We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Lost 18.7 kg (41 lbs) and got a healthy BMI now

Dagnova
Dagnova Posts: 68
edited February 21 in Success Stories
I did it! I lost 18.7 kg thus far and my BMI went from 30.0 to 24.7! :) I was 106 kg in the start, now I am 87.4 kg (some background: 1.88 m (6 ft 2), 27 years, guy, athletic build)

Interesting facts:
1. I love doing sports, but when I was 106 kg I did not want to think about exercising. So I just started walking.
2. When I started running, it was a challenge to run 10 km. When I could, I did it with an average speed of 9-10 km/hour.
3. Now I can run 10 km with an average speed of 14 km per hour and I hope to reach 15 later this year. That's what weight loss (and training) can do!
4. I gained about 8 kg when I quit smoking (but for those thinking about quitting: just do it, it's worth it. Don't worry about weight gain, you can lose that afterwards)
5. I used to wear size XL shirts and could not fit my pants well (most tore) when I gained the weight after quitting smoking. Now I wear size L and my pants are several sizes smaller (I have no idea what my size is though, I never remember, but it's certainly a lot smaller).

I'll lose another 7 kg and then I'm done. Doesn't sound like a lot now, does it?

I hope that inspires you to lose. Oh wait, let me share some of my methods. I don't think there's much unique methods.
1. I never tracked calories on paper or MFP (I am here for the community) but I read a lot of labels and tracked a bit in my head. I know it's not ideal, but tracking is not my thing. I tend to be a bit forgetful ;)
2. I did track my weight (this is only one measurement per day, and it's fine if you forget a few days). I started on May 23 2013, so I have a nice graph now. I use the "WeightRecord" app on iPad.
3. Like I said before, my first exercise was walking. I really did not feel like running and it was my principle from the start to listen to my feelings, so I went walking a LOT! I walked to university, supermarket, to friends in the center of town, and just through nature. This, combined with paying attention to my calories, got me losing.
4. When I was just below 100 kg I was looking forward to run again so I gradually replaced my walks with runs. I kept doing this and eventually I ran 5-6 times per week.
5. After a while I felt the need to do other sports so I started swimming, which I do about 3x per week (replacing some of my runs). And now I am also biking a lot, usually about 100 km per week. So yeah, exercise is helping me a lot! I think this works so well for me because I just LOVE to move! I love to find the limits of what I can do. And I like to be outside, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends. I can recommend that you make exercise as fun as possible. Explore new areas. Invite your friends. Listen to music if that's your thing (though I never do this, I love the silence). Buy gear gradually as you proved that you really want to keep going (like: if I've exercised for 20 times, I will buy a shirt) - trust me you'll love the shirt when you have it! :)
6. About food... the best change I've made: I stopped eating junk food and I started cooking for myself again, with healthy ingredients, like a lot of vegetables. Also throughout the day I sometimes reflect on what I eat regularly and make changes as needed - for example I used to eat a lot of rice pudding because it's a really quick and easy meal, but then I realized that it has a lot of sugars and not much good nutrition, so instead I just eat fruit, bread and leftovers from hot meals.

Ok that's a long story. I could make it so much longer, since am losing weight for 1 1/4 year now. Anyways I hope it's interesting!

Replies

  • Wow, that's really concise, thank you! Congratulations on the loss, and this really did inspire me :)
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
    awesome job!!
  • HaibaneReki
    HaibaneReki Posts: 373 Member
    Kudos to You. I'd never make it without calorie tracking, You have a strong will.
  • kirili3
    kirili3 Posts: 244 Member
    Thank you! And great work, well done on getting to a healthy BMI!
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    Thanks everyone! :)

    Today I will give myself a reward for reaching this goal - I will get a new haircut! I never worried so much about looks but now that I am lighter again I feel the need to improve my looks, to look as good as I can!

    Next goal will be weighing less than 86 kg. I can buy a piece of clothing when I reach that goal. For every further 2 kg I lose I will give myself a suitable reward.
  • perseverance14
    perseverance14 Posts: 1,364 Member
    Great job!
  • red0202
    red0202 Posts: 37 Member
    Excellent job !! You are an inspiration.
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    Thanks Red and Perseverance! :)
  • mary659497
    mary659497 Posts: 484 Member
    Congratulations
  • PJPrimrose
    PJPrimrose Posts: 916 Member
    Whoop! Go you!
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,244 Member
    Outstanding job!!!!
This discussion has been closed.
Do you Love MyFitnessPal? Have you crushed a goal or improved your life through better nutrition using MyFitnessPal?
Share your success and inspire others. Leave us a review on Apple Or Google Play stores!