[VYork88]

Long story short : in May 2012 I weighed 258 pounds and I'm 5'7. By July I had only lost 7 pounds. So, I decided to completely change my lifestyle. Today I weighed in at 197. Still want to get down to at least 165 but am happy with progress thus far! Wouldn't be here without reading all of the success stories on 3FC.

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[hamlette]

Great job!!! well done,,,, u look great!!!!! whats your diet and exercise plan?? was feeling so demotivated after a cheat day and a rise on the scale,, but uve inspired me

[1987]

Well done, that's great. Your cheeks and chin are so nicely defined

Best of luck with the rest of your weightloss!

[bargoo]

Congratulations !

[Katz]

Lucky you! How did you change your lifestyle?

[VYork88]

Thank you all! I realized that I ate so much because I was "bored". So, the first thing I did was on a normal day track the calories I ate. It was an outrageous amount. After that day I went to myfitnesspal.com, and entered my stats and weight loss goals. I determined that I should eat 1200 calories a day. Immediately the weight was just falling off. I think I lost 7 pounds my first week. I also (though I know many don't recommend it) bought a digital scale and weigh myself every morning to see if my choices (food) the day before were right or wrong. If one day the scale says 199.3 and the next 199.1 I'm still happy because that's progress! I eat fruit and vegetables but not as much as I should. I'm a fan of a few Lean Cuisine meals and I'll eat those for dinner, but during the day if I'm on the run I will use myfitnesspal to see what I can have if it's fast food, or I will make something at home if I have time. I just always make sure I stay at 1200 calories. No more no less.

As far as exercise, I ran around my block one time. It almost killed me..so for now (and I didn't start exercising until I was around 215 and I still don't do it daily) I watch youtube videos of beginners exercises using only your body weight, no equipment necessary because let's face it, I can't afford much! ha! Y'all can do it if I can and we are all here for each other!

[elvislover324]

You look awesome, congratulations! Your hard work paid off! I am finally down to your starting weight and can't imagine being back under 200. Your pics give me hope! Thanks for sharing.

[VYork88]

elvislover324, you can do it! It's only going to get better for you! You've lost 68 pounds, nothing can stop you now!

[chickadee2]

Fantastic job! I love to hear stories like this, then I look back to this past July and know where I was and I think wow - if i had stuck to it - then I could be a success story by now. I gave up after my first 20 came off due to a stress fracture on foot - and yes, I confess, I eat out of boredom. Thank you for the new inspiration! Great great job!!!!

[VYork88]

Thanks chickadee2!! It get's better once you're under 220, which it looks like you are! Take it ten pounds at a time and it becomes fun and rewarding!!

[penmage]

Congratulations! You look amazing

[Strawberry Blond]

You look great -- and you have such a lovely smile.

Thanks for sharing. I was starting to think about giving up since this is a difficult time of year for me with lots going on and lots of holiday food preparation, but you've inspired me to keep going!

[VYork88]

Thanks everyone! @Strawberry Blond..I've inspired you? LOOK at how far you have come! You've lost 68 pounds! That's incredible! Do not give up! We are the same height and have close starting weights, current weights, and goal weights! We've got this!

[ChickieBoom]

You look so tiny! Congrats! I know you're quite tall but it's hard to believe you're at 196. Are you weight training?

[VYork88]

Thank you ChickieBoom! No weight training just doing stuff at home using my own body. Nothing extreme though. I've just been doing squats and leg raises with the occasional crunch