The Healthier Me: My Journey from 600lbs
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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.2 -
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. 👍1 -
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.3 -
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.
Hi @countcurt, I wanted to thank you and everyone for the Congrats! I also wanted to shed some light on your concerns. Which in most cases losing that amount of weight fast is unhealthy and can cause serious problems. I'm not a doctor and everything I know about weight loss is mostly self taught through a lot of books, the internet (mainly the mayo clinic website), asking questions and talking with others. I completely agree that you should always work with your doctor, especially when dealing with a large starting weight.
A little backstory:
In 2007 when I weighed 420lbs and was in my late twenties, I lost 100lbs in about 37 days. Then, I was working out every day and not eating anywhere near what I should have been. I did decide to see my doctor since I knew that it was not healthy to lose that amount of weight so quickly. She set me up with a nutritionist. After that, I did start to lose weight the healthy way and at a healthy pace. By the end of 2007, I had lost 220lbs and had kept it off for a good 3 years.
Life got in the way and I allowed myself to fall back into old habits and continued to struggle like so many of us with the yo-yo dieting etc. At some point, I just gave up. Even after blood clots, lymphedema of the legs, cellulitis of the legs, basically becoming bed bound and my daughter begging for me to really try for her. I still just didn't have it in me. Being big all my life and always trying to change finally brought me to my knees. I just stopped caring. Even tho I knew what I had to do, I just could not bare counting one more calorie...
NOW... Present Day! I'm working with my doctor. I'm eating quite a bit of food. Most of my meals are high in protein and big portions. I'm not starving and almost find it difficult to get over 2200 calories with the food I'm eating. I would be forcing myself beyond to eat past the "after thanksgiving fullness" feeling if I did!
I would say about 50% of what I lost was in my legs. My right leg suffers more from Lymphedema then my left. They both went down a lot, more in the left. The rest left my backside! lol, Which I never had one to began with, wish I could have kept it! It could have just left my stomach first! I am not complaining tho...lol
All-in-all my labs came back good and my doctor assured me that I'm doing all the right things. She did mention that when dealing with 600lbs there is not much you can do to not lose that amount of weight if your counting calories. She said that there is going to be bigger weight losses in the beginning. Which I did already know and am not expecting it to be like that always.
I truly appreciate all your guy's comments, It really helps!
Thank You!
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Keep up the great work, you can do this!1
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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.
I saw my Dr this morning (I thought I had the flu or an upper respiratory infection - nope, good news common cold + allergies from recent weather change) and asked about this. Per my GP, who also works with the morbidly obese (that's how I found him - I used to be M.O.). 1% of body weight loss a month is fine, so at 600+lbs, the OP losing 60lbs of fat in a month is perfectly normal. Compound that with water retention loss due to change in diet, and 86lbs in the first month is not unhealthy.
Reading the OP's post, his starting weight is life-threatening and he's under a physician's care. While he's eating substantially less than his usual, it's not dangerously low to risk other health problems that come with a lack of nutrients.
My physician also noted that for a women over 500, or man over 600, thier weight is far more dangerous to have than a sudden and rapid initial weight loss.
The OP is definitely in a fairly unique situation as most of us have no experience with starting out in his weight catagory.9 -
So great that you're taking care of yourself.1
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justintorres2012 wrote: »
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!!2 -
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.3
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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 ones2
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Much love and congratulations!! Looking forward to watching you succeed. You got this!!2
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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.1
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great motivation and inspiration. Keep up the great work and looking forward to hearing more.1
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Keep up the good work man your killing it1
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Justin, keep focused, take one meal at a time, don’t beat yourself up for making a mistake. I lost my cousin almost 2 years ago due to complications from her weight (500 lbs). She was over 200 lbs in her 20’s and it progressed to 500+ lbs in her 40’s. She had diabetes and heart failure among other things. I miss her very much. Please continue on your journey and I wish you much success!!9
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Your journey is incredible. I'm rooting for you and hope that you achieve 100% of the goals you've set for yourself. Truly inspiring1
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You’re amazing and an inspiration. Keep up the great work! Following this thread for updates.1
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Wow! Your story is an inspiration! I wish u much successful and I’m a follower of ur progress! Keep pushing...Keep keepin on! 👍🏾2
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Go, Justin, go! Thank you for the update!!!2
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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.1
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