50+ pounds gone with pictures!!
vikesfanmb
Posts: 291 Member
Eight months ago, I was the heaviest I have ever been in my life - hovering between 248 and 251 - I joined MFP in April and I am now currently under 200!! MFP has been a total lifestyle change for me . . I went from exercising 0 times per week to now 5-6 times per week and I log virtually everything I put into my mouth.
I used to eat at least 1-2 candy bars per day, fast food 1-2 times per day, etc. - no more!! Yes, I still eat fast food on occasion and I don't feel deprived and I haven't ever felt starved. My "relationship" with food has completely changed. I eat to live, I no longer live to eat.
And I still have lots of stress in my life - work, kids, finances, the usual. Instead of drowning my stress in a bag of chips and/or candy, I go to the gym and work it out. I love swimming most of all. It's great exercise, but it doesn't feel like hard work.
I guess swimming is in my blood - I grew up on a lake and my whole family swims.
Exercise and eating well has brought a great deal of peace into my life - not to mention the health benefits, my blood pressure is lower than it's ever been, I am no longer on the verge of diabetes, I have cut my risk for stroke, heart attack, etc. literally in half.
I still have about 40 (give or take) pounds to go . . but I just want to say "thank you" to all my friends and family who have greatly supported and encouraged me along the way. And most especially my MFP friends, the majority of whom I've never met - but have helped me change my whole life dramatically!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!
On to the pictures . .
Before . .
After . .
A few tips I'd like to pass along that have helped me . .
1. Exercise! It has made all the difference for me! Those days when I don't feel like going to the gym cause
I'm too tired, stressed, etc. - those are the days I need to go most of all. Or at least take a nice,
long walk outside. Exercise increases energy - I didn't believe it before but now, I do!!
2. Eat slowly! Savor every bite. I always used to be the first one finished at any mealtime, now I am almost
always the last. Eating is not a race! I no longer eat in the car, driving to work, etc. either. I feel it breeds
mindless eating and bad habits.
3. Be prepared to fall off the wagon! Sounds funny, but so true. Be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself
up or quit - remember, it's a lifestyle change.
4. Log everything - or as much as possible! I have since April and it has made such a huge difference to see
it in black and white. Even on "cheat" days! It's pretty eye opening when I realize just how many calories
I was probably consuming prior to MFP. And especially sodium. I was a sodium "junkie"! Still a work in
progress on that one - probably always will be!
I used to eat at least 1-2 candy bars per day, fast food 1-2 times per day, etc. - no more!! Yes, I still eat fast food on occasion and I don't feel deprived and I haven't ever felt starved. My "relationship" with food has completely changed. I eat to live, I no longer live to eat.
And I still have lots of stress in my life - work, kids, finances, the usual. Instead of drowning my stress in a bag of chips and/or candy, I go to the gym and work it out. I love swimming most of all. It's great exercise, but it doesn't feel like hard work.
I guess swimming is in my blood - I grew up on a lake and my whole family swims.
Exercise and eating well has brought a great deal of peace into my life - not to mention the health benefits, my blood pressure is lower than it's ever been, I am no longer on the verge of diabetes, I have cut my risk for stroke, heart attack, etc. literally in half.
I still have about 40 (give or take) pounds to go . . but I just want to say "thank you" to all my friends and family who have greatly supported and encouraged me along the way. And most especially my MFP friends, the majority of whom I've never met - but have helped me change my whole life dramatically!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!
On to the pictures . .
Before . .
After . .
A few tips I'd like to pass along that have helped me . .
1. Exercise! It has made all the difference for me! Those days when I don't feel like going to the gym cause
I'm too tired, stressed, etc. - those are the days I need to go most of all. Or at least take a nice,
long walk outside. Exercise increases energy - I didn't believe it before but now, I do!!
2. Eat slowly! Savor every bite. I always used to be the first one finished at any mealtime, now I am almost
always the last. Eating is not a race! I no longer eat in the car, driving to work, etc. either. I feel it breeds
mindless eating and bad habits.
3. Be prepared to fall off the wagon! Sounds funny, but so true. Be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself
up or quit - remember, it's a lifestyle change.
4. Log everything - or as much as possible! I have since April and it has made such a huge difference to see
it in black and white. Even on "cheat" days! It's pretty eye opening when I realize just how many calories
I was probably consuming prior to MFP. And especially sodium. I was a sodium "junkie"! Still a work in
progress on that one - probably always will be!
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Replies
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Oops. . I messed up on the pictures! Will try to re-post!0
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Please do re-post!
But I can tell just from your profile photo that you look great!!! Way to go!0 -
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Not sure what I'm doing wrong!! Can anyone clue me in??0
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Congrats to you! I love to read stories like this. Makes my day! Can't wait to see your after pic. You LOOK GREAT!!!! Keep up the hard work.0
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You look GREAT! :-)0
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WOOO HOO!! You are truly an inspiration, so glad to have you as my very own MFP friend! I aspire to be where you are. I wish I wouldn't have quit when I started back in April. I could potentially be where you are now. You gave some really good tips, thanks for that.
Cheers to another 40!!!0 -
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Bump for inspirsation0
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Congratulations on the great success! Keep it up!0
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Trying the after one more time . .
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great job! Thanks for sharing0
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Way to go!!! You rock!! Keep up the awesome work!0
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You LOOK FANTASTIC!0
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Congratulations! You are an inspiration. I, too, am at my heaviest and just beginning this journey (243 lbs). I hope I can progress as well as you have. And the tips are wonderful.. thanks.:flowerforyou:0
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Way to go keep up the good work thanks for the tip about the gym. Swimming is also in my blood I love it!0
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You look fantastic and I bet you feel even better! Congratulations!0
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Thanks, everyone, for the wonderful words of support! Yes - I do feel a whole lot better! Still more work to do however!
I am in this for the long haul - but it is so worth it!0 -
wow! well done!0
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