What's your weight loss story?

This topic is for people to share, and others to discuss, their own experiences of losing weight, or trying to lose weight, in the past.  Please feel free to share your own account of how you've achieved fat loss in the past.  Did you used to be very overweight and not anymore?  Are you still overweight, but in far better shape than before?  Are you overweight, but still very fit?

Any stories, please share as they can be inspirational to other members!

James Collier
MT Co-Owner & Nutrition Consultant

Good idea for a thread this. I will be happy to contribute my story in approx. 1 week when my cut ends. Watch this space.

"I believe in taking care of myself" - Patrick Bateman
  
Journal

Well I'm won't regurgitate 'my story' (see link in sig!) ... but I will be watching this thread with interest.

 
 My Story 

I've never been massively over weight, but I did let myself go due to buy a house and having a baby, then turned it all around in 15 weeks.
 
See the link in my sig below (before and after cutting pictures)

Before and after cutting pics

Brittas's Journal

Brittas - First time i've seen your cutting thread. Impressive mate, inspirational for me at the mo.....

My interview is here http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/article-interview-dawn-roberts.aspx  but it doesn't really go into detail on the daft diets I've done in the past! One of the few I can think I never tried is the Atkins diet as that never appealed to me with a lack of carbs at the time.
 
I gained weight when I stopped training in my 20s and had a stressful job. Diet went completely out of the window. I remember deciding virtually every Monday that I needed to start a diet and one of the funniest diets I tried now I look back on it was called "The 5 day miracle diet", I think I imagined I'd drop 3 dress sizes in a week!! The last one I tried was as I joined MT and it was called "The Fat Flush Diet", again I think I was expecting the fat to literally trickle out of me each time I went the loo!!
 
When I look back at everything I've previously done I must have been so niave and vulnerable just like many others. I'm just pleased that I have finally realised that the secret is that there is no secret other than eating well every day and being more active. I still consider myself to have a weight issue now, it will be with me for life.
 
My next battle is learning to control how much weight I gain between comps so hat I don't have to do ludicrous amounts of cardio or restrict my intake for quite so long to get into comp shape.
I now do not believe in 'diets'. Diet is a temporary thing. Complete eating habit changes as well as adjusting your lifestyle are what will make a lasting difference.

Sponsored by Muscle Finesse Drunk on Udos

Chamber


Brittas - First time i've seen your cutting thread. Impressive mate, inspirational for me at the mo.....

Cheers mate.  I know it's not a typical "over weight and lost it all" story, but just shows what can be done in relatively short space of time.

Before and after cutting pics

Brittas's Journal

My first post on MT, but after spending nearly 9 months coming on here for research / motivation, I thought it fair to give a little back by sharing my story in this thread.

Here goes...

Late May / early June 2008 -

I'd just hit 40, stressful and demanding job, and a lifestyle far from healthy. I'd hit 21 1/2 stone, though at 6'3" managed to hold it well (in my opinion). My inactive lifestyle coupled with a healthy addiction to food meant that my 44" waist jeans were a little too tight, it was getting time to look at the 'large man' shops for future clothes. My health starting to suffer, something that had crept up over the years of bad lifestyle. It was time to make a change...

I bought a mountain bike first, reading that early morning cardio was the way to go. The cycling nearly ended as quickly as it started though, as I struggled to peddle any distance at all. I guess that I was kind of disgusted with myself, that I'd let myself 'go' as badly as I had. I think that this motivated me through the first couple of weeks of pain and suffering of cycling only the couple of miles each morning that I could manage.

After the mountain bike came a heart rate monitor. I was a little scared that the pains that I felt were not good. I know now though that these were just the aches of muscles unused for many many years being reawakened. I read a couple of articles on here, and a couple of other sites, about heart rate whilst training. I followed these guides, adjusting my cycling to suit. It was then that I started to notice not only a slight change to my fitness, but also to my waist size.

I'd cut out the really junk food at the same time as buying the bike, but after a little more research, found that I was still eating badly. Reluctant to go on a 'diet', I adjusted my diet with the info I'd read online. I started taking breakfast, I started to count the calories, and started to understand what was going on with my body. My coffee drinking decreased, my water intake rose to 3 litres per day. I stopped eating the takeaways / fried foods / petrol station meals etc and started eating fresh unprocessed food where possible. The cottage cheeses / fish and chicken along with salads etc turning out to be just as tasty if not more than the junk that I'd been eating before.

The fat started to melt off, but I found myself getting too tired to cycle some days. I adjusted my diet to suit, taking on a few more carbs / calories when tired, mainly through fruit. I listened to my body, and adjusted how much I ate when told.

People started to notice a difference in me, asking if I was dieting? My answer always the same - No I wasn't dieting, I had changed my lifestyle to a more active one.

I'd learnt pretty early on in my lifestyle change not to rely on the readings from the bathroom scales for motivation, instead preferring to monitor my body shape. The 44" jeans in the wardrobe getting replaced by smaller sizes almost every other month. I was feeling great, full of energy and wearing a lot nicer cut of clothing.

I invested in cross trainer, as I knew that I wouldn't be cycling over the winter months in the dark / wet / cold. I was a bit shocked by the difference being able to hold a constant heart beat (135 BPM in my case) was making to my bodyshape through training for 45 minutes constant at a time, and how along with a calorie counted clean diet my bodyshape was returning to normal.

I felt fitter than I can remember, life being good. I can't describe how good it felt for people to comment on how healthy I was looking. I'd cycled just over 1250 miles in total in 2008.

I got down into the mid 14 stones at the beginning of this month, with still about a stone left to loose to finally loose the last bit of 'gut'. I did feel I was looking a bit 'skinny' though, my arms / chest etc having no real shape nor definition to them. I'd invested in some dumbells and a bench at Xmas, and made the decision to start lifting some heavier weights to create some proper shape for this summer.

I've invested in some reflex whey to supplement the protein intake of my diet to 1g per pound of body weight per day, and added some creatine supplement too. I've pinged a bit of weight back on since starting this, and lost a bit of definition around my abs though. A couple of weeks into heavier training though and the results already starting to show on my upper body.

I'm not at the end of my journey yet by a long way, but am proud to say that -

I've gone from 21st 7 lbs to 15st 5lbs today.
I've gone from a 44" waist to a 32" waist.
XXXL tops to Large.
I feel the best that I can remember since being a teenager.

I just wanted to say thanks.

Steve

Wow great read and very well done.  I hope others read this and get inspired by it.

What are your goals for the future?

BTW welcome to posting on MT!  And hope to see you posting more often in the future.

Cheap Foods, Bodybuilder Style

Here is mine
http://www.muscletalk.c...9815&mpage=1#3307999

Start 07 23st to mid 08 13st 
Current stats: 6ft 3
around 14st 4

Winter bulk up time!!!

Toaster88


My first post on MT, but after spending nearly 9 months coming on here for research / motivation, I thought it fair to give a little back by sharing my story in this thread.

Here goes...

Late May / early June 2008 -

I'd just hit 40, stressful and demanding job, and a lifestyle far from healthy. I'd hit 21 1/2 stone, though at 6'3" managed to hold it well (in my opinion). My inactive lifestyle coupled with a healthy addiction to food meant that my 44" waist jeans were a little too tight, it was getting time to look at the 'large man' shops for future clothes. My health starting to suffer, something that had crept up over the years of bad lifestyle. It was time to make a change...

I bought a mountain bike first, reading that early morning cardio was the way to go. The cycling nearly ended as quickly as it started though, as I struggled to peddle any distance at all. I guess that I was kind of disgusted with myself, that I'd let myself 'go' as badly as I had. I think that this motivated me through the first couple of weeks of pain and suffering of cycling only the couple of miles each morning that I could manage.

After the mountain bike came a heart rate monitor. I was a little scared that the pains that I felt were not good. I know now though that these were just the aches of muscles unused for many many years being reawakened. I read a couple of articles on here, and a couple of other sites, about heart rate whilst training. I followed these guides, adjusting my cycling to suit. It was then that I started to notice not only a slight change to my fitness, but also to my waist size.

I'd cut out the really junk food at the same time as buying the bike, but after a little more research, found that I was still eating badly. Reluctant to go on a 'diet', I adjusted my diet with the info I'd read online. I started taking breakfast, I started to count the calories, and started to understand what was going on with my body. My coffee drinking decreased, my water intake rose to 3 litres per day. I stopped eating the takeaways / fried foods / petrol station meals etc and started eating fresh unprocessed food where possible. The cottage cheeses / fish and chicken along with salads etc turning out to be just as tasty if not more than the junk that I'd been eating before.

The fat started to melt off, but I found myself getting too tired to cycle some days. I adjusted my diet to suit, taking on a few more carbs / calories when tired, mainly through fruit. I listened to my body, and adjusted how much I ate when told.

People started to notice a difference in me, asking if I was dieting? My answer always the same - No I wasn't dieting, I had changed my lifestyle to a more active one.

I'd learnt pretty early on in my lifestyle change not to rely on the readings from the bathroom scales for motivation, instead preferring to monitor my body shape. The 44" jeans in the wardrobe getting replaced by smaller sizes almost every other month. I was feeling great, full of energy and wearing a lot nicer cut of clothing.

I invested in cross trainer, as I knew that I wouldn't be cycling over the winter months in the dark / wet / cold. I was a bit shocked by the difference being able to hold a constant heart beat (135 BPM in my case) was making to my bodyshape through training for 45 minutes constant at a time, and how along with a calorie counted clean diet my bodyshape was returning to normal.

I felt fitter than I can remember, life being good. I can't describe how good it felt for people to comment on how healthy I was looking. I'd cycled just over 1250 miles in total in 2008.

I got down into the mid 14 stones at the beginning of this month, with still about a stone left to loose to finally loose the last bit of 'gut'. I did feel I was looking a bit 'skinny' though, my arms / chest etc having no real shape nor definition to them. I'd invested in some dumbells and a bench at Xmas, and made the decision to start lifting some heavier weights to create some proper shape for this summer.

I've invested in some reflex whey to supplement the protein intake of my diet to 1g per pound of body weight per day, and added some creatine supplement too. I've pinged a bit of weight back on since starting this, and lost a bit of definition around my abs though. A couple of weeks into heavier training though and the results already starting to show on my upper body.

I'm not at the end of my journey yet by a long way, but am proud to say that -

I've gone from 21st 7 lbs to 15st 5lbs today.
I've gone from a 44" waist to a 32" waist.
XXXL tops to Large.
I feel the best that I can remember since being a teenager.

I just wanted to say thanks.

Steve

Good stuff mate..well done :)

Start 07 23st to mid 08 13st 
Current stats: 6ft 3
around 14st 4

Winter bulk up time!!!

Hey Steve and welcome to MT.

So pleased you made that post, what an inspirational story and very very well done.!!

 
 My Story 

Hi Toaster88 - welcome to MT - great post and well done.  Please now stop lurking and get posting!

James Collier
MT Co-Owner & Nutrition Consultant

Thats really great to hear so many amazing stories. Weight loss creates problems. However, it can be controlled by proper diet, exercises and healthy habits.  Smiley

There is no alternative like working out.

Some great stories guys, keep 'em coming and well done to all on achievements.

Sponsored by Muscle Finesse Drunk on Udos

I piled on 2 stone a few years ago when I stopped smoking and got content in my relationship with Desmo.

I went from being a very slim 7 stone to a podgy 9 stone .. and I didn't even notice it ! I thought I could feel myself getting more curves but it wasn't until I went on a camping holiday and looked at the pictures afterwards and I was disgusted with myself.



It took me a little while to do anything about it because ( and this sounds terrible ) but I didn't want to lose my new found puppies ! I was getting really upset with the way that I looked though and started to notice every lump and bump. I would get ready to go out and then catch sight of myself in the mirror and break down in tears.

I totally lost my self esteem, I went into my shell and was worried Desmo would feel short changed and stop liking me

Enough was enough.... I started going to classes in the gym ( Body Pump, Body Combat, Body Attack ) and cleaned up my diet.

I started taking progress pictures ( I hope nobody is eating lunch ! )







Pretty revolting huh...

I faffed about with the classes for about a year or so, I made some progress but not as much as I would have liked.

I changed gyms, I left my ' Health Club ' type place and joined a gym with a mahooosive free weights room. One of the instructors also did PT sessions. So I joined up and got some sessions with him with a proper 2 day weights split and upped the cardio. He was brilliant, he was an ex paratrooper and did lots of shouting ! He also instructed the Boxercise class and I had some private boxing done with him.

I made more progress with him in the 6 months I was going to him than I did in the last year. He left the gym but he had shown me the ropes and I also started doing Muay Thai.

So here's where I am today ...









Actual weight loss between the before and after pics is only about 4 lbs but i've lost about 3/4" off my waist and hips and dropped 2 dress sizes.

I'm still not 100% happy and I have lost my way a few times, lost motivation at times but I've decided to compete next year !

My self esteem has come back and I'm a much more happier and confident person. Desmo has been my rock throughout and supported me and kicked me to the gym on the days I didn't feel like doing anything. My journal on here has been a massive help. I've got a lot to thank MT for

I would never have guessed I would be aiming to compete next year. The weigh lifting has done me the world of good and the Muay Thai has made me a more confident person.

Whenever anyone asks my advice about weight loss I ALWAYS advise doing weights.

/ends oscar speech

Training by www.fitness121.co.uk
Diet by www.healthyaction.co.uk

I'd forgotten all about those before photos Welshy. You still look like many women would strive for even in those but you're later ones are simply stunning.

Sponsored by Muscle Finesse Drunk on Udos

Welshy

/ends oscar speech

Wow. I'm just trying to work out how to comment without sounding sleazy...
No wait, I give up. Suffice to say that both before and after pictures look great. After is an amazing transformation though.
 
There's some great tales of achievement in here. I'll add my own story when it gets to a suitable stage for the telling, but I can't promise any bikini top pictures.

That represents my inexpert (probably stupid) opinion at time of posting.

On the hunt for the abdominals...

OutaShape

Wow. I'm just trying to work out how to comment without sounding sleazy...
No wait, I give up. Suffice to say that both before and after pictures look great. After is an amazing transformation though.
 
There's some great tales of achievement in here. I'll add my own story when it gets to a suitable stage for the telling, but I can't promise any bikini top pictures.

Thank you I've still got work to do but I'm kinda happy with myself now.

kitty


I'd forgotten all about those before photos Welshy. You still look like many women would strive for even in those but you're later ones are simply stunning.

I wish I could forget them ! I look at them and think I look absolutely revolting but they're a good reminder of the progress I've made.

I'm gonna give you a mahoooosive huggle next weekend !

Training by www.fitness121.co.uk
Diet by www.healthyaction.co.uk

Great motivational post Welshy

Turning into a good topic this one

James Collier
MT Co-Owner & Nutrition Consultant