Another CC Success Story. PLEASE READ.

Hello. Some of you might know me already. I'm Brett and I have been on CC for about 10 months now and I just hit my goal date. I wrote a journal entry and I wanted to share it with all of you. I thank everyone on this site for helping change my life. I really do owe a lot of gratitude to you all.

I hope you read this and can get some motivation to keep you fighting this fight. It can be done people. Keep up the good work. Thanks again.

-Brett

THE END

10/8/08 - 185 lbs.

So I call this entry 'The End,' but really it's more like a new beginning. Today is my 25th birthday and also my goal date for my weight loss adventure. And I must say, I find it hard to believe that I actually am sitting here at 185 pounds. I set a very unrealistic goal and one that probably wasn't the safest. However, I stuck with it and accomplished this feat that so many people struggle with day in and day out.

When I began this whole journey, I was 320 pounds, extremely unhealthy, and disgusted with myself. I really ate my problems away. I didn't worry about anything other than eating the most unhealthy and terribly addicting foods possible. I didn't know what hunger was. I wasn't able to keep my size 46 pants around my waist. I couldn't save money due to the fact that I was eating fast food for, sometimes, multiple meals a day. To put it plain and simple, I was killing myself.

The night of December 16th, 2007, something sparked in me. I still to this day don't know what that was, but it was something that saved my life. For some reason, I deceided that the next day was going to be the day that I changed it all. I used to tell myself that almost every Sunday for the past 3 or 4 years. But it never happened. This Sunday, it did. I got up the next morning and went to the gym. I then started to count my calories. I didn't even know this website existed until I searched for some caloric content online. Once I found this site, I knew I was going to make it.

As the journey continued, I found plenty of hardships to overcome. I remember a night within the first couple weeks where I sat at Denny's at around midnight sitting across from my friend wanting so bad to eat everything in sight. I remember a late night burrito run that made me feel like my old self again. And I remember an afternoon where I was able to keep up with all my friends in a couple games of basketball. Things were becoming easier. Eating was becoming less of a thought in my mind. I was changing. I had tons of bad meals, bad days, bad weekends, and even a few bad weeks. But the important thing was to jump back in and keep fighting. For all but one week, I was under my goal. I lost weight even faster than I had planned. But the weight wasn't as important and the way I felt. I felt healthier and more active as the months went on. I felt younger and more attractive as I came close to this day. And here I sit, in front of this computer, writing what is loosely titled, 'The End.'

I think of this more as a new beginning for the main fact that now is the real challenge. Most people think losing 135 pounds is hard, and it is, but keeping that 135 pounds off is going to be a bigger struggle for me. I know this. So now, more than ever, is when I can't let my guard down. I can't let myself feel like I have won. Because I have only just begun. I have the rest of my life to keep fighting. I have only won a small battle, not the whole war.

I guess now I will write down my final numbers of this journey. My before and after numbers.

--12/17/07--

320 pounds

48% body fat

41.1 BMI

44 inch waist

15:00 minute mile

--10/8/08--

185 pounds

15% body fat

23.8 BMI

34 inch waist

9:00 minute mile

3.2 pounds average loss/week

42.2% body weight gone

All I can say is holy hell! Congratulations! =)

(You might need a new user name, eh? ^_~)

Congratulations on your success.! 

That's AMAZING Brett!!! Congratulations!!!

CONGRATS!! You look absolutely fantastic! I'm so proud of you, enjoy your life!

Wow! Happy Birthday and Congratulations!!!!

Brett that is AWESOME!! Congrats and thank you so much for sharing this.

I am completely amazed! Luckily, this past 10 months have really prepared you for the road ahead. Anyone/everyone will tell you that keeping it off is harder (and it is!).

Hopefully, this community will continue to help you in your journey. Keep on posting and congratulations!!

You inspire me! I was really debating whether or not I should go to the gym or not (I'm still learning to like it!) and your post has convinced to me go!

Thanks for sharing, and congratulations!!

Congratulations...this is so inspiring.

That is an amazing and inspiring story!

Congratulations on a very great win! You did it!

congratulations and thanks for the inspiring post!

Wow!  I got chills!  Congrats on all your success, you're an inspiration!

This really does give me hope. I had been battleing the last few years to keep under 270. Today I hit 250 and I keep working to bring it down. The snaking is hard for me. And I never realized how much I phusically crave bread and rice. But, I'm glad to have read your post today and give me the courage to keep trying.

that is wonderful!  congratulation!

Congratulations Brett and what a great birthday gift to yourself! Your story definitely helps keep me motivated! I'm almost 10 months in and 7 pounds from my lowest weight in 12 years! Thanks for sharing your story and enjoy your birthday! You look amazing and I bet you feel even better!

Congratulations. Going to stop losing at 15%? I also have lost my way down to 15% bf so far, although it was only about 50 lbs and not 135 ;)

I think once you fall into a routine, the maintenance will seem pretty easy. Good luck!

WOW! Huge congrats to you! Your before and after pics are incredible!!! :)

Congratulations Brett.  Welcome to the wonderful world of maintenance.  This is where you get to perfect many of the life style changes you learned while losing.  

135 pounds, that's fantastic. 

Congrats Bret!!! Your story is truely amazing.  You look great!