Some of you may remember... long long ago on the old ARo boards a poster named Mr. Anon. Well, that was me.

Anyone who does remember, will remember why I posted under that name. I was asking for help. Help in losing weight. All my life up to age 8 I was always big, but never really fat. Then after my father died when I was 8, I took up eating as a comfort. I steadily gained weight over the years. From then on I was always pretty big.

After starting to play EQ in Feb 2000, things got worse. We moved right after I started playing and I didn't have my old friends to go out and do things with. All I did was stay home playing EQ all day, and snacking. Eventually, around 2001, I weighed 325 LB. Granted, I'm 6'2", but 325 LB of mostly fat dosn't look good on anybody.

Around that same time.. early 2001, I decided it was time to lose the weight. I came here and posted anon, asking for tips and pointers. I still played, and was afraid to post under my real name since I'd always been ashamed of my weight. At least online, no one knew.

I started going to the gym about 3 times a week and I actually started the "Subway" died. I'd have a slimfast shake for breakfast, a half a footlong (made the low fat / low cal way) for lunch, and the other half for dinner, with some low cal snacks in between. I also tried to drink as much water as possible.

I lost about 50 LB in about 5 months. Not too bad, but I still weighed 275 LB. I lost my modivation at that point. Then our gym membership expired and we decided not to renew it.

I stayed at 275 for the next three years. Then, early this year I moved out on my own. I'd been feeling really low about my size for the last year or so, and it was starting to really wear on my self image. I've always been one of those "fun" fat guys... someone with a bubbly personality to make up for the fact that I was fat. But my size was starting to make me depressed. I know I wasn't as bad off as some, but I mean... who WANTS to be fat?

So, after moving out I decided it was time to get modivated again. I got my own gym membership, and started buying healthier foods. I started going to the gym 6 days a week... doing 1 straight hour of cardio each day with 1/2 hr - 45 min of weight lifting (depending on the day... once in a while I only had time for cardio). For cardio I used a Precor Eliptical trainer. I don't know if its accurate, but it said I was burning about 1000 - 1100 cal / hr. I limited my calorie intake to 1000 cal or less per day. To suppliment this I started taking liquid minerals and Centrum Performance vitamins in pill form. Each day I would drink 1.5 Liters of water at the gym, and another 1.5 - 3 Liters throughout the rest of the day. I cut out all soda and carbonated drinks from my diet.

As my diet went on, and I started seeing results, I got stronger, and smarter. I found more and more low fat, low cal foods to eat that would satisfy my cravings. For instance, I learn how to make a really good breakfast burrito with under 300 cal. I started finding fruits and vegitables that I enjoy eating, and started buying these as snack foods... some of my favorite "grab a handfull when I'm feeling hungry but its not time to eat" foods were grapes and baby carrots. I also started eating an apple a day as a snack.

Once in a while I would reward myself with a higher cal, but still healthy, meal... like the other day I went to the store and got some ground turkey and made a cheeseburger and fries ("air" fried). The entire meal had ~500 cal and ~8 grams of fat. I hadn't had a burger and fries in so long, I didn't know the difference.

Well... now what you've probably been waiting for me to say... how much weight have I lost? Well, when I set out this time I was 275 LB. I set a goal to lose 2 LB a week for 9 months, for a total of about 75 LB, which would bring me to 200 LB.

Well, it is now 6 months after I started this diet... and I'm proud to tell you that I now weigh 195 LB. I feel awesome. I have not weigh under 200 LB since before 5th grade.

For anyone out there who is in the same boat I was in... don't give up in your efforts. It is possible, you just need to find your motivation. Heart disease runs in my family. That was a big one for me.

Well, anyway, I actually need to go to the gym (yes... I work 40 hr a week, go to school 3 nights a week and still usually find time to go to the gym 6 days a week... don't let time be an excuse... make time for exersize). I finally got a digital camera, though, so I've attached an updated picture of me (taken today).

I was wondering what happenned to you. Way to go man. It took a lot of courage to post when you did. I am really happy you were successful.Keep with it.
I was on the oppisite side of the weight conundrum. I was at one point 5'10 and 125 pounds. I couldnt gain no matter what I ate or what I tried. I finally started to gain last year and at one point was at 187. I have had a very hard time finding time towork out lately and have dropped back to 170.

Wow, a superb accomplishment indeed, congrats!

I could stand to lose 40-50, its tough to get the motivation...

Holy shit man. I remember you, and I've actually wondered what happened to you. I'm overjoyed that you've worked yourself to the point you have, and it's definately been your determination that's been the deciding factor. I know what a bitch it is to have to think of your caloric intake, especially when your body is used to a higher fat dosage (like I was when I was really overweight, I had at least 30-40% of my total kcal percentage in fat, mostly bad fats).

At first I looked at the picture and went "what, no muscles?". Considering you'd been going to the gym as much as you had I was looking for a higher muscular development, but then it struck me. You've been living on next to nothing. There haven't been any nutrition coming into the system that the body could've used to build muscles.
I have no idea how you managed to even stay alive on a 1k kcal diet considering that's what it costs you to simply breathe. Every move you made, every single day, must've come out of your fat reserves. That'd had to be tough mentally. I know I get depressed when I'm on a hard fat burning spree. Not that I have to, or ever had to, do the run you've made.

I marvel at your resolve, and I'm truly glad for you. I was overweight for most of my youth (9-18). But all I had to do was drop 60 pounds to start looking fit. Your walk through purgatory was a lot harder.

Now to keep that weight! Don't slingshot back up! Don't forget that building muscles is the best way to keep your weight. When you're happy with your weightloss, start going back to a caloric surplus (eating the good stuff, apparently you've done your homework on nutritions). You'll also probably have to eat some more fat (good fats). If you bulk up on some muscle, they'll cost the body more energy each day than anything you could come up with. Also, it's healthier for the body to be in an anabolic state than a catabolic.

Kudos!

// Kiv

Dude, way to go...

B(.)(.)BIES AND BEER!
-Sanguine Crusaders
war cry.

That is a very inspirational story :) thank you for sharing and WTG!!

wow that's absolutely amazing. I have a hard time with just 15 minutes of cardio! You are obviously greatly motivated. Way to go!

Very, very cool! I remember that post, I'm glad it has a happy ending.

Way to go.

For the home stretch, I'd recommend adding a cardio rowing machine into your workout. I completely believe that they were invented by the Chinese to supersede their water torture, but were decided too inhumane.

http://www.concept2.com/media/Dseamless_760.jpg

Now all ya gotta do is sign up for EQ2 and put that 150lbs right back on :)

Nice work akom )

Thanks for sharing that story. Pretty damn incredible and hopefully inspires others. Keep up the good work and you must hear things from people that are amazed at what you have accomplished.

Ibudin

Incredible man, wtg!!

Fandros

Congrats Akom. Remember all those tedious nights in West Wing ToV? =)

I remember ;D

The reason I don't have any major muscle gain (especially around my arms) is actually two-fold. First, you're right Kiv... I am not currently eating right for muscle gain.

The second reason, though, is because of the amount of weight work I did with them. At the start, I mostly did toneing exercises... less weight, more reps. A few months in I started doing heavier weight exercises... namely, building more weight on benching. I built up pretty quick, but then one day I was working without a spotter, and I wasn't able to get my 10th rep up on my 3rd set. I brought the weight down to my chest, and rested the right side of the barbell on the floor. I got out from under it, and everything seemed fine. Then, the next day that I was doing weights (2 days later, since the day inbetween was my gym "sabbath" ; P) I went to lift and had a sharp pain in my back. Felt like it was in the bone, not muscle. I wasn't able to work with weight much for a week. Then I started to figure out some weight work that I was able to do... mostly curling and a little chest work in certain positions.

Just within the last few weeks have I been able to really get back into benching. I'm taking it a little slower and making sure that theres a spotter near by if I need assistance.

Since I got under 200 LBs, I have upped my Calorie intake more, and will eventually be bringing in more high protien foods and suppliments for actual body building. I have a friend who's a body builder... benches 415... he'll be helping me once I move back to the town he lives in early next year.

You did really well. Good luck in keeping it off too! Be a little careful when you go onto the muscle massing cycle; it can be tricky not to spoil your eating habits and find yourself gaining again.

Great work Akom!! Guilts me in to not going to the gym :(

Great work, if you get a chance check out Combat conditioning, it gives you a way to work out without weights and build muscle and endurance. I started using it after hurting my back weight lifting while getting ready for my Black belt test in Kenpo.


Rev

Awsome Blossom!

Super congratulation's, you look very good and healthy.

Grats man. Ive always thought that battling the mental aspect is by far the biggest struggles. Ferrum and I used to talk about training and conditioning during the raid events in CB hehe. Knowing when to reward yourself..avoiding splurging, educating yourself about training and conditioning, being consistent, and solid work ethic and committment are to say the least some of the most important keys to maintaining a solid personal health.

Even throughout playing EQ, I still managed to train 5-6 days a week and work P-T while going to college FT.....plus do all the misc. volunteer and extra curricular stuff (going out..being social). It just takes time management and desire. EQ was actually a nice release for a while and a good reward for being on the go alot. Im sure Im not the only one that had to do this and I know the circumstances change from individual to individual...people have different committments in their lives (family, career, etc.)....but it can be done. :)

To this day I still manage to cardio/secondary muscle train it up at 5am and weight train at 4 pm, eat 6 times day 5-6 times a week....work almost FT hours, attend graduate classes twice a week and do homework/reading for them, and coach pee wee football at the same time. On top of it all I still manage to tutor at the local juco, work with LD students, and spend time with my family and friends on most weekends. :)

I love it b/c the time goes by so fast and Im never bored. I thought I might be ready for my first amateur bodybuilding show in April but I dont think I have my timing down right and might have to wait until next October to do so (been training for seven years).

Regardless, Im glad to hear everythings going well with you Akom. Its a great update and I hope it sheds light on others out there that might be feeling the same way. Keep us updated man.

Talbayne

Congradulations buddy, proud of ya :)

You never went into specifics about your weight when we hung out a lot online, but I did know that it bothered you. I am happy to hear that you were able to motivate yourself enough to exceed your goals! :)

Not as great an accomplishment, but I finally was able to kick the smoking habit for more than 24hrs heh. Hit the 9 year mark this summer and decided enough was enough... yesterday was 3 months since I have touched a cig to my lips and I am going strong.

Shine on buddy, send me an IM somtime.

Not as much of an accomplishment? I'll admit, food can be addictive, but you're talking about quitting an addictive drug... thats awesome. I am so glad I never started with cigarettes.. I've had soo little self control and willpower my entire life, I don't know that I would have been able to kick that habit. Congrats man.

I'll send you an IM when I see you on.

I have always worked out with weights (except for my EQ years) and began running seriously about 11 months ago (as opposed to what I used to do before .... 2-3 miles). One of my friends started doing Triathlons and he finally talked about it enough that I am planning on participating in one next year.

My first one is going to be what is called a "sprint" triathlon which is only 1/2 mile swim, 13 mile bike and 5k run... really not that hard but it allows peeps who are not the best at one event but adequate at all three to (for me at least) not get bummed out.

I like to run but I'm not built for it. ... so the bike and swim I can make up time. Over all its something I want to do and will definately do one race and see if i like it.

There are a couple Du-athlons which involve run, bike, run and people should try that if you are interested in the whole racing thing. Its funny how much time you can find when you aren't raiding 6 hours a day :)

Bise you are only 5 feet tall, how will your little legs be able to keep up with those longer legged guys? :D


http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/devil.gif

Patch time - Off to the gym.

Ibudin

Patch time - Off to the gym.


Me too. Leg Day. Bleh :p

Congrats Akom, that sure is impressive. I really respect people who have the mental capacity to achieve big changes like this.

Bise you are only 5 feet tall, how will your little legs be able to keep up with those longer legged guys? :D


http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/devil.gifhaha 5'3'' !!! damn you! 145lb's tooo

My buddy has the regular tri build.... 6'2'' 175 and a natural body fat of like 1% or some rediculous number...... he cruises on the run at 12mph and im struggling to keep 8.5...... there should be damn height classes and not age classess!!! ;)

<3 Akom! I knew you could do it :^)

Grats akom, and whats up :) I was bored, figured I would see whats happening on my old stomping ground and say hello.

Edywen Ubergeek

Edy! Hows it going? Long time no see.

Yeah, I don't play anymore either... but I still try to keep up with the goings-on here on the forums.

I've actually had a small desire to play again, but every time I think about how far behind my character would be, it discourages me. Not a bad thing ; )

Besides that, with my work and school schedule, and going to the gym and going out of town, I'm lucky if I have time to breathe.

I have a GF that keeps me from playing :) its not a threat, its a promise of no sex :(

Otherwise, work and shit, its all the same for me, up at 4.30/5am at work by 630ish, dont leave till 430ish, sometimes 5 or later.

That and I dont want to get sucked into another online game... but I do miss everyone from time to time.

Absolutely brilliant =)
Well done mate!

Nice job Akom! Had to clue you had weight problems, judging from the sole pic you posted (and also because we never really chatted much :D ) Glad to see you pulled it off without telling everyone on the internet :)

You the man Akom! Glad to hear that your doing so well, been awhile since I've had the chance to chat with ya. Take care.