In the process I came across an old negative of me and my brother at Disneyland, circa 2000 or so. And I have to admit that this is probably the most flabbergasted I’ve been about an old picture of me since my weight loss. At any rate, here it is and note that it was fuzzy to begin with:

Yeah, so um…I looked like a cartoon character that was run over by a steamroller or something. I was that big, people.

Now here I am last weekend at a birthday party for one of The Kid’s friends (who were cropped out not because I’m being mean, but just to show me a bit closer for comparison purposes):

I’m using that first picture as a reminder to never, ever go back to that lifestyle.

Gotta go. The treadmill awaits me…

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Click to enlarge

<< BTW, this is NOT the best picture of me. My face looks…well, deformed or something.

This is a goodbye of sorts.

As you may well know, I started 200by40.com with the intent of tracking my weight loss progress as I tried to reach my goal of weighing 200 lbs. by my 40^th birthday.

Today is February 14^th, which is also happens to be my 40^th birthday and, as you may also know, I reached my goal of 200 lbs. on September 27, 2008—way ahead of schedule.

I have decided that, while I have derived great pleasure in blogging about everything having to do with [my] weight loss, it’s time to put things into perspective and temporarily walk away from the blog.

While this may not be the final post here, it may well be the last one for a long time as I will now concentrate on training for the Disneyland 5k—my first one ever—taking place this September. In between now and then I will do a few 5k walks and, should I have a camera with me, I will post pictures of the events. And don’t worry—all posts will remain intact as will the domain, meaning anything you may have bookmarked will still be in the same place.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone who left comments, e-mailed me, or simply came by to visit (except for you spammers who try and get past Askimet’s death grip–you’re fools for trying!). I do find it a bit humbling and amazing that a normal guy like me would inspire many, many people to get motivated into losing weight. What started out as a simple goal turned out to be something life changing to those who recognized that it’s entirely possible to lose weight if they put their minds to it.

Before I sign off here, I would like to wish all of you good luck with your weight loss program. Regular visitors know that it wasn’t uncommon for me to say things like “You can do it!” or “Never give up!” in my posts. What many don’t realize is that those weren’t just words; I meant them from the bottom of my heart. If I can do this, I have no doubt that anybody can.

Why? Unlike those trying to push diet pills, I’ve been there. I can relate to and understand the struggles of weight loss and being overweight. I know what it’s like to wear size 48 pants, run out of breath when playing with my son, have clothes get smaller and smaller, be ridiculed about my size, be stared at when going to fast food joints, barely fit into the seats on the train, look in the mirror and not like what I see, be intimidated when entering a gym.

But I chose to change all that. I challenged myself to get busy and change my lifestyle and here it is, my 40^th birthday and I weigh 197 lbs. I went from a sloth to someone who is going to run in a 5k. Think you can’t lose weight? I beg to differ. (By the way, at today’s weight I have finally reached the golden 100 lbs. lost level.)

While I could go on forever, I want to share with everybody some things I learned about weight loss since starting this blog. In no particular order, here is that list.

• It’s not easy to lose weight, but it is possible.
• Effective weight loss takes time.
• Diets don’t work, only a change in lifestyle does.
• Keeping it off is just as hard as losing it.
• Reward yourself when you have reached milestones or personal goals.
• Don’t let anything or anybody stop you.
• You control the food, it does not control you.
• Eat less, move more.
• Know your BMR and understand how it works.
• Take pictures of your progress. You won’t regret it.
• Nobody is going to lose the weight for you.
• Don’t be lazy. Stay as busy as possible.
• Everything in moderation, especially treats and sweets.
• You will have “those days”, so don’t let them get you down.
• Regret nothing and make no excuses. If you fall off the horse, brush yourself off and get back on it.
• Stay focused and never lose sight of your goal.
• Find your motivation: a weight goal, your family, etc.
• Don’t resort to pills, diet drinks or other so-called weight loss products, gastic bands or other forms of surgery for weight loss. This is your time to shine, and you can do it because you’re better than all those things.
• Think of everyday tasks (laundry, yard work, etc.) as ways of burning calories, not chores.
• Educate yourself on [proper] nutrition and know what you are putting into your body, your temple. It’s the only one you’ll ever have.
• Don’t push yourself. Know when your body has had enough and needs to rest.
• There are no shortcuts to losing weight—it’s all or nothing, so find that “on” switch and never look back.
• Resist temptation, and finally…
• NEVER GIVE UP

I really mean the last one. Not once during my entire program did I ever stop and tell myself, “You can’t do this.” It was at those times when I got mad and worked even harder. Not once did I doubt myself–I simply refused to give up, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. (In fact, I may consider having the phrase tattooed on my arm somewhere as a reminder of what it took to get where I am today.)

And remember that before starting any weight loss plan, please consult your physician. It only makes sense.

By the way, I found the hamburger I will be eating on my birthday as I promised myself I would. It will not be from the place previously mentioned but instead I will go to Carl’s Jr. for a new item called The Big Carl and oh, it’s a beauty. I almost started drooling when I saw it the other day (when I ordered my usual Charbroiled BBQ Chicken sandwich, by the way–360 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g fiber).

Having practically abstained from eating hamburgers for almost 3 years, I’m not concerend with calories, fat, or anything else I usually take into consideration when eating. I think you’d agree that after losing 100 lbs. the right way, with no pills, no surgeries, no excuses and no regrets, it will be something I truly deserve.

At the top of this post you will find a picture of me, finally posing in my size 48 Fat Guy Pants. Guys and gals, I used to fit in those–seriously. I only kept them as a reminder of where I was and where I am now. I will never fit into them again!

Goodnight, and thanks for everything. Stay focused and never give up–NEVER.

Your friend,
Dave

Oh, and “(weightlossstory485939@gmail.com)” from “(weightlossstory485939@gmail.com)’s Weight Loss Story”? Please stop trying to spam my blog. Your site is a fake, losing that much weight is unhealthy, and you’re just an annoyance now. You’ve been blacklisted and all of your comments will be filtered as spam, and I don’t advertise any “weight loss” products such as yours here. So post real before and after pictures of youself, allow comments on your “blog” and then we’ll talk.

I also moderate all comments so please quit wasting your time. Thank you.

Food. Since reaching my goal last Saturday, things have been going fantastic. In fact, today is the first day I didn’t use my Weight Watchers Points Excel chart since I created the thing. I’ve decided to stop using it since after over two years, I pretty much know how many Points are in everything I eat, or I just simply avoid the things I know I shouldn’t be eating. I’m keeping my snacking to a minimum and whenever I feel the urge to munch on something, I grab a bottle of water instead or have one cookie rather than a handful.

Weight. My weight has been right around 199.8 lbs. and 201 lbs. and that’s just fine with me. I may have gone as high as 202 lbs. but as long as I don’t drift any higher than that I think I’ll be fine. As previously stated, I plan on getting down to 190 lbs. or so that I have some wiggle room between that and my original goal of 200 lbs. but for now, I’m happy being able to maintain my goal weight.

Exercise. Aside from some walking and running around I did with the kid at Disneyland, my exercise routine has been put aside since reaching my goal. My Wii Fit may start missing me No, I’m not getting lazy; I’m simply enjoying my achievement and being able to finally take it easy at night after putting Anthony to bed. And because I took Friday and Monday off from work, I haven’t walked my daily 1.5 miles during lunch. That will change tomorrow when I return.

It seems as though my years of food discipline have truly paid off as I find myself not wanting a lot of the foods I used to eat or eating much less of them. For example, we had Little Caesar’s today for lunch and I had only two slices. That’s it–two slices versus the usual 3 or 4 I would have eating when I was nearly 300 lbs.

And for what it’s worth, here’s a progress picture of me taken at Disneyland the day I reached my goal:

Finally: 199.9 lbs. Click to enlarge.

It may not show the best example of my weight loss but hey, at least it was taken on the day of victory.

In addition to all of this, I’ve decided to abandon the Weekly Weigh-Ins simply because there wouldn’t be much to report if I keep maintaining my weight. I’ll definitely keep watching my weight and will report as needed but for now, they are history.

Once again, thanks to all who have been checking in on things. I am still in the process of getting my products Thank You List together so watch for that soon.

See ya, and hang in there!

Hey, here’s this month’s progress photo taken today, September 6, 2008:

At the time of the photo I was about 205 lbs. I may have a different (and better) one tomorrow as we will be touring a Navy ship and having plenty of other photo ops, so don’t be surprised if it changes.

On those days when I feel like I haven’t accomplished much on this weight loss journey, and there are plenty, one look at my first progress photo sort of puts things into perspective:

I was 249 lbs. at the time that image was taken on March 29, 2008. Yeah, there’s a little difference, isn’t there?

Stay focused, all. You can do it!

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Alright, I know it’s been a while since my last progress photo was posted.

Well, here’s the latest one. And this time I didn’t take it myself (thanks, Ann)!

I cropped myself off at the feet since I had been working in the backyard at the time and they were a bit dirty. Also, I admit to Photoshopping some flea bites from my legs. I had quite a few.

The rest of the collection, along with dates and weight, can be seen here. And that shirt I’m wearing? That’s one of those nifty SoBe shirts I won back in February. They are XL and they are fitting rather big. Considering they were skin-tight when I first got them, I’d say I’ve made some progress

Have a great weekend, all. Stay focused and stay busy!

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Some curious Web surfer searched for “big john’s beans and fixin’s” and came across ye olde blog. And I cripes, have to admit I’m quite embarrassed.

Check out this image from June 2005 (and ignore my old URL):

BLAAAARRGH! I ATE THE PROM!!

Ahem. I’m pleased to say that’s nowhere near I am today as is evident by this photo, even though it was taken about 5 lbs. ago:

My sincerest apologies to those who may have found the first image offensive. Meh, I’m sure the second one is too, so I’m sorry for that one as well.

And I promise an updated progress photo is coming soon. In fact, I’ll even hold up a pair of my Fat Guy Pants for comparison purposes!

(Note: I just checked my previous entry. I really need to stop saying that and just make with the picture already, huh?)

This entry is a SimulPost and can also be seen at HolographicMeatloaf

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Keep in mind that this is in addition to everything else I do: eating right, walking, etc. That long stretch downward was the week I was sick; the sudden spike afterwards was Father’s Day when I obviously felt good enough to eat plenty. The red dot is a note: “I ate too much.”

Also know that the Wii Fit scale seems a bit off at times, nowhere near what my bathroom scale reads.

A nice investment so far. Now if I can only get my employer to reimburse me for it…

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This entry is a SimulPost and can also be seen at HolographicMeatloaf

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But if you can’t wait, here you go (click to enlarge):

That’s a Depeche Mode t-shirt from their 1988 Rose Bowl show, which I attended. I haven’t worn that shirt since…God knows when, so this makes me very happy…which could explain the huge smile on my face