Progress Photos

Seriously, what good is a blog about weight loss without progress pictures? Words are good and graphs and charts are really pretty, but they don’t tell the real story.

You need to see results, right?

Well, here are mine with pictures starting in 2002. More will be posted as needed. Note, however, there will be none of me shirtless. Trust me–you don’t want that.

2002: Here I am in Las Vegas posing with a gorilla. Take note how the snazzy Pendleton-style shirt attempts to hide my rolls. Sorry for the crappy quality of the image; it was taken with an old Sony Mavica (floppy disk) camera.

2003: In Las Vegas again, only this time eating a deep-fried Twinkie. Are they good? Oh yes, they are very good.

2004: Me at my blobbiest point and perhaps most embarrassing level at the L.A. Auto Show. That’s my wife Ann on my right and our friend Beverly on my left.

2005: Another trip to Las Vegas. Here’s me pointing to the World’s Largest Thermometer in Baker, CA. I would begin to change my eating habits soon afterwards. And as you can plainly see here, hats and sunglasses are a normal part of my wardrobe.

2006: The weight loss becomes more evident in this photo, taken at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, CA. I was in the tornado simulator which eventually blew my hat off.

2007: Nearly a year later, the weight is still off. That’s our son trying to squeeze some water from underneath the surfboard at Disney’s California Adventure.

2008: Down to size 42 pants and an XL, not XXL, shirt. Taken at Mattel in El Segundo, CA with Princess Barbie. And look, Ma! No hat! (I was at work.)

See, it is possible to lose it and keep it off!

Recent Photos

Mouseover for date and weight; click to embiggen.

Finally: 199.9 lbs. on September 27, 2008

February 14, 2009: 40th birthday and 100 lbs. lost

September 27, 2009: Weight is 193 lbs. one year after meeting my goal.

October 17, 2010: 200 lbs. and at the finish line of the 26.2-mile Long Beach Bike Tour.

November 14, 2010: With my son Anthony at my first 5k. Time: 37:11.

August 27, 2011: Wet-N-Wild 5k. Time: 42:29

October 9, 2011: Long Beach Marathon Bike Tour. Time: 1:42:43

Del Mar Mud Run 5k, October 15, 2011. Time: 46:47.5

Pictures from the events will be posted as they happen

12 Comments »

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You, sir, are an inspiration!

Mmmm…deep fried Twinkie!

Comment by Kimberly— 2008/05/13 #

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Thanks! I’m trying my best to stick with the program and I’m happy so far.

And deep-fried Twinkies? Good Lord, you have no idea

Comment by Dave— 2008/05/13 #

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Hey Dave, disregard the e-mail I sent. Now I see…You continued your journey HERE. =) You look great!!!
I’ve been married just shy of 1 year (new year’s eve anniversary) and I put on 10-15 pounds!
I was always told that happily married couples gain a good 15. But, i didn’t believe it! Weight has never really been an issue for me growing up. Always 5’4 around 130 pounds. My body literally transformed 3 months after being married! My husband has always been thin and he also has put on some pounds-but he doesn’t care.

This past 8 months I have been working my booty off and watching what I eat. In October I kicked it into high gear, meeting with a personal trainer for a couple sessions she put some great workouts together for me but, it hasn’t helped- I actually gained 2 more pounds. I just want my jeans to fit again! =) Reading your stories remind me to keep at it. Off to the gym-another 3 mile run….
Enjoy your Thanksgiving and don’t eat too much Turkey-just think of the sandwiches later that week! =)

Hi Andrea, and thanks for stopping by and for the e-mail! Once again, I’m more than happy that my blog has inspired somebody to get things cooking to try and lose the weight that I know they can. And as I’ve said before, I’m just some guy with a blog that stopped eating crap for a living. It takes a mountain of strength, confidence and will power to get where you want to be. You can’t let anything or anybody stand in your way–I didn’t!

I’ve heard about the married couple thing. We both definitely gained after 15 years of wedded bliss. Heck, that can happen even after 15 years in general. But tack on a kid and things really get interesting!

Glad you stopped by. And I apologize for not posting recently but, well, I haven’t had a lot to say once meeting my goal! I may have something to write tonight so be sure to check back or better yet, subscribe via Google Reader to know when the latest entry goes live.

Thanks again! And Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. Eeating turkey will be fine; just remember to eat it in moderation and not overdo it. Just stay away from all those pies!

Comment by Andrea— 2008/11/24 #

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Love all the photos. I think the first one I saw was the July 08, and you were commenting on the “real shirt“. Photos say it all. I’ve heard of deep fried Snickers. If I could find a way to split one with ten people I would give it a try =)

Photos also tell the truth. Not only to the readers but to myself. There’s no denial allowed when it’s right in front of me.

Thanks. And ain’t that the truth: seeing real people with real results is the best motivation, I think.

I’ve never tried the Snickers. Even when I did eat that stuff they still looked like freaks of nature! Doubt I’ll ever give one a shot!

Comment by Fitness Surfer— 2009/01/09 #

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Way to go, man! Just heard about you on Fat2Fit. I am trying to lose 50 in a year, and am down about 5 or 6 after a couple months.

Comment by Doug— 2009/05/04 #

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- Thanks, Doug, for stopping by and telling me about the podcast! I’ve fallen a bit behind on them as I’ve been busy looking for a job–I was laid off over a month ago–and doing other things.
  
  Your goal is definitely reasonable. Just remember to stay focused and never lose sight of your goal. You will get there, believe me
  
  Comment by Dave— 2009/05/04 #
  
  Reply
Hey, I just heard your story on Fat 2 Fit Radio and was curious too see your progress pictures. Its nice too see someone who lost weight the right way (lifestyle change) instead of the typical calorie-restrictive diet. Good on you!

Comment by Kathlene— 2009/06/29 #

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- Thanks, Kathlene! That was part of the reason I did the blog in the first place, and I’m glad people are seeing that it’s possible with some determination and a lot of hard work. There are not shortcuts; you have to WORK to lose the weight!
  
  Comment by Dave— 2009/06/29 #
  
  Reply
wow! congrats on your transformation! you have achieved so much. way to go!!!

Comment by dragonfly180— 2009/08/23 #

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- Thank you, thank you, thank you I’m still not at 190 but hey, I’m extremely proud of what I’ve done so far!
  
  Comment by Dave— 2009/08/23 #
  
  Reply
amazing. what a fantastic job losing and keeping off the weight you’ve done!

Comment by monica— 2010/08/23 #

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- Hey, thanks I may have gained a few back but I’m still doing okay!
  
  Comment by Dave— 2010/08/23 #
  
  Reply