Has anyone on here been obese all their life and lost all the weight and kept it off?

okohjacinda
okohjacinda Posts: 329 Member
edited November 21 in Motivation and Support
I ask because ever since I was little I have been obese. At 5, I was 105...at 13, 240 and at 18, 283. Since my senior year of high school I have been trying to lose all the weight but sabotaging myself every time I lose a good amount. The last time I lost a good bit of weight was last year and I got to onederland at 192 but I was so unhappy with how I looked that I shut down and gained it all back in 8 months.

So now I am back on the losing weight wagon, determined to not only lose all the weight but to keep it off for good. My motivation has changed from mostly vanity reasons to health and longevity reasons (which it should have been from the start but when you're young you think you're invincible) with seeing my mom and grandmother sick and me also becoming sick and I am only 25. It's now really a do or die deal for me.

So how did you do it? What keeps you from going backwards? How has life changed since you lost all of the weight and do people treat you differently?

Also please put stats: HW/SW/CW/Start date and finish date and how long have you maintained.
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Replies

  • natajane
    natajane Posts: 295 Member
    I've not lost all my weight yet, but my mind has totally changed recently and I've severed my attachment to food and my self sabotaging which has been going on 14 years. I really recommend reading Jon Gabriel's book with an open mind. I was a bit skeptical, seemed a bit airy fairy to me to begin with - but all along it was my mindset that wasn't working for me, and his book just impacted my brain in a strange unconscious way and allowed me to let go.
  • okohjacinda
    okohjacinda Posts: 329 Member
    Thanks everyone for sharing and I will keep everything you all said in mind as I face my own battle with weight loss and how to overcome it.
  • okohjacinda
    okohjacinda Posts: 329 Member
    natajane wrote: »
    I've not lost all my weight yet, but my mind has totally changed recently and I've severed my attachment to food and my self sabotaging which has been going on 14 years. I really recommend reading Jon Gabriel's book with an open mind. I was a bit skeptical, seemed a bit airy fairy to me to begin with - but all along it was my mindset that wasn't working for me, and his book just impacted my brain in a strange unconscious way and allowed me to let go.

    I love reading new books especially inspirational books so I will definitely check it out! Thanks!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    Not me, but I have a peer (trainer) that did. She started off at 280lbs at 5'5" and is now down to 160lbs. She is muscular and physically fit, but she has to train harder than I do and eat much less than I do (in proportion) to maintain her weight and shape.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • VeronicaA76
    VeronicaA76 Posts: 1,116 Member
    I was always chubby. Then about 10 years ago I went from overweight to obese. I am now down to 180lbs and about 28% body fat... Been losing slowly but steadily for two and a half years.
  • GlassAngyl
    GlassAngyl Posts: 478 Member
    Barring all medical conditions, I will always believe that it's child abuse to allow a child that young to gain that much weight.. 105 at 5! 230 at 13!! It's a parents responsibility to protect their children from all harm.. this includes protecting their health! SS should called in such situations.. I don't mean for "overweight" as kids weights can fluctuate before a growth spurt.. I mean for out right obesity..
    If I sound cruel, it's because I still hold resentment towards my own mother for not protecting me and trying to "be my friend" and give me what I wanted to make me happy.. I have struggled with weight since I was 12 thanks to my mothers "remedy" for every situation that arised.. Bad day? Cookies, cake, and ice cream will fix it! Sick? Cookies, cake, and ice cream will fix it! Good grades? ... you get the idea. Remedy for being over weight? Tony little..
    I'm obese.. my kids are not. I may have poor self control over my own fate but I full control over my kids futures and I will protect them from the same fate that I suffered from..
  • okohjacinda
    okohjacinda Posts: 329 Member
    GlassAngyl wrote: »
    Barring all medical conditions, I will always believe that it's child abuse to allow a child that young to gain that much weight.. 105 at 5! 230 at 13!! It's a parents responsibility to protect their children from all harm.. this includes protecting their health! SS should called in such situations.. I don't mean for "overweight" as kids weights can fluctuate before a growth spurt.. I mean for out right obesity..
    If I sound cruel, it's because I still hold resentment towards my own mother for not protecting me and trying to "be my friend" and give me what I wanted to make me happy.. I have struggled with weight since I was 12 thanks to my mothers "remedy" for every situation that arised.. Bad day? Cookies, cake, and ice cream will fix it! Sick? Cookies, cake, and ice cream will fix it! Good grades? ... you get the idea. Remedy for being over weight? Tony little..
    I'm obese.. my kids are not. I may have poor self control over my own fate but I full control over my kids futures and I will protect them from the same fate that I suffered from..

    No I understand. I feel the same way about my mom sometimes but I blame it more on environment than my mom. My mom being a single mother worked a lot so she wasn't there to monitor my eating all the time.

    Me and my friends would go to the store everyday and get candy, chips, soda, or chocolate. I also am from the south so that played a major role as well along with genetics. Everyone on my mom's side is overweight or obese. So I don't want to really put any blame on her...my whole family is sort of ignorant to CICO and I was too up until I started researching about it in high school.

    Granted I can't blame myself completely for my obesity as a child but once I became a teenager(which was when I became aware I needed to lose some serious weight), I should have started becoming more active and watching what I ate more.

    So for me the blame when I was a child is 10% mom, 40% genetics, and 50% environment. Ignorance is bliss in the south.

    And there were many times she told me no but I would sneak and eat junk anyways so I blame myself even as a child.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    I was a healthy weight (considered slightly underweight) until I got type 1 diabetes at age 9. Treatment methods back then were not nearly as advanced as today, so I gained 20 lbs. in the first month. Within a year, I had doubled my weight. In a couple more years, I weighed triple what I did at age 9. I only continued gaining from there and got type 2 diabetes (so I had both type 1 and type 2 for most of my life) as a teenager. It wasn't until 2016 that I was finally able to get past the clinical criteria for a type 2 diagnosis. Of course, I will always have type 1 (unlike type 2, it is not caused by obesity). I still have about 10 lbs. to lose in order to reach my goal.
  • okohjacinda
    okohjacinda Posts: 329 Member
    Brand new here and 120 to lose. This thread was very encouraging! I've been overweight my whole life but this time feels different. Turned down WLS today. I just cannot do it. Too scared.

    Yes, I too have contemplated weight loss surgery so many times, but what has kept me from going that route is 1) I am broke with no insurance to cover it and 2) I am scared because I have heard so many people getting sick from it five to ten years down the line or gaining most of it back. I refuse to basically mutilate part of my body just to gain all the weight back five years down the line.

    This is the first time I am on this journey and feel totally confident that I am going to be successful in getting all of the weight off, but I am just so nervous about being able to maintain it once I lose it all. All I have ever known is being the "fat girl." It will be weird not to be that anymore.
  • okohjacinda
    okohjacinda Posts: 329 Member
    shans34 wrote: »
    I've been fat my whole life. At 10 years old my dad gave me the deal a meal by Richard Simmons for my birthday. Very unhealthy image of food. Last year I stepped on that scale at 363lbs, I knew then change needed to happen. I'm currently 273lbs, 90lbs lost and still going strong! You can do it! Mind over matter

    Wow 90lbs! Congrats on the weight loss so far! That's very inspiring!
  • okohjacinda
    okohjacinda Posts: 329 Member
    rainbow198 wrote: »
    Me! I don't have deep story. I was chubby - obese all of my life. I never dieted. I worked with my weight and accepted my size until one random day when I had enough. I was pretty healthy so to be honest I wanted to lose weight mostly for vanity.

    How did I do it? I took baby steps:

    I focused on getting fit. I dreamt of being able to do pushups on my toes or being able to walk without getting winded and sweaty. I started off walking slowly around my neighborhood. Then I was able to go further and further. That gave me motivation to clean up my diet.

    I started cooking for myself more and a lot from scratch. I was someone who ate a lot of fast food and takeout so this was something new. After trying new dishes and adding new fruits and veggies to my life I experienced a whole new way of eating that I actually enjoyed.

    The combination of exercise and eating better made some weight come off and it inspired me to keep going. As I got fitter, I tried new workouts/activities and I discovered things I enjoyed and didn't enjoy.

    During the process I learned so much about myself. What foods triggered me, my eating habits and I found ways to include foods I enjoyed but not go overboard. I did not follow any diet plans and I ate regular food. I also had to deal with my emotional eating and find ways to deal with things besides eating food.

    Researching, reading books, learning the science and physiology of fat loss and listening to health & fitness podcasts was and still is important to me. I enjoy learning and discovering new things.

    I'm proud to say that now I can do pushups on my toes and I can power walk for a long time and much, much more physically speaking.

    I lost 80+ pounds in 15 months and I have been maintaining without any regain for over 4 years. I'm the smallest I've ever been as an adult and in the best shape of my life.

    My life has totally changed and it feels like I've lived 2 completely different lives. I really love exercise and being active. When I go on vacation I use the hotel's gym and walk as much as I can instead taking transit or a taxi. I love going shopping for new clothes and workout gear. Sometimes I still ask myself "who is this girl"?

    I work hard to maintain my weight. I see so many people regain it's scary. So I will always remain humble, I put in the work everyday and I stay focused. I'm really, really happy with my weight and body, but I will never be "done".


    Wow that's very inspiring and gives me so much hope that I will be able to maintain as well once I lose all the weight. I have a lot to lose (125-130lbs) but I am more concerned about the maintenance phase than the dropping the weight phase. I have heard that that is the hardest part about weight loss. So again you have given me so much hope that it is possible by changing your lifestyle completely.

    Congrats on all the success!
  • sml1231
    sml1231 Posts: 10 Member
    I was chubby my whole life, from being a "butterball" baby to a "big-boned" young adult. At 20 (5'8 and ~190 lbs), I studied abroad and lost about 50 pounds without trying. I didn't have a car, so I walked everywhere, went swimming and dancing a lot (for fun not for a workout), and didn't snack as much. I didn't restrict any of my foods, and I didn't ever "work out". When I came back to the US, I gained it all back within 6 months.

    At 27, my friend asked me to go on this diet with her, for support, so I did. Basically, the diet was just good eating. Five veggie servings a day, two low fat dairy, three meat/protein, two natural fruit, two whole grains, and reasonable amounts of healthy fats/oils. I exercised (walking, running, elliptical) 3-5 times a week and did some simple dumbbell weightlifting and crunches. To be fair, I didn't eat a chip or cookie or any other processed junk food. At all. I was pretty hardcore. I subscribed to Cooking Light and actually learned how to cook decently, and I made healthier versions of my favorite things. I lost 60 pounds in about 6 months (195-135 lbs.)

    When I started teaching, I gained about 20 back over about five years, but I was still in a healthy weight range. I've gained another five, because I've been traveling for my new job a lot and eating out and having catered lunches, which are delicious but super junky, so I'm currently cracking down on sugar and carbs (my faves). Getting rid of all the processed foods, sugar, and carbs is what worked for me. Tracking calories, and more importantly nutrition (am I getting enough of what I need) has helped me stay on track.

    I used to have a very unrealistic weight loss goal and idea of what my perfect body should be, but now I just want to be healthy and fit into my pants. I don't feel like I need to be a size 0 or look a certain way. If I feel good, get enough nutrition, and can go out and run a 5k for fun without dying, I consider that a win.

    I am in no position to give advice, but I will anyway. It helps to have support, whether in person or online. It helps to measure progress and celebrate little victories on your way toward your big goal. And it helps to not beat yourself up over failures and not to give up and self-sabotage (like, well I ate that cookie, so now I may as well eat an entire bag of cheesy puff corn and a pizza, because my diet is blown anyway).

    Best wishes to you on your journey! It's inspiring to see all the support in these communities - it takes a village.
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    I have been overweight my entire life. I was always the heaviest in school. I was 300lbs at 16. I was 425lbs at 25. I am currently 187lbs and maintaining for the last year. It took about 4 years to lose the weight. It came with lots of ups and downs. I would lose it, then gain it, then lose it.. etc. I have found a good place with my calories and my level of activity. Toss in my cheat day and I maintain pretty well. +/- 5lbs. I didn't do any weird diets or surgeries. Just healthy eating and being active.

    It's just accountability. If you are not accountable for yourself then you cannot achieve victory that lasts. I am sorry if this is controversial but losing weight is easy. I was 425lbs and I lost 20lbs my first week just because I stopped drinking pop! Keep that trend going, cut the bad foods from your diet and anyone can lose weight. Simple CICO.

    Since losing the weight. I get more attention from people. Not just sexually but in general people will be more open and willing to talk to me now that I am not obese. I feel more confident. I take better care of my appearance and hygiene. I am more active because I want to be, instead of because I have to be.

    I went from a shirt size XXXXXL to a S/M. I went from pant size 50x30 to a 32x34.

    I am having a plastic surgeon consultation next week to discuss skin removal. I have loose skin issues.

    Incredibly inspiring - well done you for getting it done and keeping the weight off.
    A changed man indeed.
  • Coconut_Tim
    Coconut_Tim Posts: 63 Member
    Graelwyn75 wrote: »
    I have been overweight my entire life. I was always the heaviest in school. I was 300lbs at 16. I was 425lbs at 25. I am currently 187lbs and maintaining for the last year. It took about 4 years to lose the weight. It came with lots of ups and downs. I would lose it, then gain it, then lose it.. etc. I have found a good place with my calories and my level of activity. Toss in my cheat day and I maintain pretty well. +/- 5lbs. I didn't do any weird diets or surgeries. Just healthy eating and being active.

    It's just accountability. If you are not accountable for yourself then you cannot achieve victory that lasts. I am sorry if this is controversial but losing weight is easy. I was 425lbs and I lost 20lbs my first week just because I stopped drinking pop! Keep that trend going, cut the bad foods from your diet and anyone can lose weight. Simple CICO.

    Since losing the weight. I get more attention from people. Not just sexually but in general people will be more open and willing to talk to me now that I am not obese. I feel more confident. I take better care of my appearance and hygiene. I am more active because I want to be, instead of because I have to be.

    I went from a shirt size XXXXXL to a S/M. I went from pant size 50x30 to a 32x34.

    I am having a plastic surgeon consultation next week to discuss skin removal. I have loose skin issues.

    Incredibly inspiring - well done you for getting it done and keeping the weight off.
    A changed man indeed.

    Thanks. It takes time but totally possible for anyone to get healthy. It took me changing my mentality before I could change my body.
  • deputy_randolph
    deputy_randolph Posts: 940 Member
    I was obese from age 8-14, then "just overweight" from 15-19. With the exception of 2 pregnancies, I have been normal weight from 19-37.

    My weight issues stemmed from bigger family issues. Once I moved out of my parent's house to attend college, I was able to take responsibility for my weight. I cut out the unnesscary things...soda being the biggest. I figured out what foods I over ate (mostly desserts) and cut WAY back on those things. I added more "filling" foods like plain veggies, plain oatmeal, and drank more water.

    I walked A LOT around campus...saved up some $ from a part-time job to buy a treadmill.

    I just made better choices and developed better habits. I weighed 190 at my highest. I started at a size 20, got down to a 2, but am at a 4-6 now.
  • okohjacinda
    okohjacinda Posts: 329 Member
    I have been overweight my entire life. I was always the heaviest in school. I was 300lbs at 16. I was 425lbs at 25. I am currently 187lbs and maintaining for the last year. It took about 4 years to lose the weight. It came with lots of ups and downs. I would lose it, then gain it, then lose it.. etc. I have found a good place with my calories and my level of activity. Toss in my cheat day and I maintain pretty well. +/- 5lbs. I didn't do any weird diets or surgeries. Just healthy eating and being active.

    It's just accountability. If you are not accountable for yourself then you cannot achieve victory that lasts. I am sorry if this is controversial but losing weight is easy. I was 425lbs and I lost 20lbs my first week just because I stopped drinking pop! Keep that trend going, cut the bad foods from your diet and anyone can lose weight. Simple CICO.

    Since losing the weight. I get more attention from people. Not just sexually but in general people will be more open and willing to talk to me now that I am not obese. I feel more confident. I take better care of my appearance and hygiene. I am more active because I want to be, instead of because I have to be.

    I went from a shirt size XXXXXL to a S/M. I went from pant size 50x30 to a 32x34.

    I am having a plastic surgeon consultation next week to discuss skin removal. I have loose skin issues.

    That is amazing and inspiring! Congrats on the weight loss and maintaining! Hopefully everything goes great with the skin removal because you've definitely worked your *kitten* off for it!
  • okohjacinda
    okohjacinda Posts: 329 Member
    I've been big all my life.... i'm uk so don't normally deal in lbs but since it seems most on here do i'll use those...

    At 15/16 i was approx 220lb ... been up and down since then .... past 2 years due to high stress/depression and other things i hit my max, 408lb on 1/1/17.... it was, for me, really do or die, since then i've gone to 348lb today... long way to go still ... wanna be back at my age 15 weight at least but taking it slowly..

    I sometimes feel i'm not losing it quick enough (this past month it's been very stable despite deficit each day).... but hopefully that'll change .... have been able to start excecising again now cos my joints don't hurt so much.

    For me it's been watching my parents trying to keep up with my kids .... they're late 60's and heavy too ... they just can't vs my wife's parents who can chase them around in the garden etc .... i don't wanna waste any more years ..

    I have a goal that by next May (next vacation) i wanna be light enough to go on the things i couldn't this year because i was too heavy...

    I'm still struggling massively with feeling any accomplishment on my loss so far this year (60lb) - people tell me a lot that i'm doing 'so well' etc ... just don't feel it ... i feel its inadequate (part of the problem)

    Good luck to all here.

    Wow your story sounds a lot like mines. I have always been a very depressed kid. My grandma calls it "heavy thinking," but I know that its much deeper than that. Last year when I got down to 80lbs lost and in the 100s, I sabotaged my efforts because of stress/depression and now I am starting all over again. Looking at pics from when I was in the 190s now I realize that was a huge mistake because I did look different, but when you're in a depressed state, you don't really see it. Having to start over again was a depressing start, but I knew if I kept on being negative, I would never get the weight off or just end up sabotaging my efforts like the first time.

    One of the things that was holding me back from being successful was thinking that I wasn't losing it fast enough. Let me just tell you...60lbs in 7 months is amazing and inspiring at any weight. Please don't fall into that trap like I did of thinking this is a race when this is an ongoing marathon. Relish in every milestone and be proud because that is a lot!

    And stalls are going to happen but the scale doesn't tell the whole story. I lost 34lbs in almost 3 months and I was so frustrated that I wasn't seeing it in the mirror and then all of a sudden yesterday when I went to try on a couple of blouses for an upcoming event, I saw there was a big difference from when I started. My tummy has gone in a bit and my face is a bit slimmer.

    So do me a favor and measure yourself because that tells more than anything else that you are going in the right direction. And be patient. The lost will show up on you when you least expect it!


  • heyjude345
    heyjude345 Posts: 66 Member
    My highest weight was 296 five years ago. I hurt every day and I'll be honest...self care/cleaning was getting difficult. I couldn't get the tray down when flying because I was too big. I finally had enough and I just started with MFP in the middle of the week (I always would wait and binge eat and "start" on a Monday). That was my first clue that this time was different. I also didn't tell anyone. This was for me. I am the type of person that doesn't need accountability so I just kept it to myself.

    After dropping to around 230, I added exercise and began the C25K. I ran my first 5K when I was around 200 pounds and last May ran a half marathon. I will never be a fast runner, but I am a persistent runner.

    I now weigh around 175 and I still log every day because I need that self accountability. I mess up from time to time and then I get right back at it. This is a long journey, and I was frustrated quite a lot. Still am. I want to lose more and I know that I will, but I am healthy now and I have the patience to continue the course.

    Feel free to add me!
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