My Super Obese life at 500lbs - Taking my life back 1 day at a time!
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Your story really touched me and your determination to take your life back is inspirational.
I wish nothing but great success for you and I fervently hope you realize your dream of a healthier and happier you.
I've completed my journey, hopefully for good, but I'm forever vigilant.
I'd love to cheer you on everyday and encourage you to keep going. I just know you can be successful!
There's no shame in the past but lots of happiness in your future.1 -
@luluinica So great to hear you've completed your journey! Being vigilant like you said is key. Thank you for offering to cheer me on. On some days I'm sure I'll need it. It's always good to to have that extra voice to push you to stay strong. Thanks again for the kind words.1
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Good luck my man. I didn't read all the responses but I found your OP very relatable, even if not to the same degree (I started at 340).
Key words for me are
Patience - not gonna sugar coat it, you've got a long road ahead. In the posts I did read above, it seems you've acknowledged that. The real test will be in a year, 2 years, 3 years or more when you may think "I've been at this for so long and I'm still a big big dude".
Consistency - frequently I see a lot of advice to "just treat yourself, one day won't hurt you" and I do agree with that sentiment, but if those "one days" accumulate, progress will stall.
Forgiveness - but if you do have a string of "one days", even if they become weeks or even months, don't give up, don't give in to self loathing. Start again, it's ok to have experienced some failure. Personally, I went from 340 to 186 (yay) from 2013-14 but found myself a shade under 280 in June (boo!). It sucks, but there was no choice but to restart. Fortunately things are heading in the right direction, but it's going to take patience and consistency to keep going.
I hope this doesn't seem dour amongst all the "You can do it!" messages. You certainly can do it, my main point is, you will encounter setbacks and how you handle them will perhaps be the greatest indicator of your eventual success. Which will happen (the success part)!!!4 -
Good luck my man. I didn't read all the responses but I found your OP very relatable, even if not to the same degree (I started at 340).
Key words for me are
Patience - not gonna sugar coat it, you've got a long road ahead. In the posts I did read above, it seems you've acknowledged that. The real test will be in a year, 2 years, 3 years or more when you may think "I've been at this for so long and I'm still a big big dude".
Consistency - frequently I see a lot of advice to "just treat yourself, one day won't hurt you" and I do agree with that sentiment, but if those "one days" accumulate, progress will stall.
Forgiveness - but if you do have a string of "one days", even if they become weeks or even months, don't give up, don't give in to self loathing. Start again, it's ok to have experienced some failure. Personally, I went from 340 to 186 (yay) from 2013-14 but found myself a shade under 280 in June (boo!). It sucks, but there was no choice but to restart. Fortunately things are heading in the right direction, but it's going to take patience and consistency to keep going.
I hope this doesn't seem dour amongst all the "You can do it!" messages. You certainly can do it, my main point is, you will encounter setbacks and how you handle them will perhaps be the greatest indicator of your eventual success. Which will happen (the success part)!!!
Yes, it's a winding and uphill road but there's really no choice but to keep driving. It's not easy, but doable, with the right frame of mind and determination. Basically though, it's a b****!
MFP has been essential in my success and I needed to lose 60 to 65 lbs which might sound easy to you, but it was hard work for me and took the better part of 2 years..........no excuses though!0 -
@Edollah Your message really hits home because I tell myself that stuff now. I've been up and down..never at 500lbs but at 300lbs...I know I'm starting way behind the gate on this one and it will take time, hard work and I'm sure to make mistakes along the way. I'm really strong now and have fought off most cravings over these last 30 days. I've never exceeded the MFP goal and I find it best to plan the day in my thoughts before I act on anything. Thinking about food has never been more tiresome but it's something I've never really done before. Even when losing weight in the past.
This is something I'm doing different this time. Over the past 10 years it's been from 300 to 400 to 450 to 375, to 406, to 450, to 497 because I wasn't hitting that 500 mark...then I was like screw it I'm going to hit the 500 just so I can say I can do this and then go from there...well I hit the 511 mark and it wasn't pretty nor as easy as I hyped myself up like it would be and I stayed over 500lbs for a good few months and the the "click happened" and here I am today. Fighting to do it right, and fighting to keep it off. I will certainly take everyone's advice who have been where I am...and I know truly only a few have...I mean at 500lbs it's like you are 3 humans, and I hope noone really ever has to experience what I have...but I will prevail...I have to because I can't stand to think of how I could continue living in the hell I've been in so far.
It's my own fault I am here and I've controlled or not controlled should I say what has gone in my mouth. I never mind tough love and appreciate all the "You can do it's" as much as the "how the hell did you get there" comments or the ones stating the simple facts.
Thanks gain for the replies. The more I get the better and it just helps cement things that I have to and must continue to change to be a better me.1 -
I was in the same boat you were 6 months ago. 511.2 lbs was my starting weight, and have lost 103 lbs over the last 6 months with another 160 to go. Everything you described, I can fully relate, because I experienced those same things. The weight loss can be done. It will take humility, persistence and execution repeated over and over again to get where you want to go. You can do it.2
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@eburns55555 It most certainly does feel like you are moving a mountain when you are at this size, but what I really can't believe at least for me is cutting those carbs down has helped energy levels so much..I know it's not just the carbs, but the sugars, calories, fat etc...but just with my focus being on carbs it's really done good for me. Thankfully I love vegetables and can tolerate not salting everything to death...I prefer spicy over salty or sweet.
Great Job on 103lbs! I look at some of my pictures from when I was right at 400lbs and still think...holy cow I was fat...how do you stack another 100lbs on top of that....really beat myself up about it and it's a good thing i do because I never want to go back. Losing the 30 I have I can already see body parts shrinking some or being able to scratch that itch you just couldn't get to or putting on a seat belt and thinking can I breathe and drive at the same time...it's a nice feeling and I try to capture those moments and tuck them away so I can remember them later when I feel like I'm stuck or something is impossible...I kind of do a DVR replay of that moment and helps me get through it.
Thanks for the post and I sent you a friend request too!0 -
Thanks for sharing! I know how hard that must have been, as I too am quite introverted and shy. I salute your commitment to make a change in your life. I'm working on it, too. Sending fr!1
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Thanks @ThorneDust I'm really normally not so shy...meet me 10 years ago and I was the life of the party but now it's a different story where I let my weight trap me and make me into something I really am not. I know I've trapped myself and only I am to blame but I'm starting to change all that now and I'm determined to make this change.1
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itprofessional wrote: »Thanks TWM. It's taken me a long time to realize that obvious fact in life...but I'm taking back my life one day at a time.
You're welcome. You can do this. Keep your head held high.
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Congrats on your 30lbs! You can do this !1
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@brians_girl_89 Thanks! It's been a challenge and can't wait to do 15 to 20 more so I can hit my first goal!0
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itprofessional wrote: »@MarkusDarwath Really I just started with counting calories and restricting them...that helped and has helped some in the past but really I've done tons of reading about carbs and how our bodies process them. I don't think I could really ever do 0 carb or even super low carb but that's just me.
I do low carb for blood sugar control (diabetes), but there really is no need to get insane about it. I try to limit my carbs to 20% or less of my daily calories, and as long as I stick with that, my testing number stay pretty well where they belong. As far as counting calories and weighing/measuring/logging my food, I absolutely have to do that to lose weight. I am no good at judging portion sizes, and while low carb does help me to not feel hungry under calorie restriction, I can't rely on that to keep me in check. I'm one of those people that can easily over eat on proteins and fats.
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Congrats on this new journey you are taking to a better life
You can do this 1 -
Yo've got this. I think the most important lessons I have learned is from my many past weight loss experiences. Be patient and don't rush things. Whenever I lose too quickly, I gain it back almost as quickly. Don't give up. Jump back in the wagon if you veer off course whether for a day or a week. Good luck. I look forward to following your journey.1
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MarkusDarwath wrote: »itprofessional wrote: »@MarkusDarwath Really I just started with counting calories and restricting them...that helped and has helped some in the past but really I've done tons of reading about carbs and how our bodies process them. I don't think I could really ever do 0 carb or even super low carb but that's just me.
I do low carb for blood sugar control (diabetes), but there really is no need to get insane about it. I try to limit my carbs to 20% or less of my daily calories, and as long as I stick with that, my testing number stay pretty well where they belong. As far as counting calories and weighing/measuring/logging my food, I absolutely have to do that to lose weight. I am no good at judging portion sizes, and while low carb does help me to not feel hungry under calorie restriction, I can't rely on that to keep me in check. I'm one of those people that can easily over eat on proteins and fats.
Yeah I know what you mean...Show me a good Ribeye and I can easily put away 20oz of steak! I'm not so bad on the fats, but sometimes the sweets kill me. I limit my carbs but not eliminate them. Doing probably around 100 a day or so. Most of those aren't net though as I just track carbs. I guess I always really wonder when you hear things like "sugar alcohols and fiber" doesn't count. I've read a ton on both sides of that and really it seems the answer is does it spike your BG.0 -
I do net carbs and it works for me. Some people are a bit different and I've heard of folks spiking on sugar alcohols. Never heard of fiber giving anyone high BG. It seems there are some differences in types of carbs too. Most people are fine with beans, they respond more to the protein and fat in them. For me, the carbs in beans causes more of an increase than would normally be expected. I don't necessarily avoid them, but I have to keep it in mind if I'm eating chili or things like that. What's really odd, I can occasionally have a donut and it will drop my blood sugar lower than I started after 3 hours or so. Has to be an actual fried bakery donut though. Cake donuts do not work like that. And I can't do it very often or I start to lose that effect. It's also a bear to get back in daily ratio with a donut in the mix. End up with mostly turkey, ham, fish and protein powder for the rest of the day
100 grams is not a bad limit. I'm at 110 net on 2200 calories. You probably should subtract fiber from that limit since the recommendation is around 30g per day. You don't want to deny yourself the part that's actually good for you. One cheat that I like is Mission Carb Balance whole wheat tortillas. They taste good and pack in a bunch of fiber with very low net carbs. The big burrito size has like 29 fiber each and the small fajita size is 13. Makes it a lot easier for me to get fiber in, since most of the truly high fiber foods are also high in net carbs, or they are so low density that it's hard to eat enough of them. I used to think you could get all the fiber you needed from leafy greens, then I looked more closely at the numbers and serving sizes. You'd have to eat lettuce and spinach by the bale to hit 30g of fiber.1 -
Bookmark this thread for the days you feel like this is impossible: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1103164/3-yrs-312lbs-lost-1yr-from-bodylift-and-maintenance/p1
Keep at it, you're doing so well so far!1 -
@Markusdarkus I was thinking about trying those Mission tortillas. I've been using Aldi's flatbread like flat out wraps for things like burritos or instead of sandwich bread. Seems to work out well lots of fiber in them. I heard of Mama Lupes tortillas too on a few low carb sites.
Sorry about the fiber thing earlier...didn't mean to say it would spike BG but I meant that is it truly 100% not digestible and you can subtract that from carbs..I get a pretty good amount of fiber so I think I'm good either way but just not sure about numbers etc...and all you read for or against it. I'm kind of winging it as I go with my general rule of thumb of does it make me feel like crap or does it make me feel good. Good as in does it give me positive energy and no crash not good as in damn that was a good cupcake good feeling...lol0 -
itprofessional wrote: »@mamawrain Thanks for the encouragement! If you ever need a laugh then I'm that guy...well most days I am. I warn you though I can be a bit of a nerd, being in IT and all that I know how the Geek Speak and all that jazz. Each day I wake up I've been practicing on my first thoughts of the day are about how I will succeed. What can I do better today than what I did yesterday. It might be just walking to the mailbox a little quicker, or turning off the boob tube and skipping an episode of "whatever it is I don't think I can live without watching" to do some more reading about being healthy or maybe a new recipe I can try to ruin on the stove. I soooo need to learn following directions in recipes..guess I'm too much of a free thinker to color inside the lines and think hey I be I could replace this with that only to see it flop but well ya gotta learn right? Haha. I'm droning on and on so I'll stop now but thanks again for the friend request and can't wait to hear more about your success!
You are surely humorous lol and I like that. That in itself is encouraging to others. I like the way you can poke fun at yourself. I am a terrible cook and you are tempting me to try and get creative. OH NO! *Note to self, check the batteries in the smoke detector*
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@mamawrain Thanks! This will probably sound incredibly lame but hey since I've admitted to be a mountain of a person then I guess I can admit anything right...I learned my cooking from my Mom. I adore her in every way and I want to be the one thing she doesn't have to worry about. I'm sure she worries about burying her son. She's an itty bitty thing at 100lbs and barely 5ft tall but she's got the spirit of a Lion. I start with a hey you know sounds yummy! BBQ chicken then I look at about 100 recipes online from low carb, to low fat, to low everything and try to adapt something among them all that will fit my diet and then from there I try to see if I can burn it just enough to still be edible..and as for batteries...stock up on them because trial and error when cooking you may burn through a few..also stock up on Tylenol..those things can be pretty loud!3
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Let do this!!!! We are our brothers keeper!!!1
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You can do it! Don't give up! (I read the whole thing and was inspired--it's not boring at all.)1
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@lindarpolk Thanks so much for the encouragement. I can't wait to hit that first 50 mark and i love your pic...it's so true and a great way to face things.0
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Hi Joker!!
Really inspirational story !! I think you are the Sloppy Joe Dragon Slayer! hahah. Seriously, I can relate to you, I'm a huge introvert myself...and I just didn't want to add anyone as a friend for a long time, but I learnt the hard way, sometimes its just so nice to read comments from your friends who pat you on the pat for working out, and completing your food diary under you calorie goal...etc.
I'm going to add you as a friend, don't be shy, open up and lets all help each other on our journeys!!
ps, I have around 30 plus kgs to lose and my left hip used to friggen kill me and I'm the same age as you.... we are too young for this pain sh't!! lol
Kitty.
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itprofessional wrote: »Sorry about the fiber thing earlier...didn't mean to say it would spike BG but I meant that is it truly 100% not digestible and you can subtract that from carbs..
I didn't think you were saying that, I was just commenting on the net carbs thing. You mentioned that those of us figuring net carbs subtract fiber and sugar alcohols... I just thought I'd mention that for some folks the sugar alcohols shouldn't be subtracted. If doing low carb for BG control it's one of the details that has to be figured out individually with the glucometer.
You haven't said if you're diabetic or not. If not, the sugar alcohols probably don't matter either way.
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@MarkusDarwath Ah ok I see what you were saying and yeah the sugar alcs can spike some but not others, I'm on the same page with you now. I'm not diabetic...yet but I've had some hovering numbers that worried me so I try to find ways to make sure I don't cross that threshold.1
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@kittygonzalez3511 Thanks Kitty for the great reply! Appreciate the kind words and hope to help others as much as the help and support has been given to me.
I'm glad I posted and kick myself for not reaching out sooner.
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Great post
Know that we will encourage each other to reach whatever our goals are
For today have a great Friday and don't forget we are all works in progress.0 -
@JoenDeb1958 I've changed a lot in my life these past 30 days to not be the over 500lb man I once was and I've done that! I think changing my food was actually pretty easy. I know for some doing that is a huge task. My next 30 days I'm working on changing how I think and today I thought this. For all of those who suffer from pain due to their obesity you have to tell yourself this, for me I'm moving a mountain of a person everytime I get up, or walk to the mailbox, or really do anything. I mean 200+ pounds is like 4 50lbs bags of dog food. Seeing that much weight stacked on the floor it can really get you down, but I look at that and I think...each time I move or do things I'm moving not just a normal person but I'm picking up those 4 bags and walking around with them...and you know what...I AM STRONG. I don't let the mountain stop me...I MOVE MOUNTAINS...and so do all of you when you choose to get up and move and do things a normal person finds easy you are doing it with weights attached all over your body and you CAN still do it. I think wow...I can move mountains, who says I'm weak..who says I will let this disease beat me. It's something I can control and I'm going to control it, it will not control me.
All of that has come a little late in my life because I let myself hit that 500lbs mark but I realize it now and it's not too little too late. I won't be the biggest guy in the room, I won't be the guy who picks movie seats because the stairs are too steep, I won't be the guy who's afraid to do things because I might not fit, or there is a weight limit, or how will I feel when people stare....I am a lion hear me roar!
Ok lol so now I'm done with my motivational speech I will look back at this moment and remember how I feel right now so when I'm down or when I'm having a hard time..I can see tell myself I got this..heck I might even record myself and go all Motivation Speaker on my butt so I can even play it back to me...that might be a good idea...who best to help get us motivated than ourselves right?
Thanks to everyone who stands behind me. We can do this and if you guys / gals ever need someone to talk with or to add me. I'll do my best to help in any way I can.
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