Weight Loss Success Story #40 - Richard C.

Weight Loss Success Story: Richard C.

I feel so honored to be able to share Richard's weight loss story with you.

Read the details of how he has been able to lose over 100 pounds and completely transform his health.

He shares lots of details from which we can all learn. Enjoy!

Best Weight Loss Success Stories of 2017

Tell Us A Little Bit About Your Weight Struggle
I am 32 years old, I'm happily married to my high school sweetheart Hillary and we have 3 beautiful children, Brandon (9), Hailey (6), and Peyton (7 weeks).

All of my life I have been overweight, but in 2017 I had reached the biggest I had ever been, 353 lbs.

Because I was overweight, I also had medical problems.

And in November 2015, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Then in April 2016, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and high cholesterol.

I visited the doctor every 3 months and every time my medicine was increased.

During my visit in January 2017, my doctor told me if I didn’t lose weight then I wouldn't live to see the age of 40.

At this point I attempted to lose weight, but I didn’t have the determination.

On February 17, 2017, my wife posted pictures on social media of myself and my daughter from her Daddy-Daughter dance we attended and finally, after seeing myself in the pictures, I came to the realization that I had to lose weight.

I was determined not just to do it for myself but for my family as well.

I got to thinking about what if something happened to me... Would my family be able to make it financially without me and what about my children?

I would hate for them to grow up without a father.

At the time we were expecting our third child and I wanted to be there for my children and wife to provide for, spend time with, and love them.

I knew this would be a challenge, but I knew if I put my mind to it, I could do it.

Back in September 2015, I decided to quit smoking after 16 years of doing so, but I replaced the cigarettes for food.

I knew that if I was able to quit smoking cold turkey after 16 years, then it should be easy to lose weight. Boy was I wrong!

What Was Your Wake-Up Call Or "A-Ha Moment" That Caused You To Really Commit Yourself To Succeeding?
I saw a picture of myself and daughter from her daddy daughter dance and the doctor told me that if I didn't lose weight, I wouldn't live to see the age of 40.

How Have Your Eating Habits Changed Since Beginning Your Journey? What Did You Eat Before And What Are You Eating Now?
I used to eat anything and would eat all times of the day.

Sometimes at supper, I would eat 2 or 3 plates of food and after a couple of hours eat more.

Now I eat 3 meals a day and munch, here and there, on fruit. I don't eat after 5pm and count my calories.

On March 1, 2017, I started a strict diet. No more red meats, fried foods, sodas, chips, candies, cookies, little bread (if any).

I started watching my calories, eating healthy meals, drinking only water, and exercising every day.

I started out by getting rid of all the sweets in the house. Everyone knows when you see a Little Debbie sitting there you want to eat it—so if it's not there, then you can't.

I went to the store and bought the healthy meals (Smart Ones, Lean Cuisine, Atkins, and Chili's).

Some of these brands have meals with high calories, but I always looked on the back to make sure there wasn't any more than 450 calories.

I would eat them for breakfast, lunch and supper, and then munch on carrots, apples, bananas, or grapes in between.

I never eat after 5:30pm and right afterwards, I head out to walk/jog every day.

This way I'm active and not just sitting at home watching tv and munching on food.

By April 1, 2017, I lost 49 lbs. Once I lost 50 lbs, I had started watching my sugar and blood pressure very closely.

On April 24th, I had my first doctor's appointment since my journey began and the doctor was impressed I had, at that point, lost a total of 77 lbs, but we both knew I still had a long way to go.

On May 1, 2017, I was down a total of 83 lbs. I was also competing in a weight loss contest my job was having at the time, and ended up winning $500 for losing the most weight.

I also won the $500 back in 2015, when I stopped smoking, which was a great help financially for my family.

In May, my blood pressure had gone down and I was worried that it might get too low, so I called the doctor and she said stop taking the bp medicine, but to keep an eye on it.

I have been off of the blood pressure medicine ever since.

I am also taking 2 medicines for my blood sugar, but my numbers have gone down a lot, so the doctor lowered the milligrams on them.

On June 1, 2017, I was at 257 lbs with a total loss of 96 lbs. At this point the only thing I changed is my meals.

After eating so many frozen meals they start to get old, so for breakfast I eat a bowl of regular Cheerios and for lunch I'll have a tuna sandwich or grilled chicken.

If we go out to eat, I still make sure there aren’t too many calories in it, but I still stay clear of fried foods and red meat.

What Is The Difference In Your Fitness Before You Started And Now?
I didn't work out at all before.

Now everyday, I go out and walk/jog.

If it's raining I go to the gym.

What Has Been The Biggest Change/Payoff For You So Far?
Being able to do more stuff with my kids.

Now it's July 1, 2017, 4 months since I started my weight loss journey, and I am at 246 lbs with a total loss of 107 lbs.

I started out in a size 48 pants and 4XL tall shirt. Now I am proud to say I have made it down to a size 38 pants and XL shirt.

Clothes were so hard for me to find when I was bigger because I had to have a shirt made for tall people so that it would go over my belly, but now I can go in any store and pick out clothes.

I can also get out in the yard with the kids and run around without feeling like I'm going to pass out.

I have worked so hard to get where I am now and I'm pushing myself to go even farther.

We may not have fancy stuff and a big house, but what matters is we are here together with each other.

How Much Weight Have You Lost? How Long Did It Take You To Lose It?
On March 1, 2017, I weighed 353 lbs. and as of July 1, 2017, I weighed 246 lbs.

So as of now, I'm down 107 lbs.

Any Advice and/or Words Of Wisdom You'd Like To Share?

 

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