msharrington315 Member

engage in TaeKwonDo

a newly-sharpened Buck knife

PB2, PB Fit, etc... rock! Saved this peanut butter lover!

I have a desk job too. I have an understanding with my boss that I need to walk during lunch.

Looking for large weight loss maintenance support and to inspire. Lost over 200 lbs in less than a year. 45 years old from Connecticut, USA. Love outdoors and hiking.

Great job! It does feel good to get in better shape! Feel free to add me as I too lost a tremendous amount of weight in less than a year (209 lbs so far). I am looking for support around maintenance, etc.

Nicely stated. And you hit the nail on the head on so many points with my own transformation. I often wonder how people perceive me now, especially those who never knew me when I was over 400 pounds. Sometimes when I tell people, they can't even conceive of me being that big, nor losing over 200 pounds. I carry some…

Thanks and congrats on your loss and maintaining! How we see ourselves can affect our future... Love the pants pic on your profile... I did those too. Good to remember where we once were!

Another interesting thing I have seen on here... and I am not picking with anyone. People who tell me that they have "only lost xx pounds...". Granted, I know the amount I lost is amazing, however, we should all be proud of the health improvements we are doing for ourselves. I was very overweight, which was nothing to be…

AMEN!!! B)

I agree about people not getting the calories in, calories out concept. People keep asking my opinions of certain diets, or cutting carbs, etc. I eat basically anything I want, but the "bad" stuff in moderation. Although we need to have a good balance of nutrients, it still comes down to that basic formula. At least that's…

Thanks and 65 pounds lost is a lot. Congrats to you! Keep up the great work. I agree that shows like the Biggest Loser do not portray a good example of what real, sustainable weight loss should be. You can lose weight by all kinds of methods, but in the end are you learning anything or changing your habits for good? As to…

Add me need support and can provide support as well. :smile:

Though I did shock her when I was able to put on her jeans and blouse. She is "average" sized (slightly overweight). We both got a big kick out of it! And, no, I am not cross-dressing now! Not that I care if anyone else is into that... :smile: And NO, I won't take and post any pics... in case any of you ask! LOL

Yes and no. She is tremendously happy for me, both for the physical and mental transformations. I know she was constantly worried about me. Probably more so around the mental state I was in as she was really the only person who knew that I was giving up on life. Since she has been there every day I think she learned to…

I lost over 200 pounds in less than a year... you can imagine how many sizes I went through... size 60" waist to 32"... 4XL shirt to Medium... Thrift stores have saved my wallet along the way! And I have been wearing new/almost new Ralph Lauren, Izod, Brooks Brothers... all under $10 each!

I agree that people who react negatively are the ones with the issue, although it can be challenging when you already have had self-esteem issues for so many years. Don't get me wrong, I definitely feel better about my appearance, but I can tell you that one person very close to me said some things that threw me for a loop…

For most I can do this, but unfortunately a few I cannot get rid of. I just need to handle them differently or not engage in these conversations.

Thanks! Looks like you have lost quite a bit too... How has it been for you on an emotional level? How have others reacted?

I know. People keep telling me to stop listening. It was hardest when it came from a couple of people close to me, but I had to step back and realize the place they were coming from. And you're right, I am making new friends on here with like-minded attitudes!

Thanks! And you're right, I had to turn that very negative experience into something positive. My advice on maintaining is that you need to look at this as a lifestyle change, not a diet or exercise plan. When a person gets as big as I was, I needed to do something different. I can't explain all of the details here, but in…

Thank you. It still amazes me sometimes. What sort of reactions have you experienced from others with your weight loss?

No need to apologize and thank you. I love hearing others' stories. At first, I didn't want to share either, but as I lost more weight, and more people were telling me how I was inspiring them, I felt it was my duty to share. Great job on your weight loss too!

Really great responses and stories. I need some time to read them all, but I find them all helpful and inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you everyone. I feel truly blessed to be here. Sometimes when I look back I feel bad for the person I was, suffering mentally from the shame and self-hate. I use to go to bed wishing I would have a heart attack in my sleep. It was no life for me or for my family. I have written articles on my experiences. I will do…

I agree. I love breakfast too! Though I don't always eat "breakfast" foods. Sometimes I eat my lunch first!

Congrats on your amazing loss. So many people say "it only gets harder as you get older..." and you did it over 60! Wow, proved them wrong! Yes, "flipping the switch" is what I had to do. I call it "reinventing myself". I actually wrote an article on the subject as it was something I had to do in order to lose all the…

Thank you. 172 pounds is amazing! Congrats to you! You must feel fantastic!

Congrats on your loss. That is exactly what I think is going on- it's the people who cannot lose it themselves who are reacting in a negative manner.

"Only" 60 pounds is still a lot of weight! Congrats to you! Thank you and, yes, it is a tremendous accomplishment. I didn't realize how far down I had gotten until I look back now. As you can imagine, going from over 400 pounds to the 190s I look like a completely different person (and almost no sagging skin). This plays…