Putting Myself First
Having previously lost 65lbs only to gain it all back again, Bizman09 was determined to succeed this time by making his weight loss his number one priority. By reducing his calories and adding exercise into his daily routine he has lost an incredible 157lbs.
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?
When I stepped on the scale for the first time in a LONG time on Feb 13th 2010, I was 355.2. Before that, the most I ever weighed was 342, and that in itself is extremely overweight. I knew I had to do something and do something immediately. From that date I set out on my diet plan.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I never tried a particular diet or program. I did go on a very healthy diet back in 2005 and lost 65 pounds (down to 270) but gained it all back. I just ate fruits, vegetables, salads and exercised regularly. This time I was determined not to fail again.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I cut back on my calories a great amount. I eventually started working out, doing weights, cardio and boxing. I made losing weight the number one priority in my life, above ANYTHING else. I had to cut negative people out of my life and only associate with and draw inspiration from those who are truly happy for what I was doing.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
I've been using Calorie Count since 2005, my first diet. I come here to check my BMI, how many calories I burn per day (burn meter), and to check the calorie content in certain foods. I would not have had the knowledge or would have known how to do it without the tools on this website.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging thing is just keeping your drive and focus, and never getting discouraged. I leaned on the things I knew I wanted to see improvement in, and how proud I was making my mother to keep pushing on. It's all mental and once you get that part there's no stopping you.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I lost 7 pounds in my first week, so quite immediately. As far as how I felt or looked, I could feel changes once I lost about 30-35 pounds and got down to 320. You're going to gradually feel a little lighter and clothes fit a little better.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I first realized I was a TRUE success on Sept 3rd, 2010 when I weighed in at 232.4. This is the first time I truly felt I MADE IT, and was very HAPPY about what I saw in the mirror. I felt I was a success at 100 pounds lost, and also when I got to 268 (the lowest I had EVER been in my adult life), but nothing felt like September 3rd 2010. It was a special day for me.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I prevent relapse by, not to sound conceited, but looking in the mirror now and then. Reminding myself of all of the improvements I've seen in my life after losing 155+ pounds. You just know that you are 10x happier now than you've ever been in your life, continue to eat smart and exercise now and then, and that everything will be ok.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
It's a very long list, maybe endless... But the first things that jump out are no back pain from simply getting out of bed, no more eyes/forehead burning (from when I used to eat greasy meals), and dropping from a size 48 in pants to a 34. My shirt size was 5x compared to what it is now. I have a ton of more energy than ever, I sweat less, no heavy breathing etc. And probably most blatant change is I used to get called ugly a lot, now I get called handsome and all types of other compliments.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Stay focused, think of the improvements you want to see in your life and remember life is about being happy and any improvements will help towards that.
- Drink a lot of water. Water has no calories and is good for the body as it's vital anyway.
- Keep the positive people in your life close to you and draw encouragement from them. You will have to put negative people on standby or not deal with them at all if they don't have your best interests in mind.
- Only eat when you are hungry. No one has to starve themselves, but you only want to eat when your body is asking for it and don't eat huge meals, just small ones.
- Cut back on alcohol, or cut it out all together. In those weeks when I had a drink or two, I always lost less weight than the week before. Alcohol has empty calories and also stalls your weight loss.
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Comments
Great job - I agree completely that putting yourself first is the ONLY way to get it done!
Thank you for sharing your story which inspires me. Currently I am in a place where the little inspiration I had has lessoned and I find my self maintaining but not pushing the bar to continue losing. I have lost about 40 lbs but need to lose about 30 more. So I look to this site for encouragement and inspiration that I too can obtain my goal and be more fit and happy in my 34 year old body :)!! So thank you for bringing me inspiration today.
You look great! cograts, you are right weight loss is such a mental thing.. change your words.. change the way you think... Change your world..
You look fantastic and you should walk with your head held high!!! You deserve to feel like a champ!!
You are really inspiring! Wow! I too have put a lot of weight back on after losing, so it's good to know you can still succeed after that 
I think you're so right about the alcohol and keeping your focus on where you want to be.
What an inspiring story! This one really resonates with me and encourages me to keep at my own health goals. THANK YOU!
Wow! You are a true motivator for people around you. I hope many more follow your steps.
Way to go BizMan!!!!!!!!! I know what it is like to lose and gain back repeatedly.
How did you keep motivated to exercise daily? I cant seem to get myself started again.
You are young and a lot going for you. I am 51 yrs old and cant walk well so walking, running, etc... is out of the question.
I do not have a support system and I cant afford programs like Weight Watchers but I am going to try to do this by myself.
I need all the support I can get.
You were handsome before...your features are just more prevelant. Congrats on your weight loss!!
Junie...re-read your post. When we say that "we can't" do something we are basically telling our brain that we can't. Also the word try is a bad one because it uses the logical part of our brain...so we need to tell our brain things like, i am losing 30 pounds, or I am going to be thin and healthy. etc. You can do it.
Love your story, especially your 5 tips for success. Have printed them and will post them in my office for inspiration. Good luck.
Hey Junie79, I dont have anyone to support me either but Im ok with that! Your willpower and determination is all that you need. Its a long road, but one that can be achieved thru, personal motivation. Say I can and I will - thats all you need. Take one day at a time, one meal at a time and one step at a time. Good luck to you!
WOW!! You look gorgeous :) Well done on your weight loss it is hard work but I think you are right when you talk about cutting out negative people, and I think once you make up your mind and see those positive changes it is a brilliant motivator to keep you on the wagon! My light turned on back in Jan and since then I have lost 5 stone and feel so much better physically mentally and spiritually, I will never go back to that lifestyle I have left. Once again congratulations your hard work as paid off, as a wise man once said to me what you put in is what you get back out! :)
RE: " I had to cut negative people out of my life and only associate with and draw inspiration from those who are truly happy for what I was doing."
Last week, I was at the doctor's office. She and the intern who was shadowing her stood four feet away from me discussing my case. Doc said to me, "Good job! Your BMI is still in the low obese range, but in about 10 pounds from now you'll be in the overweight range." Turning to the intern she said, quite matter-of-factly, "She'll never be in the normal range, of course, that would be an unrealistic expectation."
I have not had a day of decent eating since and I live in fear of gaining weight back! The power we allow such people (does she qualify as negative?) is overwhelming!
It seems like you're where I am. Lost about 40 and seem to be at a standstill. Maybe we can encourage one another... I think I'm bored and am letting the negative thoughts come my way. Well, today is a new day and I'm gonna start documenting the calories again...
Goodluck to you today! I try to tell myself it's not a sprint but a marathon...
Congratulations on a job well done! I almost cried at the insensitivity of other people actually calling you ugly...that is so horrible. Well, it's in their faces now and I am sure that you look so much better than those people. You weren't ugly then and you are not ugly now. Thanks so much for the motivation!!
Bizman,
Great story!!! the 5 pointers were dynamic to me. Next year this time, I'll have a story to tell. Thanks for the reminder that change starts from within.
Much Respect!
WOW! Way to go! You can keep it off for good now! No biggie!
Chris - Texas
Great Job, you look like a different person. I know you must feel so much more healthier. You have given me a lot of incentive to keep going. I've been using Calorie Count about 3 weeks and I'm already feeling much better...
Congratulations!!! This is an amazing story. Sometimes I wonder if I can do it too, but when you said "I had to cut negative people out of my life and only associate with and draw inspiration from those who are truly happy for what I was doing," it made me realize that I CAN DO IT!!! Thanks for being an inspiration not only to me, but to my fiance as well. We are both wanting to lose weight before our wedding (11/12/11)....... WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats on the weight lost, and I pray that you continue to keep it off.
Original Post by: malka101RE: " I had to cut negative people out of my life and only associate with and draw inspiration from those who are truly happy for what I was doing."
Last week, I was at the doctor's office. She and the intern who was shadowing her stood four feet away from me discussing my case. Doc said to me, "Good job! Your BMI is still in the low obese range, but in about 10 pounds from now you'll be in the overweight range." Turning to the intern she said, quite matter-of-factly, "She'll never be in the normal range, of course, that would be an unrealistic expectation."
I have not had a day of decent eating since and I live in fear of gaining weight back! The power we allow such people (does she qualify as negative?) is overwhelming!
People seem to feel free to make negative comments to and about fat people. I don't know why this is - maybe they think they're helping - but I know what you mean. It happens to all of us.
From my grandmother: "You always had such lovely slim hands for a fat girl". I was 14 and had just lost 20 pounds for my sister's wedding. I thought I looked really good and this comment brought me crashing down.
A shop clerk on a back-to-school shopping trip talking to my mother: "I have things for your older girl, but we don't carry anything to fit her". She actually pointed at me. I was about 8 years old and, looking at old pictures, not very overweight by today's standards. That was in the 60's and Twiggy was the super model.
I can go on and on. These events are hard to get out of your head. There is no way to erase the tape; the only thing you can do is to try to supersede these events, in your mind, with the positive messages you give yourself and receive from those people who are truly in your corner.
Congratulations on a job well done. I think many peopkle feel guilty about putting themselves first. I always have and therefore have spent a good part of my life pleasing everyone around me. NOW, it is my turn
And by doing that, I have already lost 20 of the 50 pounds I want to lose. I am back at the gym and realizing how much I have missed my workouts of the past 12 years. I am an accountant and therefore spend most of my day sitting at a desk. But now, I get up early and I am at the gym by 7 am three days per week. I walk and work with weights and resistence bands. This program is a Godsend. I always do best when logging my calories. This program not only makes it easy to do, but it also analyzes the value of the food I am eating. I have learned so much more than I thought I knew. And therefore I am able to make healthier choices now.
You sound like such a wonderful young man, full of life and strength and joy.
Your story is so inspiring to us. Please print out these comments and carry them around and read them when you need some encouragement.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Good luck keeping yourself the number one priority! Don't ever lose that--it is what will guide you to having a really meaningful life.
You and me both! My problem isn't the caloric content of the alcohol itself, but the uninhibited eating that accompanies it!
Congrats on your achievement, you're looking fab!
Today is my first day and I hope I can make it like you did. Your an inspiration. I am scared because i have diabete and when I am not eating, at any time I can get sick. I need alot of friends and encouragement. I am also a hermit.
Congrats! this really struck a cord with me because I am on a path where I am putting weight loss first.
I love your tip on looking in the mirror, but may I add just one adjustment. 
Seeing your accomplishment in the mirror is great but at least in my weight loss/gain experience, it starts to lose it's impact after a while. You start to forget how your body looked at certain intervals of weight loss i.e 10 lbs, 15lbs, 20lbs. You start putting on a few but don't realize or take to much caution. First is 5lbs, then 10lbs, then 12lbs or 13lbs, and you always think, it's alright I'll get back on track and lose that in a jiffy. But then, BAM! you're 20lbs regained and have no clue how you let yourself slip.
So what i suggest is not only posting a picture up of your highest weight near your private mirror, but also posting a profile and front view pic of yourself at 10, 15,or 20lbs heavier. That way you can realize by comparision not just by memory. This may also work the other way around, if you are at your goal weight take a pic of that, post it near your mirror and if you start to regain you can notice the difference immediatetly.
Just my input, not just for you, but for nyone who struggles to keep motivated or the weight off.
* Pics are more impactful if they are taken in your underwear. lol, Just make sure you have a private mirror in your bedroom or bathroom. :)
-Evie
You were very handsome before and you look very handsome and healthy now!
Congrats on your success, and thank you for the inspiration!
I love your tips about finding motivation, being determined and staying focused. Thanks!
As someone currently in the starting phase, and seeing how close your story is to mine thank you for the inspiration. Wow, it can be done.
You weren't ugly before, just for a clarification :)
Simply wonderful job. Never look back.
Amazing job!
I completely agree: Looking in the mirror never hurt anyone!
Congratulations on your success :D
Very inspiring! It's great that this website gives people a chance to create major changes in their life!
That's a very impressive story. Particularly inspired by the idea of cutting out negative people from your life to keep you positive. Congratulations on such a huge achievement, both for the weight loss and the fantastic attitude.
truly amazing! Look at your pictures. Loosing the excess weight makes you look at least 10 years younger. Way to go! I am really proud that you could navigate your way across all hurdles and be where you want to be. Good luck to a healthier and thinner you.
Congratulations on your success! You have motivated me to do what i've got to do. Thanks.
The courage to come back and face up to whatever we have done to ourselves, comes from within. You are proud of yourself for doing what it takes to pull yourself up to a coffee table and take those first few steps in life. Someone has helped you through every time. I believe you are a very courageous person, who is making a new life and this time will want to take pride in yourself to watch everystep - cut the extra 5 lbs. out from the extra drink, or desert, or weekend away. Making a new life for yourself by keeping the weight off is the best thing you have ever done - it will give you the reward of better health for life. It is your free will choice and only you can make it for yourself. Don't beat yourself up for the bad 5 lbs. you may have gained, but acknowledge it by not letting it beat you. You are the winner!! aea
WOW! truly inspirational....you should be proud of yourself and always putting yourself first. You look great!!!! You have encouraged me to stay on my grind and keep pushing to the finishline!!! 
Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragement!!! Sorry I'm just now getting a chance to comment, I've been working extremely hard on my website / book. My book is now available for free to everyone. It should really help anyone with their weight loss goals!!!
Just go to http://howilost150pounds.com to get it for free.
Thanks for your support and god bless everyone!!
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Awsome ! You have done fabulos job! Thank you for sharing your very inspiring story. keep it up...