Goal! - On to the longest part of the journey after losing 350 pounds -

I just wanted to give everyone an update. I have posted here for a good while and read the forum almost everyday. So many great people here and so many helpful ideas. I started my weight loss journey in May of 2004 after many failed attempts to lose weight. I knew I had to get healthy for my daughter and later realized I needed to do that for myself as well. I have had such an incredible journey to fitness. After 30 years of morbid obesity - I managed to lose 350 pounds with diet and exercise. I went from 562.3 down to 210 pounds. I started working out and my workout partner and I were picked as Houston's 2006 ultimate workout partners. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ultimate/06/people/4252719.html

Later as I continued my journey - I was picked to be in the People Magazine's 1/2 their Size issue. http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20004881_5,00.html

My life has changed in so many ways. My daughter can wrap her arms around me. I coach her soccer team. We live active lives.

I got married last year to a wonderful woman that I had the biggest crush in high school. We had graduated together 28 years ago and I sent her an e-mail. We started talking and have been very happily married for a year.

As with anyone that is my age and having been over weight as much and as long as I had - I had major issues with a lot of loose skin around my lower body. I was contacted by The Learning Channel and with them filing the whole procedure and doing lots of before and after interviews - I got a lower body lift last Thursday. I am 6 days post op and doing great. I cannot believe it - I have a lap for the first time that I can remember in 30 years! As soon as some of the swelling goes down - I will post some after pictures.

It is a major dream of mine to help as many people as I can to either avoid obesity all together - or to help anyone that is obese to get their life back. I give talks at the program that I went in that included a medically supervised diet, nutrition education as well as behavior modification.

If I can ever help anyone - please let me know. cfscott@gmail.com

Wow... simply... wow. Truly an inspiration. Thank you for posting!

You are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing about your body lift, I have often thought about a tummy tuck but really am afraid of the surgery. Please keep us posted on the recovery process.

Thanks for the very kind reply! Here is a picture of my wife and I taken a few months before the surgery... :)


http://picasaweb.google.com/cfscott/ChristmasParty/photo#5174252177082079666

Your story is so amazing. You are truly a hero- facing adversity and what feels like and endless struggle to become a healthier you... just phenominal. Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us.

Charles, thank you for sharing the details of your journey. You are inspiring. I wish you the best in this next phase of your journey.

Ti'an

Charles -you are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing!

Amazing, you make me speechless (and ask my husband, that's pretty hard to do :D). You are my idol!!! Honestly, you are one of the individuals that I search out on here because you give me so much motivation to keep going and get the job done. After all -- if you could stick it out and lose 350 pounds -- there is absolutely no reason I can't get rid of 100!!

Congratulations on your marriage -- she is absolutely adorable and you make a very nice couple!!

Hope you have a quick recovery and get back to your "new routine" soon!!

Will you be on the Learning Channel soon??

Wow!! Beautiful picture and you are such an inspiration! Stories like this keep me motivated. Congrats on all your success and I look forward to seeing after pictures.

Kim

Amazing, you make me speechless (and ask my husband, that's pretty hard to do :D). You are my idol!!! Honestly, you are one of the individuals that I search out on here because you give me so much motivation to keep going and get the job done. After all -- if you could stick it out and lose 350 pounds -- there is absolutely no reason I can't get rid of 100!!

Congratulations on your marriage -- she is absolutely adorable and you make a very nice couple!!

Hope you have a quick recovery and get back to your "new routine" soon!!

Will you be on the Learning Channel soon??


Thanks for the reply - I am sure you will be successful in your journey as well. I am not sure the exact air date yet - within the next month or so I am sure. I will post as soon as I get the exact date.

Charles, you inspire me! I have a considerable amount of weight to lose and my body is screaming that it needs to get healthy. Hearing your story makes me think that it is attainable. Thank you for sharing your photos and your latest body lift.

Congratulations on this spectacular accomplishment! Awesome!

Wow, this is so inspirational to me. Thank you so much!

Charles, I have read your story before, and I have to say I am amazed and inspired each time I read it. I started with a similar weight as you did, and as of today I am down to 478lbs in 64 days. I have averaged a 1lb per day loss so far and know I have a long road ahead of me, but with people like you sharing your journey it gives me hope, and I know I will be the next success story. I want to sincerely thank you for posting your story and making it public.

As Ever
Me

Go Botzz! You can do it! :carrot:

WOW!!! An inspiration to say the least....Congrats!!!

Charles, I have read your story before, and I have to say I am amazed and inspired each time I read it. I started with a similar weight as you did, and as of today I am down to 478lbs in 64 days. I have averaged a 1lb per day loss so far and know I have a long road ahead of me, but with people like you sharing your journey it gives me hope, and I know I will be the next success story. I want to sincerely thank you for posting your story and making it public.

As Ever
Me


The thing that probably kept me 300 plus pounds overweight for the better part of 20 years was thinking of the long road in front of me. It was only when I could stop looking at having to lose 100's of pounds and work on just eating what I wanted to eat - what I planned to eat each meal, each day - each week and let the future take care of itself. Time was going to go by anyway - why not let it go by getting fitter and stronger each day?

I know you can do it. You deserve it.

I wish you all the best!

Congratulations on all of your achievements! I love the picture of you with the soccer ball on the People magazine site! You look soooo happy!

Kara

You are so awesome Charles. Keep us updated on the TLC show. Have you ever thought about contacting Oprah or Dr. Phil? I just saw two of the people who were part of the half their size edition on Oprah. And in my opinion, you are far more impressive.

Bravo, bravo. You are truly, simply amazing.

Oh Charles. I am sooo happy for you, I can't even begin to tell you. I have read your story here on 3FC and of course bought the People issue when it came out last year. But hearing it again and hearing the update has literally brought to my eyes.

I know my life has changed drastically having lost 165 lbs, so therefore I can only imagine how much YOURS must have changed. How wonderful and marvelous and PHENOMENAL you must feel. I'm so glad to hear that you are living an active, full, productive, healthy life. Your bride is beautiful and I hope you spend many healthy and joyous years together.

Wishing you all the best.

WOW You are just awesome! A true inspiration and I wish you and your lovely wife the best.

Thanks for sharing a up date of your story so far. It is so inspirational to others here on 3fc. I wish you a speedy recovery after your surgery.

Charles, you rock.

You are truly inspiring!

Hi Charles -

Just wanted to say I'm REALLY happy for you.

(I'm a fellow MFDer) :)

-muse

Charles,
Your story is such an inspiration!! It made me cry when I read it (to know that I can do this!). I to have been morbidly obese for more than 25 years. I am currently trying to lose weight by going to Metabolic Research Center. I just began on Easter Sunday, but I have lost 10.4 lbs so far. Thank you for posting your story. When will your story be on TLC?
Sharon

wow great job, congrats!

Awesome Charles and congrats again on all your success! Any update on when your episode is going to air?

I have no words, it's unbelievable! The way you put yourself through that journey and the way you found love after that... You could make a movie!
I wish you all the happiness!

Bravo!!

I'm absolutely speechless...
Thank you for your inspiration...
The whole world should know of your determination and success...

WOW.. that is amazing!! Congratulations!! :carrot:

All I can say is WOW!

Charles-

I have read your story on here more than once. It is one of the stories I seek out on days when I am feeling a little discouraged and need motivation. Your transformation is totally awesome!!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story!!!

wow

u r amazing