Hi captainhealy. I did not mean to come across as rude or harsh. It is just IMO that not EVERYONE should be congratulated no matter what. Your method clearly wasn't the right choice as you gained most of the weight back. That's all I was saying. I wasn't being mean, just stating the facts. All I meant by "confusing" is that it almost appeared to be a success story until you read the very end. Most people on internet "scan" rather than read text. So I bet you some of the people who read this thought it was a complete success story. If you were like me and read it thoroughly, you will know what happened. I have to say, it's an interesting thread... not one you'll find all that often.
Now for something different... I have to ask you.. After all this, you still feel that what you did was the right way? How can that be? If you talk to any professional fitness trainer, he/she will tell you that 50% of your weight loss success is based on what you eat (your diet). Sure, you can exercise your heart out and the pounds will come off... but only up to a point if you haven't gotten your diet worked out. The pounds will back on otherwise. That won't happen if you get your diet worked out. No more foods with added sugars, no complex carbs, eats lots of veggies and fruits, very low on saturated fats, eat lots of whole grains, etc.