Weight-Loss Story:
Samuel Periera

Age 33, from Carlsbad, NM

I've had a major weight problem for my whole life. I would have to call it
an obesity problem. It's been severely affecting my health for a number of
years, and recently became life threatening.

As a child, I was always chubby. I was born with a predisposition to weight
gain. Everyone in my family was larger, many of them overweight. My
parents told me I had big bones, but I didn't buy it. I asked them why we
were so fat, and they didn't know how to answer. They told me that everyone
is different, and that I just had to be happy the way I was. That would
have been fine, if I could have been only slightly overweight for my whole
life, but that changed eventually.

When I was in high school my appetite increased in a very big way. It
happens to a lot of growing teenage boys, but me especially. I was always
eating, no matter what was going on. My parents noticed. Even though I'd
always been big, it was hard not to notice that I was getting even bigger.
My clothes no longer fit me, and my parents were having a lot of trouble
finding clothes that were my size, but also fashionable. We eventually had
to go shopping at the second hand stores and specialty stores, and they
could only get me clothing that I didn't like. I was really embarrassed,
and ashamed.

I got over that part though. When I went to college, I was filled with all
kinds of energy and made a lot of friends. I had the time of my life.
Unfortunately I also had a worse diet than any other time in my life. I ate
too much greasy fast food, ate junk food for snacks, and had a lot of late
night binges. I started gaining weight in a big way, and my friends were
worried about me. The change was relatively gradual for me, because I saw
myself everyday. So I didn't know what they were talking about. But things
went from bad to worse when I hit the 400 pound mark. I became extremely
depressed, I no longer wanted to face the world, and I dropped out of
school. I didn't know what happened, I didn't understand how I could have
gained so much weight. All I knew was that I had to drop it fast.

My doctor told me that all the weight I was carrying was putting me at risk
for diabetes and heart disease, and that if I didn't drop it soon I would be
in serious trouble. I was scared, and my family was scared for me. They
wanted to help me though.

I went on a vegetarian diet. I didn't take it lightly though, I wanted to
know what I was doing. I researched it thoroughly and made sure I knew
enough to get the proper vitamins and minerals I needed. I got the right
supplements, and scoured the internet for healthy vegetarian recipes that
were simple enough that I could use.

I wanted to do some exercise too, but I was so big that there was no way I
could do it the conventional way. I wasn't going to go to a gym and risk
not fitting properly into machines. I wasn't going to run around the
neighbourhood and get laughed at. I decided to do it all at home. I had
nothing else going on, so I devoted my life to exercise and diet. I had a
workout room where I would do an hour every day of simple exercises. I
started with situps and squat-thrusts - things I could handle. As I got
more and more energy, and lost more weight, I went harder into it and did
more advanced exercises, like running on the treadmill and light weight
training.

I've only been at it for 5 months now, but I've already lost 130 pounds.
I'm still overweight and I know I have a long way to go, but my doctor tells
me that my risk of dying prematurely has decreased substantially, and at
this rate I'll be the picture of health in no time.




Based on 44 votes, this diet story has an overall score of: 8.30

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10 - Motivational! 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 - Keep Trying

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Comments

(#1) justin posted on Jun 26, 2007 (IP: 64.77.219.62)

Wow! Keep up the great work!

(#2) SADIE JOHNSON posted on Mar 31, 2006 (IP: 137.54.78.16)

Well miss hordike best of luck to you and all the other beautiful people who have cared enough to share their stories. We are all gorgeous creatures under our Lords eyes. And bringing the Almighty into this I think we all need to pray for Miss Scott. For the Good Lord to help this child with some will power. Bless you Baby Miss Johnson going to pray for you every night

(#3) Vivian Webster-Swift posted on Mar 31, 2006 (IP: 137.54.74.145)

Im already skinny but with my gas i still fat.

(#4) Patricia Scott posted on Mar 31, 2006 (IP: 137.54.74.145)

Im Fat and i keep yo-yo dieting but i keep getting back on the bandwagon, so you can do it too. I just went back to weight watchers today and believe it or not this my 15th try.....but im going to do it. The lady looked at me today and said OMG you are really coming back....but im really fat anf i got to lose the wieght.

(#5) Michael Quillon posted on Mar 31, 2006 (IP: 137.54.74.192)

I read this story and started to cry. It made me realize that I'm in your shoes and I have to do something about it. I'm starting today and I know if you can do it ...then I can do it. Thank you so much.

(#6) Trilla Anderson posted on Apr 08, 2005 (IP: 141.157.116.28)

This is such a wonderful story It has truly motivated me to seek my goals and live life. Take my time. It will happen, Eventually. Sam Great job buddy!!!!!!!!! Trillaanderson @yahoo.com

(#7) darema posted on Mar 13, 2005 (IP: 65.184.193.0)

Oh Samuel!!! How proud you must be of yourself!!!! You have done a wonderful, wonderful thing.I myself am trying to lose my last 60 pounds and it is difficult.That vegetarian sounds great! I am doing atkins and has worked well but would love to incorporate veggies and fruits in my diet.Keep up the good work and stay strong!! darema(daremalee@yahoo.com)

(#8) Stephanie Jo posted on Feb 23, 2005 (IP: 12.160.225.251)

Way to go! Without even knowing you I would like to say I am very proud of your determination!

(#9) Anonymous posted on Jan 16, 2005 (IP: 66.103.36.135)

Wow! 130lbs In 5 Months! Congats. I think that one of the most discouraging things when your overweight is realizing how "fat" you really are, and thinkin that its gona take years to loose a mear 20 lbs and get fed up and not want to loose weight any more. Thanks for helpin motivate me! = ) Congrats

(#10) Anonymous posted on Nov 10, 2004 (IP: 69.89.128.5)

IT IS SO GREAT THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO FOCUS ON YOUR PROGRAM ONE HUNDRED PERCENT. SO OFTEN IN FIND MYSELF THINKING ABOUT WHAT I CAN'T HAVE VERSUS WHAT I CAN HAVE. YOU REALLY HAVE INSPIRED ME BECAUSE 130 POUNDS IS ABOUT WHAT I NEED TO DROP. CONGRATS!

(#11) Anonymous posted on Oct 31, 2004 (IP: 205.188.116.71)

Samuel..great job..keep eating healthy and exercising..you are so worth it!!!!

(#12) Anonymous posted on Oct 20, 2004 (IP: 202.190.191.31)

good for you man...coz we only got one body

(#13) Sam posted on Sep 09, 2004 (IP: 68.107.170.107)

Thanks for the great story! I love hearing about people who do this for themselves, not for anyone else! Good luck to you, and God Bless!!!!

(#14) Anonymous posted on Aug 25, 2004 (IP: 69.145.62.32)

keep it up.. you have definetly inspired me!!!!

(#15) Anonymous posted on Jul 19, 2004 (IP: 142.165.24.109)

I too feel very overweight and it seems hopeless at times to have the will power to stick to something. I am a fussy eater and that does not help the matter. I am very impressed with your devotion to weight loss and wish I too could only have that. Keep it up and by you succeeding and sharing you are also helping others like me to do the same.

(#16) Anonymous posted on Feb 08, 2004 (IP: 216.16.89.10)

I think the hardest part for you is over and that you will suceed! I've just started, but when I'm on that treadmill I keep telling myself "NO MORE" "I'm NOT going to be like this any longer" "Nobody will recognise me in a year". I yell that stuff to myself in my head and before I know it a half hour has gone by and I'm ready to do my favorite thing: Weightlifting!!. Keep going you can do it and I know I can too!!!!!