Ghostofachance Member

The other day, my son came home from football practice and said "Dad, Coach asked me about how much weight you've lost and told me that you're looking good." A good reminder that people notice when you're making positive changes, even if they aren't saying anything to you.

We don't live close to TJ's (my wallet thanks me already!) but some of the things we try to pick up when we go include the fruit strips (my kid will polish off 2-3 in a sitting if we let him), the Barebells brand plant-based protein bars (vegan candy bars, essentially), dried hatch chili flakes, peri-peri sauce, BBQ…

Pictures of me from 11 years ago (360 lbs.), 5 years ago (280ish) & last week (192 lbs.) It's been a long, slow journey filled with great successes and major steps backward, but I am very happy with what I've accomplished.

I am thinking of signing up for a 10k. I've ran a few 5k races with varying degrees of success in terms of my pace. While I will never be a "fast" runner, I've seen my pace drop by over 35 seconds over the last couple of months. My NSV - I ran 3 miles at a 10:30 pace the other day. I was completely floored that I not only…

I totally feel this - I am anywhere from a 2X to a L depending on the cut of the shirt. Not that I'm complaining, but the days of just grabbing something off the rack "in my size" are over.

I am training for my first 10k and aiming to finish it in less than 70 minutes (11:17/mile pace)

Tofu, lentils, chickpeas and beans are my go-to plant protein sources

Daily. I like having tons of data points to get a better understanding of how factors such as sleep, water intake, sodium consumption affect my weight over time

Oskaloosa

Fight the Good Fight - Triumph

After living with an umbilical hernia for a very long time, I finally met with a surgeon to discuss repairing it. While it is medically necessary to have it repaired, the fact there will no longer be a noticeable bulge in my abdomen is an added benefit.

My current goal is to get (and stay) below 190.

The most impactful comment I've received came from my health care provider. I went to my annual and she looked at me and simply said "Are you proud of yourself? You should be because you've accomplished an incredible thing." I carry that statement with me on the days when I feel like what I've accomplished is not enough,…

Close to breaking 190 - and I'm within 5-10 pounds of my final goal (unless I change my mind, again!)

How acutely aware of how mitigating factors (hours of sleep, alcohol consumption, sodium intake, glasses of water) may affect your weight from day to day. If I eat at a restaurant, I guarantee with almost near certainty my weight will be up the next day due to the amount of sodium in the meal. Conversely, if all other…

I haven't had a blemish on my face for months. I'm attributing it to eating well and exercising.

Went to my annual physical this week and my fasting glucose, BP and cholesterol (down30+ points!) were all in normal range. Instead of recommending I lose weight, I was actually asked if I had reached my goal weight yet. It was validation that all of the hard work has paid off.

I tried on a LARGE shirt this weekend and it fit. I know vanity sizing is pretty rampant in the clothing industry, but I am just learning to adjust to the idea that I no longer have to shop the dreaded "extended sizes" section. Even if it was only one shirt, the idea I can fit into one with an L on the tag felt pretty…

What worked for me yesterday was recognizing that I was hungry and to eat a small snack between lunch and dinner instead of waiting until I was famished and eating too much at dinner.

Day 125 since I adopted a completely plant-based diet. Outside of a couple of minor complaints - most vegan cheese is pretty awful except in small amounts, there are few options at many restaurants in my area - it has been a smooth transition. I had been eating meatless meals (still had dairy and/or eggs) for breakfast and…

Goals met! I've also moved from a BMI classification of "obese" to "overweight" - hooray for being "overweight"!

I totally relate to this statement. Whenever people say something kind at about my weight loss (which is happening frequently since I have lost nearly 100 pounds in the past 16 months), there are times I barely say more than a quiet "thank you" and try not to talk about it any further. I think the shame in allowing myself…

I'm still trying to reach a couple of major milestones - breaking 200 pounds and losing over 100 pounds total ( 2 and 3 pounds away collectively). I am so close it's a little maddening!

@justanotherloser007 I can empathize with you on the loss of your wardrobe. I had a few pieces I absolutely loved in my "old" size but ultimately either stuffed in a trash bag to donate or throw away (depending on the item's condition). It felt good to purge my closet, but the sense of loss was there. The biggest issue I…

Yesterday, I volunteered to "Adopt a Highway" after work. I have participated in the roadside cleanup for years and part of the protocol is to wear a yellow safety vest so we can be seen by passing drivers. For the first time ever, not only I was able to close the vest around me, I wore it over a jacket!

Two major milestones are approaching soon. I am 4 pounds away from being under 200 and 5 away from being 100 pounds down from when I started this last effort in January 2021.

I went shopping and bought a jacket, a hoodie and a polo shirt in an XL - the first time I've ever purchased that size as an adult!

No matter how frequently you weigh (it sounds like I'm in the majority thinking it should be at least weekly), it's important to do it the same way each time. For instance, I follow the same routine: after I wake up in the morning, after I use the restroom, and without clothing. If you change the variables involved in your…

There are times when I look in a mirror and feel a stranger is staring back at me. I've lost over 90 pounds during this current effort and it's made significant changes to the shape of my face. I've probably spent more time during the last couple of months looking at myself in the mirror than at any time in the last 30…

I've been in similar shoes. I officially started at 346, but was probably much higher since I never got on a scale. I've gone through a cycle of gains and losses - the losses were always due to monitoring my diet and consistent exercise, the gains always the result of a combination of stress, increased alcohol intake, and…