My weight loss transformation (A work in progress)
- Thread starter SparkErosion
- Start date
I know I'm obsessing and I haet it but, someone said through pictures that my bodyfat is below 18%. This puts me around 17%. Don't you guys think its lower than that? I know the loose skin doesn't help any..
Daymon74
New member
Hey Spark, I subscribed to your thread here a long time ago, and have always kept up on it, though I've not really said much until now. First, I would give my right leg to be in your position right now. I've got a long road ahead. I've been battling the bulge for years! Secondly, I've seen you post a lot about loose skin, but seriously, don't worry about it. Keep doing what you're doing, and it will go away. I did a ton of research on this, because I was afraid of the same thing happening to me. I wish I could remember where I saw it, but there was a guy on youtube who's skin tightened up after some time, and it was really bad at first. He just kept plugging away, and the skin tightened up without surgery. He put on muscle in, and around that area. The point being I wish you could see it, so you will know it will happen. Best of luck to you, keep up the killer work, and thanks for sharing your story. It really is an inspiration.
Hey Daymon,
Thanks for your post! I'm glad to hear that. Honestly it bothers me but I'm not worried about it too much right now. I posted this on another forum, as I've had on going fatique problems the past year, which the past couple months has gotten much worse. And I hate to sound so negative! (especially after a great post like yours! And thank you, I feel happy to be such an inspiration to people. ! I certainly would not have thought I ever would be! Thank you!)
Been dealing with on going chronic fatique,no energy, and severe tiredness constantly.. the last couple months it has gotten completely unbearable and debilatating. It's become so bad I do not have the energy, to workout anymore . I am simply too tired. Sometimes I Force myself to anyway, I am trying my best. But it's extremely difficult now. Recently, I got new racing tires on my bicycle as well as a floor pump. I am extremely upset I do not have enough energy to ride it at all lately, let alone long distance. It's not that I'm lazy or don't want to , I want to badly and I enjoy riding it. It's just my condition has been getting progressively worse. I can barely get out of bed or take care of myself anymore.
I saw my Primary care physician today again. I told her how worse it has gotten. She did tell me something I didn't know... when I had the sleep study with the neurologist, I had mild to, at times, moderate sleep apneas. I was told when I had the sleep study most likely I did not have sleep apean,as most of them were minor. But it has gotten worse. Much worse. I talked to my physician and she said , it may be possible, after I talk to my neurologist, if I do have sleep apea, to get a CPAP machine to help me breath at night. If this IS what the problem is, I'd be EXTERMELY happy to have enough energy to live my life again. I just simply can't live like this anymore.
Thanks for your post! I'm glad to hear that. Honestly it bothers me but I'm not worried about it too much right now. I posted this on another forum, as I've had on going fatique problems the past year, which the past couple months has gotten much worse. And I hate to sound so negative! (especially after a great post like yours! And thank you, I feel happy to be such an inspiration to people. ! I certainly would not have thought I ever would be! Thank you!)
Been dealing with on going chronic fatique,no energy, and severe tiredness constantly.. the last couple months it has gotten completely unbearable and debilatating. It's become so bad I do not have the energy, to workout anymore . I am simply too tired. Sometimes I Force myself to anyway, I am trying my best. But it's extremely difficult now. Recently, I got new racing tires on my bicycle as well as a floor pump. I am extremely upset I do not have enough energy to ride it at all lately, let alone long distance. It's not that I'm lazy or don't want to , I want to badly and I enjoy riding it. It's just my condition has been getting progressively worse. I can barely get out of bed or take care of myself anymore.
I saw my Primary care physician today again. I told her how worse it has gotten. She did tell me something I didn't know... when I had the sleep study with the neurologist, I had mild to, at times, moderate sleep apneas. I was told when I had the sleep study most likely I did not have sleep apean,as most of them were minor. But it has gotten worse. Much worse. I talked to my physician and she said , it may be possible, after I talk to my neurologist, if I do have sleep apea, to get a CPAP machine to help me breath at night. If this IS what the problem is, I'd be EXTERMELY happy to have enough energy to live my life again. I just simply can't live like this anymore.
It seems likely that if you had mild/weak sleep apnea before the loosening of your skin from your weight loss might be causing enough of it to drape down to begin obstructing your airway. Usually the 'cure' for overweight people with sleep apnea is gastric bypass (or at least, that's how most people get gastric approved by insurance
), but it does not seem implausible that there could be some loosening that is now causing more obstruction then previously...I hope the cpap works! The mask might be annoying, but I've heard of plenty of people who absolutely love their new-found energy. Some people get addicted to it, though
(PS I don't have sleep apnea, but my training in psychology of sleep is where I am getting my information from... )
Frogged
New member
Heya Sparks
Just read over your latest post. Wow, that sucks. I really hope you get it resolved and report back to us. I'd be really interested to know whats causing the apnea exactly. If it's related to your weight loss, then I wonder if there's anyway to remedy it?
Like Kira said, I've heard of overweight people with sleep apnea that wore those devices. They had a few contestants on the Biggest Loser with that issue.
If it does have something to do with significant weight loss, I wonder if I'm at risk? My energy levels 'seem' ok as far as I can tell. Hrmmm.
You got me a little worried now, Sparks :[
Anyway, hope you figure it out and feel better!
Just read over your latest post. Wow, that sucks. I really hope you get it resolved and report back to us. I'd be really interested to know whats causing the apnea exactly. If it's related to your weight loss, then I wonder if there's anyway to remedy it?
Like Kira said, I've heard of overweight people with sleep apnea that wore those devices. They had a few contestants on the Biggest Loser with that issue.
If it does have something to do with significant weight loss, I wonder if I'm at risk? My energy levels 'seem' ok as far as I can tell. Hrmmm.
You got me a little worried now, Sparks :[
Anyway, hope you figure it out and feel better!
Don't worry frogged. It is probably because of how premature I was born.
I was born 3 months pre mature, 1 lb 15 oz. I had them as an baby.
I was born 3 months pre mature, 1 lb 15 oz. I had them as an baby.
Frogged
New member
3 months?? Wow. You're very lucky, Sparks! I'm glad you're ok (aside from the apnea)!
The worst thing I experienced as a newborn was some sort of fever that almost did me in. Luckily, the people around me were pretty attentive. My aunt even smacked me across the face at one point when I started turning blue after passing out. How's that for good bedside manner?
I don't know exactly why I was turning blue or how smacking me even helped, but it did. Gotta love my intuitive family! :biggrin:
I'm sure you'll get it resolved soon, bud. Good luck!
The worst thing I experienced as a newborn was some sort of fever that almost did me in. Luckily, the people around me were pretty attentive. My aunt even smacked me across the face at one point when I started turning blue after passing out. How's that for good bedside manner?
I don't know exactly why I was turning blue or how smacking me even helped, but it did. Gotta love my intuitive family! :biggrin:
I'm sure you'll get it resolved soon, bud. Good luck!
I went to the nueorlogist. He said although I do have moderate sleep apnea, it's only my back. therefore, he cannot give me a CPAP machine or something to help me breath because he said its "borderline."
I'm going to see a different neruologist. Also, the ritalin they gave me the pharamist won't fill. It's been over a week and a half now, with no stimulent that works. I've been drinking energy drinks, because I don't know w hat else to do, and it seems to be the only thing that helps. Riding my bicycle is out of the question now, I just can't do it -- weightlifting is very difficult too. I just don't have the energy anymore and it is very frusterating. Thank god I lost the weight before the fatique got this bad, or I wouldn't be able to do it. Definitely not going to be, able to, at the time being, cut and bulk. I'm just too tired.
I'm going to see a different neruologist. Also, the ritalin they gave me the pharamist won't fill. It's been over a week and a half now, with no stimulent that works. I've been drinking energy drinks, because I don't know w hat else to do, and it seems to be the only thing that helps. Riding my bicycle is out of the question now, I just can't do it -- weightlifting is very difficult too. I just don't have the energy anymore and it is very frusterating. Thank god I lost the weight before the fatique got this bad, or I wouldn't be able to do it. Definitely not going to be, able to, at the time being, cut and bulk. I'm just too tired.
Frogged
New member
Hang in there, Sparks.
Things will improve! You've done so great and already conquered losing the weight. Losing as much as you have is incredible and so difficult to successfully achieve and maintain. This issue you're facing should be a walk in the park by comparison
I have no doubt you'll come across a solution that will bring your energy levels back up to par Just a matter of time!
Things will improve! You've done so great and already conquered losing the weight. Losing as much as you have is incredible and so difficult to successfully achieve and maintain. This issue you're facing should be a walk in the park by comparison
I have no doubt you'll come across a solution that will bring your energy levels back up to par
Just a matter of time!I really didn't fare well this thanksgiving. Ate way too much pie. And when I'm around pie....or most any other sweets in unrestricted quantities, things don't tend to do well for me. I must've ate at least 2 pies, or equal to, within 5 days. Plus a good (don't get me wrong) but extremely unhealthy burger and some huge onion rings. Besides the pie, squash with sugary candy like topping, burger and onion rings, and a couple regular cokes, I didn't do too bad.
More than anything I just hope I didn't gain 5 or 6 lbs. That would really upset me. oh well.
Even with this severe chronic fatique I'm going to push through it and excerise again. I can't let myself waste away like this. I feel so bad, depressed, and tired right now, sometimes I just want to throw in the towel and give up. I'm sleeping most of the day, if not all day, sometimes unable to get out of bed. And it's been getting worse the past 2 years. Heck, I'd be one happy guy if I were to put the weight back on, all of it, and felt the way I did before I lost the weight. The energy that I had (which wasn't much, but much more than now, no comparison). Really, we do it for health reasons right? Then why do I feel like utter crap all the time? I think this to myself alot. If I'm so healthy, why do I feel so terrible? Why do I feel so tired and out of energy, and overall just horrible physically? It's like I haven't slept for a week, 24/7 feeling.
Sorry for ranting. I'm just afraid, that I will gain the weight back and won't have enough energy to lose it again. That would be a nightmare. Because I certainly can't lose it again, not with this fatique. So, I'm going home, trying my damned as hell to excerise again and lift weights again, if I can, I really must, and push through it no matter what. I was put on ritalin, and another stimulent, which, are not helping. Done about every test there is to be done, including a parasite screening, sleep study , in whicih the doctor said I Do have moderate sleep apnea but its not "bad enough" for a CPAP machine.
I've had countless people tell me it was just emotional depression or whatever. As I've had depression my whole life.It isn't. There has to be something more. I just....never felt this bad physically before. This whole "emotional" aspect causing this much fatique, chronically, upsets me. I didn't do wel this thanksgiving eating wise, and I'm pretty mad at myself.
I don't like to go on rants like this, especially about this aspect of my health, because I really feel like it's going no where. And, if I knew i would've felt this way when I lost the weight, healthier or not, if I would've felt the way I did then , compared to now, I wouldn've have lost a single lb. Of course I care about how I look, and maybe I look ok, but I feel sick. I AM healthy, my doctor says, but I feel terrible. So really, its a catch 22. I still have to take 30mg of my blood pressure medication. What's the point of losing weight if you feel like you're sick, you're not (so you're told) and you look better? I was exactly the same health wise obese than I am now. Perhaps now my cholesteral is a little better, or something, as I am 23. But, I still had high blood pressure. Sure I could get out of a chair easier and now and tie my shoes now, I sure don't miss not doing that easily. Besides that, I had LIFE. I had energy. I felt more alive. I didn't feel like this.
My point is....I feel like al this effort was in vain. I'm not going to put on any weight or give up on my healthy living or eating, but damn, what a waste.
More than anything I just hope I didn't gain 5 or 6 lbs. That would really upset me. oh well.
Even with this severe chronic fatique I'm going to push through it and excerise again. I can't let myself waste away like this. I feel so bad, depressed, and tired right now, sometimes I just want to throw in the towel and give up. I'm sleeping most of the day, if not all day, sometimes unable to get out of bed. And it's been getting worse the past 2 years. Heck, I'd be one happy guy if I were to put the weight back on, all of it, and felt the way I did before I lost the weight. The energy that I had (which wasn't much, but much more than now, no comparison). Really, we do it for health reasons right? Then why do I feel like utter crap all the time? I think this to myself alot. If I'm so healthy, why do I feel so terrible? Why do I feel so tired and out of energy, and overall just horrible physically? It's like I haven't slept for a week, 24/7 feeling.
Sorry for ranting. I'm just afraid, that I will gain the weight back and won't have enough energy to lose it again. That would be a nightmare. Because I certainly can't lose it again, not with this fatique. So, I'm going home, trying my damned as hell to excerise again and lift weights again, if I can, I really must, and push through it no matter what. I was put on ritalin, and another stimulent, which, are not helping. Done about every test there is to be done, including a parasite screening, sleep study , in whicih the doctor said I Do have moderate sleep apnea but its not "bad enough" for a CPAP machine.
I've had countless people tell me it was just emotional depression or whatever. As I've had depression my whole life.It isn't. There has to be something more. I just....never felt this bad physically before. This whole "emotional" aspect causing this much fatique, chronically, upsets me. I didn't do wel this thanksgiving eating wise, and I'm pretty mad at myself.
I don't like to go on rants like this, especially about this aspect of my health, because I really feel like it's going no where. And, if I knew i would've felt this way when I lost the weight, healthier or not, if I would've felt the way I did then , compared to now, I wouldn've have lost a single lb. Of course I care about how I look, and maybe I look ok, but I feel sick. I AM healthy, my doctor says, but I feel terrible. So really, its a catch 22. I still have to take 30mg of my blood pressure medication. What's the point of losing weight if you feel like you're sick, you're not (so you're told) and you look better? I was exactly the same health wise obese than I am now. Perhaps now my cholesteral is a little better, or something, as I am 23. But, I still had high blood pressure. Sure I could get out of a chair easier and now and tie my shoes now, I sure don't miss not doing that easily. Besides that, I had LIFE. I had energy. I felt more alive. I didn't feel like this.
My point is....I feel like al this effort was in vain. I'm not going to put on any weight or give up on my healthy living or eating, but damn, what a waste.
Frogged
New member
First off, Sparks - never regret or forget how far you've come losing all this weight! It's something few people have done as successfully as you have and you should be damn proud! I know you hear that a lot, but coming from someone who was in the same boat and can understand how truly difficult it is, you know I'm completely sincere about that statement. Think of how many people you've helped since you've been here! Think of all the people you've motivated to get healthy and not die an early death due to weight-related issues! You're a hero and an inspiration! Take that to heart!
I can also understand your feelings about how you think you were "happier" before, and that if you could've foreseen feeling so awful after losing all this weight that you wouldn't have bothered, but bullocks! I go through times when I also think that. Situations have come to light after I've lost my weight that I never experienced before, and some have resulted in making me feel worse emotionally and physically then when I was at my heaviest, but I'm still thankful to be where I am today. I'd much rather feel myself growing stronger thanks to those experiences than continuing to grow weaker and waste away while alone in my dark room with nothing but the dim light of my computer monitor and empty food containers all around me.
But, sure, I sometimes still think, 'Yeah, before I could numb these feelings of depression and anger with glorious amounts of junk food and feel 'ok' for the rest of the day!', but it's not worth it. It's so not, because the depression came back 10x worse not long after, which resulted in continuously consuming even larger quantities of junk food more often to hold on to that feeling of being "content". Bad, bad cycle that had me stroll right into the Morbid Obesity category with a BMI of 55 only after a few years of leaving it unchecked. I won't go back.
You're in a much better place, regardless of how temporarily drained you feel at the moment - and it is temporary! You just need to take it day by day and continue researching solutions because one will come along, and then you'll wonder what you were thinking with all this negative speak!
Also, don't beat yourself up so much about your calorie intake on turkey day! A lot of that negative thinking is most likely due to the junk food still in your system. I know that after my Sunday cheat day, if I eat exceptionally bad, I just wanna say 'fuck it' to everything. Unhealthy food really screws with your mental state, especially if you're on a healthy living mindset! So what if you gain a few pounds? That's easily knocked off in just a couple days or, at worst, a few weeks. There's no race or limit here as to how many times you're allowed to gain/lose pounds before you're done! C'mon now. I remember seeing a gain of almost 13 pounds one week in my regimen, but after a few weeks, it was gone and no big deal!
Don't fret, man. Things will pick up, but it's good to vent out those frustrations too! So don't apologize either about ranting, because we all need to at some point! That's what the forums are for after all!
I can also understand your feelings about how you think you were "happier" before, and that if you could've foreseen feeling so awful after losing all this weight that you wouldn't have bothered, but bullocks! I go through times when I also think that. Situations have come to light after I've lost my weight that I never experienced before, and some have resulted in making me feel worse emotionally and physically then when I was at my heaviest, but I'm still thankful to be where I am today. I'd much rather feel myself growing stronger thanks to those experiences than continuing to grow weaker and waste away while alone in my dark room with nothing but the dim light of my computer monitor and empty food containers all around me.
But, sure, I sometimes still think, 'Yeah, before I could numb these feelings of depression and anger with glorious amounts of junk food and feel 'ok' for the rest of the day!', but it's not worth it. It's so not, because the depression came back 10x worse not long after, which resulted in continuously consuming even larger quantities of junk food more often to hold on to that feeling of being "content". Bad, bad cycle that had me stroll right into the Morbid Obesity category with a BMI of 55 only after a few years of leaving it unchecked. I won't go back.
You're in a much better place, regardless of how temporarily drained you feel at the moment - and it is temporary! You just need to take it day by day and continue researching solutions because one will come along, and then you'll wonder what you were thinking with all this negative speak!
Also, don't beat yourself up so much about your calorie intake on turkey day! A lot of that negative thinking is most likely due to the junk food still in your system. I know that after my Sunday cheat day, if I eat exceptionally bad, I just wanna say 'fuck it' to everything. Unhealthy food really screws with your mental state, especially if you're on a healthy living mindset! So what if you gain a few pounds? That's easily knocked off in just a couple days or, at worst, a few weeks. There's no race or limit here as to how many times you're allowed to gain/lose pounds before you're done! C'mon now. I remember seeing a gain of almost 13 pounds one week in my regimen, but after a few weeks, it was gone and no big deal!
Don't fret, man. Things will pick up, but it's good to vent out those frustrations too! So don't apologize either about ranting, because we all need to at some point! That's what the forums are for after all!
Sparks I believe it could be your depression that can be making you feel so drained. Look!! I'm going to tell you straight out. You are an awesome inspiration and did a great job loosing all that weight but you need to stop killing yourself for every little mistake. You need to get up and enjoy your life RIGHT NOW! Don't wait till you are satisfied. You never will be Satisfied. Decide your going to be happy now. You need to get a new mind set. Man SNAP OUT OUT OF IT
Hey guys,
I'm doing much better and feeling much better now.
I was put on ratalin and started taking alot more caffine, and although I'm not sure how good that is for me (it's not good at all), it seems to be working beautifully. I have enough energy to not only get through the day, but to excerise again and workout. I'm going to the gym today for some weights, and am very happy t hat I get to resume it. Also I've been working out at home sometimes and riding my bike again! I rode 22 miles yesterday across 2 cities on my bike.
My attitude seems better too. I feel more proud of what I've done. Before my energy level was so bad it was hard to see anything good.It only fueled the depression. I was just extremely frusterated with how I felt and having no answers. I didn't feel healthy, I felt just horrible, just a really bad horrible feel. Yet I was healthy besides t he high blood pressure which is also unexplainable.
Lately I've been thinking to myself, as I Have 2 mental illness, a mild form of autism (aspergers, but I like to say I'm on the autism spectrum, not classify it as that because I manage it well) and severe depression. Despite this I've accomplsihed alot of things, not just with weight loss but also with my magic, my typing skills, my knowledge of numismatics, learning japanese by myself, and good at math. I also appreciate my creativity and insight, something alot of people seem to lose by adulthood from their old child hood curiousity. What a tragegy that is.
Despite all this, I've overcome alot with my significant challenges.
I'm doing much better and feeling much better now.
I was put on ratalin and started taking alot more caffine, and although I'm not sure how good that is for me (it's not good at all), it seems to be working beautifully. I have enough energy to not only get through the day, but to excerise again and workout. I'm going to the gym today for some weights, and am very happy t hat I get to resume it. Also I've been working out at home sometimes and riding my bike again! I rode 22 miles yesterday across 2 cities on my bike.
My attitude seems better too. I feel more proud of what I've done. Before my energy level was so bad it was hard to see anything good.It only fueled the depression. I was just extremely frusterated with how I felt and having no answers. I didn't feel healthy, I felt just horrible, just a really bad horrible feel. Yet I was healthy besides t he high blood pressure which is also unexplainable.
Lately I've been thinking to myself, as I Have 2 mental illness, a mild form of autism (aspergers, but I like to say I'm on the autism spectrum, not classify it as that because I manage it well) and severe depression. Despite this I've accomplsihed alot of things, not just with weight loss but also with my magic, my typing skills, my knowledge of numismatics, learning japanese by myself, and good at math. I also appreciate my creativity and insight, something alot of people seem to lose by adulthood from their old child hood curiousity. What a tragegy that is.
Despite all this, I've overcome alot with my significant challenges.
Also thanks to both of you guys for your support! I really appreciate it.
Kevin
Kevin
Some new photos, loose skin is getting slightly tighter.
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
I've now successfully maintained my 103 lb weight loss for 3 years now. After Jun this year, it will be 4 years. Is that considered success? Am I not one in the 95% to gain the weight back? Well, here's to a new year! I haven't seen anyone reply here for almost half a year now . Well, I hope you guys make progress too. I at first didn't think it was possible, let alone be able to do it or get to 10-11% bodyfat from 34%.
. Well, I hope you guys make progress too. I at first didn't think it was possible, let alone be able to do it or get to 10-11% bodyfat from 34%.
Frogged
New member
I'm in a state of shock tonight as I type this, but I felt it necessary to make the other forum members aware that Kevin (aka SparkErosion) committed suicide earlier this year in April
I don't want this thread, or his successful achievements, to disappear or be forgotten. He was a good kind person and had to deal with so many hardships in his life.
I hold a heavy heart tonight for a fellow weight-loss warrior. RIP my friend.
His family posted this on facebook not long after:
I don't want this thread, or his successful achievements, to disappear or be forgotten. He was a good kind person and had to deal with so many hardships in his life.
I hold a heavy heart tonight for a fellow weight-loss warrior. RIP my friend.
His family posted this on facebook not long after:
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