Don't make the mistakes I've made. Here's my story...

You don't have to sit here and read this, but getting this story out really helped me today. I've realized something great and I am beginning a brand new journey.

Age: 18 (male)

Height: 6 ft. 1 inch.

Starting weight: 238 lbs.

Current weight: 169 lbs.

Starting August 2008, I wanted to lose weight my senior year of high school and have my dream body by June 2009 (which is graduation). I started by walking 2 miles everyday. It surprised me to know that I was actually doing something good for myself and I knew that dream body was soon to come. I cut my calories by a significantly large amount. I was eating less than 1000 calories per day. A week later, after I walked the 2 miles everyday, I checked the scale. The scale read 227 lbs. Had I really lost 10 lbs.? It had shocked me (but in a good way). 

During November 2008, I had experienced a couple plateaus (probably because my metabolism was really struggling). I had been eating around 1200 calories per day. The scale read about 205 lbs. The winter season came around the corner and I knew that I couldn't really go outside and run anymore. It was WAY to cold. So then I told myself that I'd have to keep my diet in check if I didn't want to gain any weight during the holidays.

February 2009, it was the month before my birthday and that was the month when I wanted to get my entire new wardrobe for a new healthy body! But I weight about 180 lbs. and I began to have a terrible feeling. An 18 year old guy who weighed 180 lbs. wasn't supposed to look like this. I had flab and pudge everywhere still! People all around me were wondering how I lost so much weight and told me that I needed to stop. I wanted to see if I could lose more fat by losing more weight. I weighed around 175 lbs. after my birthday and I still looked the same. I told myself that I needed to eat more (which was what my mom had been telling me all along) to kick-start my metabolism.

April 2009 was Prom Night. Believe me, I looked great in my tuxedo! But underneath was a weak, flabby, ugly mess. I weighed about 159 lbs. That night I lost all control and that was the night that began my relapse. That night was a night filled with deep-fried, buttery, creamy treats that left me in a spiraling pit of depression. I spent every week binge-eating on peanut butter, cookies, chocolates, pop-tarts, ice cream, etc., and then starving myself the next day. It's been a month and I've gained 10 lbs. I'm not muscular, I'm still fat and graduation is in 2 days. I am "skinny-fat". I hate it! I've lost at least 20 lbs. of LEAN MUSCLE MASS!

Today, I finally acknowledged that I am this "skinny-fat" and I am really ready to be healthy. During the binging months, I was looking online everyday on how to change my body composition. I know what to do. I know the mistakes I've made. I need to reboost my metabolism and start toning and regaining muscle mass. I have no trouble eating more calories, believe me... (after this month). I know to replace comfort food with healthy alternatives.

I'm beginning a new journey. I'm starting all over.

Anyone who's on this journey with me (whether you're obese, skinny-fat, or looking to lose a couple pounds after vacation), GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU! THANKS FOR READING!

Thanks for the great post!  I think your story is worth sharing and I was happy to read it. 

Great post. Best of luck to you.

It's great that you realized your mistakes. It probably couldn't hurt you to gain a few, too. Good luck toning up!

(I'm skinny-fat, too, if it makes you feel less alone. lol. currently working on toning with pilates and weights)

Thanks for sharing your story.  You have an incredible amount of discipline and I'm sure you will achieve your goals.  Make good health your goal and the good looks will follow!  I can't imagine a teenage boy eating 1200 calories.  You might want to talk to your doctor to find a healthy eating and exercise plan for yourself.  I knew a guy in high school who dropped thirty pounds by getting up early and walking to school every day-- walking is great exercise!

I hope you'll post again in the future and let us know how you're doing.

Thankyou for sharing that with us, it's people like you who inspire me.

Well done and the best of luck

I think the progress you've made is awesome and inspiring.  I don't think you should call this "mistakes" but "successes"!!!  

Your body will adjust.  Just keep eating as well as possible, don't beat yourself up so much when you have bad spells.  Keep up some activity, but remember to enjoy life every day.

I think when we do our best to make the most of life and most of ourselves, it is easier to want to take care of our bodies.

Congratulations on graduation!  Best of luck!

Thank you for sharing. Best of luck to you!

Wow.  I never knew guys could fall into the same ED traps as girls stereotypically do.  You are the first guy I've met who's been up front about body image issues and all that crap.  Congratulations! You know what you need to do and are going to do it.  The best of luck to you!  Be well.

p.s. When I read the sentence "I had lost 20lbs of muscle mass" I wanted to cry...that is bad news.

Thanks for sharing your story with us!  I applaud the fact that you realize your errors and are determined to correct time.

I agree with tamajinn, discuss a diet with your doctor.  1200 calories is not enough for a man.  There are formulas to determine what you minimum caloric intake should be based on a number of factors.  It's important that you stay above them.

Good luck on your new journey and healthy lifestyle!

thanks for posting and good luck!