Obese Man Finally On The Right Path

[Lannan]

Quick stats at the start of my journey: 380lbs / 31yrs / 6 ft

I have always been a big guy, played a lot of sports back in highschool, lifted weights back then, etc. I'm sure all that is a pretty common story around here.

My journey started soon after the birth of my first son (April 27 2015). I finally stepped on a scale for the first time in a long time and saw the sobering number of 380lbs staring me back in the face. I was out of excuses or reasons and knew that if I wanted to get my life back on track and be there for my wife and son, I had to start making a change now.

A couple of friends from work gave me great motivation and advice, and pointed me to this very website, where I read article after article, lurked on the forum, and built my own gameplan. I officially joined a gym on the day after my birthday (Jan 21) and have been going 6 days a week, if not every day of the week. I have been lifting 3 days a week with cardio on non-lifting days, and have never been more motivated in my life. I have finally got my diet on track and learned how to eat right, which was easier than I thought it would be thanks to all the information on the forums and the website.

I just wanted to say thanks for the website and forum. It has been such a great resource for knowledge and motivation to keep working hard. It really is a lifestyle change!

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs

[NeverTilt]

Great start man!!! Sounds like your on the right track. Take some photos now if you haven't already, you will see the biggest difference there, or I do at least. I yoyo horribly though!!! U should be very proud of yourself, now keep it going!!

[mjf100215]

Extremely strong first post.
Well done.

[tara19]

Congratulations on taking action!
Wish you the best of luck.

[Lannan]

Yeah I took some pictures on the night I joined the gym. I added them to my profile so I can see how far I've come and see a place I never want to be at again. Thank you again for all the words of encouragement. This is an awesome community that I wish I would have found sooner!

[cherrygarcia80]

Yeah I took some pictures on the night I joined the gym. I added them to my profile so I can see how far I've come and see a place I never want to be at again. Thank you again for all the words of encouragement. This is an awesome community that I wish I would have found sooner!

Wow, great job OP! Wishing you all the best on your journey!

[Halbrust]

Awesome job!
I'm in a similar situation.

41YO 6ft 336lbs
Down from 346 four weeks ago. I started my journey about a week before I got onto a scale that could weigh me. Figure I lost almost 10 lbs that first week, but we all know that first big drop is just water weight.

[Lannan]

Wow, great job OP! Wishing you all the best on your journey!

I enjoyed reading about your own journey. Some great motivation to be found there, congrats on your hard earned results!

[cherrygarcia80]

I enjoyed reading about your own journey. Some great motivation to be found there, congrats on your hard earned results!

Thanks so much Lannan I'd highly recommend starting a fat loss log if you feel upto it. I find it helps me with accountability and support as I'm able to connect with people on the same journey. In real life there's no one (friends and fam) who are struggling with my kind of weight so as much as they are supportive they can't really relate and that can be frustrating at times. So bb has really helped me in that aspect. Anyway, wishing you all the best!

[Lannan]

Just posting to update my progress. I was able to fit into some pants my wife bought me a year ago that I had never actually been able to fit in, which was some great motivation. When you are as big as I am, it is hard to see a visible difference in waistline because big is big when trying to notice small changes. As always, thanks to the community for their support!

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs
Mar 1st: 351lbs

[rbjames74]

Just posting to update my progress. I was able to fit into some pants my wife bought me a year ago that I had never actually been able to fit in, which was some great motivation. When you are as big as I am, it is hard to see a visible difference in waistline because big is big when trying to notice small changes. As always, thanks to the community for their support!

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs
Mar 1st: 351lbs

Get it bro!

[Lannan]

Checking in for my weekly progress update. Added some new foods to my list. Grilled baby bella mushrooms to bulk up some grilled meats are amazing! I've seen people on these forums mention Perky Jerky, and it just so happened to be on sale at my local grocery store, so I bought a few different kinds to try. So far, I have enjoyed each flavor. I ordered some Quest bars (cookie dough) and they make an excellent on the go snack as well. I have warmed them up in the microwave for about 20 seconds and they hit the spot, especially if you're craving something a little sweet.

Diet aside, was still a good week in the gym and I feel like the requisite work was paid!


Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs
Mar 1st: 351lbs
Mar 8th: 347lbs

[anonymous]

"I ordered some Quest bars (cookie dough)"

i ate one bar... in the bathroom for an hour

[Lannan]

Dang that sucks to hear man. I'm by no means married to Quest bars, so I'm always open for suggestions for quick snack type foods like that so I can keep them at my office.

[epfuhl]

Just saw your thread. Keep up the progress, man!

Personal recommendation: take a quick 1 a day multi-vitamin, and some fish oil if you aren't already. Definitely helps pick up the nutritional slack when cutting.

[Lannan]

I have been taking a multi-vitamin as well as fish oil since I started. I think the biggest change for me was finding veggies that I actually like, since I have always been a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Recently I have been grilling baby bella mushrooms and they go great with pretty much any kind of meat I cook! Green beans are also a staple, but I probably need to keep searching for other veggies that taste similar that I can stick with.

I recently bought some frozen buffalo cauliflower, which looks good, but I haven't tried it yet.

One of the biggest changes I've made is using stevia/truvia instead of sugar for my coffee. I normally drink a few cups a day, so I'm sure that would added up over time.

Overall is was a good week, and I'm feeling strong!

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs
Mar 1st: 351lbs
Mar 8th: 347lbs
Mar 15th: 344lbs

[Halbrust]

Where's this weeks update?

[Marwan4449]

I just had to reply to this post cuz from first line that I read I just got hooked and wanted to know what is happening with you. Will you got everything covered and you are doing great.
Keep it up and keep them lbs pouring .

[Lannan]

Sorry I haven't updated this post. i wasn't really sure if people on here cared to keep reading about it and didn't want to keep bumping my own thread. Thank you so much for the support and drive to keep working!

I have been keeping track of everything in MFP, and have been working hard to keep losing the weight and get healthy. I have had a lot of comments from coworkers as they have started to really notice my change. I pretty much refer them to this website and to download MFP (or something similar)

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs
Mar 1st: 351lbs
Mar 8th: 347lbs
Mar 15th: 344lbs
Mar 21st: 340lbs
Mar 27th: 335lbs

[Lannan]

Just posting a quick update since I remember to actually do it this week! It has been a week of HARD work in the gym. I feel like I am really hitting my stride now and most of the hunger/cravings have finally vanished. For the things I still crave, I have managed to find pretty good alternatives that still hit the spot when needed.

I have a friend the joins me for a few days at the gym, and the extra motivation helps tremendously. When I weighed in today it almost seemed unreal that I have lost 50 lbs. I still have a ways to go to reach a goal I'll be happy with, but the progress thus far has been wonderful.

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs
Mar 1st: 351lbs
Mar 8th: 347lbs
Mar 15th: 344lbs
Mar 21st: 340lbs
Mar 27th: 335lbs
Apr 4th: 330lbs

[pdidonato]

Started reading this thread and have seen your progress over the past couple of months and that is AMAZING!
One tip I must give you is to stay focused and motivated... I was in the same boat as you about 20 months ago. I am a 47 year male and at my peak I weighed 320. I had Type 2 Diabetes, High BP, Cholesterol and anything else that can be high. Sleep Apnea
I was on 5 different Meds and was determined to get off of them.
I started cutting all the crap out of my diet and adopted a Paleo like diet. nothing but chicken breast or chicken sausage and lots of Kale. Within 6 months I lost around 50 pounds. I also attribute somewhat to taking Metaformin for the Type 2.
I then joined a CrossFit Affiliate and began to workout about 5 days a week.
In the first year I was down 75 pounds. I was off all the meds and had an entire new wardrobe.--and no more high A1c and fasting blood sugar
But as fast as it went off, it comes back. I had a knee injury in November of last year and that really curtailed my ability to workout as intensely as I was. The regular gym was not cutting it for me and as of this morning I have gained back maybe 30-35 pounds. I am just getting back into the swing of thing but it is hard. Going for Meniscus surgery soon and hoping PT will not be that long.
You need to keep focused as I said it comes off quickly, but comes back just as quick. I did make some gains and I at least do know how to lose the weight again. After almost 15 years of trying, I do have the focus and motivation to lose it on a whim now.

Keep up the good work!!!!

I find when you plan to lose weight you never do, but when you do start losing weight by making changes unconsciously,you don't realize it and look back at yourself and say wow...I was really bad....

Sorry for the Rant.....Keep it up!!!

[Lannan]

Thanks for sharing your story man. It is crazy how fast someone can gain weight. My "normal" weight before was between 290-310. After a company that I worked for went under and laid basically everyone off, I think depression may have got the better of me because the pounds just wracked up without me really noticing. Which seems insane because when I think back to that year, it was like a was a completely different person. Just ate a ton of fast food, or whatever was convenient or quick and easy.

It's amazing how much you can sabotage yourself in what seems like such a brief period of time, but now I finally feel like I control my own destiny and have a real game plan for success. And of course, the proper motivation to achieve (and maintain!) your goals helps a ton as well.

[oncewasinshape]

Thanks for sharing your story man. It is crazy how fast someone can gain weight. My "normal" weight before was between 290-310. After a company that I worked for went under and laid basically everyone off, I think depression may have got the better of me because the pounds just wracked up without me really noticing. Which seems insane because when I think back to that year, it was like a was a completely different person. Just ate a ton of fast food, or whatever was convenient or quick and easy.

It's amazing how much you can sabotage yourself in what seems like such a brief period of time, but now I finally feel like I control my own destiny and have a real game plan for success. And of course, the proper motivation to achieve (and maintain!) your goals helps a ton as well.

You should ask a mod to move this over to the "Losing Fat Logs" subforum.

[Lannan]

Is there a way I can flag a mod to have them move it to where it needs to be? I don't mind having the thread moved to someone more appropriate if needed.

[TampaElite]

Congrats! This is awesome! Keep it up.

[ryantrek]

Daaaannnggg Bro!! This is awesome! Keep it up, you are a motivation to many!

[Halbrust]

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Apr 4th: 330lbs

I started one day before you, and about 30lbs less than you.
You are on track to pass me up 6/22/16 at 276.6lbs.
Challenge accepted!

[Lannan]

Just updating for this week. Didn't get to make it to the gym much over the weekend due to an illness, but the progress was still pretty solid!

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs
Mar 1st: 351lbs
Mar 8th: 347lbs
Mar 15th: 344lbs
Mar 21st: 340lbs
Mar 27th: 335lbs
Apr 4th: 330lbs
Apr 11th: 327lbs

[Lannan]

Little bit of a disappointing week last week. Only lost a pound. Thankfully, the motivation to work hard this week to make up for it is high!

Yesterday was spent prepping food for the first part of this week. Thank you B1G1 boneless/skinless chicken breasts! So my dietary questions for the first part of this week are set. I haven't really done much advanced food prep before, but I'm working a more normal shift (I was working nights before) so that has allowed me to get on a better schedule to get things done.

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs
Mar 1st: 351lbs
Mar 8th: 347lbs
Mar 15th: 344lbs
Mar 21st: 340lbs
Mar 27th: 335lbs
Apr 4th: 330lbs
Apr 11th: 327lbs
Apr 18th: 326lbs

[Lannan]

Okay guys and gals, I need some advice. I'm currently sitting at 325lbs, and according to MFP my calories to consume per day in order to reach 2lbs of loss per week is 2360 calories. This is for someone with a desk job 8 hours a day, but puts in moderate exercise after work for an hour or two. Does that seem like too much for a target weight loss of 2lbs a week? I only ask because this is the second week in a row with only 1lb of loss, and I don't want to hit a wall so early.

Progress:
Jan 21st: 380lbs
Feb 23rd: 355lbs
Mar 1st: 351lbs
Mar 8th: 347lbs
Mar 15th: 344lbs
Mar 21st: 340lbs
Mar 27th: 335lbs
Apr 4th: 330lbs
Apr 11th: 327lbs
Apr 18th: 326lbs
Apr 25th: 325lbs