The On My Way There Pic

Yes, thank you for posting. I'm doing about the same transformation you did and just now starting to realize this may really happen. Seeing that you did and the pics you posted certainly helps. Do you mind me asking if you did any special form of diet and excercise?

I kind of just wing it. Just kidding. I tend to follow the concept of metabolism spiking, but my own version of it. I really only work out 2-3 times per week. usually cardio with a dab of strength training in. I box a lot, it is a good stress reliever and I do that with interval training; go full force for 2-3 minutes with 30 second rest breaks (used by boxers to simulate a boxing round) I do the elliptical, play basketball and yoga... Yes yoga... Yoga is for big people too, my flexibility and back is so much better because of it.

In regards to my metabolism spiking I tend to just review the trend of what I am eating and change things as I see fit. For example, if I plateau and I have been meeting my calories daily for the whole week I will take a "fasting" day where I go down to 1200 or so calories by eating nothing but lean meats / veggies/ fruits. Then the next day I will go back to meeting my calories or I will try it two or three days one way then switch to another. It is usually not by design but I will generally focus on one goal for the week, if that doesnt work I switch.

I enjoy ice cream, cookies, candy. I have eliminated the big chain fast foods like mcdonalds and burger king but I still enjoy pizza, mexican food and so forth. The key is moderation and making the best choices. I switched to zero calorie sodas and I try to limit those but I am a caffeine fiend. The key is to meet your calorie goal, your goal may be high that day or low the next.

I tried in the past too "diet" and what I got was unreasonable expectations. Even doing this I have an obvious body image problem, I still dont see myself as losing that much even though I am rewarded daily with co workers comments or from the wife / family.

Myfitnesspal does what it does for me and that is why I call it myfitnesspal "guilt" tracker because it holds me accountable. If i don't put it in, for me that is just lying to myself. If you look at my diaries you will see ridiculous things like altoids and gum and 2 calorie coffee servings, but to me this is therapy. I can see what I am doing and I take responsibility one way or another. I dont know how many times I went past my calories and then decided to go running or walking. Sorry for the long response !