I am sharing how weight loss is changing me (M53). I hope it gives inspiration to others here that losing weight is worth it. Your journey, your approach, and your results will be different, but I am sure there are common themes. I purposely chose not to use a pill or any magical formula - other than to change my food intake and to increase my exercise. To me, that is the perfect formula.

What I hope you'll notice is that weight loss is so much more than the way your body looks...so much more is happening inside than you may realize.

Weight Stats:

• SW: 225
• CW: 170
• GW: 150

Approach:

• Elimination or drastic reduction of bad foods (burgers, pizza, donuts, sodas, candy, processed foods, etc.) which comprised 75% of my intake.
• Replaced with much more fruits, veggies, grains, clean eating, cooking at home.
• Stopped eating out so much - maybe once per week instead of twice daily.
• Improved portion control - one plate of food, one helping.
• Returned to my favorite exercises of cycling, running, and hiking.
• Significant increase in water intake (100 ounces per day).

I choose not to use the term 'diet' but rather an 'eating lifestyle change'.

Body/General Health

• Improved breathing (I do not run out of breath climbing stairs)
• Reduced snoring (I do not wake the neighbors anymore)
• Reduced inflammation
• Reduced joint pain (especially on the knees)
• Improved metabolism
• Improved blood pressure (no longer consistently in hypertensive crisis)
• Deeper sleep
• Pants/shorts keep falling down - I had my shorts fall down in a recent hike.
• I can get into and out of my car easier
• Migraines have essentially disappeared

Mental health

• Improved mental acuity
• Improved self-esteem
• Depression is going away

Diet/Foods/Reactions

• Elimination of acid reflux / heartburn
• Certain foods not seem gross and horrible
• Reduction of dumping syndrome

Exercise

• I can walk, non-stop, 20 miles in under 10 hours
• I can run 5 miles now, non-stop, in under 50 minutes
• I can bicycle 100 miles in under 8 hours.
• I climbed a 14,000 foot mountain just two weeks ago (Mt Elbert)

Of course, I had to work my way up to theses distances/times, but have been training since January. And, these are activities I used to do consistently before the weight piled on.

Remember, this is what has worked for me and my results. What works for me may not work for you as we are all unique people.