10 stone and a bit lighter ... phew...

RiverTom
RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
edited October 13 in Introduce Yourself
Hi there :wink:

I'm a German guy who's been living in South Wales, UK since 2007 now. My weight loss journey started in March 2009, after my GP gave me a military style dressing down when I approached him for help with my severe back pain. He bluntly told me to lose weight as the only help he could offer me was this advice and pain killers.

So after grumbling for a night, I decided that he was right and went for it. First thing I cut out was my usual 1.5 to 3 liters of full sugar Coca Cola. That made the 1st stone (14 pounds) difference within the first 4 weeks. I've gone slowly, but steady since then.

I haven't been on any diet as such. I've done lots of research online and took nutrition advice from different sources. Just combined what I liked the most and it worked. Healthy eating and moderate exercise for the start. I started with walking, cycling and swimming and added time and distance to that.

In October 2010 I joined Slimming World, after having lost 4.5 stone on my own. In November 2011 I reached my initial target of 14 stone 13 pounds. This week I've reached my new target of 14 stone 3 pounds. (Actually half a pound under that.) I could lose a further stone to reach my ideal BMI .... But with a current body fat percentage of 13.1 % (last checked beginning of December, so could be even lower now), my Personal Trainer told me not to worry about BMI, as it is outdated anyway. I would have to lose muscle mass to get to my "ideal weight". No thank you!

So I'm not working on losing more fat and gaining muscle, whilst sculpting the body of my dreams. The maintenance and sculpting challenge is on. Come on 2012!

Replies

  • timeZZone
    timeZZone Posts: 1
    Inspiring story! Well done to you!
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    Ausgezeichet!!! Your profile pics are extraordinary...you're like two different people. Well done :glasses:
  • RiverTom
    RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
    Inspiring story! Well done to you!

    Cheers mate.
  • therebeccajones
    therebeccajones Posts: 12
    Woah! You've lost the entire weight of me! That is truly amazing. You should be really proud of yourself. I've been struggling to lose just one stone (and keep it off) for years!! I've got no excuses now.

    Please feel free to add me, if you like (that goes for anyone else too).

    You are my new inspiration! ;)

    Rebecca
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
    Congratulations - awesome job!!
  • norma67
    norma67 Posts: 255 Member
    excellent story.....
    I know when I go to Bremerhaven every couple of years it take me a while to drop that weight
    german cooking is dangerous *smile*

    Welcome and I wish you all of the best on your journey
    if you would like feel free to add me :)
  • RiverTom
    RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
    Thanks everyone for your nice words.
  • Carfoodel
    Carfoodel Posts: 481 Member
    Thanks for the post - my husband and I were talking yesterday and we are now at the stage where we have the same final target of losing 10 stone to get to our target weights. It helps when you see someone that has already achieved that and know that it is possible.

    cheers for sharing :)
  • RiverTom
    RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
    Thanks for the post - my husband and I were talking yesterday and we are now at the stage where we have the same final target of losing 10 stone to get to our target weights. It helps when you see someone that has already achieved that and know that it is possible.

    cheers for sharing :)

    Hi Carfoodel

    If you're from the UK, I'd like to very much encourage you to try out Slimming World. I can image it would work fab for both of you. I never believe I could have sooo much food and still lose weight. Slimming World doesn't count calories. I'm only on here now to maintain my weight and MFP helps me as an additional tool. Ignore my food diary from today and yesterday, haven't been on the SW plan. But I usually am.

    It is a great way of losing weight and it is all based around encouragement. I always find the group sessions very uplifting.
  • jdbeckers
    jdbeckers Posts: 84
    What an AMAZING accomplishment! You look like a completely different person!

    What was your main motivator on those days that were just too hard and you felt like giving up? What pushed you to go work out on those days that you just didn't feel like going to the gym?

    You are an inspiration, thanks for sharing your story!
  • RiverTom
    RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
    What an AMAZING accomplishment! You look like a completely different person!

    What was your main motivator on those days that were just too hard and you felt like giving up? What pushed you to go work out on those days that you just didn't feel like going to the gym?

    You are an inspiration, thanks for sharing your story!

    Hey there

    I've got to be honest with you. As much as probably most of us, my motivation isn't always 100 % every day. But instead of getting all worked up about that and as a consequence eat more unhealthy stuff, I allow myself those slight slips and remind myself that it is ok as long as I pick myself up again the next day or later the same day. So it does happen that I skip the gym one day and go the next sometimes.

    However, my main motivators are just the results I've got from the healthy eating and exercise. I'm also motiviating myself by not expecting unrealistic results. Slow but steady is my motto when it comes / came to weight loss.

    Regarding exercise, I've realised with the help of my personal training, that most of the blockages are of mental nature and not a physical limitation. So I kind of try to trick my mind sometimes, by pretending I was using heavier weights during my last gym visit or I was able to use the stepper for 5 min longer than I actually did. And as if a magic wand has been used, I suddenly am able to go further. Quite funny to watch actually.

    Another big motivator has been that I'm finally able to shop for clothes of my choice and not the style the sops dictate for big people. Clothes shopping used to be my biggest nightmare, as most of the stuff that fitted my big frame just didn't look nice. I used to have a 54 inch waist. Try getting a fashionable looking jeans or trouser for that. Hahaha....

    Feel free to come back with more questions, I'll try and respond asap.
  • RiverTom
    RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
    Is a shame I can't put the before and after pics in here straight from my profile.
  • RiverTom
    RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
    New measurements show that I've lost a further half an inch off my waist, now 33.5 inch and my body fat has gone down from 13.1 % to 12.4 % ... If I carry one like this, I'll be at my 9 % body fat goal just in time for Summer 2012!

    Loving it.
  • RiverTom
    RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
    Finally some pictures to the story.



    The "before" pictures ... Do I know this guy?
    Tom-1.jpg


    Current "after" pictures, taken December 2011 to January 2012
    Tom1-1.jpg
  • Carfoodel
    Carfoodel Posts: 481 Member
    Wow that's fab - excellent loss, well done :)
  • RiverTom
    RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
    This was over 2 years ago. I'm back in Germany now, married and a Dad. And I gained a few pounds back (not as bad as I used to be, nowhere near that. but my post diet clothes started to get too tight, so I had to do something...) . But I've just started SlimmingWorld again with my old books and I'm back to losing weight. Just need to start up the exercise regime again...
  • craignev
    craignev Posts: 1,247 Member
    Best of luck. You did so well before, I'm sure you'll do it again!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    amazing
  • RiverTom
    RiverTom Posts: 216 Member
    Thanks for your encouragement. I've lost 8 lbs again already since restarting 4 weeks ago.
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