Lost 163 pounds (352 -> 189)

I’m Jeff from Fairhope, Alabama. I hope this helps:

I have lost 163 pounds (352 to 189) I’m 6’0”. I will get down to 180.

I am 46 years old. My BMI (if you care about that sort of thing) went from 47 to 26.5. My pants went from 48 to 34-32, depending on the cut. My shirts went from XXXLB to large or medium. My shoe size went from 14.5 to 13. My ring size went from 14 to a 9. I no longer have sleep apnea, HTN, insulin resistance, and all the other obesity markers. My most recent BP was 118/77. My resting HR is 49 (I had to check to make sure that was okay.) I no longer have self loathing. I learned how to recognize and care for my inner child. I make time for me and my health. I do what I say I will do. I never make excuses.

If you are with me so far, that felt a little uncomfortable and braggy, but that’s the type of stuff I would want to know if I were reading this post as someone just starting out.

The next thing I would want to know is, well, how’d you do it? With discipline, consistency, and patience. It takes all three. If one is missing then it won’t happen. Real long-term change will collapse.

I am just like you, if you are in this group. A lifetime of obesity, desperate to lose the weight and willing to do anything. I even got caught in the prolonged fasting trap for several years and have gone 7-10 days without eating, many times; basically torturing myself for nothing.

I have lost the weight and kept it off by changing my mindset. I talk about it on my TikTok channel some: @Jeff_Barker.

I count calories, but no food is ever off limits. I exercise 3-5 days a week, for the health benefits, not as a way to burn calories.

Never quit. The body and life of your dreams is there for your taking. Every moment/every day is an investment in the future you whether you like it or not. YOU CAN DO IT