Feeling 20 Years Younger
Pork1965 lost more than 100 pounds thanks largely to a change in eating habits and habitual exercise. Weight loss for him is not a temporary goal to be achieved; it involves major lifestyle changes that he's sticking with and aiming for that healthy BMI.
He contacted us through our Share Your Story feature and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time? Did you have an "Aha!" moment?
My "Aha!" moment was when I realized I was getting winded just carrying laundry up the stairs. I started thinking I'm going to be dead before I am 50.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I did Atkins for over a year, I lost 70 or 80 lbs but gained it back and then some. I just couldn't handle low carbs anymore.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I cut out all fast food for the first 2 months. Now I do it once in a while but with moderation. I'm a lot more active, I get out and walk, I do sit ups and lift weights 3 times a week. I still have a long way to go when it comes to my activity level but I am getting there. I feel 100% better than I did last year at this time and I think my attitude on life in general has improved 100%.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
I was shocked at how many calories I was eating in a day. Calorie Count made me be accountable for what I eat. I love all the tools. I didn't even know what a BMI was last year and now this is my big focus - I WANT A HEALTHY BMI!
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
It goes so slowly. I'm a "I want it now" kind of guy and that does not happen with weight loss. I have done the fast loss routes and they don't last. I will maintain my weight loss this time because I've learnt how to eat.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I didn't see results for months; my wife saw it on me but I looked the same in the mirror to myself. My weight was dropping and my clothes were falling off and I still couldn't see the loss. The thing that kept me going was I felt so much better after a month. In the last 2 months I can see the weight loss somewhat but I think when you are so used to being overweight your brain can't picture the "thinner" you.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I'm not all the way there yet, since I define success as hitting a healthy BMI. I did, however, feel very successful when I had lost 100lbs.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I'm more active, that helps, but mostly I remember how bad I felt before I started here and that makes me drop the cookie every time.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I have a much better outlook on life. For a while I didn't want to leave the house and I didn't want people to see how much weight I had gained. My body was screaming for me to stop eating all the junk for a long time. I finally listened and I feel 20 years younger.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Log EVERYTHING you eat.
- Get active, walk, heck crawl if you have to.
- Set a realistic goal and stick to it.
- Don't give up, it takes time but you can do it.
- Learn moderation, it is okay to eat a little piece of pie but not
the whole pie.
Comments
Congrats Pork1965! I am currently at a 66 pound lossand just today, moved into a healthy weight BMI. I would have never looked it up, unless you had mentioned it in your article.Thank you! Just made my day! Keep going, it's easy to throw in the towel, but you're so close to your goal! Woo-hoo!
Congrats:
Yup. Time to change your name. Love your ideas about exercise. "Yup, crawl if you have to". I'm writing that one down to help me.
You look GREAT! You will be such a good roll model for your two boys! Keep up the good work.
Awesome….good to see another “old” guy getting it done! 
Seriously man, I have been there and I know what it took…you should be proud of yourself. Keep it up!
Congratulation! I was slacking off, but your story helps me to get back to it and keep trying. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Congrats to you!!! I love hearing the success stories because I'm just the same with the .. I want it now attitude. 2 - 3 lbs a week drives me nuts. But when I look back to when I started I think .. well, it is becoming a bigger number so be patient.
So yay for you! Maybe someday I'll be writing in with my story lol, actually I hope someday everyone hear is writing in!
CONGRATS-HOPE TO GET WHERE YOU ARE-GOING SLOW BUT I WILL GET THERE-KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK-THANKS FOR SHARING !!
I will proudly display the sign, "HECK...CRAWL IF YOU HAVE TO!!!!!" on now refrigerator from now on!!!
Just look at those beautiful children!!!!!!!! I almost cried.
Ya'know,...most of the time.. weight loss is about vanity..... I think your story and picture might have just made me realize how much people would miss me if I was gone.
*sobering silence*
Thank you.
"I didn't see results for months; my wife saw it on me but I looked the same in the mirror to myself. My weight was dropping and my clothes were falling off and I still couldn't see the loss. The thing that kept me going was I felt so much better after a month. In the last 2 months I can see the weight loss somewhat but I think when you are so used to being overweight your brain can't picture the "thinner" you."
For me, the paragraph above was the most interesting and I would really like to know more about it. I believe that the inability to perceive your body in a mirror is a major obstacle to many. I have never pictured myself as fit, I can look back at photos of myself when I was fit and see the difference between then and now, but have never been able to see it in the present. Currently, having lost 40 pounds, I have difficulty is seeing it! I often wonder why?
Congratulations on your success!
You look fantastic! and those two darling boys must be thrilled to have a dad who can run, jump and play with them. You're my inspiration for the day!
Wow....what an inspiration. My yo-yo diets are driving me crazy and I cant get below 200 but after reading your story makes me realize I give up far too early. Thank you and good luck:)
Whay to go Slim! I just started this program myself and have lost 10 Lbs in my first week. I really didn't know how many empty calories I was pumping into my body each day, now I do and I feel confident that I can do something about it.
Congrats
Gettin there
Damn! What is your BMI? According to CC mine is around 20 and a goal weight of 172lbs. I haven't weighed under 200 since middle school, and at 172 I'd look anorexic! The reason I ask is because you don't look over weight in the picture. I started on the first of this year, not as a resolution, but for the same reasons as you. I've lost 30lbs. and I know that's fast but I was also drinking a twelve pack of beer a day; which I've completely stopped. My goal is 200lbs, and I have another 38lbs to go. I too like the tools that show me the calorie intake I consume and was consuming, and your story has given me more motivation to continue with my lifestyle change. I also don't see much difference in my appearance, but just this weekend my oldest daughter was giving me a hug and said "OMG your melting away"! It was cold and I was wearing layered clothing, but it made me feel better and it helps keep me focused. Thanks for sharing your story.
You look fantastic! Well done! I've lost 80ish and my goal is also to lose 100, so you're an inspiration for my last stretch.
You should be SOOO proud of yourself.
I would just mention, you said you're aiming for a safe BMI, but mentioned that you weight train, and you look fairly muscly in the pic. BMI is NOT a good measure to use if you are a muscly person, maybe check with your doctor and use Waist to Hip ratio and body fat percentage measurements to see if you actually need to lose any more, or just tone up a little :)
Impressive! Great job! Thanks for giving others motivation and showing them that it can be done!
Congrats on your weight loss! Thank you for sharing your story, you are helping hundreds stay motivated!
You'll need to change your handle now. I hope I get to that point! Congrats. And keep working, don't stop! It creeps back on you!
I think you need your eyes checked because that is a lot of weight loss. You look like an entirely new person. Congrats!
(I can see the difference of five pounds on my face so I've never understood people who don't see their weight loss)
AWESOME, way to go! I agree that logging everything you eat is really motivating...being honest with yourself and holding yourself accountable makes it easier to stay on the right path.
Good name change is in order... Like perhaps Slim2010. Working at losing 100 or so lbs. Success so far and haven't been at it that long...since January 19th. Have lost 15lbs. Logging is the best way to identify what your doing. Congrats and thanks for the inspiration.
I am get so, so happy when I read stories like this one! Congrats to anybody who has achieved the ideal weight, habits, etc. Now, how about people with THYROID problems?? -specially- the one that 'make people 'fat'? OK let's say....that one have tried....'to eat healthy, portions, balanced, count calories..etc. AND still.....'no results?
How about 'being tired all the time?' Anybody here..that can read me please? with the 'same kind of little problem'? I have to be clear though, I do practice what I wrote down above, however.....'still tired, and THOSE stubburn LAST 15 lbs......NEVER, NEVER seem to fade! For crying out loud!
Oh yes, vitamin B-12 under my tonge............>so I can get 'some' energy! But....it does not last. Ah! of course...eat small..portions of good stuff like...almonds....peanuts....every 2 hours(of course fruits included).
I don't want..to bother here, but yes! I am ENVIOUS of those that 'just change their habits' AND THAT'S ALL! geezzzzzz! how wonderful is that? They should consider themselves....so, sooooo lucky!(Don't take me wrong..I am not insulting..anybody here..lol).
I do: practice Yoga(thank's God), I do weight training 2 times a week, and I do Martial Arts 3 times a week...............''I do look...okay(cute?), and oh yeah....I am not into the super fat..thing....but! Hey! I 'should' feel...at least...more energetic! please! please!
Any suggestions? any ideas? any tips? IF NOT ... just send me your love and light...................
Namaste.
what a wonderful story you look great and inspriation to any one, i was getting a little dissapointed by not losing any more weight after the first 11 pounds but after your story i wont give up, your right crawl if you have to because if you dont move you dont lose to much, great job, keep up the good work, weightlossforever
You look great and congrats! I just started this whole logging your food thing and is it very difficult to be honest with yourself and what you eat! You are quite the inspiration.I hope I can write my success story one day! I have lost 2lbs so far and have another 48 to go, but you have to start somewhere, right? Keep up the good work you look awesome!!!!!! 
Great job. Think jow proud your wife and kids will be that you did it. Now you'll be there to run around with the grandkids someday. I'm like you and it was one of the most significant things I ever did in my life.
I want to follow in your steps one day. You have touched and inspired so many of us here, and that makes you AMAZING! Thank you for your inspiring story
Wonderful job Pork1965! Keep up the good work. Your story is truly an inspiration to those like me who are trying to lose weight. As I continue my journey to healty weight loss, I will remember your story to keep me motivated. (Pat yourself on the back).
You look awesome! Congrats on a hard job well-done (or well-progressed :)!! "crawl if you have to". great words and inspiration. keep up the great work and good luck on reaching your healthy bmi!!
Pork1965
The only thing I can say is WOW!!! Great job. I know the feeling. It took a stroke for me to get it off, and that was my aha moment since that time I lost 90 lbs. So glad it didn't have to take that for you to get serious. Keep it up...it does get easier the more active you become.
Mark
maybe you need your thyroid lab worked up to make sure your meds are right for you , it will make your energ feel very tired and also keep taking the sublingal b-12 for energy maybe a good shor of iron can help with the energy, goog luck to you, weightloss forever
Congrats! I know exactly what you mean about not being able to see the weight loss on yourself the same way others see it...I was overweight/obese for about 25 years, so it's hard to wrap my mind around the thinner me. You look great...keep up the good work :)
your story is inspiring and it has motivated me as well . i weighed 235 pounds now um 230 and its been 15,16 days and it already seems that um losing motivation . plus it seems as um not losing anymore . Can u people give me tips i want to loose 50 more pounds. and one more thing i am from pakistan and not many of our dishes are listed here therefore its getting difficult to count calories :S help needed badly and advices too :) i ll be very thankful for your advices
forgot to mention that i am 21 yo old and 6 feet 1'' acc to calorie burner i burn around 2500 a day , how much shall i consume ?
I think you might need to put together your own basic meals using fresh ingredients so that you can track your own calories. If you do the cooking this is easier.
If you have meals prepared for you, you will have to find out exactly what goes into the pot!
Original Post by: coolfaisalyour story is inspiring and it has motivated me as well . i weighed 235 pounds now um 230 and its been 15,16 days and it already seems that um losing motivation . plus it seems as um not losing anymore . Can u people give me tips i want to loose 50 more pounds. and one more thing i am from pakistan and not many of our dishes are listed here therefore its getting difficult to count calories :S help needed badly and advices too :) i ll be very thankful for your advices
I think calories are the same whatever cuisine you eat. You just need to be aware of every single ingredient that goes into the food and also the quantity.
I think the safest bet is to prepare your own meals while you find out more!
hmm and i couldnt jog regularly maybe due to lazyness or busy schedule i dont knw exactly. i walk on treadmill i thik twice or thrice a week and burn around 150,160 one time . shall i increase exercise or only dietin can help ?
I'm just getting started with a 30 pound weight loss goal. You're an inspiration. It's good to know going into this that it will be slow and that my brain might still see myself as fat.
your not supposed to do 30 minutes start with 15 do a week of 15 then go to 20 and 25 and ultimately u will be able to stay on for 30 min
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Great job, Pork1965! You might want to change your name to Slim1965. You look good, my calorie count brother.