Originally Posted by Tyler344 (Post 2804455)

Well, almost.

I’m just a few pounds away from being able to say I’ve lost 100 pounds in 6 months.

Since starting my new healthy lifestyle (not diet) on January 15th of this year, I’ve lost 92 pounds. I started at 344 pounds and I currently weigh 252 pounds. The transformation has been unbelievable.

I want to tell you my story. While this might be presumptuous to say, I’m like many of you who might end up reading this post. I’ve always wanted to lose weight. I’ve tried and failed many diets – at least count, at least 10. Over the years I’ve read countless advice, tips, and suggestions on how to lose weight from websites, forums, magazines, television programs, so called fitness “gurus,” etc.

None of the information being the “magic” answer that I was looking for to help me lose weight

On January 15th of this year, I found the the magic answer: simplicity. I suddenly realized (for ME) losing weight wasn’t about no carb or low carb, counting points, taking a pill, eating cabbage soup, trying the “lose 10 pounds in 2 week diet,” but simple moderation and exercise. I have lost 100 pounds in 6 months by simply controlling the portions of the food I eat (unhealthy or healthy), keeping the junk food in moderation, and going to the gym almost every day of the week.

The trick is to not feel like you’re on a diet. Because honestly, diets suck.

My breakfast consists of bacon, eggs, and toast almost every morning. Pancakes if I feel adventurous. If I want a snack during the day, it’s usually some fresh fruits or veggies. Lunch is a cheeseburger and fries, perhaps a gyro or tuna sandwich. Dinner is almost always a hearty southern meal that my wife makes consisting of meat and two potatoes. Maybe we’ll go out for BBQ. As long as I keep the really bad stuff in moderation and keep my calorie intake around 2,000, the weight has seemed to shed pretty quickly.

My gym workout isn’t anything special. I get on the elliptical or treadmill 30-40 minutes a day. I lift weights 3 days a week. I make healthy choices outside of the gym like parking a little further away from the door when I go shopping, walk down the driveway to check the mail, etc.

It all seems to be working pretty well because it’s simple and sustainable. I don’t have cravings. If I want something to eat, I eat it. Cheeseburgers? All the time. BBQ ribs? Great. M&Ms? Fine. An entire bag is 200 calories, eat ½ of it. There’s 100 calories for your day. Don’t feel guilty about it, don’t call it splurging – just control your portions and don’t end up eating three bags and you’ll be fine.

In addition to eating in moderation and exercising, I’ve also been staying accountable with my friends and family. While you certainly don’t need to setup a weight loss blog like I did, you still need someone to keep up with your progress and to ask you how you’re doing – keeping yourself accountable is hard until you get into the swing of things, and then you get to the point (where I am now) where it’s all about finishing what I started. I’ve lost 100 pounds and have another 50 to go. At the very least, stay accountable to your friends and family by e-mail, facebook twitter, etc. Some way!

That’s what I wanted to share with you guys. I’ve read a lot from 3FC (amongst other places) over the past several months and wanted to give back – I’m tired of lurking. I’m so incredibly blessed to be a success story (albeit, still in progress) and want to answer any questions or concerns that I can.

If you have any questions for me or need some support, please post them up. I am busy during the day with work, but I'll reply at night.

CYA :)