After posting a couple of times about my weight loss and fitness goals here, I am very pleased to report that I met and exceeded my original weight loss goal yesterday.
Since today is my 40th birthday, this was a terrific gift.
I started out at 248 pounds (my heaviest ever) and today, I weighed in at exactly 208 pounds. Needless to say, I was truly excited.
I've worked very hard at getting this weight off and the speed with which it happened surprised me, frankly.
When I wrote about my goals publicly, I promised to update my profile picture when I got to 210 pounds or less. As you can see, I kept my promise. :)
For the sake of comparison, here are my "before and after" photos:
Since this is the first time I've seen them side by side, I am astounded at how much healthier I appear to be now. This is the result of (almost) daily exercise, along with much better eating habits. I'm pretty sure that I am almost unrecognizable to my friends, unless they've known me since college, since I was this weight as a sophomore in school.
I plan to continue my fitness journey, mainly to see just how much more I lose, then to gain muscle on top of that. I feel amazingly good and I have more energy than I can remember having in the past 15 years or more.
THANK YOU to those of you who have encouraged me and sent me emails and messages of support. If you are interested in knowing all of the details of the applications I used, along with a general idea of my calorie consumption and exercise regimen, let me know. Basically, I ate less without horribly depriving myself, and moved my body a whole lot more. My exercise included walking (lots), running (less than walking), some biking, calisthenics, and, as of 2.5 weeks ago, the P90X workout system.
I hope this doesn't come across as bragging - I truly managed to surprise myself, too! Basically, I wanted to share the fact that, even though I was a very sedentary almost-40-year-old man who ate whatever he wanted for many years, I was able to make a change for the better. If I can do it, you probably can, too. :)
Thanks for reading!
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Jason, Happy Birthday! You look great! Keep up the good work.
Jason, Happy birthday and congratulations on keeping your goal.
Fantastic!!! Congrats!! Not the dreaded P90X. Oh my, you are serious. You need to start a new group for people trying to lose weight and get fit. I'll be your first member. Again, congrats on meeting exceeding your goals!
Jason... I'm so proud of you. I know it must have been difficult but with hard work it paid off. Your an inspiration to everyone. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN.....
Janson, you are an inspiration! I[m headed for my third Weight Watchers meeting tomorrow, and I've shed about 10 pounds so far. And seeing your before and afters is - well, wow!
You're losing that John Goodman look!
Happy Birthday Jason! Congrats on the weight loss, you look terrific!
In no way could your story be construed as bragging! Congratulations on your discipline and on being such a motivator for so many.
Happy 40th my friend. And to think that it is your wonderful family that is getting the gift .. a slim, trim and much healthier dad!
Congrats on both counts. That is an awesome accomplishment. Wow, what a difference. You are an inspiration to us all. Keep it up (or down, I suppose).
Congrats Jsson on your goals, and wish you continued success! (in real estate and personal!)
Jason, WOW! You look great! Congratulations on this project for you and your son. How cool is it for a Dad to help his child set goals and see results. I can't commend you enough. I personally would lose the shirt...but hey who really cares and besides I'm only trying to be clever and cute with you.. You are what really matters and we all know you are a very special individual! You go Guy! You are an inspiration to me. I have to lose major weight as it is affecting my heart. So, I cannot thank you enough for this personal inspiration! You always did rock whether with "Inspired by Song" or just in general!
Forgot to tweet you today and I missed blogradio... congrats you look great, and Happy Birthday!
Dude, your thumb got longer!
Just as Greg commented, I think your thumb is skinnier too! Very inspirational I know its not easy and you are an encouragement to others, thanks for sharing your positive testimony and journey here on AR
Not bad for a guy right outta his 30's!!! :D
Congrats on the double 40 milestones! Each comes with it's own rewards!
Not only did you lose 40 pounds by your 40th birthday, you look like you are very happy. What a skinny thumb you have! Kidding aside, congratulations on exceeding your goal. Way to go! And Happy happy birthday!
Bravo and kudos. Not an easy task. Weight-training and body weight exercises are critical at this junction. Your body will start to inventory calories unless you increase muscle to counteract the starvation-protection mechanism. Oh and happy birthday too ;-)
Happy birthday Jason! You look great. And I bet you feel better too. What a great birthday present. I've just lost 15 pounds myself.
Happy Birthday Jason! I hope this is the best birthday so far! :o)
Happy Birthday Jason! What a great gift to yourself and your family.
Congratulations on turning 40 and on the weight loss. Like we say in Texas, ya-done-good.
Congrats, Jason on the weight loss and on the bday. Many happy returns (to the bday, not the weight).
Wow Jason, Congratulations on your Birthday and a remarkable achievement. You look great! Blessings to you in the upcoming year. Your friends on Fraiche Aire Celebrate this milestone with you. :)
What a difference 40 pounds can make! You really look healthier & slimmer! Way to go! Happy 40th Birthday!
I just started my diet on Jenny Craig this past weekend and that's my goal is to lose 40 pounds!
Hey Jason,
Congrats on the good work and on your b-day, good for you, keep it up!
You look fantastic. And I know you're feeling much better and your family will get such great benefit from this journey. God Bless and keep us posted on your progress.
From what I understand, forty is the new forty.
Buckle up, I've got five years of material before facing my own induction. ;)
Jason,
Happy Birthday and well done!
I said that earlier today but I know not where.
Bill
You look amazing Jason! Happy Birthday!!!
What a great gift to yourself....I think feeling fit and healthy is more pleasurable than eating just about anything (except chocolate.) The key is to indulge yourself....with restraint. Happy Birthday and here's to another 40 great years.
Happy Birthday, Jason. and this is certainly something to brag about. Don't apologize.
What a wonderful birthday gift to give yourself! Much health to you!
And happy birthday!
Jason - Happy birthday to you and congratulations on the big weight loss.
Happy Birthday and I'm with Nino. . your thumb looks longer!
You are an inspiration Jason, 40 pounds is not an easy feat. . . great discipline!
Happy Birthday and congrats on the weight loss. A friend of mine turned 40 last year and he has been on what he calls the over 40 diet which is basically a very healthy non junk food diet. Keep up the great work.
Jason - congrats on both reaching 40 and losing 40, a very happy birthday. I better go out and buy some new clothes, I turn 63 tomorrow and I need to have something to wear after that 63 pounds I will lose overnight!
Happy Birthday Jason, you look absolutely great. Hope you have many more great years and don't need to keep losing pounds.
Jason,
Happy Birthday and congratulations!!! You look great and it's definitely NOT bragging, you should be proud of yourself and it's definitely an inspiration :)
Happy birthday Jason!
Happy Birthday Jason. And congrats on the other 40. That is not an easy thing to do!
Congratulations, you look much healthier, and am sure you feel it too. Keep it up.
There's a new man coming out of that face! Happy birthday.
Jason, I would love to know further details of your weight loss. Congratulations, you look great. How quickly did you lose this anyway?
Oops, forgot Happy Birthday!!
Hope you had a good birthday Jason. Lighter and strong is the way to be. Congrats on your workout routine...
Jason, you look wonderful! Thanks for sharing the before and after. And belated Happy Birthday!
Jason,
Happy (belated) Birthday. Congratulations on accomplishing a very hard task! Your determination paid off and you are the winner!
Jason, belated Happy Birthday to you and congratulations on your new healthy lifestyle change. Starting at 40 makes it so much easier as you approach "middle age" (50-60)!
Jason, congratulations on your success!
Jason, congratulations & keep it up. As a brand new father I've been really reevaluating all my choices when it comes to health and well being. It's amazing what children will make you do...
Jason, brag away buddy, you have every reason to scream it from the mountain tops, great job, you are an inspiration and deserve the best. Have a great birthday...
Jason - that is incredible and what a birthday present to yourself :) Happy Birthday!
Congrats on that weight loss and a happy birthday to you too! You've just given yourself the gift that keeps on giving!
Keep eating those rice cakes, chasing down those listing leads. Trim, leaner, but not meaner makes everything roll with less stress, more energy and keeps you around longer.
Congrats on the weight loss! What an inspiration for us to stick with a goal!
That's a great birthday gift to give yourself!
WOW Jason- You look like another person! That is the best before and after. One day I will be able to have a before and after also. Nestor is doing great losing weight. I have always had great eating habits, calorie and nutrient proportions and was never heavy until after I had Tristan at the age of 44. Something happened to my thyroid and we are still going through many different alternative treatments to find the one thing that the thyroid will wake up to. No one in my family is fat except for me, none of my kids, none of my parents, none of my ancestors even. So it is very discouraging when you exercise and do all you are supposed to do and still- no action on the weight loss front. I am determined to win this battle though. I won't give up.
You are amazing testimony of what can happen when you set your mind to it and eat right and exercise. Thank you for sharing. I am sure that your story is helping to motivate many other people who read your blog. Katerina
What an awesome achievement! Congratulations!
Happy 40th Birthday, Jason! Great job on your achieving your health and fitness goals!! Hope your 40th is your best year ever!
Congrats Jason, and Happy belated birthday!
Jason - indeed you do look healthier and like a different person ..... congratulations on reaching two more milestones that combined make for a healthy life ahead.
Jason HAPPYYYYY BIRTHDAYYYYY 222222 YOU ..... and many more... I saw your new profile pic' thought WOW you looked thin BRAVO for weight loss sure it was not easy...
You look fantastic, that is a great achievement. I just started to hit the gym myself this month. I was at my lifetime high of 232.5 pounds the day I started. Currently dropping about half a pound a day and was 227 this morning. I decided I would do a solid '90 days of pain' and then lighten up a bit on it, but for the next 3 months I plan to hit it hard. Hope I have the same results as you!
You look terrific. You can really notice the difference in your hair and in your thumb. Very lean thumb!
Hey Jason,
This is GREAT news!!!
P.S. I'm sorry to have to be the one to break it to you, but losing all that weight makes you look like you're only 30. :)
I have no idea how I missed this!!! Jason, you are a gem. I'll bet you had the best 40th birthday of all! I love it when I see someone set a goal, reach it, and share it with others. Albeit late, congrats my friend and happiest of birthday wishes to you!!! Here's to an amazing new year!
P.S. - I agree in that the weight loss makes you look like a KID!
Jason,
I'm late to the game but can't resist telling you how great you look. Yes, even for 40! Hats off to you for doing so well with your goal. Delighted you're reaping the healthful benefits.
Happy belated 40th and congrats on the 40 lbs. Keep up the good work!
I just saw a comment by you on someone else's blog and I thought that I just HAD to get over here and visit you to tell you my initial reaction when I saw your comment--"WHO is that?!" You look TOTALLY awesome! I'm so proud of you! Keep up the good work but, don't get TOO skinny!
And, hey, our birthdays are only 10-days apart!! Who would have thunk?! I know I wished you Happy Birthday on FB but, here's one to keep--HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jason.
Jason, I'm glad that you've shared this because it gives me hope that I can one day get healthier than what I am now, for many reasons. Happy belated birthday!
Jason - Happy Birthday and congratulation!. You inspire me to get back on the (exercise) wagon.
Jason
Congrats on the birthday; you look great for 40.
That's a really inspirational story! And now you can wear horizontal stripes with ease! You look much healthier too. I'm glad you did it and your family with be glad when you live a long life! Oh, and happy birthday too.
Just now read this; but WOW. What a great achievement and testimony. Getting healthy is priceless. congrats!
Just caught up on your BLOG.
Keep up the good work and I hope you feel better everyday.
Jason, I see that I missed your birthday almost completely, but since I have been back, I did not recognize you in the picture. Congratulations on your weight loss. I wish I had your will power. Tere
Hi Jason. I just noticed this post. Amazing accomplishment. Happy 40th!
Hi Jason, Well, I'm about a month late on wishing you a Happy Birthday! I have been pre-occupied with moving and also on a needed vacation! Congrats on turning 40! I'm about to turn 43, but age is just a number - It's really about how you feel, and it looks like you are feeling and doing great these days! I look at your blog, and all you do, and I just stare with my mouth open at how you do all you do in a day! I have some serious time-management issues! LOL
Happy B-day again!
From the Kelly side of Kim and Kelly
Congratulations Jason!
I ran across your new photo...and wow! What an amazing change! Keep up the great work. :)
Happy belated burthday and congratulations. It is funny because not 10 minutes ago I was reading one you older posts and couldn't believe how different you look, now I find the post. i think it is great you have achieved and exceeded your goals.
Way to go Jason! And Happy Belated Birthday to you. I'm sure you've managed to lose a few more pounds since this post.