219 down and 81 to go

[Elisabeth]

At the suggestion of two of the members on this forum, I'm posting a synopsis of where I was and where I want to be.

Over 3 years ago, I stepped on an electronic scale at work (I am a registered nurse) that had a capacity of 500 pounds. You can imagine my shock when the number staring back at me was 425!

Because diets had failed me since childhood, I made the decision to never diet again and set about teaching myself to eat in a healthy manner. To accomplish this, my first step was to eliminate all fast food and take-out food. I substituted the "loss" of those things by treating me to a dinner out, once a week, at the restaurant of my choice.

Step two was to work on breakfast. Eating 2 bagels and bacon was typical of what I ate. In following my rule of substitution (to eliminate feeling deprived), I cut out the bacon and one bagel and added in fresh fruit. Next, I experimented with different food items. If I felt like I wanted a salad for breakfast, I had it. I did not let "traditional" food times rule what I ate. The goal was to get to the point where I was eating a healthy breakfast 7 days a week. It took me a few weeks but I got there and the scale started moving down.

Since I was not dieting and did not feel I was depriving myself and the pounds were leaving, I did the same routine with lunch and dinner. After a few months, I had trained my body to enjoy a food plan that was low in fat, moderate in protein, and moderate in "good" carbohydrates (a lot of fresh fruits and veggies).

I also allowed myself indulgences but planned them into my day. So, if I wanted a piece of pie for dessert, I took a pre-sliced SINGLE piece out of the freezer in the AM and had it after my dinner. If I was going out to dinner and wanted a roll with butter, I had it and skipped dessert.

When I was over 400 pounds, portion control was not an issue. Once I had fully established my new eating plan, I slowly weaned down on food amounts. It was not until I had lost about 90 pounds that I regained the ability to FEEL what full was. The first time it happened, I thought I was getting a stomach flu. LOL.

My weight loss stalled after losing about 200 pounds. I had talked with my MD about diet pills when I weighed 425 pounds and he gave me a thumbs down and told me to learn how to eat FIRST. When the stall in weight loss lasted several weeks, he agreed to let me try Phen. I was on it for about a month (and it worked) but I developed some medical problems (NOT Phen related) that required me coming off it.

In December, I joined a gym for the first time in my life. I force myself to go 3 times a week and do 30 minutes on an eliptical machine and then 30 minutes of Nautilas weight machines with a trainer. That has helped me MAINTAIN my weight while undergoing testing for the medical problems. I will never LIKE exercise but have accepted it as a very necessary part of my life.

Now that my health problems are controlled (I have a weird disorder involving Potassium that causes serious muscle and heart symptoms), my MD has given me the OK to try a 3 month period of Phen. It is my hope and focus to continue to eat healthy, continue to exercise, and take Phen to help me accomplish the hard job of controlling my portion sizes so I can realize my goal of 125 pounds (5'2" small frame).

Not many people will ever know what it's like to weigh 425 pounds. I have great respect for people who realize they have a food addiction and act quickly to treat it. "Life" at 425 pounds is more like a living hell and you become a prisoner of your body as your life becomes more and more restricted by the limitations the pounds impose on your body.

Presently, I am at 206 pounds and have boundless energy and a love of life. I never want to forget what life was like at 425 pounds because I never want to go back there. I am hopeful that, with the help of Phen to control food portions, and the support of people here traveling the same journey as me, that I can achieve my goal weight.

Thank you,
Elisabeth
sw 425
cw 206
gw 125

[blimpy]

WOW!!WOW!!! I applaud you Elizabeth. You should be so proud of yourself. You took an impossible situation and made it work for you. You must feel amazing. Good luck to you on your future weight loss, the hard part is over. Savor the victory!!!

[Luvwater]

Elisabeth
I cant tell you the amount of admiration I have for you...You have the determination we all search for...I have no doubt at all that you will make it to your goal..
Stick around this is a great group of people to help if there's ever a struggle
Good luck to you
Ann

[fiona7]

You're definitely an inspiration. Changing your attitude is probably the best thing you could have done. The best of luck to you!

[Storey]

I just want to tell you that you are such an inspiration to me. I am 5'3 and weight 238 (was 245 a week ago)! I have never weighed this much in my life and was begining to feel like I would never know the feeling of thin. I know this is dumb but I always wondered what it would be like to walk without my thighs rubbing together. Reading your story gives me such hope, Like a light at the end of the tunnel! I just want to say that. I think if I could name you "my hero" I might. You have achieved what I can only dream of! Congrats....

[Blippo]

Wow Elisabeth, way to go!

[Gerald Bostock]

Thank you so, so much for sharing your story with us, Elisabeth.

I'm speechless.

I don't think that's ever happened to me before.

Your courage and resolve are formidable.

What an incredible journey!!

[Beth-C]

Elisabeth, you are truely an woman of amazing strength and determination! An inspiration to all of us here! :D

Thank you for sharing your story! I hope you stick around, between all of us cheering for each other, I know we can and will reach our goals: a healthy life! One we can actually participate in and not watch from the side lines of the game. ;)

[Lissa]

Thank you Elisabeth for your story. It shows discipline, strength and positivity - something I am trying to work on for myself. I have been on Adipex a week today, but I had to teach myself how to eat before I started it. I lost 50 pounds in 4 months and I'm hoping the Adipex will help me lose my other 50.
I, too, started off not too far from you - 378. At 25 years old, and a history of weight ups and downs, I finally feel comfortable with my new lifestyle. 378 was my largest and I NEVER plan on seeing it again.
The drugs are wonderful, but you must realize that you must make the lifestyle change to have long time success. Thank you so much for your words because they came at a time I really needed it.
Keep up the good work.

Lissa

[Elisabeth]

WOW! Thank you all so much for your wonderful messages. The support of people like you is what makes the difference on how smooth the road to achieving my goal will be. I only hope that I can be as supportive to those who need it. I wish you all the very best of luck on your individual paths to our common goal of a healthy life.

Elisabeth

[Jess537]

I totally agree with everything you have said. I trully admire you! Not only have you lost the weight but you have changed who you are!! You are like one of those stories you see and read about! Congrats, I hope this makes you realize you can do anything!!! "I am woman, hear me roar!!" :D

*have you thought about posting this in the "experiences" forum? It is appropriate for here, but I think more would read it there?!

[Jess537]

I totally agree with everything everyone else said! I trully admire you! Not only have you lost the weight but you have changed who you are!! You are like one of those stories you see and read about! Congrats, I hope this makes you realize you can do anything!!! "I am woman, hear me roar!!" :D

*have you thought about posting this in the "experiences" forum? It is appropriate for here, but I think more would read it there?!

[Jess537]

(sorry I edited, because I won't pretend I know what you are going through, but I do admire you!) (Notice the difference in the first two lines of the last posts!)

*Don't you love to see my HUGE pic, 3 times over???*

[VallejoBeth]

WOW! Elisabeth, your story makes me feel like my goal is completely attainable...
Congratulations on the work so far! It is amazing you did it all without diet aids!
Thanks so much for sharing your story!

[Elisabeth]

Jess and Beth,

Thank you for your responses. Jess, you look great and, as I am finding out, it doesn't matter how much you have to lose, it's making the desire to be thin and healthy take priority over the addiction to food. Doing that requires training yourself to not USE food as a coping response. Beth, break down your goal weight into 10 pound mini-goals and reward yourself (non-food) when you accomplish them. When I lost 100 pounds, a friend and myself took a limo into New York City and saw a broadway show! Good luck to both of you!

Elisabeth

[Mike P]

Elisabeth,

Not going to repeat what i said in the other thread. Will spare ya that :D . None the less, I am glad you decided to post your story here. Beth-C hit the nail on the head when she suggested you post your story. To lose that much weight is honestly, well mind-boggling, really hard to grasp in relation to something.

Your DETERMINATION and SELF-DISCIPLINE is truly an inspiration to everybody that has tried to lose weight. To think that you didn't do it with a special diet, just simply watching what you ate, cutting the portions, eating 3 meals aday, substituting a roll+butter for dessert( or what ever it might be).

Elisabeth, i have to ask. how does it feel to be an inspiration for others? Like it or not, you have inspired me. while i have never seen 425, i have seen 377(highest ever). i just started 8-15 again to lose weight. basicly doing what your have done.

What your have accomplished so far( and your not done yet), is simply astonishing. keep up the good work, and keep us posted. :)

[ALLYSON in Raleigh]

Elizabeth,

First of all, you are an amazing woman with great determination. And you are right, that most of us will never know what it feels like to weigh 425lbs. I can't imagine what that must have felt like, emotionally and physically. YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!! :) . I'm curious....have you ever weighed 125lbs? Is that a realistic weight for you? Keep up the great work!!! And thanks for sharing your story.

Allyson

[ALLYSON in Raleigh]

*Don't you love to see my HUGE pic, 3 times over???*

Jess587,

What exactly is that remark supposed to mean? I do not mean to seem rude, but it smacks of martyrdom. Perhaps you thought you were posting a different pic, or you are just fishing.....

Just seemed inappropriate to me, particularly in a thread related to Elizabeth's 200lb+ weight loss success.

My opinion only.

[Elaine Delgado]

In your preferences you can choose to post you pic everytime you post something. Since she posted three messages in a row, she was just making a joke about her big picture coming up over and over. I think its called a "sense of humor". Next time maybe you should send a private message and not be rude on the message board. Hope I cleared it up for ya! :confused:

[ALLYSON in Raleigh]

Thanks for clearing that all up for me Elaine (?). However, when I look at the posts, I see very small pictures, not "big" ones....and furthermore, it can be generally accepted that on a message board where people are working to lose weight that, perhaps, the word "huge" might be interpreted to mean body size.

And thank you for your suggestion of using the Private Message feature; I can see you have put it to good use here taking me to task.

Take Care,
Allyson

[Elaine Delgado]

Your Welcome, any time :D

[Jess537]

Elisabeth and everyone else--- I just wanted to post here, that I'm sorry about my remark of "my huge pic three times over"!! I did have a pic up that took up the whole screen, Blippo (?) finally helped me to get it smaller. I know that I am by no means HUGE, I am a part of this sight for encourgment for a healthier lifestyle. I'm sorry if anyone took that the wrong way! I'm truly sorry, if I offended anyone! :confused:

[ALLYSON in Raleigh]

Jess,

I got your PM.....thank you so much....I sent you one back.

You look great and keep up the good work!

~Allyson~

[mama pinson]

I'm sitting here with tears in me eyes.Not because I'm sad,but this is such a inspiring story.I love to read the success stories.I wish you luck,I know you can lose the rest of the weight.Please keep us posted .I'm so excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jbaby]

elisabeth, you are amazing. i hope that soon you will feel comfortable posting some pics. i am in awe of you.

[Elisabeth]

First, I must apologize for being MIA for a week or so. I had some oral surgery (OUCH) and am now wearing a device to monitor my heart for 30 days. I have a potassium problem and the cardiologist is tracking my symptoms to determine what, if any, treatment is needed. So, until October 5, I am off Phen. I look forward to going back on.

Mike P - I don't want to be an inspiration to anyone. I prefer to be a lesson in how easily 200 pounds can become 300 and 300 can become 400... The people who are the true inspirations are those who see a problem, accept it, and act to lose the weight as soon as possible.

Allyson - I remember weighing 218 pounds in 8th grade (my first trip to Weight Watchers) and getting back down to 220 in college. I am only 5' 2" with a small bone frame. I have no idea what my true "goal" weight will be and my MD is the one who gave me the 125 number. I figure when I look in the mirror and like what looks back, THAT will be my goal weight.

JBaby and Mama Pinson - Thank you so much for your kind wishes.

Elisabeth

[Elisabeth]

Jess - I took NO offense to your picture or your post. I am PATHETIC when it comes to computers and, when I am ready to put a picture on here, I will need LOTS of help to pull it off. I am well aware that you are here for the same reason we all are and thank you for your support.

Elisabeth

[joie]

Hi Elisabeth. I too am a nurse and a new Phen pal. I hope you know that what you did by turning your eating habits around saved your life. Way to go!!!A nurse that I worked with weighed at least 425 or more, she coughed all the time, had 4+ pitting edema and of course ate and smoked all the time. She died a month ago from Congestive Heart Failure related to her size. So Thank God you took charge of your life. Best of luck on the final pounds. :)

[Mikosun]

I have 2 words to say, GOOSE BUMPS. Thank you soooooo much for sharing that with us.

And I would love to see pictures as well.

[dreamin thin]

Elisabeth, OMG what a story, you a doing great! you are now half of the old you. a much better half i want to add. Im new to phen, 3days, Im also changing my eating habits. you go girl! you have come so far. keep up the good work. you make all of us proud of you. keep us posted please. :D

SW 196 09/18/02
CW ?
GW 135

[bren32]

WOW, What a story, I had goose bumps while reading your post!

You are a true inspiration.

Bren

[Elisabeth]

Joie - I was close to the point your friend was at. I also had 4+ pitting edema of the ankles and lower legs, was short of breath after walking a short distance, had backaches from the pressure of the weight, and had maxed out in sizes at the "large lady" stores. I think that's why I took a different approach to losing weight and "weaned down" on calories rather than doing anything drastic and then invested time in me in learning how to eat like a "normal" person. I am now a size 14-16, have no edema or backaches, can walk over a mile with no problems, and am loving not being confined by my weight.

Mikosum, Dreamin thin, Bren32 and Joie - Thank you so much for your posts. I wish you much success on your journeys to your goal weights. You CAN do it.

Elisabeth

[asecondtime]

CONGS YOU R A WINNER I WISH I COULD GIVE U A HUG KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SEE YOU WILL MOVIATE ME I`M GOING TO LOSE THIS WEIGHT EVEN IF I HAVE TO PUSH AND PUSH MY SELF I`LL EVEN CRY, THANKS FOR PUTTING YOUR STORY ON HERE.

[EBONY POETESS]

WOW ELISABETH I MISSED THIS POST
YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU HAVE LOST OVER 200 POUNDS!
THATS FANTASTIC!!
YOU WERE DEFINATELY DETERMINED TO GET THE WEIGHT OFF AND YOU DID IT GIRL
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR HARD WORK AND SUCCESS
GOOD LUCK ON REACHING YOU GOAL
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO LOSE THE WEIGHT?
IF YOU DONT MIND ME ASKING
WHAT WAS YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE LIKE AND WHAT FOODS DID YOU EAT?

[EBONY POETESS]

ELISABETH I WANTED TO SAY I AM ALSO 5FT2INCHES TALL AND MY HIGHEST WAS 248
I AM VERY SMALL FRAMED ALSO
I AM DOWN NOW TO 198 AND I REALLY WANT TO REACH MY 125 GOAL ALSO
AND I KNOW WE CAN BOTH DO IT
I HAVE BEEN 123 POUNDS BEFORE IT FEELS AMAZING SO IT IS VERY POSSIBLE TO GET BACK THERE
NO GOAL IS SET TOO HIGH WHEN IT COMES FROM YOUR HEART
AGAIN ELISABETH CONGRATULATIONS HONEY
YOU DESERVE EVERY BIT OF IT :heartpump:

[shawn74]

Oh my god Elisabeth. Good work. I was reading your message on the forum and got so motivated. At almost 300lbs I wonder how in the world did i ever let my self go like this and didn't take action earlier. Well actually I've been on all kinds of diets and never succeded in them and vowed I'll never diet again. I'm trying to work on my eating habits but I just can't stay out of the restaurants. I don't eat alot but its the things I eat that makes it unhealthy. After reading how you accomplished your weightloss goal I'm more determined than ever to get this weight off now. If you don't mind can you send like a sample of your day menu so I can see the types of things you ate. Again Congratulations and keep up the good work. I know you are a inspiration to me.

[SweetMelissa]

I know this is an old thread but i just had to say..

i am a newbie and i started reading thru looking for motivation.

You have given me that! You have amazing will and determination!

Thank you for being a role model and inspiration!

[phatfarmgirl]

WOW!
I am so impressed with your will power Elizabeth. You ARE a role model, whether you believe it or not! I am a nurse also, and know that you have extended your life tremendously. I do have a question though, how long has it taken you to do this? Do you have excess skin? One of my best nurse friends also lost 200 plus pounds, but she had alot of excess skin in her abdominal area. Her insurance paid for a tummy tuck (really just the removal of excess skin) They removed 40 pounds of skin from her stomach. I made sure I was her nurse post op, to give her the best of care. She looked wonderful. She also started at 400 plus pounds. My hat is off to all of you, I just hope I can maintain the will power to loose too.

[Ginny Piccolo]

Elisabeth, Today is the first time i have read your story....This is incredible. You are such a blessing to many of us. My starting weight was 180. It seemed like such a great big hairy deal.I know I still have a long way to go to get to my goal weight. I had never been so big as I was when I started on the forums. Making the decesion is the hardest part and then maintaining that decesion good days and bad. I am so very happy for you. Keep on keeping on with all those right decesions :D Love, Sheila

[SAMom]

WOW!!! WAY TO GO...STORY LIKE YOU INSPIRE ME!!! :)

[Blimp2Slim]

Congratulations Elisabeth. I couldn't help but to have a proud feeling of you just reading your post. I too am a nurse right now anyway. The highest weight that I have let myself get to was 278. That was enough for me. Because it was then that I started to feel the signs of obesity. I already had diabetes before all of the weight (up until about 5 years ago I would never go over 142). I now have a liver disease. And doctors have told me to get over the fact that I will never be the weight I used to be. However, I refuse to accept that. NO ONE is going to tell me what I can and can't do. I went on the body for life diet months ago, and to many of my doctors (I have a few specialists looking out for me) I lost 54 lbs. Unfortunately I let 15 of those pounds come back. So I just asked my doctor about starting me on this, and she agreed to give it a try. I am not going to let the obesity and other health issues run my life, I am going to run them!
Keep up the great work! Kudos to you :)

[Lanen]

I have so much respect for you and your accomplishments! I've just started Phen today and am realizing that I also must change my eating habits. I've been searching for recipes to make some healthy food be interesting and not boring or repetitive. It's really hard but stories like yours really helps to show that there is a light at the end of this tunnel!

[JadeAfton]

Elisabeth, You are A Hero!! Losing weight is the hardest thing many of us will ever try to do and anyone who can stay focused and determined gets a REAL reward:: Being a healthier person with a beautiful new figure!
Now that you are carrying half the weight you used to have to, I bet you have a new appreciation for life!
You are a very special person and not just because you have lost weight. You are giving enough to share your story and maybe motivate someone else to change their eating habits too. That's why you are a hero!!

[phengirl75]

Elisabeth!!!
WOW your story is excellent! You tell it with such passion too.. have you thought of writing a book? .. honestly I think you would do fabulous! You have lost more than most people. I can't imagine how great you must feel. I love how you said you never want to forget what it felt like because you never want to go back there. You have changed your ways and look how far it's taken you. I hope I can do the same thing!

[lilprincess22]

oh my goodness,I am speechless,I want to say congrats for your success...

[trimmer]

You ROCK. I'd be shouting my joy from the mountain tops- How remarkable.

How are you doing with your potassium issue? Sounds like you could beat anything.

I agree- I truly admir people who see that they have a problem and actually act upon it. it is so easy to be blind to these things.

Keep it up!

[jv2luvly]

Elizabeth,
Your story is so touching. You are a great inspiration. Thank you for sharing your success.

[Takingbackmylife]

Your the inspiration... WOW! I needed your story tonight! God bless you! I look forward to seeing more of your posts! http://www.newdawndesigns.com/linda/pspug/feb/lmhangel.gif Whoever is happy will make others happy, too ~ Anne Frank

[lessofme]

What a truly awe inspiring story Elisabeth!! :D You are amazing!!!!!

[megchrisl]

You are absolutely awesome, I am just starting, I have a lot to lose, but seeing your story makes me realize that I can do it! Way to go!

[=^=M1KaSSa=^=]

does elisabeth still come to the board? when was the last time any of you heard from her?

[downsouthgirl]

I CANT WAIT FOR THE DAY IM ABLE TO POST MY SUCCESS STORY. YOUR STORIES ARE SO MOTIVATING. I'M SO TIRED OF SEEING EVERYONE AROUND ME LOSING WEIGHT AND I STAYING THE SAME. IT'S MY TIME TO SHINE NOW!!!!!!!! :cool:

[MoniD]

I love it...

[MustangSally]

Elisabeth...you posted this some time ago...i just wanted to tell you if you are still reading this...you are my hero...that is an awesome success story...thank you...

[Mana]

I'm new, only joined today. I was reading through this forum looking for inspiration, and I found it. Thank you so much for sharing Elizabeth. Good luck with the rest of your weight loss.

[TxMomof3]

Hello everyone, just stopping in to introduce myself, hope to talk with you all soon, Txmom

[Yruc]

WoW awesome job! Pat yourself on the back a few times you deserve it! Keep up it up and off!

[pjzsnowangel]

Thats amazing! Congratulations!!! That is seriously something to be so proud of! Sometime you should post before and after pictures!
You are truly an inspiration *hugs*

[crissy_lynn]

You are such an inspiration! Truly amazing!

[PhenBling]

Wow what a story and I have tears in my eyes because you really tackled something amazing!! CONGRATULATIONS if you still read this forum.

Crissy, you're beautiful and once you take off the weight, you'll be gorgeous!!!
Good luck all!

[TivoFan]

What an amazing and wonderful story. Elisabeth, I completely understand what you mean about how the weight seems to 'creep' up on you. I swore to myself I would never weigh over 300 lbs, and yet I found myself at 313 at my highest. It's all too easy for it to just seem like 'another few pounds', the next thing you know the doctor is calling you morbidly obese. Good luck everyone! We can all do this!!!

[Heidijane06]

I am going to start taking phen tomorrow but I am worried about the side effects and also Ive been told its addictive what are your experiences?

[Shan1971]

What an awsome accomplishment!!! You are an inspiration to us all! Congratulations!

[CJTJ]

I am so proud of you!!! You have done great!!! Gosh I really am proud and I don't even know you lol! all I can say is you go girl!!!

[pink.water.lily]

WOOOWW Congratulations. IVE have never seen a person weigh in at 425 and loose the weight them self's they always do the lapband thing to loose it!! but you are incredible how you showed yourself how to eat right and then start medication!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[freels123]

Well what can I say that everyone else hasn't? Your story has touched me, inspired me, pushed me and everything else you can imagine. You are a true inspiration even if you don't look at yourself as one you are- sorry :) We are all just so pround of you!! Keep up the GREAT work and I look forward to reading another post when you hit the mark you are reaching for!!! Thanks so much for sharing your journey!!!