I'm still very far from where I want to be, but I'm fighting every day. There are ups and downs. I still feel like I'm dying sometimes. But I do feel stronger and more energetic. It scares me how sick I was and I never ever want to go back.

Stay healthy. Eat food. Live.

Peace

Lost all the weight originally from 2017-2022 650lbs down to 240lbs, then life appeared and set some challenges before me. New medication side effects caused me to gain the majority of the weight all again back up to 540lbs. Now I'm returning to my roots to lose it all again!

Stopped drinking in 2022. Years later, consistent time in the gym, and less consistent diet (but still trying). Very happy where I’m at today - but want to get leaner and push through the final bit of fat around my lower belly. It’s funny how the goalpost keeps changing. I would have killed to look like this 4 years ago, and it’s important to remind myself that it’s okay to be proud. Doesn’t mean I stop - but it’s so easy to lose sight of where I came from.

Here’s to a continued fitness journey!

Before (left) is Christmas time 2025, decided to lose* weight January 2025, and now (right) September 2026 trying on an outfit for a ren fair I’m going to!

The same shirt in both pics btw!!

My main change has been going into a calorie deficit :)

I still have a way to go before hitting my goals and also with coming to terms with placing a lesser emphasis on scale weight (thanks, diet culture!) but proud of the progress I’ve made and I’m starting to see some stomach definition which is something I thought would never happen for me.

Tracking calories and making my own dinners was the biggest help for me. Used to order/go out for food very often. Started with a challenge of making my own dinner for 30 days straight - in those thirty days, I learned new cooking techniques and was able to track calories as I made food. Tried to go for lean and high protein dinners, like chicken breast / veggies / cottage cheese etc.

Until I was well into my 40's I never really prioritized my health. I ate whatever I wanted, had a drinking problem and the only real physical activity I got was work. 3 years ago I decided to change my life around, for myself and for my kids. I went from 190lbs down to 150, at which time I decided to do a clean bulk and got up to 165 lbs lean but had a rough summer mentally and lost a lot of those gains. I'm getting back into it now and feeling great.

Also, I love this subreddit and love seeing all of your progress photos and posts and am cheering all of you on!! Let's do this thing!!

I always trim my beard to see progress straight in the face. Posting this to motivate myself to get under 199 for the first time I was 12 years old. Only 25lbs to go.

I gave birth 5 months ago and started my weight loss journey 4 months ago (gym + calorie deficit).

Still hope to lose few kilos but I feel sooo much better now than before!

my relationship ended in dec and i decided to simply start caring about my own happiness and wellbeing. crazy how simple it truly is. i also just started weightlifting 2 weeks ago and im having so much fun, even on the dark days i get myself to the gym, and i really never thought i could be one of those people :)

Its been a long journey, from a young man scared of the gym, to being comfortable there to loving it, then falling in love with long distance running and eventually becoming a trainer myself. Never ever would that kid expected this