I guess its my turn!

[Joseph44 17]

So this is my first post but I have been on this site since the beginning. Reading other peoples stories gave me hope and courage. My story is kinda boring but I really wanted to put it out there as a thank you to all the unnamed who have helped me without knowing. So my story starts like most everyone else. I have been overweight for years. I had been teased and laughed at for a long time. I laughed and joked about my weight also but it was just covering up the pain I felt. I used to eat my depression away. I used to put fast food on credit cards so my wife wouldn't see the charges on our joint account. I had been thinking about surgery for a few years before I made the leap. My final straw was when I got into a verbal argument with a coworker at a work gathering and she made loud remarks about my weight. It was hurtful and I was so mortified. Im not sure why though, everyone can see me. They all know I was overweight. She didn't let a secret out to everyone. But it was what I needed. I started off by talking to a doctor about my options. We decided the sleeve was the way to go. I started my 6 months of doctors visits that seem to take forever because of the excitement. Some visits I lost a few pounds, Some visits I didn't. My first weigh in I was 364 pounds. Jan 13 2015 was my surgery day and I was down to 345 pounds. The surgery went great but there was some pain during the waking up process. The nurse was quick with the pain meds so it didn't last long. I was in the hospital for 1 night and went home the next day. The first 3 weeks I lost 33 pounds and was ecstatic! I then gained a few pounds and started questioning my decision. I thought all the weight was just going to fall off. I thought at this rate I will hit my goal of 240 pounds in 3 months! When I was going to my check ups I explained my disappointment to my doctor and she told me thats what she wants to see. Drop a little then level off. Then drop a little and level off. So once I got that through my thick scull, I looked forward to the platues. It was my bodies way of saying this is working. I started walking more. I started riding my bike 1 lap around our local 5 mile lake. Then I started to do 2 laps then 3. We bought a kids trailer so that I could pull my 2 kids around with me. I started eating right and getting in as much Protein as possible. I did have to set a reoccurring timer on my cell phone for 15 min to help remind me to drink when I was at work. That helped a lot. Once I got into the habit, I just started drinking all the time. My body started to feel better. My feet stopped hurting. My back pain went away. So to make my long story a little shorter Jan 13 2015 I was 345 pounds. On Aug 6 I hit my goal of 240 pounds. So a little over 6.5 months. I have since started doing crossfit to build some muscle and tone up a bit. I am currently at 233. I would like to be around the 220 to 225 mark I think. But I can not express how happy I am! This was truly one of the best decisions of my life. 2 weeks ago the family and I went to the beach and I took my shirt off for the first time in I can't remember how long. I just donated 3 hefty bags of clothing to goodwill. My favorite feeling I had during this whole thing is when I was losing weight, I had to by smaller close which I just awesome! But thats not the best part. A few months later when I had to look at those close I just bought that I thought I looked great in and see how big THEY had gotten was awesome! To anybody who is overweight and might be trying to decide if this is what they want, do it! Don't wait any longer. If your worried about the extra skin, don't! It's way easier to tuck in a little extra skin then an extra 131 pounds. So thats my story. Thanks again for all the help ladies and gentlemen! You are all awesome!

[dhrguru 1,238]

Looking good! Congrats on your success.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Congratulations and thanks so much for sharing your experience. You look great!

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@Joseph44 that is so cool, GREAT job. well done

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

work gathering loud remarks about my weight.

@@Joseph44

that women/and all the others are hurtful, awful people

sorry you have had similar comments all your life

the past is over

you've done a 180!!!!

good for you

you started walking, biking - pulling your kids around in a kids' trailer

i wonder if that "lady" realized her harmful words - made you do a 180!!! turning you into a success story

amazing transformation

great before and after pics

keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life

i know you will

kathy

congrats

[MzStockton 182]

Aww, congrats!!!!????

[heather5565 959]

You my friend, are AWESOME!!!!

Very big congrats to you and your story is inspiring

Not sure why a coworker would belittle you while at a work gathering - she had NO right to do that and it was a horrible thing to do. Did you talk to her about it? Bring it up to your boss? Isn't that some sort of harassment?

Do you want me to kick her butt for you? I'm still hefty (for now) so I can throw my weight at her!!

[bellabloom 2,467]

You look amazing! So happy for you and your family!

[Dub 9,922]

Dude.....you have kicked ass.

Outstanding results. Thank you for posting your experience. That is some serious inspiration, right there.

What an amazing story......you went from sneaking fast food to crossfit. How freaking cool is that !!!

I wonder what that opinionated loudmouth coworker has to say now.

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,900]

Congratulations on your hard work. You are very inspirational.

I was glad to see you were smiling before you lost the weight too.

[Jazzcat 43]

Thank you for sharing your story. It is great to hear this as I am in the second month of the 6 month process. This it makes me feel better about moving forward with the surgery.

[vanassa11 4]

????????????looking good. Congrats, and thanks for the testimony.