24 years old - lost 120 lbs and never been happier

BradenTraub · January 2016

Hey guys, my name is Braden. About once a year I like to share my story with all of you fine people on myfitnesspal.There are a ton of you who are currently in the process of going through weight loss transformations, and as someone who has a pretty good success story, I enjoy giving back to this forum, which helped me a lot when I was losing my weight. If you've got any questions or want some specific tips then ask away. You can also feel free to shoot me a private message.

I started my journey at about 290:

Here is after losing about 45 lbs (and my first shirtless picture)

This was after losing 120 lbs:

Here is me at about 205 after bulking up a bit:

One last comparison:

And lastly, here is me about 60 seconds ago!

Sora4ever · January 2016

Wow, amazing! Good job!

plushieboo · January 2016

You look very handsome! And i am sure you feel even better!!!

BrylieV · January 2016

That's awesome! You've done an amazing job.

anthonynaylor · January 2016

How long were you a big guy for? I ask because I'm surprised how well your skin managed to keep up.

hopelovefaith90 · January 2016

way to go!!!!!

benjaminD02 · January 2016

Well done Braden, great job! Working to be in a similar place soon

craignev · January 2016

Nice work...well done!

BradenTraub · January 2016

anthonynaylor wrote: »

How long were you a big guy for? I ask because I'm surprised how well your skin managed to keep up.

Most of my life actually! Though I didn't get "obese" until highschool, but still, several years. I'm very fortunate that I lost the weight at such a young age, since my skin rebounded pretty well. The fact that I'm 6'4 also helped since my skin didn't get stretched as much as it would have for a shorter person.

I DO have fairly significant stretch marks on my stomach, thighs, groin, armpit area, behind the knee's etc, but they've faded considerably and aren't something that bother me too much anymore. My girlfriend lovingly refers to them as my "tiger stripes". I do have some loose skin that I can pinch, but again, because of my height it doesn't actually sag down while I'm standing. If I do a pushup or plank shirtless however, theres certainly a pouch of extra skin on my lower stomach, and some of the skin on my arms and legs is VERY thin and stretched out.

FromHereOnOut · January 2016

Aw, yay!

I don't know about others, but sometimes my day goes like this...."yesterday was not a good day. Today is teetering, and could go either way. ... Oh, let's go find a success story on mfp to cheer me up." And here I am! Yay! Thanks for the boost, and congrats!

hanniejong · January 2016

Well done, you look amazing.

amandawaits39 · January 2016

So inspiring! Thanks for sharing with us

BunnyBomb · January 2016

Amazing!! You look very healthy in your most recent pic. Here's to the new you

GaleHawkins · January 2016

Great job!

AnguishLanguish · January 2016

Great job! Thanks for posting :-)

mariodalleyne · January 2016

Hey need some advice could you drop me a message or friend request

msharrington315 · January 2016

Way to go, dude! YOU ROCK!

Will210 · January 2016

Great post and incredible transformation.

therealhillarybanksoftoronto · January 2016

Awesome!

tosi1312 · January 2016

Thanks for sharing

xBabyLlamaDrama · January 2016

Awesome! Very encouraging to see. 23 here, topped out at 266, currently at 214 and hoping to hit 180. If I get fortunate, my skin will do as well as yours. Any regrets on the weight loss side?