The Healthier Me: My Journey from 600lbs

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Replies

  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,281 Member
    Thank you for the update Justin.. we are all puling for you. Ignore those who choose to criticize and give unsolicited advice on your weight loss plan.

    I can feel your excitement and motivation at getting that weight off through the power of eating. I think of my weightless as eating myself to my healthy weight. You are doing the same. Keep up the great work ..can't wait to hear your next update.
  • slimgirljo15
    slimgirljo15 Posts: 269,440 Member
    What an amazing story.. I am so looking forward to seeing you get to where you want to be. There will be ups and downs no doubt but with this fire in your belly Ive no doubt you'll succeed.
    Bookmarked..

    Congratulations on a fantastic loss. 👍
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,400 Member
    countcurt wrote: »
    So, I’m a bit conflicted here. Certainly, congratulations are in order. You’ve obviously committed yourself to losing weight and have begun to examine (in a very positive way) the factors that contributed to your situation. That is all great.

    Am I the only one, though, who is worried by the rate of your loss and by your description of ‘basically starving’ yourself to achieve your loss? There are some specific health concerns with losing weight so quickly and you shouldn’t have to feel like you’re ‘starving yourself’ to get where you need to be. That feeling wears thin at some point and also prevents you from starting to learn what it feels like to be a little hungry versus very hungry versus not really hungry versus not hungry at all. You also can’t learn what if feels like to determine when you’ve eaten the amount of food you need to satisfy hunger as opposed to obliterate it.

    I know I sound like a Donnie Downer here. I’d simply point out that you’ll need tools and tactics for the long game. And for health.

    At this point I think the OP is doing the right thing. He has so much to lose, and we normally see big losses at first in these cases. Also, he's under a doctor's care. As he loses things will slow down and he'll have time to get real. We'll be here to help. At that point your concerns will be very valid. I just think everyone is concerned that the OP will get discouraged and we want him to succeed.
  • AudreyJDuke
    AudreyJDuke Posts: 1,092 Member
    Keep up the great work, you can do this!
  • bevdon5190
    bevdon5190 Posts: 1 Member
    So great that you're taking care of yourself.
  • FitnessWeb34
    FitnessWeb34 Posts: 67 Member
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    22 Days ago, in the middle of the night, I waddled to the bathroom. I did my business and looked into the mirror as I washed my hands. Out of breath and miserable, I yelled, "Stop!". I looked deep into my eyes and yelled it again. I got closer to the mirror, "What are you doing?", I said with tear-filled eyes. I stood there, just mean mugging myself. Upset and just done, I pulled myself together and waddled back to my bed.
    I struggled to get in the right position, so as not to die from being suffocated by my own fat. I closed my eyes and could feel the four double cheeseburgers, fries, pizza, taco sub and what every else I ate that day just sitting there in my stomach, pushing on all my organs. It was a reminder that bingeing is so not worth it in the end. I laid there depressed, alone, morbidly obese, and ready for the day to be over. I remember drifting off to sleep with the image of my eyes in the mirror looking back at me. They had been filled with so much pain, anger, sadness, and tears.
    Morning came quickly. Something was different, but could not pinpoint it. I was content, somewhat happy, and determined. Something clicked in my mind that made starting a new lifestyle easy and necessary. I knew deep in my soul and in the furthest part of my mind that it was now or never. Never being the alternative, death.
    I reached for my phone and called the mother of my child, who also happens to be my ex, my friend, and my current caregiver. I told her I was ready and needed to start today. I asked her to go shopping at this place in town called Power Plate Meals (PPM). They prepare healthy meals that are ready to go or frozen. They just so happened to be having a $5 per frozen meal special that week. I had her get me twenty some to get started.
    The for two and a half weeks I eat 2 PPM, 1 cooked meal, and dried fruit for snacks a day. The PPM' averaged anywhere from 350 - 450 in calories. They were also high in protein. They were amazing! I was not sure if it was them or the connection in my head that was making me not hungry. The meal I cooked was normally two Egg and Ham English Muffins. My total calories for the day were 1600 - 2200. I was getting through the days without hunger.
    Now being 613 pounds, I can eat like 3,400ish calories in a day to lose the 2 pounds a week. But with the type of food, I had been eating that was not going to happen. I was too full! So I just keep doing what was feeling right. I was drinking tons of water as well. Each day I felt lighter and healthier. It was getting easier to waddle around and stand up. I also have lymphedema of the legs. My right leg has a very large edema mass. My left leg is not as big. Both Legs are at the stage that is not reversible, but parts of the legs of started shrinking.
    Due to the cost of the PPM (Not on sale $8-$10 each), I have since had to come up with my own meals. With the help of my caregiver, I create the low calorie, high protein, and of course low-cost recipes. She prepares and portions them, so all I have to do is heat them up. I do help where I can when making meals, any movement is exercise.
    So now I'm eating three of my Home Made Power Plate Meals (HMPPM) a day. The best part of starting with PPM is that the containers they come in are reusable. So it feels like I'm still doing them and it's very convenient. The HMPPM calorie range is 300 - 500. They are also high in protein. I am working at getting the sodium down in each meal as well, but one thing at a time. My Crust-less Pot Pie is huge and filling and comes in at a whopping 300 calories!
    Ok, well that is my story up to now. It's Day 22 and I'm feeling amazing. I don't know how much I have lost but it feels and looks like 30-40 pounds. I have an appointment on the 27th of September, 2018. I am so excited to go. Not sure if I'm more excited that I will be getting out of my house that I have been a prisoner in for the past nine months or seeing how much I have lost. I have come to learn that it can't be about the number. We put so much stress on ourselves because of that number. It needs to be about the way you feel.
    I know I'm only 22 days in, but something is different this time around. I have woke up every day feeling better. Feeling like my life is worth living. I wake up every morning excited to be alive. Being able to move around without almost passing out from not being able to breathe. I know I'm still 500 some pounds, but every pound I drop gives my body a break from caring around over half a ton of fat.
    I plan to update my story as my Journey to The Healthier Me continues...

    Thank you for sharing your story. I'm positive almost all of us here at mfp has had that "moment" where we had to say enough is enough. You are on the right track and I wish you all the best. I look forward to seeing your progress!!
  • TheRedQueen1981
    TheRedQueen1981 Posts: 265 Member
    Wow, just wow. You’re an inspiration. I often feel sorry for myself, knowing that even though I’ve lost some weight (31lbs as of today) I still have 100 to lose but wen I see someone like yourself, who has such a long way to go—yet you’re still so positive—well you really make me pull myself together. That’s just incredible, well done to you. I cannot imagine the sheer tenacity it must take. Definitely bookmarking and following your journey. :)
  • solieco1
    solieco1 Posts: 1,559 Member
    Justin, Justin, Justin!!!!! Well done my friend! You have no idea how many of us are rooting for you! Yes, some is water, Yes, it'll slow down, yes, please do it healthily but... wooohoooooo! You go Man! Rooting for you on the tough days and the easy ones :)
  • NikiNick25
    NikiNick25 Posts: 4 Member
    Much love and congratulations!! Looking forward to watching you succeed. You got this!!
  • jules11786
    jules11786 Posts: 8 Member
    edited October 2018
    Hey Justin. I'd love to follow your progress. I am so inspired. It takes so much of willpower which is what I am struggling with.
  • times60
    times60 Posts: 204 Member
    great motivation and inspiration. Keep up the great work and looking forward to hearing more.
  • Mikewjr88
    Mikewjr88 Posts: 6 Member
    Keep up the good work man your killing it
  • iRyanS
    iRyanS Posts: 42 Member
    Your journey is incredible. I'm rooting for you and hope that you achieve 100% of the goals you've set for yourself. Truly inspiring
  • akbka
    akbka Posts: 1 Member
    You’re amazing and an inspiration. Keep up the great work! Following this thread for updates.
  • hendrxfn
    hendrxfn Posts: 10 Member
    Wow! Your story is an inspiration! I wish u much successful and I’m a follower of ur progress! Keep pushing...Keep keepin on! 👍🏾
  • suzievv
    suzievv Posts: 410 Member
    Go, Justin, go! Thank you for the update!!!
  • fatty2sixpack
    fatty2sixpack Posts: 67 Member
    orngnerdz wrote: »
    I completely understand the idea of something clicking! For years I didn't take care of myself but one day I decided that I was done being lazy and I've been working hard since June! Stay positive and motivation will come! Excited to see what will come next for you!

    How do you decide to stop being lazy? I myself am really lazy right now and it is hard to stop. It is ruining my weight loss journey. It is hard to even think about not being lazy. Let me know why and what made you deside to stop being lazy.