Another Before/After

Not sure if this is "motivational" or not, but I am proud of myself. I thought I would share a before/after pic. I started in Feb 2008 at 280+ and a size 42 pants, 2xl shirt. I dropped about 40lbs through May of 2008. At that point, I took a break and decided to try and maintain. I guess I had reasonable success. I would check in once a week or so and if I put on weight, I would be a bit more careful on what I was eating. By January 2009 I had decided to finish my journey to "under 200". Last month I hit 199. Currently I am wearing a 34 slim pants and a large shirt. Sounds strange to say I wear a "slim" anything..LOL.

Since then I have dropped another 6-7lbs as I try to figure out my new way of life. I am much more active now ( I hike and cycle about 50-75 miles a week), so what I thought would be my daily calorie count to maintain has proven to not be enough as I have lost about 7lbs that I wasn't planning to lose. I am feeling great and I am planning to stay around 195. I know that is still overweight but at 42 and about 6' I think it is a good number for me for the short term.

Anyway...here is the pic.

http://www.watsonfx.com/after.jpg

Awesome!!!

Amazing transformation. You should be so proud of yourself!

Definitely motivational!  Not only have you lost all those pounds, but you're enjoying your hiking and cycling too.  Nice to see the change in lifestyle -- you are an inspiration :)

Excellent job!! My starting weight and height was similiar to yours;  I'm looking forward to posting a similar story next year sometime. :)   Keep up the good work.  You should definitely be proud of your success!

Way to go! You look wonderful and it's so good to hear how active that you've become. CAn't believe you are at all 'overweight' now. You look great and healthy!

Woo hoooo! Great job! definitely inspirational... thank you for sharing!

Well done,great transformation.

Your story is very motivational, thank you for sharing.

And OMG good work!!!

(you give me hope =)

Seriously…thanks guys…I appreciate it. I can’t tell you how good I feel. The funny thing is that it wasn’t that hard once I got into the right mindset. For me, I couldn‘t view this as a “diet” as that implied that it was a short term thing. I think successful big time weight loss requires a change in habits/lifestyle. Also I had to set myself up to succeed. I knew I had to come up with meal plan that I could live with long term and I had to come up with a workout that I would stick with. What good is an insane military style workout if I quit in a week or two? It was all about moderation and being successful over the long haul. I still carry a “before” picture in my wallet. I felt like crap. I wasn’t happy, I was out of shape and I felt insecure. The picture is a great reminder and great motivation. I am 100% confident that I have this under control. I flat out refuse to

Good luck to all you guys on your journeys!

Wow you can really see the difference in your waist and face. Way to go!!!! Congrats. You look awesome.

You look like a new person!  Looking good!
Good for you!

You look great! Congrats.

Awsome job!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing - that is so awesome!  Way to go!!!

that is amazing...I can't wait until I have a before and after :)

Congratulations! You look absolutely awesome! I'm with Chiquita, I can't wait till I have an "after", too. Hope the results are as amazing as yours!

you look absolutely fabulous!

You look great, and younger!  Healthy bodies always look much younger.

very, very motivating - a healthy person losing weight the healthy way, and becoming happier for it. congratulations!

Wow you look great!  very exiting.  You look good all around & I love your hair.

Gratz on the exercise you get each week! that must feel great & I bet you love your new healthy lifestyle aka maintaining. Keep it up & we love pics of you in your slim jeans!

Tjlo