Anyone Here Into Weight Loss (pics)

[allan]

Since we are talking about health issues here, I've been diabetic for about35 years now, on insulin for all that time. I just love (used to love) sugar in any form. A real killer for me. As predicted by some physcians, diabetes takes its real toll about 25 years into it. Sure enough, at about 25 years, I had a mild heart attack and needed a quad by=pass and a lifetime of medication of statins etc.
Even after the difficult surgery, sugar was still a part of my life until my wife explained to me that she will love me no matter what, but how would I feel if my habits did not change, and I lost some limbs etc? She would have to take care of me and would that really be fair? Already experiencing the effects of the disease, I knew that she was right.
With that mature realization, I went to the Greenwich diabetes and weight loss center and proceeded to change my diet. Eventually the cravings for sweets went away, and as I said earlier, pipe smoking helped tremendously.
I wish all of you guys the same success.
Allan

 

[lordofthepiperings]

When I was shrinking down my diet consisted of an apple and a yogurt with a glass of water at 5AM. Then a snack of an apple and a yogurt with a powerade around 9AM. A lunch of a Dole salad kit with a powerade. I think by that point my calorie count was somewhere around 1,100. So dinner was usually a little more lax and having a soda. Also my job had me walking about nine miles a day mostly in the Phoenix sun and summer heat. Then I'd hit home for 200 crunches and 25 push ups.

 

[zonomo]

Congrats - I bet your beautiful daughter will really appreciate your hard work and dedication. When I was heavier, I used to think about another man raising my daughters because I committed suicide with a fork and spoon.

 

[phred]

I went over 200 pounds after getting my first office job (more sedentary) and peaked at almost 290. I took off about 25 pounds while training to ride a century (100 miles in one day on a bicycle), but then started packing them back on. Last year, my wife's workplace opened a health and fitness center, and we both joined - I was at 284 again by that point. Now, a year later (and several months on WW) I'm back down to 271. And the weather's allowing more bicycling, so the process should continue...

 

[zonomo]

Simple concept. Eat less than you burn off.

Its a bit more complicated than that because on a given day, you may not burn more k-cals than you consume. It's about Metabolic Rate. I speak as the former owner of a Heath Club (Kickboxing and Pilates). When you have a higher metabolism, your body burns more calories more efficiently - even when you sleep. As we age, our metabolism slows down but often our consumption of calories (though unhealthy food or alcohol) actually increase, as do our pant size. Increasing your metabolic rate will ensure that on the days you don't burn more calories than you take in will not have a negative impact on your overall weight. Muscle takes more fuel (k-cals) to burn than does fat. So when you put on muscle, you are making your body burn more calories and thus increasing your metabolism. This is exactly why you see larger people on treadmills or elliptical never lose their weight. They work hard but their metabolic rate stays exactly the same.

 

[brdavidson]

Well I think I'm going to make one more tad order and then concentrate my spending on getting some help, stress has taken its toll on me and I'll have to start caring for my wife soon so I will need to be stringer and healthier to help her. I'll post my progress as I go, thanks for the inspiration gentlemen. This community rocks.

 

[zonomo]

Please do brdavidson - you will feel so fantastic, energized and lowered stress!!! Bring IT!!!

 

[politicalmonster]

Good job to all that have lost the weight!

I had a similar story...Hovered around 300lbs for about 12 years after getting out of the corps. Dr. told me I was pre diabetic and pre hypertensive, and that I had to lose weight or go on meds.

I did WW online and the P90x workouts for 9 months, and got down to 210. I have stayed at 210-215 for over a year now. WW really taught me to look at food differently, and that is what I credit more than anything.

Here are the pics...

Fat -

Healthy -

 

[igloo]

From 460 to 360 it took over a year and a half . Now I am a big to begin with at 265 you can count my ribs but what helped was not eating anything that came in a box or fast food . If I want chips or ice cream , anything like that I put them in a regular coffee cup . I think everyone has to find the foods that puts their weight on , for me it is wheat and white potatoes ,starch if you will .Good luck to everyone .

 

[uberam3rica]

I have a friend who was huge. He was rather round had a chubby face and not much of a neck. Now he is just as skinny as I am. I'm 6 foot tall and 160 pounds.It was quite the change, I didn't even recognize him at first.

 

[teufelhund]

Congrats to all you guys! I never had too much difficulty with my weight (Most of my life I wanted to gain some mass) but when I finally hit 210lbs and just didn't feel in shape it seemed like it took a heck of a lot to drop that 25lbs. Congratulations and I hope you can keep up the good work.

 

[zonomo]

wow politicalmonster - congrats. Semper Fi..

 

[05venturer]

This thread is inspiring me to get back on the weight loss wagon. I am currently at 315 +/- and would like to get down to around 225 (my high school graduating weight). I made it down to 255 a few years back on WW but for some reason didn't stick with it. I had gotten down below 300 back in January but now I have been laid off since Feb and put it all back on. Starting a new job new week and weather is finally coming around, time to "JUST DO IT". CONGRATS TO ALL on your accomplishments.

 

[eaglerico]

I have refrained from posting in this thread just out of shear disgust with myself. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I am now 28 and 388 lbs. Today I have started my pre-operation diet. 2 protien shakes a day (1 in the morning, 1 at lunch) and a really small dinner for three weeks. Then I get the lap band and start a whole new journey. I have always hated how big I was/am, but the kicker was having a son. He is 14 months and all over the place and I can barely get on the floor and play with him. I was an extreme athlete in my younger days. I did football year round from the time I was 7 till I was 18. If it wasn't football season I was working out. Due to the torture I put my body through and the added weight when I got to college I ended up with 5 herniated discs, 2 in back and 3 in discs. These have made it where I can not do much of anything physical with out some repercussions. I tried many times to do an exercise program but would end up in bed for a week. Sorry I am rambling here. I have realized today how hard this is going to be.

 

[politicalmonster]

Eaglerico - Congrats on making the choice to get healthier! Good luck on the lap band procedure, hope it works great for you.

Don't obsess about what was, or the difficulty of each day; look forward to teaching your son to play football!

No matter how you do it, it is definitely work, but it is also very much worth it.

Good luck!

-PM

 

[eaglerico]

2 in back and 3 in discs

Supposed to me "3 in neck"
Thank you politicalmonster.

 

[cavendish]

looks good! I'm not into weight loss but I am into being healthy. I used to be an amatuer strongman competitor but due to a pinched nerve in my lower back I cannot train or compete any longer. Before my last competition I weighed 288.75lb at about 9% body fat. It's been about 4yr since I did a comp and the same length of time since I trained. I try to keep my weight around 215-225lb (currently weigh 223lb). I'm 6'3" so that is a decent weight for me. I have lost alot of my size and I have found that my metabolism is starting to slow down since I stopped competing and as I get a little older. I just try to eat healthy, drink healthy and stay active within my restraints. Fishing, hunting, swimming, kayaking, hiking and just being outdoors is how I stay healthy.

 

[cigrmaster]

Congrats to everyone who has lost the weight.
eagle, you can do this. I wish you all the best.
I am 6'4" and normally weigh 215-220. Since I have been laid up for all these months I ballooned up to 260. I am now back down to 240 and will be back to my normal weight in a few weeks. I can lose 1 pound a day on my diet which consists of eating one small meal a day and exercising.

 

[eaglerico]

I know this thread has been dead for a while but I wanted to update my status. I am typically not one to spout about personal issues in such a public place but this is something I feel everyone deals with in some regard and is something that is very personal to me.
3 months back I posted in this thread about how I was 388 pounds and starting my weight loss journey. I had the lap-band and thought I had thoroughly mutilated myself the week immediately following the surgery. I was absolutely miserable. I had no choice at that point but I was seriously doubting the decision. I can now say that is was a great decision. As with all things, it took a little time to get into my new life style. As of this morning I am down to 330 pounds. With a little rounding that is 60 pounds in 3 months. The goal my doctors have set is 189 pounds, so I still have a good way to go. The goal is based on height chart (5' 9"). Today I bought a whole new wardrobe. I started a new job this week and after the first week I realized I just looked like a slob in overly big clothes.
I am only putting this here because you guys were/are a great support. Thanks for the support.
I also wanted to say that if anyone is wanting to ask questions publicly or privately if you are considering anything similar, please feel free to ask. It helps not only you but me as well.
Again, thank you.

 

[jah76]

Well I'm chiming in because for the first time in 5 years I am under 250. My XL's fit good again and I feel a lot better. I have cut out nearly 100% of my fast food intake at work and have really been paying attention to what I'm putting in my body.
My method isn't the most optimum (I put my Weber grill to WORK boy) and it isn't going to work for everyone, but right now it's doing the job for me. I have a goal of 220 and it's really exciting to know I'm only 20 odd pounds away from it.
I put on pants the other day I hadn't worn in over a year and I'm on the last notch on my belts.
Chris, your original post actually inspired me.