Here is what it looks like when you lose 1/3rd of your body

Hi everyone,

Even though I haven't reached my goal yet, I'm nearing 100lbs lost. In fact, as of my doctors visit on Monday, I was a scant 4lbs away from reaching that milestone, and I haven't yet posted any pics, so I thought it was about time to pat myself on the back after the doctor told me to!

Here is me, circa this exact time last year.





I looked horrible. I felt horrible. I was at 301lbs and spiraling out of control, if you can consider 300lbs in control. I have a family history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, all that fun stuff. Finally, something in me last summer made me decide that I needed to change before it was too late. I can't tell you exactly what it was that made me finally get started. Part of it was my wife's influence - she found MFP to try and help me. Part of it was wanting to be healthy enough to run around after my 2 year old without getting winded. Part of it was wanting to get back involved in playing soccer (can you believe the beached whale in those pictures ever played soccer?). Part of it was not wanting to die before I hit the age of 30. Part of it was wanting to look in the mirror and not hate what I see.

So, middle of last June, I committed to really try MFP as a diet and lifestyle plan. Didn't cut out a single food completely except for soda, and processed junk food (ie, candy bars and the like). I've still been able to eat my favorite foods (not as much, and not as frequently), still been able to drink alcohol (not as much, not as frequently) and still been able to do everything, basically. The only other thing I did besides count calories on MFP was walk 30-45 minutes a day, every day, up until winter hit, which pushed me back into the 3-4 times a week range.

Since that time, I've lost 96lbs. As of my weigh in on Monday, I was down to 205lbs from the initial 301. Over that time, I've dropped from a size 46 to size 36-38 (depending on brand, etc) jean. I've dropped from 2XL to L/XL shirts. My BMI has dropped from the high end of obese to middle/low end of overweight, and I'm closing in on "normal" each passing week. I can walk miles and miles without getting tired, I sleep better, and I feel so much better. I tire less easily. Pretty much everyone in my life has noticed, and it's funny seeing friends who don't see me as often react so positively and seem so shocked.

Ok, enough stalling, here are some "after" pictures (even though I'm not yet at my goal of 170):
[apologies in advance - had to take these with my laptop on a timer, wish I had some better angles, but I think the difference is apparent]

Me, modeling the same shirt in the pictures above:

Could probably fit two of me in there now.

A side profile


Front view


Old shorts



The amazing disappearing double chin


Some thoughts:

Guys can have body image issues, too, I've discovered. I know it sounds crazy, but when I look in the mirror, I still see the old body, sometimes, or I don't perceive the very obvious changes that others do.

Guys out there, you can do this too, all it takes is getting started. ANYone can.

Some stuff I've picked up along the way: don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day, but don't let a bad day turn into two bad days turn into a week of bad eating. Treat yourself from time to time, but a treat is special, or it's not a treat. Make some MFP friends, get some accountability somehow. Let people in your life know you've made a commitment to do this, show them you're serious, and let them be something you can lean on to draw strength. Exercise is just as important as the diet part! Don't skip it, you'll feel better afterwards, and less hungry, too. Finally: drink water, and only water, if you can handle that. I don't have any scientific way of proving it, but I'm sure just quitting soda helped me drop a good portion of this weight.