AF Biggest Loser/Fitness Challenge-May 3 to Whenever We're Not Fat Anymore

[Shell B]

Good going. One burger and fries won’t ruin it.

We went to an event today where you basically graze in various businesses and call it a Christmas celebration, so not the best diet day, but we had fun.

[bennyboy]

It's just about New Year's and I'm doin' it!

This year, I was in the hospital for about 10 days because I was bleeding out from an ulcer (I had a few more hours up to a day left before it was mortal, so not THAT close, but still).  I also had a polyp in my colon that the doctor said was in the last stage before it would have become cancerous.  And a fatty liver that was on the borderline for fibrosis --> cirrhosis.  I was at that time 115 kg (252 lbs at 5'11").

Well, a lot of salads (juicy ones with lots of tomatoes, cottage cheese, balsamic vinegar with olive oil and basil, pretty yummy actually), a complete lack of pasta, rice and bread, and hundreds of kms walked, I'm now at 102kg-- and the funny thing is even despite the harsh calorie deficit, I feel more energetic than before.  My doctor said that the liver issue is very much improved, and I'm pretty sure I can get under 100kg (my goal) by the new year.  That will be 33 lbs worth of blood and sweat left on the hiking trails in 2018!

Thanks to you guys in this thread, because seeing people succeed with their weight loss was a real motivation for me.  Thanks for setting a good example!

[Shell B]

Benny, that's fucking amazing! I love seeing the real health turnarounds here. It's not that I don't love the aesthetic changes people are making, but it's really heartening to see people improving their health in sometimes life-saving ways. I'm pumped!

I should have Tibs make some specific Atheist Forums biggest loser merch for those of us who are kicking ass in here and maybe want to reward ourselves with some swag.

[bennyboy]

I just got final clearance for vertical sleeve gastrectomy.  I should be able to have it done before the end of the year.

I'm at 272, my lowest weight in a lot of years.  96 total pounds lost.

I just spent about 2 hours watching surgical videos of that procedure.  Modern medicine just blows me away! I got to watch replays of my ulcer operation, and I was legitimately fascinated. I wish I had gone through medicine rather than humanities!

---

Benny, that's fucking amazing!

That's literally the most positive thing anyone's said to me this year.  Thank you! 

[Jackalope]

Awesome, benny... I'm glad you're also finding success.

[Shell B]

That's literally the most positive thing anyone's said to me this year.  Thank you! 

With all of the progress you're making? Hit your goal and you can start next year off with more positivity.

[Jackalope]

Well I didn't get scheduled by the end of the year after all, but it's set for 1/8. Last three pre-op appointments are on Wednesday. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have some second thoughts.

[Shell B]

Of course you are! I think you’ll be great no matter what you decide, but I suspect you’ll follow through. 1/8. I’ll remember.

[Angrboda]

Starting in the New Year, thanks to a change in insurance, I will be getting a membership at the YWCA, and starting to attend fitness classes regularly. I don't need to worry about my weight, but if you don't exercise as you get older, that pays rather unpleasant dividends down the line. So I'm committed to making it a part of my routine. Still not eager. I hate exercise.

Dear Lord, what hath we wrought?

[Jackalope]

Of course you are! I think you’ll be great no matter what you decide, but I suspect you’ll follow through. 1/8. I’ll remember.

Nah, I'm six months into the process, there's no chance I'll back out, second thoughts be damned.