Around 17 I stopped growing (taller) and got to my current height of 5'10". I probably weighed around 180-185. When started driving a car I slowly started gaining weight. I didn't have to ride my bike to get around anymore and I had access to drive-thrus at fast food places. Shortly after high school I passed 200lbs. That weight trend continued into my 20s and 30s. I think I was about 32 when I hit 300lbs.
Like most people I tried different diets and weight loss solutions to get fit and healthy. I even lost over 70lbs in 2008 gettind down to 270lbs. I felt I had the knowledge but could just never stick to any program. "Life" always got in the way. And using food for confort and escape was an easy out. Turns out I really didn't have the knowledge or the commitment to my health.
Into my late 30s and 40s I really got big. I developed Type 2 Diabetes and a whole host of chronic ailments. At one point I was on 7 prescription medications. When I was 41 I reached 400lbs, topping out at 403lbs in February 2014. At that time I was in the middle of a lengthy journey to get approved for Bariatric surgery. I had recently gotten a job as a bus driver for San Luis Obispo County and had health insurance for the first time in years.
I was finally approved and met my bariatric surgeon January 2015 and had surgery two months later. Since that initial meeting I'm down approximately 200lbs. I've pasted a link to the website that I track my weight on. It's pretty cool because it averages recent weights. You can see every weigh-in I've logged since that initial meeting. I gained a few pounds late last year when I was battling a case of shingles but other than that no significant weight gain.
I'm two and a half years post-op but still consider myself in the "early" stages of life after surgery. I'm 45 and plan on living many more decades.
I've read many books, listened to lots of podcasts and in general studied extensively about bariatric surgery and health. I am always trying to educate myself about nutrition, exercise, etc. I've found a simple way of living that works for me and I believe can work for most bariatric patients.The day I met the surgeon I started WALKING. If I had to guess I've probably walked 10,000+ steps 95% of days since then. I think consistent movement throughout the day is very important. I also started cutting down on my sweets. In the two months leading up to surgery I lost 35 pounds just doing that. After the shingles last year I tightened up my processed carbs consumption. I lost those few "re-gain" pounds and kept going. I'm currently the lightest I've been since I was a teenager. I still eat lots of carbs, mainly from fruits and veggies. If I had to guess my macros it's probably something like 45% Fat, 20% Protein, 35% Carbs. I don't count calories and take a few vitamins every other day or so. I try to get my nutrients from food. All my blood markers are good and my Vitamin levels are in normal range. I take NO prescription drugs anymore. I dont' have any "off-limits" foods but try to limit the "junk". I probably cook/make about 90% of my food.
I'm in a unique situation where I live alone so I have total control of the food in my house. Not much temptation if it's not within reach. I don't have any kids and the person I spend the most time with (my girlfriend) had bypass back in 2001 so she has a similar way of eating as me. I live in a great climate in a safe neighborhood so I have ample opportunity to walk/run/hike outside. I've never had a gym membership. I ride my bike and do some resistance exercises frim time to time, but mainly I walk/run. I'm fitter and weigh less than my wildest dreams when I started this process. I ran my first Half-Marathon on October 8, 2017. I planning on competing in a 20-miler and a Full-Marathon in the coming months. LIFE IS GOOD!
Below is my weight since meeting bariatric surgeon in January 2015:
https://trendweight.com/u/366d57a9670d41/
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