Only 5 more pounds to 100 lost!!! And then beyond...

[bmeloche]

I have been thinking of posting myself in this section for a little while. I guess I haven't because I didn't want to jinx myself. Nevertheless, I think the time has come, and I must post my story here.

Here's the short version:

After a childhood and an adulthood of being overweight, it looks like I've finally figured it out!!!

I was a heavy kid - 140 lbs at 10 and 198 lbs at 14, when I starved myself and got down to 143 lbs by age 15. I stayed around that weight until I went to university. I went on long-term anti-biotics for acne, and slowly started getting sicker and sicker, and started gaining the weight back. At 21, after reaching 195, I went on a low-fat high-carb diet with exercise, only to GAIN 25 pounds in six weeks. By 23, I was 240. By 25, I was 260. At 26, I reached 308. I then accidentally lost 51 pounds eating what I now know is low carb, but not with any direction. I put that back on, and then some. By 29, I had reached 328, and had been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I then started cutting out carbs again, and dropped to 279, but my wallet got thin and I got busy with school, so I stopped exercising. I gained a little, but when I couldn't find work and times got tough, I got...

If you want the long version, go to my journal:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59235

[suze_c]

That is just great!! :yay: :Party: :dazzle: :Party: :yay: Congrats on all the hard work!!
I looked at your website, and you can really tell the difference in the pictures! Plus in your weight chart almost 55"!! I have lost 25" since Sept. 20th, but I am also measuring more places than you are... 16 in fact :lol: they are: neck,chest,bust,waist,abdomen,hips,upper left and right thigh,upper mid thigh-left and right, left and right calf,left and right biceps,and forearms. It may seem excessive, but hey it works for me, and that is all that matters right? ANYHOW, you are an inspiration to all of us, thanks for sharing your success!! :)

[bmeloche]

Cool, Suze! I hadn't even finished my post, and you have already responded. I tried to submit it to edit it later, but time ran out!!! I wish that I had measured more areas when I started, but the sheet that I had only listed six areas: Chest, waist, hips, abdomen, left arm, and left leg.

I will continue.

...I gained a little, but when I couldn't find work and times got tough, I got depressed, broke, and I started gaining a lot. I got up to 356. I then started learning about protein and ephedra and started losing. I got down to 290, but got frustrated and broke and couldn't afford it anymore. Times got better, but instead of trying to lose, I spent time eating buffets. By the beginning of this year, I reached 380.

I decided to try Body Solutions. After two months, I lost 14 pounds. I was frustrated that it was taking so long. I remembered my prior successes with protein supplements, so I started adding protein shakes to Body Solutions. That was working. I started cutting carbs, not really knowing what I was doing. I lost 31. It felt like this time was different - that I would be able to lose the weight. I went back to Canada for a long weekend and a wedding. I came back, and found, even though I thought I didn't stray too much (in retrospect, I did), I had gained eight pounds. I knew I had been on the right track, but I also knew that I needed to understand what to eat better.

The night I got back, I talked to my friend Bob. Bob had been doing Herbalife, a plan that I have seen a lot of people here dismissing, and I can completely understand why... but it works! A few days later, after I was able to lose a pound on my own, Bob introduced me to the Herbalife Gold Plan, a low-carb diet with meal replacements and supplements. I realized then that I needed not just to cut down on carbs - I needed to eliminate them. I needed to commit to the low-carb WOE completely.

I went on the Herbalife Gold Plan 6/29/2002, which closest relative is probably Protein Power, and my results have been nothing less than spectacular. About 2 1/2 weeks after committing completely to this WOE, I signed up at Gold's Gym and got a personal trainer. Since starting on 6/29, I have lost an additional 71 pounds!!! That makes my total weight loss 95 pounds!!!

As readers of my journal can see, I have been able to consistently lose about 5 pounds per week since I started working out. My workouts push me to the physical limit. I do roughly a 50/50 split between circuit training and cardio (treadmill, and, most recently, elliptical machine), and my workouts currently last for about 2 hours, 4 days per week (I started 3). Many of my prior health problems, including asthma, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and candida, are either greatly improved or gone. I feel better than I have felt in years. I know my metabolism is faster than it's ever been. And, since 6/29, other than occasionally having a few carrots that were mixed with other vegetables and accidentally eating snow peas once, I have not cheated once.

I will post more here. I will especially talk about my diligence and determination in getting this done, once and for all, because I believe a lot could learn from me. For now, if you want to read more, please read my journal, which goes into my story in a lot more detail. I expect to wake up in a few hours and find myself another pound lighter. At my current pace, I should reach 100 pounds lost by Monday. If I don't, that's ok, because I will get there a day or two later.

To see pictures of me and my progress chart, go to:

http://www.brianmeloche.com

I'd love to go into more detail about my story now, but I need to get to bed! :)

[TriciaW]

Excellent progress! WTG! Thanks for sharing your success with us!

[lkonzelman]

Dear bmeloche -

This is a great accomplishment and you should be very happy that you took the time and trouble to figure out what you needed. You look great!

I firmly believe (I know others may disagree) that there is no one way to lose weight. It is as personal as your taste and your :wave: personality and i'm so glad you found something that fit you.

All the best!

[bmeloche]

Thanks for the compliments, Lisa and Tricia.

Lisa, I agree with your comment that there is not one way to lose weight. That certainly explains why some people swear by Weight Watchers while others do low carb while still others do some other diet.

That even goes for low carb diets. One variation may work for one person and not for another.

And as far as finding what works for me - I knew several years ago that low carb worked for me, but I needed direction. The same goes for my workouts. I didn't have a clue what I needed to do at first. I needed someone to TELL me. Once I got going, though, there's no stopping me. It took me 35+ years to find it!!!

Oh, and by the way, only 4 more pounds to 100!!! :roll: :cheer:

[Talon]

Wow! Good going. I'm looking forward to you reaching the big 100. It'll prove to me, and many others that it CAN be done!

[bmeloche]

Thanks, Talon!!! It's on the way.

I lost another pound today, and that makes 97 pounds. I have lost a pound every day for the last 8 days, and I think 15 pounds in the last 16 days.

For anyone that might be concerned: I know that weight loss pace is fast, but a lot of it has to do with my workouts. I really have been pushing myself to the physical limit. I burned 975 calories on the elliptical alone last night.

And it's not like I am not eating. At dinner the other night, for example, I had a 20-ounce porterhouse steak, on a day where I didn't work out, and I still lost a pound. I eat well every night. Daytime meals are lighter most days, and usually consist of protein bars and shakes, with an occasional salad w/meat at lunch one-three days per week. I will also occasionally snack with macadamia nuts and tuna.

[ginkirk]

A-MA-ZING! I can't believe you've lost so much in such a short time. I'm just amazed. What a story!

Best wishes to you!

[bmeloche]

Ginkirk:

I am pretty amazed myself! It's come off so easily, and I haven't experienced any major plateaus or anything else I couldn't handle. I don't know how long this will last, but I will ride this wave as long as I can!!!

:clap::dazzle:

I had to split my workout in half tonight (the gym closes at 9 on Fridays), so off I go to finish it (cardio).

[bmeloche]

When I started this weight loss journey back in February, I weighed 380. When I started watching carbs, I was 366 in May. On June 28th, I signed up for Herbalife's low-carb Gold plan, and weighed 356.

Today, I weigh 280! One hundred pounds gone!!!

[Talon]

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

Great going!

[musicmama]

WOW!! Great going, Brian!! :thup:
I just found your story, and you have inspired me!! I have been on Atkins since June 20th, but since I am female, and dont work out, havent done near as well as you. I am happy for y ou though,,,and satisfied with my own progress. I have to agree,,,no ONE plan works for everyone, and they almost ALL work, if ya committ to 'em!!
Keep up the great work,,,cant wait to see the finished product!! :wiggle:

[bmeloche]

Thanks musicmama!

I hope you've had a chance to take a look at my website, which has lots of pictures, and my journal on this site. I go into a lot more detail in the journal of my story. This low-carb WOL has worked far beyond my wildest expectations.

I have now lost 106 pounds!

[mischa]

Hello bmeloche,

Congratulations on 106 lbs lost :hyper:

This sure is an inspiration, I will check out your journal on regular basis now to keep motivated :)

Way to go :)

Mischa

[che]

How's life been since you lost weight?
Have all the changes been positive?
Other than congratulating you, in the long term or after the initial shock, how have ppl reacted to your transformation?
Have your friendships remained the same?

[bmeloche]

Well, it's funny that you replied to this when you have.

My scale at the time was not accurate. I started at 380, not 407.

Eventually, my weight loss stalled the following year, and gained some weight after going on high blood pressure medication. Although I kept most of it off for a year, I eventually starting gaining in 2004, and by 2005, I had gained almost all of it back. By the following year, I had gained it all back and even gained one more pound. I bumped up to 381 twice - in 2006 and 2008. The last time I did, in July 2008, will be the last time I ever get to that weight.

The month before, I decided enough was enough, and I had to do something. I decided to get gastric bypass surgery. In June, 2008, as I went on my orientation session, I started my new journey at 378.5 lbs. It started off not so great, and actually gained weight (to 381, a few weeks later) before I got serious about it.

Starting last August, at 375 lbs, I went on a medically supervised weight loss program. Soon after starting, I found out I was diabetic (type 2) and that was a bit of a shock, since I had not had it before. The weight loss from the program started slowly, but I eventually lost another 22 lbs over six months. The following month, I was approved for gastric bypass surgery. I went on a liquid diet for two weeks, and lost an additional 18 lbs and got down to 335.5 lbs - a loss of 43 lbs since June. I had the surgery on Feb. 27th.

As of last Thursday, my weight was 239.8 lbs. That means I have lost a total of 138.7 lbs, 95.7lbs of that after surgery.

My diabetes is gone - it's been gone since the day after the surgery. My high blood pressure is also gone. My other long term chronic sleep apnea is improved, I think, but I need to get tested for that again.

I have no regrets. Surgery was what I needed, and it's worked well. I would like to lose as much as I can. 240 is a good loss, but I think I can realistically lose another 60 lbs. I just have to apply myself and keep doing the right things.

My diet is still low carb, for the most part, although I do get in some carbs in moderation. Fatty foods are problematic since the surgery, so greasy foods like french fries, onion rings and other fried foods are not much of a temptation for me. Sweets are, but I can keep those in check.

To anyone reading this, surgery is a tool. You have to work as hard, or even harder (you have to learn how to eat all over again) than you would losing weight by other means. You still have to eat right, and exercise remains very important in your weight loss plan. If anything, surgery is an "insurance policy". It makes it harder to gain weight back, but, like anything else, you can sabotage it by grazing and/or eating soft foods like ice cream or other rich, caloric foods. Find a good surgeon, a good hospital and a good program. I went to Cleveland Clinic, and I have no trouble recommending them for anyone considering surgery.

Anyway... there's my update.

People are now definitely commenting on my weight loss, and I do look a lot different today than I had, especially when I was at a conference a couple of weeks ago. It's a nice feeling.

What's more, I have noticed that people who knew me before the surgery seem to treat me differently. I've been told I am an inspiration to many people, and I feel like I am getting more respect than I ever have before. This is not true for everyone, but I do see this in the majority of colleagues, friends and co-workers.

It has been difficult at home in recent months. My wife (I got married in 2004) has been out of a job since April, and depression seems to be the emotion of the house right now. I fear she will get more depressed, once I surpass her weight (I'm less than 10 lbs from that now). Exercise has gotten more difficult to get in as she gets depressed over not working and we get depressed over our financial situation and problems we need to address (e.g. car and house repairs) but can't because we cannot afford it. I've also gotten a lot busy with work, and some extra stuff I have taken on in recent months.

I have to remember: I can accomplish anything I want. I knew this before, but now I have proof. I'm now in the 6-18 month phase post surgery, and how much I lose is dependent on how much I apply myself. I intend to continue. I just have to do this while also trying to make us more income and juggle my schedule so that I can get in my exercise. I will continue.

[che]

people who knew me before the surgery seem to treat me differently. I've been told I am an inspiration to many people, and I feel like I am getting more respect than I ever have before.
Are those the only ways in which you're being treated differently? What do you think of getting more respect now? Do you think it's reflective of how ppl think?

Sorry to hear about your troubles, but happy to hear about your weight loss. Congratulations. :D

[che]

fear she will get more depressed, once I surpass her weight (I'm less than 10 lbs from that now).
What do you mean? Are u 10 lbs from her weight? If you end up weighing less than she, how will you manage dealing w/ her reaction if it's negative?

[bmeloche]

As far as being treated differently, I haven't noticed too much otherwise, though I haven't spent a lot of time looking for evidence. :-)

I was respected in my field before this, and now more so.

I am less than 10 lbs from her current weight. She's already dealing with depression as it is, being unemployed for the last four months. As far as how I will deal with it, I can't let it stop me too much, but I can't help but feel some of the same feelings she feels. I do have to try to stay focussed on my own goals. If things stay the same, and I expect that they will, it's going to happen (probably soon, in the next week or two), and I can't allow my progress to stop in reaction to her reaction on the lack of her progress and her reaction to mine. Perhaps when I do surpass her, that will give her a kick start.