my story and pics

[echomike23]

First off, my thanks go to sillygirl and jimmie for the earlier post on my goal. I want to share some before and after pics, but I also wanted to tell you how I got to being overweight in the first place. I think its important to understand that being overweight is more than just overeating. Outside factors and events contribute to how we treat ourselves and how our self image develops over time. Now that I have reached my goal, the story can finally be told.



First off, I have been overweight for most of my life. I had joined the army reserves at age 17 and lost weight but over time I gained it RIGHT BACK, even my girlfriend breaks up with me cause I got too fat for her(and this was after she cheated on me with two guys). At 23 I joined the regular full time army and was able to maintain my weight, however I gained two pounds over my limit and was separated from the military. I was completely devastated. My dreams of a military career were gone. The only thing that made things tolerable was that I met a wonderful lady that eventually became my wife. I came home, and angry at what had happened to me, I ate and ate and ate. I ate all the way to 242 lbs. Upset at what happened to me, I punished myself for my failure.

[echomike23]

Re: my story and pics

Eventually, being 80 lbs overweight began to take its toll on my body. I had developed a tingling sensation on my arms and legs, and would periodically lose circulation to my extremities, I would have to wave my arms around for a few minutes so I could get my sensation back. I couldn’t climb stairs without being completely winded, and yet I kept eating…




Despite my smiling in front of a camera, I was in pain as my self image was ruined, and then things got worse. A bump on my wife’s breast revealed cancer, a rare type of cancer known as angiosarcoma. My life was put on hold, as I had to attend and support my wife through chemotherapy. As the months progressed, I had discovered atkins. I decided to give it a try. I was successful but my biggest mistake was that I was not patient and after 3 weeks of not dropping weight, I stopped atkins. What a dingdong I was. Eventually the weight went right back up.

[echomike23]

Re: my story and pics

Oct 2004, my wife loses her battle with cancer and passes away. I am a wreck, my weight combined with the stress of having to have taken care of her for about 4 years took its toll on me. i developed sleep apnea and occasional panic attacks. i would wake up in the middle of the night and gasp for air. I had lost my best friend and my only reason to get up and go to work. Realizing that I had to start my life over again, I wanted to take time and give atkins another go. My second time was horrible, and I didn’t even lose an ounce. Then a few months after that, I came across a video on youtube showing a guy named bowulf and his amazing story. My jaw dropped. Not only did he lose more that I needed to, but he rejoined the military. Needless to say, I had found my inspiration. Not only that I also found a link to this message board. I read up as much as I could and created an account. Soon I began posting and asking questions all around. The most important thing I had learned from this board was that I had to be patient and give my body time to adjust to my dietary changes. I restarted atkins for the third time and broke through the wall to eventually wind up at my current weight of 159.





i went from a suitjacket size 46 to a 38r, i bought this suit a few days ago, i couldnt believe i could fit into it.



suffice to say this board was the key factor in my success. i thank all of you for helping me to have a new lease on life. and for those of you who are just beginning, just be patient, i had to go through this about 3 times to get it right

[selfreinvented]

Re: my story and pics

Right on Mike,

One day I think my whole story will aslo come out. I'm sorry to hear about your wife I bet it's still hard! You look good and I bet the hard work seems all worth it ! Take care buddy

[Fatalblue]

Re: my story and pics

Thanks for sharing your story Mike, you're a true inspiration. Congratulations on your success and your perseverance!

[misplaced southerner]

Re: my story and pics

hey mike. i have been following your story and your success. i am so sorry for the loss of your wife. your picture in the suit is amazing. it really is. you are VERY handsome and now very healthy. you must feel so proud of your hard work and happy to feel so wonderful. wishing you a very happy, healthy and adventurous life ahead!!!

[13_jane]

Re: my story and pics

I too am so sorry to hear that your wife lost her battle - but I'm sure she's looking down on you very impressed that you've managed to lose all your weight - well done, you look fantastic

jane xxx

[sallyseachange]

Re: my story and pics

Wonderful story! Wonderful pics! A real inspiration.
So sorry to hear about your wife...but I'm sure you know she'd have been so very proud of you. We are too!

[loo-see]

Re: my story and pics

I'm so happy for you.

I hope you'll meet someone and fall in love Again.

I guess you can't recognize yourself in this poem at this moment….it's just a little reminder from me to you about how close we are to be so far from ourselves. I wish you all the best.



YO NO SOY YO

Yo no soy Yo
Soy este
Que va a mi lado sin yo verlo;
Que,a veces,voy a ver
Y que,a veces,olvido.
El que calla,sereno,cuando hablo,
El que perdona,dulce,cuando odio,
El que pasea por donde no estoy,
El que quedera en pie cuando yo muero.


Juan Ramón Jiménez

[Kntrylady]

Re: my story and pics

What an incredibly inspirational story.....
Congratulations in all your success. My sympathy is the loss of your wife, I agree she would be so very proud. Thank you for sharing...

[Theperfect10]

Re: my story and pics

Thank you for sharing your story so honestly. I can't imagine whats its been like for you over the past few years. As a carer, grieving the loss of a partner. Simply too awful for words. But you've come out the other side, stronger and looking so amazing. Your wife is looking down on your with a huge smile of pride on her face.

Congratulations.

[deek deek]

Re: my story and pics

Hi Mike..so Sorry To Hear About Ur Loss...u Look Great!! Congrats!!!


Sw 220
Cw 194
Gw 150

[jimmie 48]

Re: my story and pics

mike, thank you so much for sharing you story. i am sure and have no doubt that your words will hit some right to the core and will help them to gain the success you have had.
CONGRATS once again on attaining your GOAL!

[elsy]

Re: my story and pics

Hi Mike. I missed talking to you. You had told me some of your story but had no idea about your wife. So sorry about that Mike. But thank God you were able to pick up and go on. You have achieved a world of great things and I am so very proud of you. We all are. Thanks for sharing all that with us and for being a great example. Congratulations on just one more goal you've met.

[echomike23]

Re: my story and pics

it is difficult to share that portion with others. if anything i wanted to compel others who were struggling to lose weight, to understand that being overweight isnt just about eating the wrong foods, but coming to the wrong conclusions. i realize now that i would GORGE just to forget daily stresses in life. i could have reacted differently and not put myself into that situation. looking back at it, i cant believe i put myself in that position.

Hi Mike. I missed talking to you. You had told me some of your story but had no idea about your wife. So sorry about that Mike. But thank God you were able to pick up and go on. You have achieved a world of great things and I am so very proud of you. We all are. Thanks for sharing all that with us and for being a great example. Congratulations on just one more goal you've met.