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

One Word....

Amazing!

WTG

~H~

Way to go. Subway Jared has nothing on you.

25yrs old...You have your whole life ahead of you, you made a good decision early. Congratulations on the results. Hopefully I will have my own 50lb success story within a few more months. (I am forgoing excersize for now, just counting calories).

That is SO awesome, what an inspiration!  Congrats and way to go!!

congrats!!!  truly inspirational.

Well, wow.

Thank you all so much for the kind words. I really am moved by everyones overwhelming congratulations. It's weird that it feels so good to help people. I used to be a very selfish person, (and still am to a degree) but when I hear so many people tell me that I have inspired them or that they will try a little bit harder because of me, I'm so amazed.

I really wish I could write to every single one of you that posted on here, but that may take all day and I have to work to make a living. But I will comment on a few posts that really stuck out.

tincognito - Thank you for the congrats and I'm actually surprised more people didn't comment on the fact that my name is bigbrett22. I don't think the name can be changed, but I would if I could.

kritty180 - I agree that the past 10 months have prepared me. I have have so many different experiences that have changed me. I actually KNOW that I will never be the same old Brett that I was ever again. This is me now. Thanks!

rebeccalamvocals - I feel so happy when I can inspire someone to get off their butt and hit the gym. I used to be just like you and still am some days. It takes a long time to get used to liking the gym, but it may happen for you. Remember that you don't HAVE to go to the gym, but try to do something at least remotely active everyday. It helps in the long run.

kizzichan - You know, it's funny, because when I read back the post after I wrote it, I kind of gave myself the chills. I didn't really realize what a huge change I went through and never really thought about it too much. But I thank you for you kind words.

jamieglen - Yes! A fellow big guy. I love meeting other big guy's on this site. We need to stick together and help each other out. It's nice have a lot of women on the site for their positive outlook, but it's hard to relate to them being a big guy. When I was first starting out I found a couple other big guys that helped motivate me and inspire me. And I really hope that I am doing the same for you. Don't ever give up man. Time moves with on whether or not you are moving with it, so you might as well move too.

faieriesunshine - Thank you. I really did want this to be a special birthday for me and it has been the greatest one yet. Doesn't it feel amazing to hit new lows? I couldn't believe when I got under 200 since I had never been there as an adult. Those little milestones help you keep going along the way.

ibez - My whole goal from the beginning had nothing to do with body fat %, but once I started weighing regularly, I noticed the % dropping. And now that I am at my goal weight, I plan to continue to work out harder and try to gain more muscle mass and less body fat. But it never has been one of my most important goals. Healthy lifestyle is what I strive for. Thanks for the good luck.

haley_2008 - Thank you very much. I remember reading some of your posts and journals early on when I started and you helped motivate me a ton. You have a wonderful success story as well and you are one of the reasons that I posted mine. This community is about bettering ourselves and helping others that face the same struggles. And you helped me, so I thank you.

tokyoturnip - People have told me to contact Subway and tell them that I should be there new spokesman. But thank you for the post. Part of the reason I decided to do this was because I am still young. My mother has gone through the same struggles her whole life and finally got it under control at 50. I saw how difficult life was for her with these ups and downs and I didn't want to wait til 50. I knew I had to do it now. And I'm so glad I did. Good luck on your journey.

Thanks again to everyone else that posted. I read every one of them and am so humbled by all of your super kind words. I do plan to stick around here and keep weighing in and keep reading motivational stories. They are my favorite.

-Brett

Grats !! Im totally inspired by you =) Not only did you make your goal, but by the *deadline* too ...

AMAZING !!

awww i feel a group hug coming on! 

Does this mean you are leaving the CC+ community?  I hope not!

~H~

Damn! You look amazing- what an inspiration for everyone on here! Congratulations- you've just given yourself the best birthday present imaginable. Best of luck maintaining your new self in the future!

Good for you and well deserved!!!!

Congratulations.  I'm so happy you, and all your hard work has really paid off. 

You look fantastic!  I'm sure your family must be very proud of you! 

Brett I'm really happy for you. Never give up the fight to keep your weight off! You look great and I know you must feel better now too. Becky

Brett

*round of applause* Well done. We have very similar stats (apart from the gender difference) and I have a similar goal so to hear you have reached yours is a MASSIVE kick up the **** for me.

You look great!

Congrats! I was looking through your profile... I love the 'stache!

This is really inspiring !

that is royally awesome!!!  congrats!!!  :D  you are amazing & i'm sure you have learned enough here not to gain it back.

Brett  that's amazing!!! I am really happy for you! What an awesome inspiration you are for anyone who is looking to get healthy. You have done such an incredible thing for yourself but also others for telling your story- go on with your bad self!