I began my weight loss journey at 355lbs. I started exercising daily doing cardio, weights and stretching, combined with a sensible diet. I original set out 100 pounds, and I achieved that goal almost 5 months later. Overall I have lost 110 pounds. I went from a size 46 pants to 36, and went from a XXXL shirt fitting tight to a Large. It still amazes me how much better I feel and all the things I can do now. Things as simple as sitting in a regular folding camp chair, fitting in restaurant booths, and I can finally use the attic ladder that is rated at 250lbs. I have since started karate to help keep me honest with the weight loss and am currently a green belt. I even have received a second place and 2 first place trophies from my karate tournaments and was invited to assist with the recent black belt tests. Losing the weight is the best thing I could have done for myself and I am going to do my best to try to live a healthier lifestyle from now on.
Before I realized it, I was 355lbs, a friend posted a photo on Facebook... I was leaning over and looked absolutely disgusting.
I actually was a very good athlete in high school running the mile. I was also very good at football and was on the path for a college scholarship when I injured my shoulder. After another injury to my ankle and knee--all which required reconstructive surgeries--I slowly gained weight. It seemed to get worse every time I tried to diet, and eventually I gave up. I even had a scare when I was stung by a bee, which I am allergic to, and when being treated the doctor noticed an abnormal EKG. I went in for a stress echo, but everything turned out fine with my heart. Even that scare was not enough to motivate me lose the weight. Before I realized it, I was 355lbs. Eventually a friend posted a photo of herself that I was in on Facebook. I was leaning over and looked absolutely disgusting. I saw how bad I really was and thought that if it continued, I was in for some serious health issues. So I set my mind to do something about it.
The main support I received was through the LIVESTRONG.COM groups. After losing my first 50 pounds, people started to really notice and ask a lot of questions. I finally posted my progress and what I was doing on Facebook and began openly discussing it. Some people were actually worried that I was sick with the way I was losing weight. Then the support from my friends came pouring in once they were aware of what I was doing.
My past injuries kept flaring up and they offered a convenient excuse to give up. But I didn't quit.
When I started losing the weight, I could barely do 20 minutes on a recline bike, and my knee really bothered me. I used to be able to do so much and here I could barely ride a stationary bike. My past injuries kept flaring up and they offered a convenient excuse to give up. But I didn't quit. I took it slow and eventually worked up to 30 minutes; and then 40. Next thing I knew, I was able to do 10 minutes on the elliptical cross-trainer. And now, I look forward to my usual workout, 30 minutes of weights, 45 minutes cardio, with 15 minutes of stretching to finish.
Do not look at this as a diet, or necessarily even weight loss. It is an epic journey toward better health and a better you. You start out with a goal in mind but not knowing where it will take you. The journey will be difficult and you have to take it slow, but along the way you will become stronger. You will learn things about yourself, your strengths and weaknesses. On the journey, LIVESTRONG.COM was great because I could track my calories just by entering the food. It also gave me hard goals for the number of calories to consume based on how much weight I wanted to lose. I believe that in the past, I just was not eating enough and was sabotaging my weight loss. I finally had a place to talk with people that were going through the same ordeal I was. And they were doing it the healthy way too with no fad diets.
Member Comments