8 months ago today 2/16/16, I weighed 391 pounds.

[MarianJack]

As of this morning, I'm down to 303 pounds. I want to drop about another 30, which is about 30% of my starting weight.

Why? Because at 61 years old, I've been married Tony wonderful wife for a mere 18 years. I've been the father of my son for a mere 16 years. By any standard that I have, that isn't nearly enough time with either of them. I want to be an old geezer with my wife. I want to be a grandfather with her, too. There are MANY things that I (and we) want to do in my remaining years. None of these things is compatible with. Committing suicide with a fork!

How am I doing this? Eating better and getting some more exercise. No fad diets, gastric bypass or stomach stapling or other surgical intervention. A good deal of stubbornness and determination helps, too! In a few days I expect to be out of the 300s and once there I'm determined to never go back in again.

This is something I rarely say, but I'm proud of myself, but I'll be prouder when I get to where I'm determined to be!

Thanks for reading, and as always...

PEACE!

[Yavin4]

1. Great for you! Congrats!

Keep up the good work! You're an inspiration to us all.

[LonePirate]

7. Wow! That is very impressive. You have every reason to be proud!

[femmocrat]

8. Congratulations!

That is a great accomplishment.

[Generic Brad]

9. Very happy for you

I was on a similar journey myself two years ago, so I can relate. The nice thing is that no matter how old we are, we can improve and physically change ourselves for the better. You are an inspiration and I wish you continued success!

[irisblue]

13. good for you!

[Cryptoad]

15. I understand ur struggle

I get u and wrestle that same monkey every morning!

[sinkingfeeling]

16. I'm proud of You! How wonderful. Keep on till you reach your goal.

[Stonepounder]

18. Congrats!

The last day on the job I weighed 320 lbs. Today I have been around 220-225 for the last 6 years. Somehow I suspect that the stress of the job might have had something to do with it.

I also feel a whole lot better and I would guess you do to.

[ailsagirl]

19. That's fantastic!!!

I know (from personal experience) that losing weight isn't the easiest thing, but it wounds like you're well
on your way!!

Congratulations!!

[yardwork]

20. Congratulations!

[Bob Loblaw]

22. Way to go MarianJack

I'm 56 with an 11 year old child, have recently lost 40 lbs for the same reasons as you using the same methods and earlier today completed my first 10k in 38 years. I walked about half of it but I finished. You got this.

[montana_hazeleyes]

23. Congratulations!

And that's great the way you are doing it.

How about this.... I have some weight I really need to lose and your post will be my inspiration to get to it now!

[calimary]

24. That's terrific, MarianJack!

Excellent work!

[mountain grammy]

25. Good for you! I've been fighting the battle for a lifetime.

You will feel better.. I got a treadmill. 15 minutes in the morning, 15 in the evening. Best thing I ever did. Finally got below 200, now down to 170 and feeling great. Good luck, MarianJack, I'm sure your wife and son will be glad to have you around for a long time.

[hamsterjill]

26. Major congrats!

Nothing is more satisfying that reaching a hard-fought goal. Good for you! You're attitude is that of a winner!

[mnhtnbb]

27. Congrats to you!

Losing weight is a real challenge. Changing your approach to food/nutrition is tough. Good for you on your loss so far and sending you
strength to take it as far as you want to go!

[eggplant]

28. Thanks, Obama!

I'm happy that you are succeeding in your goals.

[nankerphelge]

29. Congratulations!!!

I know how hard it is to lose weight - that's a great accomplishment!

[NBachers]

30. OK, so this is one voter we can count on for a long, long time. Good for you!

[shenmue]

31. Good news

[LisaM]

32. Great!

I am happy to hear this.

[longship]

33. Way to go!

[Initech]

34. I'm about 7 pounds into my weight loss.

Weight loss is not easy believe me. 91 lbs? That's awesome!

[fierywoman]

35. Bravo! You rock! AND you inspire! "perseverance furthers."

[GeoWilliam750]

36. Excellent result

And keep up the good work

[dae]

37. Congratulations, that is very very impressive!

I am now 64 and 3 years ago I was up to 396-8 lbs, when I had to buy a pair of 60" waist pants and had had enough. Two weeks ago I weighed in at 298 wearing 48" waist pants, my next goal is 250. I lost the first 60 by giving up all sodas (diet and regular), white bread, and sweets.
Best of luck on your quest, you are doing superb, no doubt you will attain your goal!

[irisblue]

70. good for you dae!

[dae]

76. Thank you very much.

[radical noodle]

38. How wonderful!

There isn't much that's more difficult than changing one's eating habits. Congratulations!

[nolabear]

39. Day by day, MarianJack. You can do it.

[Flaxbee]

40. That's wonderful, MarianJack. I know it must be

hard work to break old, ingrained habits, but you and your family will be sooo thankful for your efforts!

Great job, keep going, and let us know how it's going!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

41. Salute!

.

[fleabiscuit]

42. Most excellent. I know how it takes determination and work.

[SunSeeker]

43. You inspire me Marianjack!

[kag]

44. Soooooooo proud of you!!!!!!

No matter what happens from here on out, you have done an amazing thing! Congratulations! Savor the moment! And good luck in the future, whatever it may bring!

You soooooo rock!

[Granny M]

45. Well done, MarianJack.

It's a lifelong struggle for me, and many others. Thanks for the inspiration.

[MADem]

46. Wow--what an impressive accomplishment! You SHOULD be proud of yourself!

What kind of exercise do you do? Do you do it yourself at home/around your neighborhood, or do you go to a gym? Or swim at the Y or other pool?

[colorado_ufo]

47. Fantastic!

[anniebelle]

48. Congratulations!

Good luck in your continuing struggle. As someone with an addictive personality, I understand what it is to overcome a life-threatening habit. Mine was alcohol, trying to self-medicate when I lost my young son. It's still a every day struggle and it's been 34 years since my last drink, but I don't let myself get lulled into complacency. I know your family will be SO proud of you sticking with your goal and you should be too.

[ReRe]

50. You go, MarianJack!

I am so proud of you. Keep doing what you've been doing since Feb, and be sure to give a progress report in 8 months. Exercise, exercise, exercise!

[Ms. Toad]

52. Congrats! I'm in a similar situation - for slightly different reasons.

At 60, I'm a year into my journey - motivated by a dual diagnosis of diabetes and hypothyroidism last October. I'm down 74 lbs - and have hit my goal weight - a 37% loss from where I started. (Along the way I had to pause for 3 months while I was being treated for breast cancer - and, unfortunately, I am headed for biopsy of a second tumor this morning.)

But I feel better than I have in years, and am just back fro a week of diving with my wife of 35 years, and am listening to our daughter rustle around in the kitchen as she gets ready to head off to school - something she has been unable to do for health reasons of her own for several years. Definitely looking forward to many more years. (I corrected my oncologist when she suggested I might live another 30 - and told her that I fully expect to live another 40.)

Feels great, doesn't it!!

[kairos12]

53. Way to go. Proud of you.

[40RatRod]

54. Congrats!

Keep up the good work. It will add years to your life.

[Fla Dem]

56. You go girl! Amazing accomplishment!

[tavernier]

57. Yahoo!!

I've recently lost several pant sizes simply by having my last bite of food at 5 pm. Up to then I eat what I please, careful to incorporate plenty of fruits and veggies as well. (I do have a cup of herbal tea or chicken broth around 8)

Proud of you!

[ghostsinthemachine]

58. Great. Congrats.

I did a similar thing. 2 years ago 320 or so now 230, with a goal of 210, which was my weight in high school. I go to the gym, work on cardio and watch my food intake. I still eat bad food, just not as much. My diabetes is almost non existent and should be completely gone by the time I get to my ideal weight.

I know how difficult it is to make the commitment. Congrats to you, keep on, the changes you've made will keep you on the right path.

[Lifelong Protester]

59. Congrats for your success so far

and continued hope for future success!

[Cooley Hurd]

60. Awesome!!! And inspirational!!!

Congratulations!!!!

[Wheezy]

61. Well done!

I'm proud of you too!

[etherealtruth]

62. Wonderful ... You should be very proud, this has had to take a lot of effort and commitment

[SpankMe]

63. Great job!

They say that food is one of the most powerful addictions we can suffer from. I know, because I lost 50 LBS in the 2011 timeframe. Like you, I did it through brute-force non-eating. No fad diets, as you said, no meds or procedures. Just plain old calorie counting. It was hard and continues to be hard. Staying not-fat is a lifelong effort.

The two most immediate improvements for me were, 1. My blood work (ALL of it) fell into spec. (My triglycerides went from 217 to 94.); and, 2. Clothes fit a whole lot better.

Although I exercise regularly (mostly weightlifting / resistance training) people need to know that diet is 90% of weight loss. You can't simply hit the gym 5 days a week with no changes to your diet and expect to lose weight.

Keep up the good work. You DESERVE to be proud of yourself. I say this because I know how hard it is.

[TeamPooka]

64. Congrats! Keep up the good work toward better health.

[benld74]

65. GR8! Job. GEt your goal

[Angry Dragon]

68. good luck

[Moostache]

69. Good luck and best hopes for your progress...n/t

[southerncrone]

71. An admirable accomplishment! Keep on truckin'!

[WinkyDink]

72. You are a true role model. I have not your will-power.

[emmadoggy]

74. Congratulations!!

Keep up the great work! You sound determined and resolved and that's what it takes.

How do I know? I lost 114 pounds a couple years ago. I've floundered a bit the past year and still haven't reached my goal, but I am SO much healthier and stronger than I was a few years ago! I feel years younger and have so much more strength and stamina. I'm still fighting and struggling to keep at it - it's a constant battle - but I'm not giving up. The way I eat now is the way I will have to eat for the rest of my life if I want to maintain this - which I do.

You have succeeded at something that is monumentally difficult and you deserve to be proud!! I wish you all the best!

[Stellar]

78. You have given me the incentive to do better.

and I want to loose another 23 lbs for my ideal weight. Thank you!

[blondie58]

83. I am proud of you too!

That is just awesome.

[MFM008]

84. You are strong

Stronger than i. I'll be 58 in a few days still have 150 to lose. I was never overweight before I started taking psychiatric drugs. I stayed stable until my dad died in 2000. Then boom.
Anyway I'll have the bypass on October 28.
Then another journey begins.
Good luck on your journey!