FROM 282 POUNDS TO 151 WITH BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES AND A STORY....

Hello,

Some people asked me how my maintenance is going. So far, so good. So far over 7 months and doing great.
I was worried as I heard that it was worse than the actual losing, but so far for me, I have not found that to be true. I guess alot is because I really did not change much once I got to maintenance. I eat basically eat the same things, still log my foods thru mfp, still walk about the same. My dr and I decided that 152-155 pounds would be good, so I went to 150 pounds leaving me a few pounds to play with. So what I do now, is I am good until I get to 150, then I can have a reward by going to have a meal I like as a treat. So then if I gain a pound or 2, its no big deal as I am still in the range my Dr wants me, and then I am just good again until I get down to 150 again, then its time for my reward. I like doing it that way, being under my goal, maybe be a little bad, and gain some and am at my goal, instead of being at my goal, eat bad and go over, and have to lose to get back to it. I think alot of people feel, ok I reached my goal, and now I can eat whatever I want. Not true at least for me.

That is why I am still on mfp. I know I need to stay accountable. I will not be one of those I see on here that get to their goal, and are back a year later having gained it
all back, plus some.It's not that hard when you remember how you felt when you were at a higher weight both physically and emotionally. I think that has been the biggest thing for me, remembering the embarrassment and people laughing, that keeps me so strong now and using that to make sure I never feel that way again. I use to go to a pancake house prior to my diet maybe 3 times a week. The employees knew what I ordered as it never changed.
In fact, when I walked in, they would just yell Marty is here, and the cooks would just make what I liked. I kept in touch with them on the phone or facebook and said I can not comeback until I get to my goal as much as I missed seeing them and loved the food. Well, a week ago after 20 months, I went back and actually being nervous. I walked in and again last seeing me at 282 pounds and a 48 waist, and now seeing me at 150 pounds and a 32 waist, they couldn't believe it. It was so nice to hear all the positive stuff. I ordered what I used to order, but the senior size, just a little smaller, and as expected gained a little the next day, but it was ok. I was under control, did not eat enough for like 3 people, and went right back on my usual controlled eating the next day looking forward to losing the little I gained so I can come back again next week. By the way, the food was just as good as I remembered... I was pretty much happy eating what I ate while losing, so really did not change much, but now I get to throw in an occasional treat, seems to make it easy. I never in my life thought I would hear, enough, you are getting to skinny, but have heard that from a bunch of people now. So yes, things were miserable when I started and it was not always easy, but if I did not take that step to begin, I never would have been where I am now. The best thing anyone did for me was to tell me about mfp, it really changed my life. Again, I started at 282 pounds 21 months ago, and am sure if I never toook that step to start, I have no doubt that today I would be well over 300 pounds, if alive at all, since I had 2 previous strokes and probably on my way to a 3rd. So whether you are getting close to your goal, 1/2 way there, or just beginning, stay strong. You can get there.
To me, I just got to the point that I wanted to lose that pound the next day, more than I wanted that slice of pizza or cake. Here are a few before and after picture, with the suit being taken today although not as clear as I would of liked, but it does the job....








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