Weight Loss and Lifestyle Change

[Kirby23 954]

I'm a male in my mid-40s. I'm in generally good health, but have struggled with being overweight most of my life. Last fall, I decided it was finally time to make some changes. I didn't look good, I didn't feel good, and I was setting myself up for trouble as I get older.

Instead of "going on a diet," I decided I needed a full lifestyle change. Improving my diet, yes, but also more exercise, less alcohol, and just overall healthier choices in general. 

It was REALLY HARD at first. I LOVE food, so it has been like breaking up with an old friend. But once I made the change, the first 10-15 pounds came off easily. The next 10 lbs were harder, but still not too bad. By a few months into the lifestyle change, things were starting to become more habitual, and I was building momentum.

It has now been 10 months, and I've lost more than 40 pounds. I look good, and I feel great. Along the way I also started lifting weights, which has really helped me tone up. I'm down two shirt sizes, and 4" in my waist. 

People are definitely noticing too. Whenever I see someone I haven't seen in a while they say "You look great, have you lost weight?" My kids laugh with me whenever it happens, because it has happened so many times now. 

I WILL NEVER go back to being overweight. I vow to stay thin for the rest of my life.

I flexed in the mirror this morning and couldn't believe what I saw looking back at me... the beginning of abs! And well-defined shoulders and arms!

So... if you're in a similar position... overweight, feeling bad... just know - you can do it too! If I can do it, you can! It has been REALLY HARD. But also really rewarding. I have infinitely more energy, and I feel like I have been given a new life.

 

[Bacardi 10,131]

Get eeeeemmmmm!!! 

I was overweight too. Yes due to pregnancies and stress and PPD and all that fun stuff, but shortly after my son was born I couldn't sit up without help I knew i had to change something. My portion sizes were abysmal and I was getting very little exersize. It was really hard for me to realize I needed a whole lifestyle change and not just a temporary fix, but once I set up my little gym in the corner of my bedroom and actually started listening to my body when it was hungry, tired, sick, and so on, the weight fell right off. 

Not sure how much I've lost total as I go out of my way not to use a scale, but I do know I fit into jeans I didn't even fit into before I was pregnant. My issue with the scale is im a woman who gets a regular period so my hormones change often and so does my weight. I'd be doing really well losing and suddenly I'd gain 5 lbs of weight overnight and even tho the scale would tell me it was likely water weight I'd be so disappointed in myself and I'd abandon every effort I started. I'm happy with my body now but am happy to drop more weight if I can. 

Right now i am enjoying lifting weights lol. Really trying to put on more muscle as well as get rid of fat lol. 

But I know we got this friend! Thanks for sharing your story! Very inspirational! 

[Kirby23 954]

@Bacardi Thanks for sharing your story as well! I feel you about the love/hate relationship with the scale and the feeling of despair when the weight goes up a little.

But that's when I come back to the idea of a "lifestyle change" vs. a "diet." A lifestyle change has to be sustainable. It has to be something I can realistically stick with for the rest of my life. So should I beat myself up over gaining a few pounds after going on vacation and eating out every night? Should I NEVER have a cheeseburger, or ice cream again? Of course not. For me that's neither realistic nor sustainable. 

For me it's all about moderation. Making healthier choices, not extreme choices.

Keep up the good work! Stick with it, you're doing great!

[JDG 870]

That sounds amazing! I am having the same problems as you to be honest, always struggling with weight and always been too heavy. A combination of side effects of my heavy asthma medication, the love of food and the fact that I have been struggling mentally for a big part of my life and used food as a coping mechanism. I always loved hitting the gym so my weight stayed somewhat under control and at least I had great stamina, but when covid lockdowns hit and gyms had to close down I completely lost the love for working out. It's been years now since I went to the gym and my weight has gotten ridiculously out of hand. 

I'm not struggling mentally anymore but a lot of the eating habits stayed and I just love cooking and eating. Also my girlfriend and I are very complementary to each other but when it comes to food we are exactly the same so we don't really put a halt on each other on that front. Since 6 months we have a baby and I really don't want to struggle with running after her and stuff like that when she starts walking, so I really need to find the love for working out again and stop snacking as often but it's hard.. 

Edited September 6 by JDG

[Alpian 687]

Great to see you people are pulling it off! And it is smart not to look too much at the scales, as muscles are important to increase average calorie burn yet they are much heavier than fat. So a good workout will help you reduce fat and slim down, but may not so much reduce your weight. Some diets may be good of draining your body of water, quickly bringing weight down but without any long-term benefits.

Keep it up, you are inspiring others!

[Bacardi 10,131]

On 9/6/2024 at 4:10 AM, JDG said:

. I always loved hitting the gym so my weight stayed somewhat under control and at least I had great stamina, but when covid lockdowns hit and gyms had to close down I completely lost the love for working out. It's been years now since I went to the gym and my weight has gotten ridiculously out of hand. 

I am a loner and hate to be around other people, so the gym was out of the question for me. Once I got my eating under control I basically created a gym in the corner of my bedroom. They make small treadmills and stationary bikes, of which I have two lol. I have a set of weights too that I tuck behind everything. It was expensive (I got them for Christmas) but it really has changed my life. If you have the room in your home and can spare the expense, it's worth it to look into. Plus it'll be hours of entertainment for your kiddo once they get older. Trust me. My little son climbs all over my bike like a jungle gym every day lol.