Huge weight loss stories 200lb+ w/o surgery

[HappyGilmore]

Looking for inspiration from people who have already or are in the process of losing huge amounts of weight like over 200lbs. How did you do it ? I HATE fish/seafood and everything healthy (fat free dressing, mayo,) I just need ideas of meals and exercise routines etc. I am 40 yrs old about 330 and want to drop 200 or at least 150 I know it won't happen overnight but I refuse to do anything but a gradual life style change because I know anything else won't be a permanent change. I have started working out at a gym, this isn't the first time but I want it to be the last time that I give up. It is so hard just to walk 15 minutes on a treadmill @ 2.5 speed with 3.0 incline and while I do it I try to think positive thoughts but being realistic --- I do wonder how it is going to make any difference. How do people really finally just get to that point that they are able to succeed? I have failed so many times that I just don't want to fail again. I want to be able to find clothes to wear in a mall for goodness sake and just feel like a beautiful woman for once in my life.

 

[quasar4legs]

Wanted to congratulate you on making the decision to get healthy.

I had a cousin that lost this sort of weight several years ago.

He joined a gym, went 5 days a week and also saw a dietitian who helped him plan and she also suggested he keep a photo food diary.

Basically he kept photos of everything he ate/drank which he said helped keep him on track and kept him 'honest'. He just used his phone camera and then the dietitian used the photos to help him get a better understanding of food portion size.
One of the other things he did was to try and increase his everyday movement by taking stairs instead of lift and parking the car at the end of carparks etc.


You can do this
Quasar

 

[epcotprincess]

Wanted to congratulate you on making the decision to get healthy.


You can do this
Quasar

THIS!

My best friend used to weigh 385 as a 5'7 female. She is down to 135 and looks and feels amazing.

She did it by going vegetarian. She also limited white refined carbs like white bread and favored whole grains instead.

Other than switching her bread and pasta type, all she did was stop eating meat and she started dropping weight like crazy. After the first 50 lbs, she started being a little more active, doing things such as walking, etc.

She eventually cut out soda. She never cut out full fat dairy, because low-fat stuff has a bunch of junk in it that keeps you fat.

She went from a heavy borderline diabetic to a completely healthy slim woman in a matter of a couple of years. She doesn't miss her bigger self or the meat.

As a result of her amazing transformation, I became a vegetarian again and I have lost 15 lbs. of my leftover stubborn baby weight and have never felt better. She has since gone to a natural foods culinary school and become a vegetarian chef-- and she isn't even close to diabetic. I am so proud of her!

I thought it was going to be so hard to go meat-free, but I am so happy with it-- the way I feel with my health and body and the gladness I feel in not eating meat has lead me to be healthier and happier than ever.

I know this isn't the path for everyone but it was for us. If you need recipes, encouragement, or advice on making a meat-free transition to a healthier life, please feel free to PM me!

I wish you much luck in your weight loss endeavor!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I wish you luck. I've been dieting for some time now and am down 40. I survived the holidays and I am so happy.

I have 60 to go. It hasn't been easy, but when you have small goals, like 2 pounds lost in a week, you feel like a champion.

What started me off was a competition at work. I lost the most amount of weight in six weeks and I won $60. We have a lady at work who is a trainer/nurse/healthy encourager. Knowing I weigh in every Thursday with her keeps me on track. She's great about it and hollers happy when I lose weight and when I don't or stay the same, we discuss it and she gets me back on track.

I'm buying a bicycle this week and that's something I thought I'd never say. I can't wait to ride it and I can't believe this is ME typing this.

Slow and steady wins the race. Don't try to do too much at once. I also hate fish. I eat a lot of chicken and turkey. I hate mayo, so when things need a type of sauce, I use tomato sauce that I make myself. It is very low in calories and high in flavor. Try any type of balsamic vinegar instead of the crappy low-cal dressings. I tried a few before I found one I love.

 

[maslex]

Looking for inspiration from people who have already or are in the process of losing huge amounts of weight like over 200lbs. How did you do it ? I HATE fish/seafood and everything healthy (fat free dressing, mayo,) I just need ideas of meals and exercise routines etc. I am 40 yrs old about 330 and want to drop 200 or at least 150 I know it won't happen overnight but I refuse to do anything but a gradual life style change because I know anything else won't be a permanent change. I have started working out at a gym, this isn't the first time but I want it to be the last time that I give up. It is so hard just to walk 15 minutes on a treadmill @ 2.5 speed with 3.0 incline and while I do it I try to think positive thoughts but being realistic --- I do wonder how it is going to make any difference. How do people really finally just get to that point that they are able to succeed? I have failed so many times that I just don't want to fail again. I want to be able to find clothes to wear in a mall for goodness sake and just feel like a beautiful woman for once in my life.

Wow, I could have writtent his word for word. Since I'm in the same boat as you are, I can't really give you any advice (then that would mean that I actually know what to do for myself. LOL, and I don't)

So I'm hoping others will chime in with more ideas. Good luck!!!

 

[Katy Belle]

I havr a Dear Friend who lost 190 lbs and has kept it off for 2years. I am so inspired by her! She went from 330 to 140. She says "Im a simple girl with a simple plan.". She counted calories. She ate 1200 calories Mon-Thur, breakfast 300, lunch 400, dinner 500 and 1500 calories Fri- Sun. Breakfast 400, lunch 500, dinner 600.

She quit drinking, and smoking too. Her exercise is mostly real work. She just got off her bottom and started cleaning, push mowed her big yard, cleaned closets, painted rooms, etc. She does walk some for exercise, but that is all.

I need to lose about 90 lbs. I started in November and im down about 10 lbs. Its hard for me to stay motivated, but i really do want to do it!

Oh, my friend goes to this website for support. There are many big losers there! They have a forum, just like this one. Check out the calorie counters, 100 lb club, etc!
www.3fatchicks.com
Good luck to you!

 

[joviroxx]

I didnt lose 200 but I am at 97ibs lost (w.o surgery) and pretty much at goal. It took me a long time, 2 1/2 years. It was a mental attitude /state more than a diet that helped me. Its a state of mind. There were times I wanted to give up and for periods of time I would take breaks and just concentrate on maintaining. I would lose 25 then break, then lose 20, then break. The best thing that worked for me was cutting out starches and sugars. Not carbs, but processed sugars. Natural sugars from foods were ok, just not too high in sugar. A lot of people had success with Weight Watchers but Im not one to count points nor did I want a plan where I could "excuse" a cookie by cutting back on a healthy protein to be within "points" but it works for many.

I stay away from non-fat foods as they are LOADED with sugars to help make them taste better. I eat chicken, lean beef and learned to pick a few vegetables that I can tolerate. I am totally convinced that its not just calories in/out but the quality of the calories. I eat full fat foods but really watch my starches and sugars.

I realize its not 200 but I know how daunting it can feel at times. Just take one day at a time. Instead of saying "I can't eat that" say " I choose not to eat that today". There are days where you just want to be "normal", but patience is amazing and one day at a time works. Before you know it, you've lost more than you could ever imagine.

Walking was what I did at first. Im now running and I never ever thought I could run 50 yards, let alone 2 miles.

Good luck to you, it will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself and Im sure you will have plenty of support on this board. Its hard but sooo rewarding! The best advice I can give you is to start with a structured plan. Read up on them. Do one that sounds bearable until you get an idea how your body reacts and loses. If you are miserable, it WONT work. You WILL eventually figure yourself out and something that works for YOU. Congrats on making the decision and sending you best wishes!

 

[clarabelle]

I don't have a story to share
But I do have some advice

I would try doing a food diary for a few days. Be completely honest -no one will see it but you.

Then look at ways that you can cut say 250 -300 calories a day.
I doesn't have to involve fat free mayo and cheese.
You could still have those things -just in smaller portions.
I also have a digital scale. They aren't that expensive and I weigh things.
Especially packaged food.
Although I haven't went vegetarian like pp. I have started eating some veggie meals. I discovered I like boca burgers and morningstar black bean burgers and I often have those for lunch.

If there is a fast food that you like -see if you can make a substitute at home. Or go on the website of the restaurant and come up with some ideas before you go of what you will order. Panera has lots of choices.


It takes a 3500 calorie deficit to loose a pound of weight. So if you cut out 300 calories a day plus walk you could probably manage losing a pound a week.

Another thing -I really like looking at "Shape" and "Oxygen" magazine. I find them very motivating.

 

[Christine]

I don't have a story to share
But I do have some advice

I would try doing a food diary for a few days. Be completely honest -no one will see it but you.

Then look at ways that you can cut say 250 -300 calories a day.
I doesn't have to involve fat free mayo and cheese.
You could still have those things -just in smaller portions.

This is a good way to start.

Don't shoot me but I only want to lose 10 lbs. As everyone will tell you, when you are close to your desired weight, those last few pounds are the hardest to lose. Very difficult but I have WAY too much body fat.

I joined www.sparkpeople.com about 3 weeks ago, just to log in my food intake. I don't really track anything else, post on the message boards, read their stuff etc. There are other online calculators out there, such as www. fitday.com which also track your intake without all the glitz and glamour of the sparkpeople site.

Anyway, I started tracking and it was easy to see that I was taking in about 2,000 to 2,100 calories per day.

I haven't "gone on a diet" and like you I don't "do" diet food. I use no artificial sweeteners, I don't like reduced fat cheese, mayo, or anything like that. I'd rather just do without then to eat those things.

Just by looking at my food intake, I realized that I could eat mostly everythign I already eat, but I needed to cut the portions. That has helped greatly and now I am more or less intaking 1600 calories per day.

I won't lie: I gave up my nightly bowl of ice cream. I am now having a fat-free pudding at night (100 calories), or a piece of dark chocolate, or a Trader Joe's Mango Cream bar. I try to keep my "dessert" at 100 calories or less. Is it the same? Nope, not a bit, but it helps.

I also agree that buying some of the magazines like "Fitness", "Shape", and "Women's Health" can be very motivating.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I dropped 30 lbs since May (my goal overall is to get down to my pre-baby weight, which still leaves me 40 to go).

Cutting out soda was the biggest thing for me. That was 10lbs right there. I've switched my meals to dark green leafy salads (spinach mostly) with lots of veggies and usually a protein of some kind (generally grilled chicken). I've been eating lots of baked potatoes and lean proteins (recently switched to ground turkey instead of beef) and staying away from the sweets.

I relapsed at Christmas and gained 7 lbs. but getting to the gym is a priority. I try to stay moving and not sit around so much at home because that is all I do at work.

My goal is 40-50 lbs by December. It's an attainable goal, but once I drop the first 20, the last 20 is going to be very tough. I can do it... so can you!

 

[mhsjax]

I agree with the other pp that said stay away from FF or light food, that stuff is loaded with extra sugars and carbs. My DH cardiologist said to stay away from these at all costs. Also cut out carbs. If is is white, don't eat it. No potatoes, pasta rice, bread. We still are trying to cut out most carbs period except for veggies.

 

[clarabelle]

If cutting out carbs is too hard -again you could try measuring them.
I serving of rice or pasta is pretty small.
If you are miserable without them -I would try measuring my portions of those items and see if that makes it easier.
Then later -cut them out all together if that works for you.

 

[Mermaid02]

If cutting out carbs is too hard -again you could try measuring them.
I serving of rice or pasta is pretty small.
If you are miserable without them -I would try measuring my portions of those items and see if that makes it easier.
Then later -cut them out all together if that works for you.

I agree with this. If you try to cut them out altogether you will probaby have a backlash effect. Small changes.... baby steps!

 

[goodeats]

I try to monitor my weight very carefully as I have a lot of obese people in my extended family. I think the food diary is very important. It's easy to say I don't know why I've gained weight, but the food diary will change your mind. Whether it's a soda habit or snacking after dinner, there is a reason for weight gain. It can be very gradual too. Even an extra 100 calories a day adds up.

I find great inspiration at 3fatchicks.com. There are people at goal weight with great stories. There are support groups for people who are 300+ as well as people who have less than 10 pounds to go. Also, at your local library look for Dr. Beck's book called The Complete Diet Solution. It is seriously life changing.

Don't strive for perfection right away (or ever really) it will just backfire. Small and gradual changes are the way to go!

 

[DisneyScraps]

I am curious why you don't want surgery? With that much to lose it would seem like a viable option and even if you didn't want the gastric bypass the lapband seems to be minimally invasive.

I find when I am losing weight that as long as I am in a forward pattern of losing a little every week it keeps me going.

I would also tell you to make exercise non negotiable. We all have things we have to do every day. Shower, brush our teeth etc. When you make exercise one of those items you hold yourself to it. No excuses, no not going for any reason. My friend that lost 200 pounds told me that. She said at first it was really hard but she refused to let herself skip even once. If she showered, she went to the gym.

Good luck to you!

Lusa

 

[Mermaid02]

I am curious why you don't want surgery? With that much to lose it would seem like a viable option and even if you didn't want the gastric bypass the lapband seems to be minimally invasive.

I find when I am losing weight that as long as I am in a forward pattern of losing a little every week it keeps me going.

I would also tell you to make exercise non negotiable. We all have things we have to do every day. Shower, brush our teeth etc. When you make exercise one of those items you hold yourself to it. No excuses, no not going for any reason. My friend that lost 200 pounds told me that. She said at first it was really hard but she refused to let herself skip even once. If she showered, she went to the gym.

Good luck to you!

Lusa

Weight loss surgery is a drastic measure. I commend the OP for trying to do this on her own. You have to change your whole life after you have surgery (even before really) so why not try to make those changes NOW?

 

[minniecarousel]

Weight watchers.

The two people I know of who have lost that kind of weight without surgery both lost following the WW plan. Their new Plan is even more amazing. You take into account carbs, fat, fiber & protein.

 

[linda0706]

Weight watchers.

The two people I know of who have lost that kind of weight without surgery both lost following the WW plan. Their new Plan is even more amazing. You take into account carbs, fat, fiber & protein.

I was going to suggest Weight Watchers too.

I'm currently a member and I love the new plan. It allows you enough leeway that you can have your splurges without going off the plan...a HUGE factor in being able to keep on track. And fruits cost absolutely NO points--you can have as much as you want to feel satisfied. So at the end of the day if you still feel hungry, you can grab an apple or handful of grapes or whatever with no guilt.

The biggest thing for me with WW is the constant accountability & how they celebrate your small successes.

 

[TeresaBelle]

I am going to a WW meeting today with a friend who goes, just to check it out. See if it's something I want to join. I need to lose 60 - 70 lbs.

 

[kwelch10377]

I think you need to keep in mind that you can't do everything at once. Having that mentality will just set you up for failure. You need to make changes gradually.

When it comes to eating stay away from a lot of processed stuff. Stick with fruits, veggies and lean meats. Look at other was to get protein, quinoa is a great example of a none meat protein that can be used for a main fish. Make sure that you are eating 5-6 smaller meals a day. Becareful about depriving yourself too. For example if you like chocolate don't take it out of your diet completely figure out how to use moderation when eating it.

Also don't worry about not likely certain healthy things there are plenty of different foods out there that are good for you and that I'm sure you will like You mentioned fat free dressing and mayo. There is nothing saying you have to use fat free or full fat of either of these. I actually don't eat any condiments, I figure out other ways to incorporate flavor, for example I squeeze fresh lemon on my salads.

I would also recommend keeping track of what you eat for a few weeks and then set up an appt to see a nutritionist. They should be able to help you figure out what changes you need to make.