My story

[CincyChad 5]

I feel like telling my story in hopes of that it will keep me motivated on my wieght loss journey. I am 33yr old male in the Cincinnati area.

I have always struggled with my weight and never feeling never having confidence or feeling attractive. During college I worked at a large shipping company, it was very physically demanding. I was loosing weight but the hours and pay were not the best. Once I graduated from college I got a desk job. but sitting at a desk for several hours a day caused the weight to start piling on. After a while I could not stand to look at myself in the mirror. I tried eating healthy and dieting. I joined a gym and started going 5 days a week, but the weight was not coming off, at best I was maintaining my current weight. I have wanted the weight loss surgery for years hear about a information meeting on the radio and I signed up to go to one.the only problem i had is my insurance would not cover it, it took almost two years, I saved and used every bit of my savings for the surgery and I do not regret that.

I had the surgery on Feb. 21 2014

Pre-Surgery weight 332 lbs

Current Weight 299 lbs

My goal is to get down around 200 lbs, I stop going to the gym a while a ago, after I move to my new place I hope that I be able to have the time to workout more and I am sure the weight will really start to come off.

I attend a weight loss support group for people that had some sort of bariatric surgery, but anyone is welcome to attend. I am also looking for other forms of exercise and friends to work out with.

[planningband07 52]

You're doing great! Just keep plugging away. Which surgery did you have by the way?

[CincyChad 5]

I had the lap- band

[gowalking 10,790]

I feel like telling my story in hopes of that it will keep me motivated on my wieght loss journey. I am 33yr old male in the Cincinnati area.

I have always struggled with my weight and never feeling never having confidence or feeling attractive. During college I worked at a large shipping company, it was very physically demanding. I was loosing weight but the hours and pay were not the best. Once I graduated from college I got a desk job. but sitting at a desk for several hours a day caused the weight to start piling on. After a while I could not stand to look at myself in the mirror. I tried eating healthy and dieting. I joined a gym and started going 5 days a week, but the weight was not coming off, at best I was maintaining my current weight. I have wanted the weight loss surgery for years hear about a information meeting on the radio and I signed up to go to one.the only problem i had is my insurance would not cover it, it took almost two years, I saved and used every bit of my savings for the surgery and I do not regret that.

I had the surgery on Feb. 21 2014

Pre-Surgery weight 332 lbs

Current Weight 299 lbs

My goal is to get down around 200 lbs, I stop going to the gym a while a ago, after I move to my new place I hope that I be able to have the time to workout more and I am sure the weight will really start to come off.

I attend a weight loss support group for people that had some sort of bariatric surgery, but anyone is welcome to attend. I am also looking for other forms of exercise and friends to work out with.

Good for you my friend. Taking action is what it's all about. My niece is in Cincy as is one of my preferred vendors. Hoping to get there sooner or later to check out your fair city. Support is so important and it's good that you are going to a group and are here on this forum as well. I know for a fact that I wouldn't have been so successful without these good people on the site helping me out.

[KarenWB 20]

I had the lap band surgery February 17th of this year, Cindy, and just got my first fill yesterday (only .5cc). I lost 25 lbs before surgery on the liver shrinking diet and had lost a total so far of 44 lbs. I am down to 199 but want to get down to 160 or less.

Thanks for sharing your story. It would be great if we could all share the foods we are eating.

I like the Martins/Giant food frozen yogurt bars. They are AWESOME and the lowest in the "bad" stuff and highest in Protein.

I stick pretty much to chicken and chicken in salads so far. For Breakfast I usually have scrambled eggs with cheese and a slice or two of bacon. Not much of the eggs... my husband eats most of it. My problem is that neither of us cook very much. We eat out a lot but I'm careful in what to choose.

Karen

Richmond, VA

[Sharpie 3,306]

Good for you Chad on taking control now while you are young. I am 67 and had my surgery last year,. I have lost 60 lbs and have been healthier and happier . I had diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol pre-surgery. Today I no longer have any health issues, I am completely medication free. I can walk for miles, do all of my housework and yard work with ease. You will find ways to eat that are healthy. I usually eat eggbeaters and turkey sausage in the mornings and lunch is chicken salad or tuna salad or chili , dinner is lean meat and vegetables with some fruit if I have room. I only take B12, Vitamin D and a Multivitamin each day. rarely do Protein Shakes or bars unless I am out and about. I find it hard to eat out too much but can choose fish and steamed vegetables in most restaraunts . Another great resource for things you can cook is Emilybites.com she converts regular recipes to low cal. Good Luck and I was born in Covington, Ky not too far from Cincy, but have lived in Florida since I was 5.

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi Chad, congratulations on your band. Like others here, I wish I had done it sooner. Such a relief to have the appetite monster off my back and to be able to make good choices. Good luck to you -- first few months are definitely about getting the band "right" and finding a mode. I have certain go-to things that work well for me. Salmon, Greek yogurt with stuff in it like flax, chia, nuts so it's not a slider, and chili, I love chili. As for exercise, I'm pretty sure that's the secret to success. Have fun in your new place with your new band in place -- whole new chapter beginning! Glad you're here, too. I find it keeps me on track.

[B-52 7,113]

From a man's point of view....I have always found to work hard, burning calories and fat, and eat less....

And when I say work hard, at the gym, I'm not satisfied unless the sweat is pouring off me and my shirt is soaked....and I'll go through 32oz of Water in the process....

The band took care of the eating part, it was up to me to get off my backside and work it.....

Edited May 13, 2014 by B-52

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

I feel like telling my story in hopes of that it will keep me motivated on my wieght loss journey. I am 33yr old male in the Cincinnati area.

I have always struggled with my weight and never feeling never having confidence or feeling attractive. During college I worked at a large shipping company, it was very physically demanding. I was loosing weight but the hours and pay were not the best. Once I graduated from college I got a desk job. but sitting at a desk for several hours a day caused the weight to start piling on. After a while I could not stand to look at myself in the mirror. I tried eating healthy and dieting. I joined a gym and started going 5 days a week, but the weight was not coming off, at best I was maintaining my current weight. I have wanted the weight loss surgery for years hear about a information meeting on the radio and I signed up to go to one.the only problem i had is my insurance would not cover it, it took almost two years, I saved and used every bit of my savings for the surgery and I do not regret that.

I had the surgery on Feb. 21 2014

Pre-Surgery weight 332 lbs

Current Weight 299 lbs

My goal is to get down around 200 lbs, I stop going to the gym a while a ago, after I move to my new place I hope that I be able to have the time to workout more and I am sure the weight will really start to come off.

I attend a weight loss support group for people that had some sort of bariatric surgery, but anyone is welcome to attend. I am also looking for other forms of exercise and friends to work out with.

way to go Chad

[KateB 63]

Just stick with it and continue finding support at the groups. They are so important. It's hard when no one you know is going thru the same thing. It really helps to hear other people's stories and good tips. Exercise is key along with eating the right things.

Never give up, that's what I keep telling myself. Best of luck!

[1973Angel 34]

Way to go Chad!! Keep it up!!!

[icebergslim 38]

Congrats on everything so far, Chad! Although I'm a girl, I'm 5'11 and I had almost the exact starting weight as you. I had surgery in April 2013. As of yesterday, I hit 100 pounds lost. I still feel numb. It doesn't seem real. The last 13 months have really added up. I did have a 3 month stall this past winter, but I got my head on straight and got a fill and lost 18 pounds in the following month. I just started consistently hitting the gym about a month ago and I feel so good. Focus on your food choices and just get the exercise when you can. Good luck! Keep us posted!