Just hit 200lbs down

TEZofAllTrades
TEZofAllTrades Posts: 51 Member
edited November 5 in Success Stories
Hi folks! I haven’t posted on here in a very long time, but thought I would do so to mark a big milestone and maybe inspire someone. This week I hit 200lbs lost since March 2022 (my latest attempt over nearly 2 decades of yo-yoing and eventually giving up).

Long story short, after losing two jobs due to weight-related health issues, I finally got my head together (-ish) and started losing weight consistently. Graph attached. Despite the crazy number, I’m still not thin…but I’m doing so much better and I’m not done yet.

How I did it: no gimmicks, diets, fads, or any other BS thin people on the Internet promote to sell crap and hook us all into the endless weight loss/gain cycle. No gym or heavy exercise. What worked for me was honest logging on MFP combined with VERY slow & steady protein-rich food swaps and calorie reductions, and lots of walking. I was still overeating for a long time, just not anywhere near as much, and after about a year that was enough to get me through the worst of the Leptin withdrawal and lose 1-2lbs a week. After that, my doctor prescribed Orlistat, which is not some miracle drug or Ozempic etc. It’s a limited fat blocker but has side effects if not used judiciously, so I recommend it to big people in need of a jumpstart but only those who are committed. My daily calorie goal is currently 1600-1800, but I’ll likely have to switch things up soon

I’ve been doing this alone, but I know things will get harder as time goes on, so it would be great to connect with some new MFP Friends, especially other big losers. Please feel free to add me.

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Replies

  • nossmf
    nossmf Posts: 12,073 Member
    I can barely comprehend...you could literally give me a piggyback ride and still weigh less than you used to!
  • BillKam73
    BillKam73 Posts: 6,482 Member
    Astounding progress! Congratulations! Ihope you are proud of your journey to date.
  • GoRun2
    GoRun2 Posts: 478 Member
    Congratulations 🎊
  • GoRun2
    GoRun2 Posts: 478 Member
    Congratulations 🎊
  • smileckay123
    smileckay123 Posts: 1 Member
    Unbelievable weight loss! Well done and thanks for the inspiration!
  • jjalajandra
    jjalajandra Posts: 3 Member
    Hey. I lost 68 pounds the same way you lost weight--a lot of hard work! Congratulations on a big loss!
  • danagisana
    danagisana Posts: 43 Member
    that is beyond incredible!!!! hope you are doing something amazing for yourself to celebrate phenomenal milestone
  • djk970104
    djk970104 Posts: 3 Member
    That’s fantastic! Be proud of your hard work and accomplishments!
  • Venus1721
    Venus1721 Posts: 4 Member
    That's incredible! Congratulations!
  • mortgagegirl1
    mortgagegirl1 Posts: 11 Member
    Amazing! congratulations!
  • oakster69
    oakster69 Posts: 79 Member
    Amazing progress and similar to what I need to do. I am going to message you and ask you a few questions if you dont mind.
  • PKDfighter74
    PKDfighter74 Posts: 10 Member
    That’s amazing, you must feel so much better!
  • tonyafrizzell
    tonyafrizzell Posts: 1 Member
    Incredible results! Obviously you have found what has worked and good for you for recognizing the toxic behaviour of so-called experts who are just trying to sell you something! Now that you have a new-to-you body, I'd encourage you to start looking at what exercise will work for you as once you find the right level and type, that will make you feel even better -- it does for me. Both physically and mentally.

    Keep up the amazing work.
  • egarten27
    egarten27 Posts: 5 Member
    Way to go!!! You have put in a lot of hard work- you're an inspiration!
  • mkcruzr
    mkcruzr Posts: 1 Member
    YOU are a ROCK STAR!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!
    Thank you for sharing your journey. I needed to hear this, because I DO NOT want to go on medication to lose weight. I DO NOT want to spend extra money for special programs or shots and I DO NOT want the side effects that often come with taking the medications.
    Tracking is the key for me because it keeps me accountable. The weight might be coming off slower for me, but I'm hoping that means I'm developing habits that will help me maintain the weight loss.
    You are a great example!
  • SteveB_80403
    SteveB_80403 Posts: 1 Member
    That is fantastic! Congratulations on your journey. I thought ridding myself of 85 lbs over the last year was good but you eclipsed that.

    Like you and others, my journey has been a combination of eating less, eating better, and exercise. At our wellness center at work (a national laboratory), they talk about the body's ability to adapt and become much more efficient in burning calories and I should incorporate some plateau periods every couple of months. During these, my goal is to eat enough calories and not be in a calorie deficit and to reduce my body's adaptation to a low calorie diet. That made the big change for me and gave me a break on occasion. Then, back to the calorie deficit.

    Keep going!
  • mahmzy
    mahmzy Posts: 1 Member
    Amazing accomplishment! So proud of you. Here's to a healthy long life.
  • meirgolub
    meirgolub Posts: 1 Member
    Awesome work!!! So so so inspiring
  • TEZofAllTrades
    TEZofAllTrades Posts: 51 Member
    edited November 30
    Thank you for the supportive messages folks!
    nossmf wrote: »
    I can barely comprehend...you could literally give me a piggyback ride and still weigh less than you used to!
    This is my second favourite weight loss compliment! The first was a friend telling me that "the car shakes a lot less when you get in now".
    bjmcq wrote: »
    it seems essential to your success...you have inspired me to get back to the log!
    It's definitely a chore, but I know from experience that if I don't log, I "quiet quit". Having a record keeps me accountable, even if I don't eat perfectly. Luckily, my diet is fairly repetitive, so I can copy full days. I just wish you could copy weeks at a time.
    Hey. I lost 68 pounds the same way you lost weight--a lot of hard work! Congratulations on a big loss!
    Well done!
    -I have lost 25 pounds so far. I have 100 more to lose and then some. Is this even possible?
    -I am huffing and puffing wherever I go, I can't bend down and I need a grabbing tool to pick stuff up.
    -I am not on a diet, I have just changed my lifestyle. I eat between 1,400 and 1,600 calories a day. eat what I like, just different.
    Thank you for your post! Well done on your loss so far, you can absolutely keep going! Take it one day at a time, but think of your weight loss in terms of a yearly number rather than weekly. It's a marathon not a sprint. Personally, I had to take things VERY slow at first because I was basically an addict, and going cold turkey just wouldn't have (and hasn't previously) worked for me. Sounds like you have a plan and a bit more discipline than me, so do what works for you and find ways to incorporate sensible swaps and substitutions for things you like, as it sounds like you're doing. You don't need to do "high protein", just try to hit your MFP nutrition percentage goal. I know just how you feel. I used to think I was going to die just walking to the bus stop lol! I think after 6 months of my short walks, as difficult as it was, I was finding it easier, so just moving more often helped with "fitness" not just weight loss. All the best and feel free to reach out.
    oakster69 wrote: »
    I am going to message you and ask you a few questions if you dont mind.
    I'm no expert but happy to help if I can, so feel free!
    good for you for recognizing the toxic behaviour of so-called experts who are just trying to sell you something!
    I think it's borderline criminal the way weight loss misinformation operates as a business. It needs regulation. It's very freeing once you learn to ignore the BS and stick to "eat less but more often and move more."
    mkcruzr wrote: »
    Tracking is the key for me because it keeps me accountable. The weight might be coming off slower for me.
    Slow and steady with honest tracking is the way. It's hard to get excited about small numbers e.g. 1lb a week (or less), but over a year that's 52lbs (or a smaller but significant number)!
    I thought ridding myself of 85 lbs over the last year was good but you eclipsed that.
    85lbs in a year is incredible! My number is across 2.75 years. Interesting insight about adapting. Might need to do something like that without messing up my routine.
  • spottedpony62
    spottedpony62 Posts: 7 Member
    CONGRATULATIONS!!! Keep up the good work. So inspiring! I'm only 35 down but have a lot more to go. Thanks for the inspiration.
  • Amazing! You should be very proud. Extend your goal, eat correctly and stay healthy. Bravo !!!
  • Lady_Magenta
    Lady_Magenta Posts: 128 Member
    edited December 1
    oakster69 wrote: »
    Amazing progress and similar to what I need to do. I am going to message you and ask you a few questions if you dont mind.

    Brave is spot on!
  • ddsb1111
    ddsb1111 Posts: 885 Member
    So impressed and amazed. Incredible accomplishment!
  • BonnieDoneGood
    BonnieDoneGood Posts: 12 Member
    Wow! I admire your progress and perseverance. Congratulations on the 200 pound weight loss - what a milestone! I’ve lost fifty pounds in a year, with about twenty more to go yet, and your story inspires me very much.
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