davin1023

Today is a special day for me. One year ago today I made the decision I had to get healthier.

On January 21st 2009, I was 442 pounds, I could not walk three blocks without loads of pain in my hip, I spent probably 35 hours a week playing video games, I would drink at least 6 sodas a day, and as far as caffeine went, I probably had 35 caffeinated beverages a week. At the time I got no more than 6 hours of sleep most nights, and those were usually interrupted as my back or hip would bother me. I was eating about 4000 calories a day, all of crap; a salad was the farthest thing from my mind at most meals, and in fact probably ate fast food 3-5 times a week. On January 21st 2009 we bought bikes, and I found that I could not ride more than a couple of miles without feeling like I was going to die.

So what about one year later? The biggest change is that I’m now happily married to a wonderful woman. I’m down to 375, still heavy but with 67 pounds gone I feel so much better. I can go out walking with my wife for a couple of hours now and not be in any pain. I still play video games, but I’m down to well under 10 hours a week, and only as recreation not as life. If I drink a soda these days it is maybe one a week and that a diet, and caffeine is completely out, not to mention the fact that I drink at least 64 ounces on water a day. I generally sleep 8 hours a night, and those hours are almost always uninterrupted. I eat between 1800 and 2000 calories a day now, and try to make sure they are all good calories, salads are a staple in my diet now, and fast food is completely out no. And now it is not unusual to take my bike out and ride 15-20 miles, come home and still have plenty of energy for the rest of the day.

Needless to say the last year has been good to me. Here is to the prayer and plan that 2010 will be just as good.

Wylde06

RedWhiteandRed

Congrats - I like this story because:

1 - it sounds like you are happy
2 - it is a good (great) example of gradual change
3 - there does not appear to be fanaticism (fanatics tend to implode)

Cheers and keep having fun.

Neil_B

Bravo!

jgjulio

Congratulations
You are doing it right
Slow and with good eating and exercise

funrover 

Congrats, that is awesome!

mdohertyjr

Congrats!!

RT

Well done! Keep it up, and congrats on gettin' hitched!

mojopt

Great job. I went from 195 to 155 a couple of years ago. I couldn't agree with the "gradual" method more. Like you, I simply reduced some of the bad things and increased some of the good things( bought a bike).

I never believed in any diet that, like many, set you up for failure. It is weight reduction not a "sentence" to a diet no one would ever be able to stay on.

Good work, keep it up. You'll feel so much better when you reach your goal.

Best regards,

Mike

Cyclist0084

BigUgly

That is Awesome. Keep going. The more you exercise the better you will feel.

Hardwork = Success!!

Kamala

Keep rocking it! I'm on a similar time table and can't believe how awesome I feel these days!

baron von trail 

Awesome job!

Stick to it. You will never regret eating a good diet and getting plenty of exercise. I'd say that is pretty obvious, but so few people can get themselves to do it that one has to wonder....

good luck, moving forward.

Juan Foote

Congrads.

I have been pretty amazed myself. I took up recreational riding again about 4 (or so) months ago after being out of the saddle for years. I was a bit over 250 then, and am already down to 215. I am looking to get down to around 180 again.

irclean

Inspiring post. Congratulations!

waynesworld

This is a great post. Inspirational for me too, as I'm just recently trying to get back into shape. It's really great to hear that what I think should work does work, and has worked for someone.

Thanks and congratulations!

FlaMike

Congrats. Keep up the good work.