The Lesser Jeff

[free2131]

Just thought some of you would like to follow along on my weight loss journey. I consider a lot of you friends, so maybe you could stop by and offer words of encouragement or kick my ass and make sure I'm still on my way. I put up a sorta sad story that may have started my path to using food as a way to try and hide the sadness and make me feel better. That post and one I made today are the only ones I've made so far, but I plan on keeping it updated.

Just a little back story. As most of you know, I've been severely depressed for much of my life and tried to do some stupid things. One thing I've done my whole life is overeat. Now in high school I stayed around 250-300Lbs, which while still fat, is nowhere near where I let myself get. I have been depressed, which has caused me to overeat, but I never should have let it get as bad as what I did. I went to a weight specialist about a month ago because I was ready to lose weight and make myself healthier. I got on the scale to start with... I weighed 408 lbs. I wanted to die right there. I remember a time when I promised myself I'd never let myself get to 300. I think that I was motivated to work at it anyway, but seeing that number made me want it that much more.

I've currently been on a high protein/ low carb diet and have been working on a weight machine and treadmill I have at home. I now weigh 367 lbs. I was shocked how much weight came off so fast, but then again I have been busting my ass to get it off, and I will continue to do so. I will NEVER weigh as much as I did ever again. I made a promise to myself that I wanted to down to around 230 lbs, and I will. I won't ever do to my body what I have done to it again.

[BINGLEBOP]

I've currently been on a high protein/ low carb diet and have been working on a weight machine and treadmill I have at home. I now weigh 367 lbs. I was shocked how much weight came off so fast, but then again I have been busting my ass to get it off, and I will continue to do so. I will NEVER weigh as much as I did ever again. I made a promise to myself that I wanted to down to around 230 lbs, and I will. I won't ever do to my body what I have done to it again.

The "lesser" Jeff is the "better" Jeff in this situation. It's great that you've been open and self-revealing about this entire thing. Sometimes you just have to admit there's a "problem" before you can begin to work on it. Some people don't like to admit that to themselves, so it's great that you can.

I think having a thread like this to track your progress and receive encouragement is an excellent thing. Anybody else that's struggling with something should consider the same. Even if we've never met each other in real life, we're all struggling with something (or things), and we're all in this together, one way or another.

It's encouraging to read that you're changing your diet and starting a more active lifestyle. You don't have to become a "workout freak" to lose weight. I can't find the chart, but there are several out there that tell you how many calories you burn with the most basic activities. Continue to do simple things, and they'll add up. If you can't workout one day, or you miss it, don't let it get you down. Instead, try standing instead of sitting while you're online; I've read about how the risk for a heart attack increases from sitting at the computer too long (and no, it's not from Pete's posts). I'm not much for sitting anyway, so I'll usually stand and walk around my apartment while I'm online throughout the day, especially if I know I won't get a chance to get out much. Just keep moving; if there's a commercial break, walk up and down the stairs or something. Just keep your body active in the smallest ways as often as possible to start your metabolism again in the right direction.

Anyway, continue to share your goals. Put them in writing or -- since we're online -- on this thread. I've always believed once it's in writing or you tell enough people about it, it keeps you moving forward. Before I ran the marathon last year, I "quit" 9 or 10 times during the course of the year, but since I already told everybody about it and they'd ask me how training was going, I knew I'd eventually do it.

Whatever it takes to feel good about yourself, do it. As silly as it may sound, positive affirmations helped me out. Years ago, when I was depressed and had to rebuild with zero confidence, you don't have anything to "build" with, so you have to encourage yourself sometimes. No matter what any of us say, it's all on you. Still, I know you'll succeed, and I look forward to reading your updates. Thanks for sharing.

[free2131]

It's great that you've been open and self-revealing about this entire thing. Sometimes you just have to admit there's a "problem" before you can begin to work on it. Some people don't like to admit that to themselves, so it's great that you can.

You are absolutely right. For the longest time I denied that I was morbidly obese. "I'm just a little overweight or I can still get out and do things and I'm not bed bound," is what I'd tell myself. One day I looked in the mirror and said, "Hey, you're way obese. You need help before you kill yourself." I'd tried that once and I definitely don't want to try it again. I said I was on a diet, but in truth I've changed the way I eat. This is something I'll be doing for the rest of my life. No more fast food, sugary snacks, and no more deep fried foods. I am sticking with this and I will do it.

You are right in that I made this thread to get help and encouragement. I want to be held accountable for what I say I'm gonna do. I also would like to read what other people are struggling with. Like you said, we all have problems and it makes us stronger, not weaker, when we admit those problems. We can all help each other.

[Kobie]

I thought you were referring to me as the "lesser Jeff."

[haveacigar]

I thought you were gonna use this thread to talk **** about Jeffy.

[FloydtheBarber]

Good luck Free! Whilst my struggles were not quite as extreme, I was at the age of 14 roughly 200 pounds. It was not easy to motivate myself initially to work at losing the weight, but I soon began to enjoy devoting more and more attention to physical activities, and for several years became a vegetarian (which I am no longer). At this present moment I weigh just above 130 pounds (at 5'10"), a weight which I have held since I was 16. It really was not a difficult process, and if it is really something you wish to achieve, I feel you should have few issues. Definitely keep us updated on your progress!