A lesson in NEVER giving up -- 221 pounds gone and below 300 for first time in over 20 years.
Last edited Thu Dec 13, 2012, 04:44 AM - Edit history (1)
This morning was one of the happiest and emotionally draining which I've had the pleasure of experiencing in many years. My journey from the clutches of super-morbid obesity has just passed one of its most important milestones, in that for the first time since late '90 or early '91 I am carrying less than 300 pounds on my 6'3" frame.
This has been accomplished only with the help of diet. Few people escape major illness once they have topped the 500 pound mark, and sadly I'm the rule and not the exception. I won't get into excessive gory detail here, but among my more serious problems was (and continues to be though to a lesser extent) ulcerations of the legs and feet due to type 2 diabetes and venous insufficiency. Finding shoes to wear which aren't excruciatingly painful is very difficult, and so walking remains difficult for me, especially now that one of my knees is about to completely give out. It is a blessing -- in a perverse sort of way I guess -- that this knee managed to hold without locking and buckling until now, because having that problem on top of all the others would have rendered me totally immobile. As it is now I can't carry anything breakable or weighing more than a couple of pounds lest I drop it, because I have to have something to lean on at all times just to shuffle around; but most of my excess weight is now gone and that has to count for something!
I have Dr. John McDougall and his McDougall Plan, which is a plant-based diet of mostly complex starches, supplemented with veggies and fruits, to thank for this slow but prolonged weight loss. I truly believe I owe Dr. McDougall my very life at this point. There is just no way I could have progressed this far without such a low calorie density eating plan, but the best news of all is that after several years of eating this way my appetite has dropped considerably which then lends itself to more natural weight loss.
I'm still kind of drained and tired from the news on the scale this morning, so I'm going to stop for now. Any DUers with questions, feel free to ask!
= new reply since forum marked as read
I know how much better I feel with the 60 I lost - thanks for sharing your inspirational journey!
You're doing SO well and I bet you're feeling a lot better these days.
Good to see your updates!
aA
kesha
And because I didn't stay true to those good eating habits (17 Day Diet plan), I have to lose 40 of those lbs again. I just discovered this group within DU, have subscribed to it and will look forward to positive reinforcement as I (we all) continue this journey towards better health.
Systematic Chaos, you're doing great!!!
I haven't heard of the McDougall Plan, but will check it out.
Good luck on YOUR journey.
aA
kesha
Keep up the hard work, I know it isn't easy. I'm so proud of you. 
Congratulations on your fantastic achievement!
it's old history and not worth discussing 
It's good to see a new member.
Tell us a little bit about yourself if you would.
kesha,
your hostess with the ... well, the host hehe.
I hope you and J have a wonderful Christmas
kesha
Your chart looks a little familiar from the discussion boards there but it might just look similar to a couple others. I have noticed that McDougall is apparently liberal and many on the board are also. 
I think his way of eating is extremely sensible. I am still transitioning onto it (got a few non-plan items to finish up in my fridge).
Congratulations on your success, and hope it continues!
Thank you for visiting this thread and your supportive comments, first of all!
Long story which I haven't taken the time to type out in a huge, long post yet, but I got sick and was hospitalized for nearly 3 months.
Part of my problem was that I was severely dehydrated, and as soon as they started pumping fluids, saline and antibiotics into me my body just lost control and I began gaining 2-4 pounds of fluid weight per day and they could find nothing wrong with my heart. Even my blood pressure remained normal throughout the whole ordeal, which was a huge relief. Furthermore, the doctor I was assigned was a complete piece of shit and it took weeks of begging and finally outright angry yelling just to be put on a water pill. When the dust settled I had rocketed from 285 to 354 in only one month, and almost all of that fluid was in my legs. They looked like they were about to explode and I could barely walk. At the hospital I was eating my usual calorie intake and was very adamant about being fed a vegan diet. Trying to get any hospital staff in Vegas to comply with that 100% is just about hopeless, but I didn't back down from my principles and finally they got it to where I didn't have to send any trays back or anything.
Since I've come back home I am slowly but steadily losing weight again, and much of the fluid is gone, but clearly not all of it as I'm still in the 320s. But at least I have all the medications I presently need and all things considered I'm not doing that bad. I'm still eating my starch and veggies, and that's the most important thing.
I am sorry I've not been in touch but know that you are in my thoughts.
I know you'll get this water weight off and now that you're back on track the other pounds will drop too.
I didn't know you were in the hospital 
Take care of yourself.
kesha.