What’s Next?
This Former Fat Kid can’t drop the moniker just yet. I still want to drop another 30-35 lbs. But my emphasis moving forward will not be the weight. I want to drop my %BF to betwween 8%-10%. Of course, weight loss will come as a consequence of that, but will not be my primary focus at this point. Now it’s about finally getting back into the gym, getting out and being more active, and continuing to make smart, healthy choices. It’s all well and good while I am in the zone and still losing the weight. The real test will come when I’ve reached my goal and am able to stay there. Check back with me in a year.
Next: Resources and Thank You’s
Read the rest of my story at:
- Introduction: How I Lost 100 lbs Without Surgery or Exercise
- Mental and Emotional Prep: Face the Root Cause
- Tools: You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure
- Quick Start and Morale Boost
- Nutrition: How I Ate 100 lbs Away
- Detour: A Geek’s Explanation (A Hypothesis, Anyway)
- Exercise (Or Lack Thereof)
- Supplements: All Natural, Baby
- Other Helpful Tips
- What’s Next?
- Resources and Thank You’s
September 12, 2012 @ 01:08
ThankYou!! This has really inspired me to get back to the 4HB concept that I had started and then let slip away. Your personal testimony truly is a lesson that change can happen, if we believe in ourselves. Congratulations and I feel so lucky to have read your blog!
September 28, 2012 @ 18:58
Well written. Thanks for doing such a good job. I’ll definitely check again to see what’s new and inform my neighbors about your posting
October 31, 2012 @ 00:04
I’m afraid you’ll never actually respond to this but I want to throw it out there. As someone who personally lost 100 lbs over a course of 2 years, I have loose skin. It’s not as bad as some that I’ve seen but there is no way I can afford to be vain enough to remove it through surgery!
I started a dry skin brushing protocol and kept it up for two months, but sadly noticed no change to the loose skin. There is some fading of my stretch marks but those are secondary to the fact that I weigh only 160 lbs, and feel like I should look it!
Now packing muscle into this skin is a whole different kind of challenge and I am not sure I’m ready for it. I’m lifting heavy weights, but my job is also very physical. I’ll lift after work Friday and still be groaning about my legs and arms Monday. Not to mention the expense of protein supplements! 1.5 times your body weight isn’t easy to consume on my pay, and 2 times your body weight is preferable?!
I could stomach (pun intended) the slow rate of muscle gain if I could just have some assurance as to tightening up this skin. If you find anyway to help, please send me a line.
October 31, 2012 @ 02:03
Of course I’ll respond! I think about the resulting loose skin often but as you say that’s secondary to knowing that I’m so much healthier. I understand, looking in the mirror and seeing all that excess skin can feel like it’s taking away from your accomplishment. I know I get frustrated. I just remind myself how big a victory it’s been getting healthy. I know it’s a very personal thing, how you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror, but honestly, my hangups about it are far more inflated than anything coming from anyone lucky (unlucky? lol) enough to see me in all my naked glory 😉 If anything, the ensuing pillow talk reassures me it’s more my deal than it is hers.
That being said…
The whole idea of surgery to remove the loose skin is not just a vanity concern…any surgery has risk, it’s expensive (and it being elective cosmetic, insurance will not cover it; think like $20,000-$30,000) and I’ve heard that it can be several long months to recover. My docs have told me that I’m young enough and my skin is healthy enough that it should go back on its own…but it will take a while (could be more than a year). My understanding is that there really isn’t a way to get rid of all of the stretch marks but some friends have recommended StriVectin (your results might vary). To all the beautiful moms out there, they also suggest some of the products they use while preggers (cocoa and shea butter, Bio Oil). One thing my docs have said is a good sign my skin will go back on its own is that I drink a lot of water. A looot of water. Like 3-4 liters a day. How much you drink will be highly dependent on your weight and how well you replenish the vitamins and nutrients all that drinking will deplete. If my face is any indication–it doesn’t have the loose skin problem–I’m hoping that bodes well for the rest of my body.
Take tips from Tim’s sections on gaining lean muscle, it might help you bulk up. I’ve noticed my skin tightening up in some of the problem areas (the worst is still the gut area). As to the cost…some friends who are very into working out are quite happy with the cost-to-benefit ratio of the whey protein they get from Costco. I personally use Syntha-6 and IsoPure but they are very pricey. A friend mentioned taking a look at microcurrent body toning but I am very uninformed about the risks and benefits so it will be something I will review with my docs before I consider it. I will certainly post to this site if I find anything that helps. As always, I have become quite fanatical about documenting everything so I should have some good data to share. In the meantime, I’d suggest three things: drink lots of water, try Tim’s book on bulking up and try whey protein within your price range. Have patience, everyone I know who has lost the kind of weight we did eventually had their loose skin disappear (but it can take more than a year). Check in with me and we’ll keep each other in high spirits while we fight the loose skin!
October 31, 2012 @ 02:39
Incredibly positive message, thank you sir and congratulations on your progress. There are so many fads out there, like body wrapping and skin detoxification that sound good but in the end my doubt warns me not to try them.
It’s awesome that you used Syntha 6. When evaluating a protein supplement I came to the conclusion that it was the premium. If I could afford it I would have went with that. I’m using a bodylogix from Meijers as it’s a bit cheaper, but I will be nagging friends with Costco memberships tomorrow.
I’ll remember what you said about the water and I think that a big thing that would help me is to get a body fat measurement tool. I lost the weight using only the scale and good judgement, losing the first 60 pounds before I discovered 4HB. I had hit a plateau but the book and my job helped hurdle me over it and down to the thinnest weight I can remember since 14 years old. The scale is a deceptive thing as we both know, even more deceptive when the former fat kid wants to grow into the muscle beast.
October 31, 2012 @ 02:56
You may already be getting the best deal there with bodylogix. Costco carries EAS, I think, which will be comparable in price. Might be a difference in taste preference for you though. Give it a shot. Don’t forget to take a look at protein-dense (and relatively cheap) foods like: eggs, beans and lentils.
October 31, 2012 @ 01:23
Thank you so much! I’ve been reading the weight loss part of 4HB also. I need to find the “root cause” to face it. It was nice hearing from someone outside of the book who has had success with it! Good luck in your future endeavors.
October 31, 2012 @ 02:09
Stick with it, Beth. You are courageous for taking these first steps to make a healthy change. It takes courage to be introspective like you are trying to be. I owned up to my root cause after personal reflection but for some it’s helpful to talk to someone you trust. A close friend or family member. Or perhaps a person of faith or a professional. There is no shame in asking for help. In fact, others may see more easily that which we’re blind to. Keep on it! Like I said, it took me many, many years of trying and denial before I could own up to it. But, boy, when that breakthrough happens it lifts such a weight off and you’ll see, it will fuel you along your journey. Thanks for sharing.
April 16, 2015 @ 02:12
Hey i know this is a few years later just wanted an update about your journey
April 16, 2015 @ 06:35
Thanks so much for asking! I’ve lost an additional 20 lbs since but still have about another 20 to go. Those last few pounds are really pesky and a lot harder to drop as my body gets closer to its healthier weight. I’ve taken it a bit easy in the years since, focusing on living with lifelong habits of healthy living and not by-the-book Slow Carb, though it remains my foundation. Lately, I’ve been focusing a lot on my cardio health. My resting heart rate is around 57/58. BP is textbook and I still get quarterly blood labs and the doc says now I’m just showing off 😉 But my Slow Carb journey isn’t over just yet. I still want to lose another 20 lbs but what I’m really gearing up to do next is focus on %BF. I have a new write-up I’m planning on doing after this next phase. I’ve certainly learned a lot of new things even since this article and I can’t wait to share those things with you guys. So be sure to come back!