100th post - make it my progress. From 240 to 166 - now to start recomp

ASH_DVM wrote: »

Well, it's not easy for me to post about myself. Especially posting progress pics. But I think it's time.

I started back in early July of 2015. I was at my heaviest, nearly 240 pounds (239.4 lb). I had just graduated with my DVM degree and started my new job as a veterinarian. All the stresses of school were finally behind me, so I decided that it was time to get into shape. My lowest adult weight (in my college years) was right around 186 pounds. At 239.4 lb and 5' 9.33", my BMI was 35, into Obesity Class II and my waist measurement was 44". This was me heading down the road to chronic disease, especially since it runs in the genetics.

So that day, July 5th, 2015, I started. I started without the help of MFP for the first few months. I exercised a little bit, but that entailed chugging along for less than a mile run at a time, giving up easily, but pushing myself a little farther each day. About the end of August, when I had reached near 225 pounds, I started with MFP. I logged religiously for the first months. I also joined the YMCA and began to up my running. By about November, I was down to around 207, and under 200 by the beginning of November.

It was at this time I tried a little bit of Low Carb/High Fat, or Keto. While I still logged and lost weight, this drastically cut my energy levels for working out and I went back to normal logging, around 1/1/16. By this time, I was down to 190.8 pounds.

After the New Year, I began a structured half marathon training program. My runs at this time were around 3 miles and average pace was about 10 min/mile. But I stuck with the program for the 12 weeks, culminating with a 12 mile training run, which I paced in 9:02 min/miles, well under the pace necessary for a 2 hr half marathon. But then achilles tendinitis struck a few days before my race, so I was unable to run.

But I still have another race scheduled for May 7th. I may not run the half, but I will walk all 13.1 miles if I have to. I will get the medal, and I will shake Meb Kefleghzi's hand, as he will be on site to congratulate all of the PRs. Even if I walk it, it will be a PR. Though I will not make my 1:50:00 goal I had set for myself, one year ago I would never have even dreamed of making it 13.1 miles.

So all of this hard work leads to today. As of 4/16/16, I am at 166.6 pounds. My BMI is down to 24.37, within normal range. For the first time in my life, I am not overweight or obese.

I am slowly building a new wardrobe. I have to buy size small shirts and size 32 waist paints and shorts. Even Puma and Izod brands which run small I need these sizes. It's amazing walking into a store and being able to buy anything I want.

Here's my weight chart from MFP. I weighed only once every week or two up until the end of March 28th, 2016, so fluctuations are minimal until then, when I started daily tracking to graph it. There are times of no loss, so I want to show all the bigger picture in the end, that the end goal is worth fighting through frustrations



And here's my words of wisdom. Do it for you. Don't do it for anyone else. But also don't deprive yourself of enjoyment. I achieved my current goals while still enjoying lunch out with my fellow veterinarians, sometimes salads, sometimes whatever I felt like. I still ate ice cream, but less. I still at chocolate, but less. I still drank beer and wine, but only good beer and wine. I lost this weight enjoying dinner meetings at great steakhouses in Indianapolis (like St. Elmo's, Mortons, and Ocean Prime). I did this baking bourbon pecan pies for Thanksgiving, cheesecakes for Christmas, and eating them with my family and friends. I did this with trips for my best friend's wedding, for deer hunting, for a bachelor party, and a conference in New Orleans with pharmaceutical sales reps wining and dining me at the top end restaurants. And the best bread pudding (Muriel's in New Orleans. Recipe is available online. Look it up, I dare you). But most of all, I did this while learning how to live and live well. You don't have to deprive. You don't have to cut food groups. Just eat what you love, just less. Do what you love, just more. And you, too, will achieve any and all of your goals.

My next step is recomposition. I'm willing to put in the time and effort, and I have the patience to do so over the next couple years. I just turned 26, so I have plenty of time to achieve my best. I don't know what my current BF% is, if you want to venture a guess just use my current progress pic and let me know.

Please, if you have any questions, ask. Friend me, I'll help motivate. Or, just know that if I can do it, anyone can. Thanks for reading, all.

QuietBloom wrote: »

I think the recomp idea is great. Best of luck to you! You have done a fantastic job!