116 lbs in 1 year
 

One-Year
A Journey from 321.5 to 205.5 lbs.

Lived by Michael J. Crow

I hope this doesn’t seem too long winded or vain in any way. I merely wanted to tell the full story to the board. You’re help has been greatly appreciated.


February the 19th, 2001

I was on my way to my friend Lee’s house, and my dexterity was a wonder to behold. I believe that even Bruce Lee would have been in awe. For not only was I managing a manual shift vehicle, but I was simultaneously smoking, drinking a 52 oz. pop, and eating a Hostess Suzie Q. All the while, the steering wheel of my Nissan was positioned a mere two inches from my rather large waist.
When I got to Lee’s house, we sat down in his living room and approached a topic which was a frequent one for the two of us. Dieting. Skinny people probably believe that dieting comes up in overweight conversation only every second Tuesday of the 13th month of the year. But, those of you with weight to lose will probably concur when I say dieting is one of the most frequent points of conversation amongst the gravity challenged.
Lee and I were discussing the overall idea of dieting. Lee was standing on the perpetual rock of high-carb, low cal dieting. While I was defending the low-carb diet principal. The argument was vicious, the argument was long, the argument changed my life. For, during this argument, the bet was made.
We were each going to spend one month living our diet ideals, and determine which diet was more effective. I was going to eat low-carb and attend Tae Kwon Do 3 times a week, and Lee was going to use Weight Watchers and work out with Tae Bo. We had a minimum calorie cap of 1500, and agreed no specialized stimulants were to be used. Whoever lost the most weight in one month would win. If I won, Lee would join my TKD classes for one month. If Lee won, I would buy him a Tae Bo tapes, and work out with him. This was a horrifying proposition for both of us. Lee loathed the idea of pushing his pudgy body into a white TKD uniform, and I can’t stand the commercials for Tae Bo, let alone the videos.
After the deal was struck, we immediately went to my house and weighed that night. I weighed 321.5 lbs., and Lee weighed in at 278 lbs. Since Lee was a few inches shorter, we agreed our weight/height ratios were relatively similar. It was that simple. We were off. Both of our smugness/confidence levels would have choked a sports superstar. We were both positive that we could win. Lee’s exact words were, “There is no way you have the willpower to stick to a diet for a month!”

We both worked in office positions at a construction company at the time, and we would meet everyday for an uneasy lunch. One of the other rules of the bet, was that weight could not be discussed. This would keep one opponent from off-setting the other. Food, however, was one way we waged war.
Lee would bring in subs from sub-way and other carb-goodies, then mewl like a cat every time he took a bite. After three days of this, I began to bring in steak and cheese. Lee’s smugness diminished and we eyed each other over our food. Each desiring what was in front of the other, but unwilling to admit such. This is the way of combat.
After the second week, I had weighed and was nearly stunned. I was already down fifteen pounds. I grinned more frequently at lunch and Lee’s glances became less and less sure. I could actually feel his will breaking in hindsight. There is a look to someone’s eyes when they are defeated. It’s a horrifying thing to see in the eyes of your friends. A reason I will never do this kind of bet again.
Lee quit shortly after that. He confided in me that his weight had dropped seven pounds the first week then come back the second. He had then stalled for a week and the combined stress of the stall and the fact that he was one pound down shattered his will and he had cheated drastically.

I had won.
Or had I?

I realized after Lee went down, that I hadn’t won anything as of yet. Though, 30 lbs down the first month, I didn’t look all that different. While looser, I was still wearing the same size of pants and shirt. I was very disappointed. I had lost thirty pounds, a six year old in weight. I should have looked different.
Then I knew, that I wanted more than to merely beat my friend in a bet, or prove the viability of the low-carb system. I wanted to beat myself. I wanted to beat that part of me down that would eat a full dinner, then not more than twenty minutes later would eat something else. I wanted to beat down the part of me that refused to eat body-nourishing foods. I wanted to prove to myself, that I had the strength to make a change in my life for the positive.
It was then that I knew the Bet wasn’t over, and the entire time it had really been with myself. Lee had helped me get motivated, and the bet had allowed me the option to bail on my diet after a month without the typical sledgehammers of guilt. But it wasn’t over. My whole life I’d been betting my health on the way I was eating. At the age of 27, I was suffering chronic knee, shoulder, and hip pain. I was unable to run more than fifty yards without collapsing in a large and unattractive heap on the ground.
The night I won our bet I looked into the mirror while naked. My body was covered in stretch marks. My stomach, my back, my chest. They were huge and purple and ugly, and they were never going away. No matter how much weight I lost, no matter how well I treated my body, they would always be there. I almost quit then. I almost threw it all away in that moment.
In my heart I finally realized something. I was the lowest common denominator. My life had nothing. I was a college drop-out with a crappy job, crappy car, and for the most part crappy life. The only women who would speak to me, were salespeople. And the biggest blow was my body. Circumstances had played a lot of roles in my life, and most of them villains. But my body was mine. Circumstances excepting illness, injury, and death could not be my excuse.
Then I realized something else. To prepare for the past we must be ready in the present to prepare for the future. For the only way to affect our past is to change what we do from this day on. So I took the slogan, “What I do today, will make a better yesterday.”
I renewed my vigor in Tae-Kwon Do, I pushed myself to the limits every chance I got, and I refused to give up. There were times when I almost wanted to cry. Literally. I was so used to getting my only satisfactions in life at the end of a fork, that my lack of ability to do so was crippling. I was hurting on a daily basis. I still had the internal want for gratification, but few if any ways to actually feel it without food. My entire life had been wrapped around my plate. And now that I had rejected the plate as the way to Valhalla, and since results were not forthcoming I felt horrible.
Instead of focusing on that, I pushed my focus to the hope and determination I had that I could succeed, that things would get better. I was going to work this. I had the strength, the power, and the will.
While coaching little league in the spring I began to notice things. Bending to the ground to pick up balls was no longer causing me to grunt in exertion. I could actually run the bases before my relatively inept newbies could throw me out, and best yet, my belt was loose. WOOO HOOO! That night for the first time since I was born, instead of going up in waist size, I went down. From a 52 to a 48.
Tae Kwon Do was also paying off as shortly after this event I earned my Gold belt.
A transformation happened at this point. While still craving food, the feeling was diminishing in importance to the benefits I was receiving. And although working out was still painful and difficult, my body was getting used to the regimen I was putting it through. I was amazed. I was fifty pounds lighter.
I then remembered my slogo “What I do today will make a better yesterday.”
Three months before I never would have thought that I would be fifty pounds lighter that day. I would have never imagined being that slender, I would have sold my soul to Satan for the chance to lose fifty pounds. When I held up my Gold belt and looked at my size 48 pants I knew I had a long way to go, but I had covered some ground. My stretch marks had gone pink as my skin finally got a well needed break. People still hadn’t noticed my weight loss though. How much was I going to have to lose for people to notice. For god’s sakes I was up to a nine year old and people still hadn’t noticed.
The answer came in summer.
That July I stared in the mirror again. By then I was wearing an Orange belt in Tae-Kwon Do and had dropped Seventy five pounds. A junior high girl. People were starting to notice a change. I had finally passed the weight meridian. Those angels in my Tae Kwon Do class, who I never would have succeeded without, began as a group to encourage me in weight loss at this point. My family had noticed, my friends had noticed, and so had the women. Joy!
I was still by no means slender. I had come down to a still Obese, but not morbidly 246. My stretch marks were now light pink, and I could actually see some (pause for intake of breath) muscle definition in my arms and legs. I went out a bought a pair of size 44 pants, and life felt better than it had in ages. It was still tough to fight the daily battles, but by July I was a hardened warrior of the diet circuit and was managing to fling off most of the temptations. Having people notice was worth a lot to me in retrospect. Probably more than it should have been worth. But, it worked. Deep inside we all crave attention and affection.
In September, a day I’d been waiting for a long time happened. I reached a hundred pounds in loss. I had earned my Green Belt in Tae Kwon Do. My stretch marks had faded to white as my skin began to come together. Life was getting better, and the occasional temptation as easy to defeat. There was a celebration at my Tae Kwon Do school for me as well as a sign reading today Mike turns minus 100. It wasn’t a big deal, but I hadn’t been that happy in a long time.
Today I am down to 205.5 lbs. I am down a total of 116.5 lbs. I wear a size forty pant and large shirt (down from size 52 pants and an xxl shirt). My weight loss and Tae Kwon Do accomplishments have slowed down, which has hurt. But, even though I still have about thirty pounds to lose I know that as long as I look to the future I will eventually get there. Then it will be my past. Now when I look into the mirror I can see my muscles under the slimming layer of fat. I have a ton of loose skin and stretch marks and I am ugly to behold naked. I have never been more beautiful
I just have one last thing to say.
If I can lose it, you can. Stick to it. Have hope.

My Ten Rules of Weight Loss

1. No person is an island. Surround yourself with encouraging people. Shun those who would categorize or deflate you. Tell your friends.

2. Do not cheat unless it is preplanned. Even if by only 3 days. If you plan it in advance, you are in control—not your weight. When you cheat, ask yourself if its worth the time you must spend losing back down. If its not space out your cheat days more.

3. Encourage yourself. Develop a slogan and use it. Whenever you are tempted repeat it to yourself as a mantra. It might be your last defense.

4. Find a physical hobby that excites you, regardless of its improbability and do that. If you’re not excited you won’t stick with it.

5. Do nothing half-assed. If you are dieting, be strict. If you are exercising, push yourself If you are cheating, go nuts. Don’t do anything halfway or you will develop the habit of doing things halfway. The number one enemy of the dieter is the attitude of “I’ll go a little at a time.” It rarely works.

6. Do not weight daily. Weigh once a week at first, then once a month later. Constant weigh ins are either really really good, or really really bad. And while really really good doesn’t do a whole lot besides make you smile, really, really bad can get you to quit.

7. Do not tell anyone except for friends and family you’re dieting. Let them see the results. The compliments will mean more that way. People who spend a lot of time telling people how they are going to diet will suck the willpower out of themselves.

8. Learn to like yourself for who you are now, the fall in love with the you that you can be.

9. Eat as basic of food as you can. The more complex foods you eat on this diet will stall your weight loss. Say no to flour substitutes and other things.

10. If some sort of incident happens and your diet gets blow. Grit your teeth and go on anyhow. It is NOT a defeat, just a setback. Roll on.

Thanks for listening

Mike


Before Picture should hopefully follow

After Pics for my post
 

Hopefully my after pic will follow : )

Mike

Here is before pic again if it didn't hit above
 

Before Pic

great going mate, well done!
 

You don't need to be a super star to inspire people. Great story!
Cheers Kev

Way to go Mike! :thup:

I like your 10 rules, my favourite is #8 which I repeat quite often in different words. :)

I'd like to add your story and pics to our Stories web page. Is that o.k. with you?

Wa'il

I am so impressed by your determination and your HARD work. I am so happy that you have learned to love and respect yourself. Thank you so much for your story, I don't think I will forget it anytime soon.

Jess

What a story Mike...You have given so much encouragement with your story. Keep on going you sound like you have it down pat. The only thing with me is get enough energy to want to excercise. I do not have anyone pushing me into that direction but I will for sure push myself now, starting tomorrow when I have to get up with my little boy for school instead of going back to sleep for an hour I will excercise. Thank you and I will definately use your ten rules

Pearl :wave:

Thank you
 

Mike , your story was very inspiring and I love your 10 rules. I am copying them for my brother and sister.
Donna :wave:

Thank you!!!!!!
 

Today I found this site. I posted a message asking for help on my introduction.

I think I've found it.

I am so inspired after reading your story that I started to cry. (This is not good since I'm at work :) ).

I think we all know what it takes to be healthier and happier, but for anyone who's ever lost weight, you know that it takes something from inside yourself to give you that push to get started.

I've been overweight my entire life. I've successfully lost weight and have regained so many times, I can't remember them all.

I'm at an all time high and have had a recent weight gain of about 20lbs due to holidays/quiting smoking, etc. I am supposed to get married in 3 months, but I'm affraid I wont fit in my dress.

I've been waiting for the motivation to just come to me, but today after reading your sucess story, I feel that motivation creeping up on me.

It's so great to hear that you have suceeded!! I hope I can enjoy that sucess someday!

Good luck in the future, it looks like it's going to be a great one!

-Shannon :thup:

Welcome and congratulation
 

Welcome Shannonlee to the forumn and congratulation on your forth coming wedding. You have come to the right place to find encouragement and support. I started in Jan. and these :angel: :angel: :angel: have been here for me all the way. I look forward to each day knowing that I am not alone in this battle for weight control.. I know you will find them as helpful to you. Have you started your journel? It really does help because you can record your food and other can help.
Well welcome again and I look forward in reading about your success in the near future.
Donna :wave:

wow, Mike--great story and well-told. And you look marvelous! I like your attitude, from top to bottom. :) Your rules are excellent as well (yea to real food!)

How's your friend, the one from the beginning of the story? Has he tried LC now that he's seen your success with it? I'm sure you've inspired others who you don't even know you've affected.

I just wanted to say that; YOU LOOK GREAT! :thup: I was really touched and impressed by your determination. Something I am dealing with as well.. so your story meant a lot to me, as I am sure it has to many others.. thanks for posting it. I am also curious about your friend, and can't wait to hear the continuation..... :D Sandi

wow
 

very well articulated, mike. ever think of taking up some sort of writing because that was quite poignant. I don't think I've ever used that word in real life. lol. anyhow, looks like a great life change and I wish all of you here, success. Also, dont measure yourself so harshly on your looks, as its obvious your hearts will always 'outweigh' any other so-called flaw. Seems like a great group of ppl here. Hang in there guys, you can do it.

mike's story
 

Wow!!!!!i am totally inspired, i started the same diet yesterday and i really needed encouragment, you seeem like a wonderful person, i am thrilled for your success, weigh to go!!!!!!!

Off the charts man
 

Your story and inspiration message are off the charts buddy. WAY TO GO!!! The house next door to me is for sale, and I hope someone like you moves in. :thup:

Wow, Mike! Thanks for your story. You look great!! I have printed out your rules to keep on my frig. You are such an inspiration. I too am curious about your friend.

Replies to all and Thanks
 

tracys - Thanks so much for your kind words. My friend Lee is still grossy obese, and grows more so everyday regardless of my good-natured attempts to get him to cross the low carb chasm. I hope he will do something (anything) before it's too late.

AlanRhoads - Thanks, I appreciate it. Just because I manage a diet well doesn't mean I make house values rise :daze:

hj'smom -I have no doubt you an do it if you stick to it. Good Luck! Remember the bes way to get encouragement is to give it, and you have!

marcus - Thank you for the bit about the writing. I am an amateur fiction writer and am currently finishing up my second audio book for TimeFare productions (I read them so you can listen). All of my hobbies besides Tae Kwon Do are sit downs. . .so if I can do this, anyone can. Good Fortunes.

Sadai - Thank you for buffing up my ego with your compliments. I think we all deal with issues (some being more niche-like than others) as more info becomes available on Lee I will post it.

razzle - Thank you for the rules comments. The rules were just something I wanted to put together for people to use as a guide if they were just starting out. I tried protein dieting for several years before this last attempt finally paid off. Just a helpful hint or two. As for Lee. . .only time will tell but he is bitter about my success more than overjoyed. It's an unfortunate thing to have a frien envy you.

shannonlee - With determination and hope you can do anything. It's not the dress that is going to matter, but whether or not you can fit into yourself. I can tell by your writing that you are especially nice. . .but when you face the weight monster it is better t be a raging beast : ). I've been overweight all my life as well, it' a tough battle and there will be times when everything seems lost. . .don't ever give in. Find your hope and run with it.

donnaj - tell your brother and sister that its funner to make rules than to follow them, and wish them my luck. Adventure are better when shared.

Pearl - Do not use me as motivation...use yourself. You have the strength to do whatever you wish to do. Regardless of what it is you feel you need to do, do it. Exercise hard but don't be too hard on yourself. Remember this as well - just when you think you have it down pat, the world will try to show you that you don't. : )

Crazy Curly - Thanks. It was a lot of harwork, and the future is harder and more uncertain to face. I've spent so much of my life trying to reduce back to a normal weight, that now that I'm so close I don't knowwhat to do (and no, I won't become the dread pirate roberts : ) ) Thanks again.


Tamarian - You have always been my inspiration on this board. Thanks for everything.

Kev wain - I don't need to inspire others as much as I need to inspire myself. Inspiring others on the short term is easy, making it last is much more difficult. If losing all the weight again would help people even more, I'd do it again. NEVERMIND. I lied. It's a tough road.

For Shannonlee
 

Shannon,

You are doing a terriffic job and please hang in there! I was married two years ago and was near #200 and I had to accept that, acknowledge that I was a beautiful bride, and enjoy the day to its fullest! Dont worry about the dress right now, just worry about feeling good about yourself. The mere fact that you are losing weight right now is a WONDERFUL thing! :cheer: Anyway, keep up the good work...you are already a success story!!! :rheart:

Hello Shannon and Sophie,
Shannon, Sophie is right. You are doing great.
Donna :wave:

Crowis,

Your story is very inspiring!
Big guys need all the role models they can get.

Sometimes I feel that men can't express themselves in traditional ways - like that of the warrior, and therfore it's difficult to self-actualise and attack our problems.

You've inspired me to take up Martial Arts!

LC_Dave :)

Thanks Sophie
 

I really needed that. Encouragement does wonders. I've had a hard time sticking to this program. I just keep coming back to this site because of how good it makes me feel. People like you Sophie are what makes this site so great!

I hope you have a great day cause I know I will :yay:

-Shannon

Keep smiling Shannon!
 

Your thread really cheered me up. I can just remember feeling the way that you must right now, knowing that you want to lose the weight for the wedding yet feeling SSSSOOOOOO much pressure that (at least I did) you just CANT lose it. Thats the way I am anyway, if I feel pressure for an event I almost talk myself out of looking good. Crazy things we do huh? Your husband (fiance) and family love you REGARDLESS of your weight. Do it for yourself Shannon, not the others. You'll know when its time. I cant remember, did you say if you were exercising? I know that sure helps me stay on the ball. I guess though that different things work for different people and do what works for you! But the most important thing for you to remember, its the most special day of YOUR life, so no matter what the scale says, Shannon is going to be a BEAUTIFUL BRIDE!!!! :rheart:

I'll keep looking for ya! :roll:

What a wonderfully honest and powerful post!! :D

You are very attractive man now!!! and Im sure the last 30 will come off too, you wont know what to do with all the attention :D

Well done and my very best wihes for your future success and happiness :D

I just wanted you to know that I cried reading your story. I don't know why, but I feel so proud for you. Maybe because I have been there, and I so totally understand. Thank you so much for the inspiration!! Keep up the good work.

Congratulations!!
 

Hi Mike,

Not only is your story inspirational, but you should consider a career in writing, loved reading your success story on many different levels. I hope that you have continued success with the loss/maintenance. Good luck in achieving many more of your dreams.

Nilda

Mike, you are gorgeous!!! And more importantly, you sound like a wonderful human being. You are very articulate and your story was not only EXTREMELY inspirational to me, it was also entertaining...you have quite a talent for writing. I'm just beginning this WOE after 4 years of wallowing in "comfort" food and packing on the pounds. Thank you for sharing your story.

It's been a while since you started this thread, but I just found it and am compelled to reply. Not only are you a talented writer, but a very compassionate person. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. Success could not have happened to a nicer guy! I too am at work and just shed a tear. Your words are very moving. I can't help but think this process, your "re-birth", just might contibute to your success as a writer. I think we all have to experience pain and discomfort to really appreciate the very basic good in life. Take care.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING !
 

I just wanted to thank Mike for sharing... I am just beginning this low carb way of life and I am so excited - excited that I found a 'diet' that I am not starving and grumpy - one that I actually have more energy than I have had in years! I have so enjoyed reading about everyones success! I very much enjoyed Mike's suggestions and helpful hints! Thanks again Mike - Karen S. I'd love to hear how you are doing now... (kemss3~yahoo.com)

What a great story. Thank you for sharing it! I am in the position now that I know I must exercise. I have a block up and I need to move past it. Continued success to you! Ken

i was laughing then nearly crying in the space of three seconds when you mentioned the food wars :D , then lee's defeat :(

way to go Mike :)