I started at 13st 1lb 183lbs83kg and 33% body fat and set a target I never ever thought I'd reach of 70kg and 20% fat. I built in regular exercise and used NC rigorously - water, veg ... and the forum. I hit that target in mid-May and was absolutely gobsmacked.
I reset a new target of 10st 7lbs 147.7lbs67kg and hit that in June. I upped the exercise and managed to get as low as 9st 12lbs 138.8lbs67kg so that I had what the NCers call 'wiggle room' - I've been nervously, playing/struggling with maintaining for about a month now but am happyish that I am on top of it (I hope!!)))
In mid-February, I got a call from a close friend. One of our mutual friends had a stroke and he'd let me know later how he was getting on. Two hours later I got a call saying that he hadn't survived. He was the same age, with the same lifestyle and, like me, he had kids.
I went online looking for options to help and I stumbled across NC. I tried it for a week and became hooked.
I've struggled with food, my weight and body image most of my life and have been calling myself 'fat' since I was in my twenties. At 54 I had a classic middle-aged overhanging beer belly and moobs. I'd given up on ever having a reasonable body-shape again so simply carried on drinking, eating more rubbish and buying bigger clothes. I was lacking energy, and feeling rubbish about myself... Every Year, I promised I'd do something, but I never did.
It wasn't that easy, but getting healthier took priority and I adjusted my lifestyle to fit around that.
There are a couple of things that stand out as being difficult. Reducing the amount of social drinking I did (it was that or going without food) and having family meals - it's difficult eating something different. It would look like I was being awkward, faddy and particular, which isn't great in front of kids.
I feel great in all the obvious ways - I've got a lot more energy, I feel better about the way I look and I feel more positive about my age which was starting to become a bit of an issue.
Pink shirt test...About 15 years ago I was in a rush and bought an amazing shirt from Paul Smiths - it cost over £250 (don't ask!!). I just about squeezed into it that night but couldn't breathe much. I never wore it again. It has been hanging in my wardrobe ever since as testament to the man I imagined I could be. I agreed with my Mrs that if I ever died in old age of some withering disease - I wanted to be buried in it. Every Saturday morning now, after my weigh-in I put the shirt on, look in the mirror and smile. I haven't had the nerve to wear it out yet. My eight-year-old daughter says I'm not allowed to wear it as 'it's embarrassing' (I think she may be right).
Gosh this is a tricky one...
* Weight loss is individual and your personal rate of loss may vary from any case studies shown on this website.