8.5 months - 140+lbs gone

In October of last year, my friend visited me in Texas from Alaska. He is extremely into roller coasters so we drove to six flags. I had to take the walk of shame and not ride most of the rides. That's where the inkling of change began brewing.

In December, I went to a sleep clinic to get tested due to being tired all the time. I was prescribed a Cpap machine due to extreme sleep apnea. I decided, like many people do, to start eating right and working out starting the new year and if I no change happened, I would fill the prescription and get the machine.

I started the beginning of the year at 400lbs. I'm 6'4". I didn't know a thing about weight loss, but I did know that it all starts with diet. I'm hardly ever hungry through the day so I fasted 18-20 hours a day, only eating a filet of salmon and salad with guacamole or avocado as dressing. I don't recommend this now knowing what I know, and it only lasted a month. Although it never made me lethargic or sick, I think this was due to my being severely overweight.

I started working out, six days on, one day off. Split was upper body, HIIT cardio, lower body, rinse, repeat. I began feeling better. I kept this exercise split for six months. I always lifted heavy and never skipped anything.

The following month, I started researching and found I was eating keto. Ok, since I'm lifting heavy, too, let me see what's on Reddit. I found ketogains and began following their macro calculator for my diet. II still readjust every month with the calculator into MFP. Felt way better with more energy!

Soon the apnea stopped. Then I lost 50lbs. Then 75. Soon 100lbs!! It just kept shedding off! What started as a refusal to get a Cpap soon turned to an obsession. At around the six month mark, I decided to change my lifting routine to an 8 sets of 8 and concentrate on form. I still lift heavy, but try not to overload as much as I used to. Chest/shoulders/back for day 1, bi/tri/forearms for day 2, and legs/abs day 3. Then rest day. I'm currently on this split.

I feel way better. I see veins starting to show! I still IF but it's usually a 16:8ish (sometimes 20:4 if I get hit with overtime at work). Current weight is 256lbs. 250 was an unattainable goal that I set myself for long term and I am almost there! My current long term goal is to see my abs.

I started this journey wearing 56 waist jeans and 4-5XL tshirts. I'm now 36 waist and can fit into mediums and larges. I weigh less than I did starting middle school. It's pretty crazy.

I don't plan on stopping. I do get demotivated sometimes, but I never miss a day. On those days I figure, just go to the gym, and if all I do is read the newspaper at least I went. When I get there I say, well I'm here might as well slog through it. Those days are my highest achievements, both mentally and physically.

It's been a helluva ride, but there's no stopping me yet. I have plenty to do, goals to reach, and the rest of my life to live.

P.s. I've been going to six flags regularly all summer and I haven't taken the walk of shame at all.