Never Quit
The title is one tip that our this week's featured member, Mikey8437 would like to share with you. He tells us about his dietary and physical fitness routines that have helped him lose over 145lbs and it’s a plan he will continue to follow until he reaches his goal.
He contacted us through our Share Your Story feature and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What prompted you to begin this weight loss journey? Did you have an "Aha!" moment?
At the age of 25 I graduated from college (Biology Major) in Puerto Rico. I wanted to continue my studies in medicine but I really didn't have the money. My sister who was in the Army suggested I joined the service and when I went to the Recruiter he said I should lose about 120 lbs if I even wanted to be considered. At this time I was suffering from high cholesterol and heart problems plus diabetes runs in the family so I decided it was enough, time to start a new life.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
In the past I tried numerous diets including Atkins, Low-Carb Diets, even Starvation or Crash Diets all of which never lasted more than a few months. I would gain the weight back faster than what I lost it - which caused me to quit.
3. Please describe how you reached your weight loss goal. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude? Did you implement any other strategies besides Calorie Count? What was the most important change?
At the beginning I just did cardio exercises 3 or 4 times a week for about one hour. There weren't many changes to my diet at first other than reducing fried foods, fast foods, sodas and alcohol. Later I started adding weight training and started watching my calorie intake. I did a ton of research trying to find a program which fits my lifestyle and stuck with it.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
Calorie Count is an amazing tool out there for everyone. It's very simple and it will help you reach any goal whether it's weight loss or just to maintain - It's Awesome!!!
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
Along the way I encountered many difficulties including injuries, plateaus and personal situations which tried to stop my progress. I believe in resilience, the ability to bounce back from these events with a positive effect, keeping your goal at all times and working hard, nothing comes easy.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
It took me approximately 16 months to lose the initial 120 lbs. After Basic Training I lost another 20 lbs and I'm currently working on reaching my next goal - which is 200 lbs.
7. How do you prevent relapse?
I prevent relapse by looking in the mirror every morning and seeing the results of my hard work. Keeping my diet clean and working out consistantly. Using wonderful apps to keep daily entries so I can see what I need to work at
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I feel very confident and comfortable with my body. I finally had the courage to ask a lady on a date and today she's my beautiful wife. She inspires me and motivates me every day to look and feel good about myself. She is my Battle Buddy!
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I have successfully maintained the weight loss for almost 3 years now. It's a continuing battle. Just because you meet one goal doesn't mean you can go back to bad habits. Make new goals, push yourself every single time.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Work Hard- Every time you head to the gym have a goal. Remember "failing to plan is a plan to fail".
- Think positive- Our body is capable of more than we think.
- Work with a buddy- In the Military we call it "Battle Buddies". Every now and again think of it as a competition to spice it up a little.
- Write everything down- Log what you eat, keep a chart with your weight loss and log your workouts... This will inspire you to keep working hard.
- Never Quit- This is the most important tip. It's one of the ARMY Values and I live by this every day.
If you would like us to feature your success story, you can submit it here. The most insightful stories will be featured on this blog and in the weekly "Success Stories" newsletter.
Comments
Your story is amazing and can inspire many. I liked the realistic viewpoints and the "never say die spirit".
"Think positive- Our body is capable of more than we think." ---can do wonders.
Last but not the least THANKS!!
Congrats on the weight loss journey. I have been a a rollercoster ride myself. I keep on falling off. what is your sceret of staying on the diet. I lose 30 lbs then I fall into my bad eat habits, now I am back where I started
Wow, the picture says it all Mikey! Well done, truly amazing for sticking it out and there are no short cuts, just get down with it and do it!
You're an inspiration to many. I like your sentence "Just because you meet one goal doesn't mean you can go back to bad habits. Make new goals, push yourself every single time". Very true
very inspiring, thanks for blog :)
Never Quit :)
AMAZING...... And I love the quote " Failing to Plan is a Plan to Fail" that is so true in many aspects if Life!!
Fantastic story. Good for you. Best of luck in the rest of your life in maintaining through all challenges ahead.
Great job. Thanks for your service > You have done an awesome jog turning your life around.
Thank you for the inspiration. I keep not quitting even though I throw up my own personal road blocks. It is good to hear from others who have struggled over the years. Thanks again.
That's truly inspirational soldier. Congratulations to you and all of your accomplishments. :-)
Wow! Congratulations on changing your life! It has taken me a long time to accept the fact that maintaining my healthy fit body even three and one half years after reaching my goal requires daily attention and planning! Quitting is not an option. You seem to have learned that much earlier in life than I did. It will serve you well in all you take on in life. I know it has made my life so much richer by opening me up to my dreams! As I approach sixty years of age I am finally doing the things I dreamed of in my twenties but lacked the belief in myself to take on. Thank you for sharing your story, it inspires me.
What a great accomplishment! i am trying to lose i mere 20lbs and get frustrated with the rollercoater ride! i am truly amazed by what you have done! you give me the incentive to keep pushing! thanks for serving in the military! i am USAF vet myself..
You, sir, are to be congratulated in many respects! First, you had the strength to lose the weight and become "all you can be." You are an inspiration to those of us who battle the bulge on a regular basis. And, you are to be congratulated for standing between Americans like myself and those who would do us harm. Your service in our military is appreciated, and I admire you for what you're doing there. Keep up the good work, and know that American citizens value your efforts and realize that we would not have the freedoms we have without the sacrifices and efforts of true American Heros like yourself. Thank you, SIR!
You definitely did not quit! Way to go! Inspiring!
Gives me hope for keeping my 130 pounds off! Thanks for sharing!
Chris
(see my profile for story and blog)
Congrats Mike,
See what determination and perserverance can do!! Another transformation that I will now have to stare at as totally AMAZING!. Wow, look at you! WTG! When you reach your goal of losing 200 lbs, I hope you will change your photo on the site for all to see.
Shelleyann
Congratulations :) These kind of stories motivate me in my personal pursuit to weight loss.
Thanks for your story... I really want to lose my extra 30 pounds. I already lost my first 10 lbs. I just pulled a muscle in my lower back and felt discouraged last week. Today I decided not to quit and not give in to a small mishap. I started out with mild yoga and strength training for my arms and legs. Until my back muscle is fully healed, I will implement my ab workout again. Your story is motivating to say the least.
I've been doing low carb recently and have actually been losing weight. What I'm curious about is how many carbs is in your diet? This is because there is a large amount of information that supports losing weight with lower carbs that makes a good deal of sense.
I've read plenty of posts on the forums I go to that talk about not losing weight well with very low carbs but others lose weight with more but not a ton. Some people don't lose on less than 50 carbs, but do lose well on 100. I'm wondering if the low carb diets you refer to were ultra low carb like below 20 so you didn't want to stick to them? I'm curious if your diet is still under 150 carbs.
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-carbohydrate-conti nuum/
This page has a list of carb amounts for weight loss. 0-50 carbs for obese/diabetics 50-100 for steady weight loss and 100-150 for weight maintenance. Anything more than 150 is considered too much unless you exercise. I think it says something about adding a certain amount of carbs per 1 hour of workout.
I want to know these things because I generally think 150 carbs or lower depending on exercise is best for everyone and don't want people to think that low carb is bad because you said some low carb diets didn't work for you.
There are a large amount of factors to consider other than just carbs. The kinds of carbs make a difference. Sugar, grains, high glycemic fruits, and for some dairy stall or slow weight loss because of their blood glucose/insulin spiking.
what an amazing story. you have accomplished so much already due to your determination to succeed, and you will clearly continue to go far in life. bravo!
Oh yeah and congrats on your weight loss...forgot to put that before my questions sorry can't wait to lose that much myself. My high was 290 and now I'm down to 261
Very proud of you. Keep up the good work. And, most of all, thank you for serving our country.
Original Post by: raiken3712I want to know these things because I generally think 150 carbs or lower depending on exercise is best for everyone and don't want people to think that low carb is bad because you said some low carb diets didn't work for you.
There are a large amount of factors to consider other than just carbs. The kinds of carbs make a difference. Sugar, grains, high glycemic fruits, and for some dairy stall or slow weight loss because of their blood glucose/insulin spiking.
I think here on this website we just count calories. When you give them your profile and weight loss goals it tells you how many Carbs, Protein, and Fat to eat.
Low Carb works so fast because most processed foods are full of Carbs and if you cut those out people generally only eat 800-1000 calories a day. Fine for a short while but your body goes into a type of starvation and starts processing foods differently. And once you eat any higher amount of carbs you gain weight back even if it's not too many CALORIES.
So I just stick to the calorie requirements because with that I can eat whatever I want as long as it is the right portion size.
Good job soldier, Congrats on your success and THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY!
Low carb diets aren't all low calorie diets....I eat near 2000 all the time without eating over 50 carbs. If you try to stay super low fat and low carb maybe it would be 800-1000 calories.
The following is an example breakdown in the book The Primal Blueprint. This is a low carb day.
Calories 2045
Protein 107 grams, 428 calories 21 percent
Carbs 78 grams, 297 calories 15 percent
Fat 139 grams 1212 calories 59 percent
Alcohol 16 grams 108 calories 5 percent
This isn't that much over 50 grams of carbs. If you don't eat tons of carbs you eat more fat and protein. I would detail what the meals are but the post would be huge.
Congratulations on reaching your goals and sticking with it through thick and thin (pun intended). You are a great motivator for the rest of us! God bless you and thank you for your service to our country!
HOOOO RAAAAH!
COngratulations! You are truly an inspiration and I too hope to have a story like yours one day.
Mikey,
What an inspirational story! I have had trouble with the plateaus and wanting to give up. Thank you for reminding me that I have a goal to achieve!
Blessings...
Lynette
What a wonderful inspirational story! We are all so proud of you. Thank you so much for your service to our country and for sharing your story. I'll be thinking of you and remembering your success as I struggle through my own weight loss. So far I've lost 94 pounds and I only have 8 to go! I'll remember how wonderful you look in your uniform and keep on truckin' myself!
This is very inspiring and wonderful advice. Congratulations and thank you for sharing with us!
Congrats!!!! That is such an awesome interview and an incredibly inspiring story... thank you for taking the time to write it!! Good luck on your continued success!
Congratulations and awesome job. Very inspiring. Also, thank you for your dedication and service.
Well done!! Very inspiring. Been going through some tough times myself at the moment - so this was very very timely!
Thanks for the article and sharing your story, I am in the process of joining the Army myself, I have already lost 25lbs and I have to lose more before I leave. During college it was easy to eat and make up excuses to not working out, but now with a purpose I am working on my physical and professional goals. Thanks again for showing that anything is possible with drive and hard work.
Thanks for the article and sharing your story, I am in the process of joining the Army myself, I have already lost 25lbs and I have to lose more before I leave. During college it was easy to eat and make up excuses to not working out, but now with a purpose I am working on my physical and professional goals. Thanks again for showing that anything is possible with drive and hard work.
Amazing story, Mikey, and thank you SO much for sharing it! It's funny; I've been pretty sloppy about my diet lately and felt like giving up, but your hard work has made me feel as if I can do it too. Bless you and thanks again. CONGRATULATIONS!!
failing to plan is a plan to fail.
so true. i know this, but i need reminding from time to time.
thanks so much for reminding me. i really needed it today! x
It's wonderful to read this story, as my goal is to lose weight and improve my overall health so that I can join the military as a chaplain. Thanks for sharing this! It is a wonderful encouragement!
wow amazing change brilliant effort thumbs up i wish i was that thin but well im a 45yr old virgin living with my parents and all i do is play black ops but im excetionaly large so any ladies looking to rent some body space call me
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May I be the first to say CONGRATULATIONS on this....I love your story and you have done so amazing! And at such a young age.
You are inspirational sir! Keep it up and good luck with everything you do!