About a year ago I was 250 lbs, extremely tired and unable to do much physically. Needless to say, I was fearful of my future.

I decided one day to make a change so I got serious about eating and moving a little more. Four months later, I found myself in the same boat, overweight and unable to do anything about it.

In April of last year (10 months ago) I decided to really focus on health. I begin to read, research and focus on what really made one healthy.

Long story short, I have been able to successful and slowly lose 85 lbs, over double my strength and I feel terrific. The most wonderful thing is that I have been able to accomplish this with no 'fad' diet or 'quick' loss program. I have not joined a gym and I have not had a trainer.

Now, I desire more than ever to help others who were in my shoes. If there is anything I can do, or share my plans and routines with anyone, please let me know.

That's excellent James! You obviously did your research and know what you're doing.

So what did you do? Change your diet and become more physically active without the gym? Did you lift weights at home?

Don't tease us, tell us! LOL

I'm curious as well. How did you become more active? How did you change your diet?

Angie,

Research was the main key. I had friends and others who had done well with some of the mainstream diets, but my biggest fear was regaining my weight and losing my muscle (the little I had) in the process.

I changed my eating habits by doing three things:
1 - I begin to critically evaluate everything I ate, then journaled it for about a month as I learned what each food contained in nutrition and energy (calories) and how it would effect my body.

2 - I developed a meal plan of about 20 main foods that are extremely healthy and tried to grow a taste for them. Once I found the ones I liked, I became disciplined to eating those foods alone for about 6 months.

3 - Water. Drinking about 1/2 gallon of water per day was a really big change from the diet drinks etc. I stopped drinking sodas over 18 months ago but I still had a bad habit of juices, diet drinks and such.

With these three elemental changes, I didn't ''diet" but made a life change that will be with me forever. I love it!

On my workout I just begin moving... I mean moving. I would park far away from locations, take stairs and walk while on the phone or reading a book. I tried to begin moving much more than I ever did.

This led to me actually beginning to run some, 10 mins here and five minutes there. After about six weeks, I had the stamina to run two miles without being tired.

My GYM consisted of four items:

1 - A good quality floor mat (pilates or yoga) $20

2 - A nice set of dumbbells (10, 15 and 20 lbs) $50

3 - A filtered water bottle $40

4 - And eventually a set of "Perfect Pushups" These saved my joints

All this combined was a great start and enabled me to workout throughout the day whenever I wanted. I took the best exercises that I could find to MAXIMIZE my energy consumption and muscle building. After about two months my metabolism was so high that I had to increase my calories to about 2000 per day. (Which is normally healthy intake)

There are a few other things that have made things good for me:

1 - A great multivitamin (I learned that the effects of a multi takes about a month to take effect.) Taking a vitamin assists in your body healing and fighting off fat.

2 - Learned to eat smaller meals more frequently. I stocked up my mini fridge with goodies and eat every two hours or so.

3 - I found a wonderful energy shake made by Shaklee that is tasty and very good for you. ON those days that I am just running late, I drink one for breakfast, without fail.

4 - Aquafina flavor blast water. I found that I was getting bored with water, so this stuff added some flare to my day!

5 - One meal per week I eat what I want to, no questions asked. I have discovered though that my 'junk' meal has turned into a very healthy meal that doesn't really count. This is truth that my 'diet' per say is now a palette that will be with me forever.

Hopefully as I continue to get results, I'll be able to post my before/after pictures. I have tried and been concerned with my body and health for many years and knew that it was hopeless. It's a miracle that I have accomplished so much in such little time.

I am also in the process of writing down all my journal entries on my journey in a 'solution' format for anyone to follow. When it's completed, I'll be sure to share.

James,
I've seen those perfect pushup sets. Do they really work as well as they claim?

James, it's great to have you! Thanks for sharing your weight loss story with us.

Well, the perfect pushups don't really do anything. They are not a device and I honestly had never seen them. A friend who lives with me ordered a set and I begin to use them.

After a few times, I noticed that my wrists and elbows were not taking the punishment they had been and after six weeks of the scheduled routine I doubled my capacity in pushups.

I did go a little overboard and had to stop, showing off at Christmas, I pulled a back muscle

All-in-all, I think they are great. I have been doing pushups since April and had seen some improvement in strength and a little definition. But since the perfect pushups, I have seen dynamic definition in my arms and chest.

I would rate them way up there. I bought my set from one of the creators but I think you can get them from Walmart now.

Like any 'gadget' there is a right and wrong way to use them, these afford me the range of motion that I didn't have on the floor. A standard pushup bar would be as effective but probably wouldn't assist with the definition.

You would have to do multiplacement pushups with your hands in many directions to get the workout that you do with these.

Give em a shot. Give them 10 weeks and you'll see a great difference.

James

Rachel,

Thanks. I'm glad to be here.

I think I will get them because my wrists are already a little janky, so I know putting extra stress on 'em will NOT be good for me.

I think they're like $20 or $30 from Wally World (Wal-Mart), so I'll have to make an investment.

Thanks for the advice.

What were these 20 foods that you ate? And how did you determine them?

No problem on the advice. Yes, just pay close attention to the technique. You want to lower slowly and push up quickly... not a steady motion up and down. Slow down rotating the hands to end in the appropriate fashion and then power up and back down.

I see people all the time doing them incorrectly because it feels natural to start with your hands parallel to your body when it is up.... I start by being down, hands parallel then push up rotating.

The only change is the 'wide' version which is opposite position.

Good Luck! Let me know. Oh, and measure your biceps, chest and forearms before you begin your routine. Then measure in 6 to 10 weeks. You'll be surprised.

If you dare, take pix. I keep a set of before and afters for every little section I do. It's amazing.

Take care,

James

Monique,

I'll get all that together and post it soon.

James

Thanks, James!

Wonderful James! It's all very solid and practical advice that anyone with adequate willpower can follow! To me, the miracle isn't that you lost weight that quickly (which isn't unheard of - 2 lbs per week), but your consistency was key.

Kudos to you for discovering healthy foods and sticking with them!

Thanks Angie,

I was afraid to lose to much! 2 lbs per week was my ultimate goal.

You are a great encourager, keep it up!

James

I'm interested to hear more from you. You've already got me motivated to take everything to the next level.

Brandon,

That's the spirit! It's not easy... I can't say that it was even fun in the beginning, but it's so worth it! For my families sake, it was worth it!

Let's keep in touch... add me and we'll talk.

jt

I really want to see some before and after pics!!

wow I have also seen the 'perfect pushups' advertised but thought like everything else it was a scam... I might have to go out and get some... I am also considering getting dumbells/barbells weights etc. Since all in all if this is a lifestyle change for me it would be cheaper to buy the equipment than a gym membership..

I guess I posted to the wrong thread I welcomed you in your other thread but nothing is happening over there - it is all happening here

Welcome!

Hey Ara,

Yes, they really are a good product. Let me know if you have any questions.

James

Tim,

Hi... I just got your message. Thanks!

James

Not a big deal, I just thought it was funny.

I have thought about those Perfect Pushup's but didn't know enough about them either. Maybe I will look further into them.

In reference to the Perfect Pushups, I thought they were junk, my friend bought a set and I had to get me one after I used them for several weeks.

They really to simplify the pushup and work a larger variety of muscle groups. The strength benefits are out of this world.

I could not do ONE close (hands in center right above abdomen) pushup when I started. 10 weeks later I could do 30 in one minute and still had stamina to go more. This exercise alone increased my strength as well as gave stern definition to my center pecs and triceps. Pushups had never done that.

jt

Hello James...

VERY interesting stuff, I look forward to reading about your 20 foods and the like! And congrats on your healthier lifestyle

Thanks samantha... I am preparing my notes to get things together. It's been a long journey and is still not over. The weight loss is about complete and now it's time to really build my strength.

James, this is awesome - you're a testament to what almost everyone here is trying to do; lose weight the right way! Not to mention, here's just more proof it can be done

This sounds similar to the Abs Diet from Mens Health.

Eat smaller but more often.

Specific set of "power" foods that boost metabolism and are healthy.

One cheat meal a week.

Sounds like a great plan.

Dave and Rob,

Thanks. Funny you mention that diet, I just bought the book I never thought I could lose weight and get in shape, but it CAN be done.

As for foods that boost metabolism, you have to be careful not to 'trick' your body into running amok in order to lose pounds. It could be disastrous for your health and the weight could come back.

Rob, on the cheat 'meal' well, I would call mine a cheat day LOL But it's changed to things I really like.

I'm going to post my findings as soon as I get them all compiled. I still have about 14 lbs to go for my goal, then I am going to gain weight with muscle building.

All-in-all, I never did more than about 20 mins on average daily, ate well and changed a lot of habits including moving more and exercising I have a funny story for my inspiration, but I am saving it.

It's good to meet everyone here. If I can be any help, let me know.

James

Here's a stab at some before and afters. I don't have many before pix as I was a little shy of the camera ;)















These pictures start at Nov 2006 at around 250 lbs; Staring April at 245 then June 07 220; September at 200; December 185; Jan 175; last two are Feb at 165. More to come after I begin developing more definition. It can be done.