Adventures in FAT land

Ben_1981 · 01-16-2006, 07:20 AM

I'll start with a photo from Christmas of 2003. I was somewhere between 400 and 450 pounds. It's hard to find pictures of me from this time because I really didn't like being photographed.

In August of 2004 I decided to take control of my life and lose some weight. A few days after I made that decision, I made my first thread on these forums:

http://lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=262199

After I failed on my liquid diet, I had a lot of support from the community here which helped me get started on Atkins. I read the book and used the vast amount of information on this board to make a serious change in my life. The first time I really noticed the beginning of that change was on Christmas of 2004. That's when someone gave me the size 2XL shirt you see on me below:

My confidence was getting higher and I was making real progress. I continued on until I was all the way down to 284 pounds. That was around September of 2005.

I was actually looking fairly good. I ditched the glasses for contacts, bought new clothes, and started gaining a lot more confidence. I even started to the gym every day with my dad.

Unfortunately, it started going downhill from there. I slowly begin to cheat and before I knew it, I lost control. Yesterday I weighed myself for the first time since around when those pictures were taken. I'm back up to 360 pounds, the glasses are back, the hair is longer, my new clothes don't fit and I don't feel anything like I did before.

My goal is to look and feel like I did in those last two pictures again. I know I can do it because I did I've already done it once before. I just have to actually do it. This journal will record my progress.

Ben_1981 · 01-16-2006, 07:26 AM

Today was my first day back on Atkins. I'm trying to stay at 20 carbs for now with calorie restrictions. I haven't been shopping yet so this is all I could come up for the day:

Breakfast: nothing (woke up an hour before work, didn't have time)

Lunch: 3 big pieces of chicken (probably 18oz or so, about 600 calories)

44oz Diet Dr. Peppper

Dinner: 2oz bag of pork rinds (about 300 calories)
another 44 oz Diet Dr. Pepper (it's going to take a while to break my caffeine addition)

I'm about to go bed now but I'll probably eat a few eggs first since it's been a while since I had those pork rinds.

Tomorrow I'll come up with a list of items to buy at Walmart so I'll have better stuff to eat.

Bobby · 01-16-2006, 11:08 AM

Just wanted to wish you luck, I'm sure we both will do well, just hang in there like you did before.

I'm like you, I don't restrict my calories, just the carbs.

Ben_1981 · 01-16-2006, 08:35 PM

I just woke up a moment ago and drank two glasses of water. It's strange starting the day off without diet drinks. My usual drink around the house is Coke Zero, which I'll probably still drink occasionally, just not exclusively.

I'm off for three days so I'm trying to figure how to make the most of my time. I need to clean the house up a bit, do laundry, buy groceries, and perhaps do a little cooking.

I think tonight I might splurge a bit and buy some bratwurst and dip it in mustard. Wow, that sounds so good right now.

Ben_1981 · 01-17-2006, 06:59 AM

Spent about $125 at Walmar. I think I kind of overdid it yesterday with the bratwurst and pork rinds. However, I'm technically not cheating because my net carbs are still under 20 grams. My calorie instake yesterday was about 4,000. I'm hoping this will get much lower once ketosis kicks in.

Bobby · 01-17-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_1981

My calorie instake yesterday was about 4,000. I'm hoping this will get much lower once ketosis kicks in.

Isn't it funny how the energy levels go out the roof and the appetite slows when ketosis kicks in. Keep up the great work!

Any chance you can start working out again?

Mona · 01-17-2006, 05:07 PM

Hi Ben! I'm glad to see you are getting back on the wagon before you gained all the weight back. I am the queen of losing and gaining the same 60 or 80 pounds over and over. My mini goal right now is to just get down to 285 which is the smallest I ever got on Atkins. 285 is still in the seriously obese range for me, but I felt so much better at that weight, compared to 400 pounds where I started. I'm sure you will feel awesome once you get back down to where you were too. You can do it! Like you said you did it once before. You know what has to be done.

Best lowcarb wishes!

FatBottomedGurlz · 01-17-2006, 06:29 PM

Best wishes and Best of effort to ya Ben!!

emmajoan · 01-17-2006, 06:38 PM

sounds like you're off to a great re-start! keep it up!

Ben_1981 · 01-17-2006, 07:38 PM

I had a dream about chocolate milk last night. Heh.

shedevil13 · 01-17-2006, 08:55 PM

Hood Low Carb Chocolate Milk. Yummy Stuff.! Keep up the good work!

Ben_1981 · 01-19-2006, 03:18 AM

I hate to cook

but I bit the bullet and baked a bunch of chicken and cooked a few steaks

Ben_1981 · 01-19-2006, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby41

Any chance you can start working out again?

I know I should but I haven't started back up yet. I still have a gym membership though and an elliptical trainer in the house. Now that I think about it, swimming and lifting weights used to be something I really looked forward to each day. I'll start it up again soon, but I'm not sure when.

Ben_1981 · 01-19-2006, 08:02 AM

I'm not feeling very well right now. I think I'm starting to catch a sore throat.

Rebecca1979 · 01-19-2006, 01:42 PM

Hope you feel better!

It's official, I'm stalking you. =)

Heatha79 · 01-19-2006, 05:15 PM

Hope you feel better Ben!!! KUTGW!!! I love Coke Zero too!!!

Bobby · 01-19-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_1981

I know I should but I haven't started back up yet. I still have a gym membership though and an elliptical trainer in the house. Now that I think about it, swimming and lifting weights used to be something I really looked forward to each day. I'll start it up again soon, but I'm not sure when.

No time like the present to start. Don't put it off to long. Hope you feel better soon.

Bobby · 01-24-2006, 12:41 AM

*ahem* Hey Ben, where'd ya go?

averyjenn · 01-24-2006, 06:48 AM

Hey Ben, just stopping by to say hey and show some support!! Your post about your hair growing back out reminds me of Matt on the last Biggest Loser show - he hid behind his hair too. You know you can do it, you've done so well before. It's all about loving yourself enough and allowing yourself to be happy - you DO deserve it!

Save_A_K9 · 02-19-2006, 09:39 AM

I too began to gain my 90 lbs back when I started to look good and people started noticing me. I hide inside of fat because it is safe for me. I know that in reality that isn't real but I continue to struggle. I hope you resurface. I remember your first days on the board. Stop hiding...

Fran

01-16-2006, 07:20 AM	#1
Ben_1981 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 192 Gallery: Ben_1981	Adventures in FAT land I'll start with a photo from Christmas of 2003. I was somewhere between 400 and 450 pounds. It's hard to find pictures of me from this time because I really didn't like being photographed. In August of 2004 I decided to take control of my life and lose some weight. A few days after I made that decision, I made my first thread on these forums: http://lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=262199 After I failed on my liquid diet, I had a lot of support from the community here which helped me get started on Atkins. I read the book and used the vast amount of information on this board to make a serious change in my life. The first time I really noticed the beginning of that change was on Christmas of 2004. That's when someone gave me the size 2XL shirt you see on me below: My confidence was getting higher and I was making real progress. I continued on until I was all the way down to 284 pounds. That was around September of 2005. I was actually looking fairly good. I ditched the glasses for contacts, bought new clothes, and started gaining a lot more confidence. I even started to the gym every day with my dad. Unfortunately, it started going downhill from there. I slowly begin to cheat and before I knew it, I lost control. Yesterday I weighed myself for the first time since around when those pictures were taken. I'm back up to 360 pounds, the glasses are back, the hair is longer, my new clothes don't fit and I don't feel anything like I did before. My goal is to look and feel like I did in those last two pictures again. I know I can do it because I did I've already done it once before. I just have to actually do it. This journal will record my progress.

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01-16-2006, 07:26 AM	#2
Ben_1981 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 192 Gallery: Ben_1981	Today was my first day back on Atkins. I'm trying to stay at 20 carbs for now with calorie restrictions. I haven't been shopping yet so this is all I could come up for the day: Breakfast: nothing (woke up an hour before work, didn't have time) Lunch: 3 big pieces of chicken (probably 18oz or so, about 600 calories) 44oz Diet Dr. Peppper Dinner: 2oz bag of pork rinds (about 300 calories) another 44 oz Diet Dr. Pepper (it's going to take a while to break my caffeine addition) I'm about to go bed now but I'll probably eat a few eggs first since it's been a while since I had those pork rinds. Tomorrow I'll come up with a list of items to buy at Walmart so I'll have better stuff to eat.

01-16-2006, 11:08 AM	#3
Bobby Its Not A Problem! :) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 2,147 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: Bobby Stats: 376/320/250 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart June 10th	Just wanted to wish you luck, I'm sure we both will do well, just hang in there like you did before. I'm like you, I don't restrict my calories, just the carbs.

01-16-2006, 08:35 PM	#4
Ben_1981 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 192 Gallery: Ben_1981	I just woke up a moment ago and drank two glasses of water. It's strange starting the day off without diet drinks. My usual drink around the house is Coke Zero, which I'll probably still drink occasionally, just not exclusively. I'm off for three days so I'm trying to figure how to make the most of my time. I need to clean the house up a bit, do laundry, buy groceries, and perhaps do a little cooking. I think tonight I might splurge a bit and buy some bratwurst and dip it in mustard. Wow, that sounds so good right now.

01-17-2006, 06:59 AM	#5
Ben_1981 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 192 Gallery: Ben_1981	Spent about $125 at Walmar. I think I kind of overdid it yesterday with the bratwurst and pork rinds. However, I'm technically not cheating because my net carbs are still under 20 grams. My calorie instake yesterday was about 4,000. I'm hoping this will get much lower once ketosis kicks in.

01-17-2006, 05:07 PM	#7
Mona MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,546 Gallery: Mona Stats: 375/349/175 41y.o. 5'10" WOE: Atkins Start Date: 12/1999 Umpteen restarts and counting....	Hi Ben! I'm glad to see you are getting back on the wagon before you gained all the weight back. I am the queen of losing and gaining the same 60 or 80 pounds over and over. My mini goal right now is to just get down to 285 which is the smallest I ever got on Atkins. 285 is still in the seriously obese range for me, but I felt so much better at that weight, compared to 400 pounds where I started. I'm sure you will feel awesome once you get back down to where you were too. You can do it! Like you said you did it once before. You know what has to be done. Best lowcarb wishes!

01-17-2006, 06:29 PM	#8
FatBottomedGurlz Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southeastern, TN {{Go VOLS!!}} Posts: 487 Gallery: FatBottomedGurlz WOE: Atkins Start Date: The Saga Cont's: 08/09/07 2:00pm <I suck at this!>	Best wishes and Best of effort to ya Ben!!

01-17-2006, 06:38 PM	#9
emmajoan Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 3,973 Gallery: emmajoan Stats: 445/Not telling!/215 (for now), 5'10 WOE: Atkins (Induction levels) Start Date: 1/24/05	sounds like you're off to a great re-start! keep it up!

01-17-2006, 07:38 PM	#10
Ben_1981 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 192 Gallery: Ben_1981	I had a dream about chocolate milk last night. Heh.

01-17-2006, 08:55 PM	#11
shedevil13 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 426 Gallery: shedevil13 Stats: 180/149/130 WOE: I FOUND Whatever Works! Start Date: December 2005	Hood Low Carb Chocolate Milk. Yummy Stuff.! Keep up the good work!

01-19-2006, 03:18 AM	#12
Ben_1981 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 192 Gallery: Ben_1981	I hate to cook but I bit the bullet and baked a bunch of chicken and cooked a few steaks

01-19-2006, 08:02 AM	#14
Ben_1981 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 192 Gallery: Ben_1981	I'm not feeling very well right now. I think I'm starting to catch a sore throat.

01-19-2006, 01:42 PM	#15
Rebecca1979 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indian Trail, North Carolina Posts: 954 Gallery: Rebecca1979 Stats: I don't weigh myself. WOE: Atkins Start Date: May 12, 2008	Hope you feel better! It's official, I'm stalking you. =)

01-19-2006, 05:15 PM	#16
Heatha79 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 5,289 Gallery: Heatha79 Stats: 230/134/120 5'6 WOE: PSMF Start Date: 03/23/07	Hope you feel better Ben!!! KUTGW!!! I love Coke Zero too!!!

01-24-2006, 12:41 AM	#18
Bobby Its Not A Problem! :) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 2,147 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: Bobby Stats: 376/320/250 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart June 10th	ahem Hey Ben, where'd ya go?

01-24-2006, 06:48 AM	#19
averyjenn Queen of Cream Cheese Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 6,133 Gallery: averyjenn Stats: 240/156 now 180/170/148 5'6" WOE: Kickin' it old school Start Date: 2/21/05	Hey Ben, just stopping by to say hey and show some support!! Your post about your hair growing back out reminds me of Matt on the last Biggest Loser show - he hid behind his hair too. You know you can do it, you've done so well before. It's all about loving yourself enough and allowing yourself to be happy - you DO deserve it!

02-19-2006, 09:39 AM	#20
Save_A_K9 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Columbia, Missouri Posts: 2,040 Gallery: Save_A_K9 Stats: 305/299/295 WOE: My Way~lower everything Start Date: 6/01 originally, 11/9/07	I too began to gain my 90 lbs back when I started to look good and people started noticing me. I hide inside of fat because it is safe for me. I know that in reality that isn't real but I continue to struggle. I hope you resurface. I remember your first days on the board. Stop hiding... Fran