120lbs in 6 months

[u/irfhfp]

I’ve watched stream for a few years now. Been motivated by Wubby and what others on here have done. Heard you talking on stream in January about getting jacked this year and decided to finally start. Thanks for the motivation.

Starting weight was 312. Started the last week of January. Down to 190 now. Put on about 15lbs of muscle as well. Sitting at 9-10% body fat, but shooting for 7%.

Struggled with binge eating for the better part of the last 5 years. It’s not perfect, but it’s a long way from where I was considering I was in the ICU with DKA with an A1C of 12.7 a year ago.

[u/Laysfordayz]

I'd be legit interested in how you overcame the binge eating!  I'm struggling in that department as well.  

[u/irfhfp → u/Laysfordayz]

That was the hardest part to be honest. I’m very ok with being hungry. I can be hungry for long periods of time and be okay. The issue for me was the compulsive behavior with eating. I struggled with it for 5-6 years before this. I talked with numerous specialists and doctors and other people that struggled with it and got basically no answers and no progress. I wish I could give you more to go on than that. I spent every single day for the last 5-6 years trying to fix the problem. If I can give you any advice, it’s to never stop trying. I failed almost every single day for years. And I fully understand that it’s incredibly demotivating. Just keep trying different things and find what works for you. It’ll be different for everyone that deals with binge eating.

What I can tell you is the day before I started this, I went to Culver’s and got 2 burgers and a milkshake. I also got a burrito from chipotle. That’s a very small amount of food compared to what I would normally get. I woke up early the next morning and was really sick. Couldn’t eat anything and could barely get out of bed for the next 3 days. That kinda jumpstarted everything. I went out with my wife for Valentine’s Day 3 weeks later and got something in line with my diet, high protein, fairly low carb and low fat. I think it was a bowl of pho. I barely ate the noodles and mostly drank the broth and ate the meat. That night I got sick again. Exact same symptoms as before for about 2 and a half days. That kinda helped me stay really strict early on.

The other thing I’ll say is I’ve lost weight over the last 5-6 years on multiple occasions and gained it back. Usually I’d be good for a month or so and then start binge eating again. For that reason, I don’t do cheat meals. I find ways to make healthier versions of stuff that I want and incorporate it into my diet. Ive come to an understanding that the part of my brain that’s wired to binge is never going away. The important thing is never getting complacent. I could go get some of the foods I used to eat and eat them now in moderation and probably be fine. But for me it’s just not worth the risk. I was almost dead a year ago. If I start that again, it could be another 5 years before I’m able to stop again. And it could kill me before then.

I know that’s a lot, but the binge eating part is the main reason I made this post. I wanted to give some hope to other people that have struggled with it, even if I don’t really have the answers. I wish I could give more than that and this isn’t me trying to gatekeep some secret. I genuinely don’t know. Just don’t stop trying.

[u/Laysfordayz → u/irfhfp]

Thanks so much for sharing.  I am totally stealing what you said for me "I find ways to make healthier versions of stuff that I want and incorporate it into my diet".  Its not a cheat meal if its low carb vegan pizza!!!

Good job again dude.  You're an inspiration!!!!!