One year ago I weighed 370lbs, today i weigh...

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

A year ago, I could barely walk to the mailbox without being out of breath, today I'm biking to the gym, working out and biking home. (yes, even on leg day). I have not been this small since probably 1997 or so.

Excellent work. Congrats!

[Sawin]

Seems like losing weight has been trending pretty heavily on the forum this week! Congratulations on your achievement so far. I want to warn you about something, as a friend if I may. My father did exactly this, back in 2003-2004. He followed the "Atkins diet", which aimed to enter ketosis by consuming 20 net carbs or less, daily. His diet consisted of high fat, high cholesterol foods like those you mentioned above. What he didn't realize, and what I want you to be conscious of, is that his cholesterol levels went way up and he ended up having a heart attack at 52 years old. He lived, had a stint put in, and is doing fine nearly 10 years later, but the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack went hand in hand with that diet. I just want to pass along a personal story as a friendly warning, is all. Congratulations again.

[ChadAmberg]

Yup, Atkins style diets work wonders. Once you get rolling and get past the initial "food boredom" it gives amazing results. I need to get started up again myself!

Congrats!


As for cholesterol levels, etc: Anecdotes != data. I can go and do Atkins, and my A1C, cholesterol levels, etc are in perfect levels. Most medical data backs this up that has been published. But not everyone gets the same results from any diet, so the real takeaway is, get blood work done every 6 months or so, just to be safe.

[sellersm]

My congratulations to you!!! I used to be in the "well over 350 lbs" club. I'm about 100lbs lighter now, many years later, and still trying to get another 40lbs off. I'm using similar techniques (except for the working out part, not doing that much right now). I first cut out ALL high fructose corn syrup, then other 'artificial' ingredients, now am getting rid of carbs. During these past years I did a lot of exercise (Tae Kwon Do with the kids, and I've always been a huge bicycle rider [no pun intended]) and that helped a LOT! I have rheumatoid arthritis and cutting down on the grains has helped immensely!

Congrats again!! Nothing breeds more success like success...

[JohnTRourke]

Awesome. Sounds like you went paleo cutting out grains and adding in bacon!

Great job sir


Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.

actually keto, which is somewhat similar. more strict on carbs, but how you get them is up to you (which isn't ok on paleo). A lot of people move to paleo once they get to maintenance.

[HoneyBadger]

Congrats! That's a terrific amount of weight to cut! Keep up the great work and your body will thank you for the rest of your life.

[Sawin]

...
As for cholesterol levels, etc: Anecdotes != data. I can go and do Atkins, and my A1C, cholesterol levels, etc are in perfect levels. Most medical data backs this up that has been published. But not everyone gets the same results from any diet, so the real takeaway is, get blood work done every 6 months or so, just to be safe.

That is exactly right. It definitely affects people differently, and my dad's issue could have been entirely due to genetics. His doc just told him to stop the diet, thus my reason for sharing.

[alxone]

holy sh*t you lost a whole person worth of weight ! congrats on a job well done !

[mackbamf]

That is absolutely life changing!! Congrats to you on your hard work and accomplishment. Keep it up!!!

[JohnTRourke]

holy sh*t you lost a whole person worth of weight ! congrats on a job well done !

yeah, I tried to get some of the high school kids to get a picture this morning with me, but they wouldn't go for it. (kids!)

but yes, i definitely feel that missing person.