read on it scared me to death! There's a considerable chance of it killing me at my current weight, not to mention the fact that it's irreversible and I'd never be able to eat normally again. Definitely not for me.

    I'm lucky in that, though I'm over 330lb, I'm still physically able to do regular exercise like walking and light aerobics, so I don't think I'm beyond being able to help myself. I know I'd feel differently if I weren't fit enough to try by myself, so don't get me wrong, the option of surgery is a good idea for other people. I've actually seen a few stories on here where people have been told to lose a little weight before the surgery, and in doing so have realised that they can go the whole way without it, which is just fantastic!

    Edit to add: I personally didn't feel that I had REALLY tried hard enough with every other option before surgery.
  • Perrybarger
    Perrybarger Posts: 37
    Everyone has different reasons for what method they choose to use to lose weight. There are many folks out there that have to have surgery or they are going to die. Sounds scary but it's a fact. There are risks and possible complications with any surgery. Any time you go under your taking a risk. The real issue with surgery is not the the surgery it's self but how folks approach life afterwards. Anyone of those surgeries can fail and folks can regain the weight. My mother in law is friends with a lady that had gastric bypass and she stretched out her stomach and regained the weight. You still have to take care of yourself and you have to follow the plan the nutritionist lays out for you. if not very bad things can happen.
    Folks that go into it thinking it is a magic bullet and they can just do the same old thing after surgery get a rude awakening. I have a close friend and a cousin that got the sleeve and they have talked to me in depth about everything they have had to do. They both had great success but they earned it! I was so close to having the surgery but mostly i chose not to because I could still do it myself. I knew that if I was going to get serious and really do it I could lose the weight. It has been HARD! Really hard and there are times when i just wanted to go back to the same old stuff.
    But I made a commitment to my children that I would do this. I promised them I would change and take better care of myself. So there is no way i will ever go back. I see these guys in the gym talking about training for this power lifting meet or getting ready for a 5k and so on. Sometimes they ask me what my goals are.. Its always the same answer. I just want to live.. Im just trying to extend my life and not let obesity kill me!

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