I had a cheese enchilada plate with beans and rice over lunch. I brought home a salad to eat, but whatever sickness I have got a little worse and I didn't feel much like eating. The worst symptom is the sore throat, so I just had a bowl of ice cream.
In the past, whenever I've faced any kind of hardship, I'd always give myself a free pass to eat whatever I wanted. I'd actually find myself thinking during a bad day at work, "I'm going to order the whole menu when I'm done here." It's like a way of blaming external forces for my own bad decisions. Basically a rationalization for my bad behavior, along the same lines of what you see from alcoholics and drug addicts.
There might've been a little of that in play for the ice cream. Just a little.
I still have the salad in my fridge though, and I'm feeling a little bit better. I'll eat it today (all my posts cover the previous day).
Anyway, as the title of the post mentions, I've dropped my first 20 pounds, and I've got update photos. And here they are.
First the original front, then the current front. Then the original side, then the current side.I have a standardized foot placement and posture and everything, and I tried to replicate it all as best I could.
So that's what it looks like when somebody goes from 286 to 266 (6.993% body weight reduction). 20lbs would look like night and day for normal people, but when you're huge, 20lbs doesn't make a big difference in how you look.
20lbs to updated progress photos.Until tomorrow,
Eric
I think the difference is noticeable.... Congratulations on your first 20!
ReplyDeleteI'm stunned at the difference. I can really see it. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteWe're always hardest on our own photos. There is a definite difference, especially around your upper abdomen, which is a great place to lose first.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting the first 20 behind you! Fwiw, I think you're doing fantastic in making better choices than you were before and trying to figure out ways to make even healthier ones. I also eat on the go a lot, and I'd be lost without Chick-fil-A's Grilled Chicken Salad. Yummy, healthy AND portable. :)
Keep up the great work!
Wow just found your blog and gotta say WOW!! From reading your back posts, I can tell you know what needs to be changed and I totally believe you can do this!
ReplyDeleteThe 20 lbs. so far is totally noticeable... awesome job so far! We're all here supporting you in this journey!
Congrats on you first 20 lbs. gone. You are doing considerably better with your eating.
ReplyDeleteJulia
http://jewliagoulia.blogspot.com
I can certainly see a big difference. Aren't you seeing it in your clothes?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was at my highest of 240, I lost 40 pounds before one single person at my work said anything. The first 20 I didn't notice, not even in my clothes because they were all way too tight! They just started to kind of fit after the first 20. But 40 pounds? I was shocked no one said anything. Finally, after 60 pounds people started noticing. Amazing.
I think sometimes when we're very overweight people are afraid to say anything about our weight. They're afraid we might even take offense at a positive comment, so they just say nothing.
Don't worry though. 20 pounds is amazing. Pick up a 20-pound dumbbell at the gym and carry it around with you for a while. It's like, wow!, that is heavy. Just think, you lost that!
Eric - I just went back and read several of your old posts, not all of them, but a lot of them. I also read a lot of the comments people left on your posts.
ReplyDeleteThis is my take on who you are...a young man that a.) is a very hard worker and works too much and b.) doesn't have time, knowledge or energy to prepare wholesome, nutritious meals for himself and c.) has low self-esteem because of his weight. You are certainly NOT the fattest person ever. ;) Although I understand how you feel.
I think you're trying to do the best you can given your circumstances.
You're losing weight, and you will continue to lose weight as long as you reduce your calories, even if they are "empty" calories.
Unfortunately, as you get closer to your goal weight things are going to become much more difficult for you to lose weight if you keep eating fast food. As many people before have pointed it, fast food isn't good for you. Like you didn't know that already. ;
My suggestion is to start adding some "clean" foods, meaning non-processed foods. I'm not saying give up your fast food habit completely, but try baking up some skinless chicken breasts and maybe some frozen vegetables with them. You don't have to be a gourmet chef or spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Just easy, fast stuff. It'll be good for you and the weight will fall off. Plus you'll feel a lot more satisfied with your food. You'll be amazed how good fresh food tastes.
I also relate to you on the binge eating. It's been my Albatross my entire life. Driving through three different fast food restaurants...ummm...been there, done that. Eating until I am so full that I want to throw up, yes, done that too many times.
Eric - you have your whole life in front of you. Make yourself into the person you want to be. Don't work yourself to death at an early age and ruin your health. What you're doing now to lose weight will insure that you have a long and healthy life. Don't blow it, okay? :)
Also, maybe I missed it, but you should start adding in some exercsie. I know it's really hard at the start, but you've got to start. Not crazy stuff, just some walking and maybe a few light weights.
Good luck Eric. I wish you the very best. I'll be back to check on you...so hang in there!
Also - I noticed some of the comments were kind of tough to read, even for me and they weren't even to me. I think people mean well, maybe it's tough love or something. They want to support you, but they want you to do it their way. You have to find out what's best for you (but I swear that fast food is really bad for you...LOL!).
Amazing difference. You're doing great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words, everyone.:)
ReplyDeleteWOW! Big difference Eric! You can really see it in the side shot. I just read your Cranberry Salad post, too, and I have to say, it's your best choice yet! Now, if only you could find a replacement meal for your noodles and candy!
ReplyDeleteGreat job avoiding the binges, that is MAJOR. :)
I can totally tell like the other commenters. Try not to be so hard on yourself.
ReplyDeleteWow! The difference is quite noticible! Congratulations. Great blog . . .
ReplyDelete