a dudes war on fat (70lbs down with pics)

Well, after a couple hours spent here, reading everyone else's story, I feel inspired to get on and share a little about myself.

My whole life I was uncomfortable with my weight, always feeling like I'd been dealt a bad hand, and that someday things would magically work themselves out. My mom always told me that I would "grow out, then up" and that I was just at a phase where I was chubby, and so I looked forward to the day when I would wake up and the fat had magically disappeared. But alas, it was not to be so. Every year I told myself that something would happen to make me change, and nothing ever did. I finally got to the point where I went to serve as a religious volunteer for my church for two years (yup, a Mormon missionary. I wore the white shirt and tie, the bike helmet, the whole kit-n-caboodle). It was a great experience for me, and I was excited to go, because I figured THIS would be the experience that would carve all the fat off me without me lifting a finger. Y'know, dressing in church clothes and walking or biking around for two years...how could one possibly stay fat under these conditions?

oh my friends...I found a way.

The exorbitant amounts of food I was eating was counteracting my exercise so that I was slowly still gaining weight. THEN I got moved to place with an unexpected luxury....a car. At this point, I'm sure my body was like a hot air balloon and my inner fat kid was the man in the basket, fueling the fire and inflating my fat. I topped out at around 280 (i don't recall my exact weight, I was in denial) and have never felt more disgusted with myself.

After a few failed attempts to start exercising in the mornings, I was paired with another missionary who is, to this day, a very dear friend and inspiring role model. He had gone through this same struggle, with the odds stacked higher against him, and had still come out on top. He had lost 130 lbs before starting his missionary service, and had converted himself into a veritable fitness guru. He tried to motivate me to get out and run with him, but I was simply too lazy. I had no faith that any effort on my part would yield any results, no matter the energy or time invested.

It was at this point that the tables turned. My family and friends lived in UT, while I was being a missionary in Texas, and not having seen any of them for over a year, I was receiving a lot of correspondence from them in the form of letters. One beautiful girl, whom I care very much about and to this day is my best friend, wrote me a letter and told me that she was worried about me, and my health habits. When she suggested that I lose weight, that was the wake up call I needed. I started running the next day, and I have never looked back. I go to the gym six days a week, I've been using MFP for about 4-5 months now, and I ran a Ragnar race last week. It's been such an incredible journey and I'm never going back to the way I was.

Replies

  • Wellllllp, I can't figure out how to load a picture on here. Any tips?
  • tawny2727
    tawny2727 Posts: 35 Member
    Great story! I'm glad you shared it with us...very inspiring. Keep up the great work :)
  • How the heck do I put up pictures on the post!?
  • oldmanstauf
    oldmanstauf Posts: 202 Member
    You need a hosting site, like image shack or photobucket
  • yelpat
    yelpat Posts: 414 Member
    Excellent work John!
  • vickianne17
    vickianne17 Posts: 16 Member
    I'm excited for you!! One of my son's had a similar weight problem and actually lost his weight before going on his mission. He managed to keep most of it off during his mission...but did gain some. He still works at staying at a normal weight...for some it is a lifetime issue. And....I have finally found the right way for me to lose weight...I am a low carber!!
  • neverlost
    neverlost Posts: 121 Member
    Congrats on your success. You look great in your profile pic =)
  • SexyCook
    SexyCook Posts: 2,249 Member
    The Profile PIcture...speaks VOLUMES....GO YOU!!! Looking Amazing!
  • jcamby
    jcamby Posts: 200 Member
    I agree - your profile pic is amazing!! Congrats on your success - loved your story! Thanks for sharing!
  • hooperkay
    hooperkay Posts: 463 Member
    i agree profile pic tells all. You are kicking fats a**!
  • This is inspiring, and you look awesome! This definitely shows it can be done!

    I want to be at 160, so I have to go down 110 pounds to do it. I have 8 1/2 so far ... I can do this. :-)
  • deneike15
    deneike15 Posts: 2 Member
    That is awesome... I just decided that I was tired of being fat.... I have lost a total of 24lbs and I have 60 more to go. I hope I have the determination to stick with it. You are an inspiriration.
  • i feel ya ..Thanks for sharing your story !!
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314
    Very inspiring. The hard work paid off.
  • c0untingsheep
    c0untingsheep Posts: 159 Member
    From your display pic, I can def see a huge difference!
  • needles85365
    needles85365 Posts: 491 Member
    great job John
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
    Congrats John, the profile pic does show us a difference (but can't wait till you get some photos posted)..I love the way you wrote, very visual (the hot air balloon), the fat falling off you as you biked around.....I can relate to those thoughts...the grow up then up.....
    and the feeling of being disgusted with oneself.

    I just started my journey and it's success stories like yours that will keep my motivation up. Thanks for sharing.
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