Words of Wisdom from people who lost weight AND kept it off

A compilation of words of wisdom found in Men's Health magazines over the years, from real men who lost weight....

"My weight loss has changed my life. My back pain went away. I now play basketball again and other sports I hadn't realized I missed. [when I play golf] I walk 18 holes instead of riding a cart. I enjoy feeling like I'm 18 again, and I enjoy being back in the sports world as a participant, not just a spectator."

"I got my jawline back. I look better, feel better. And, yes, I can once again see my tree of life, which had been shaded by my gut. Oh yeah, skinny sex is much better than fat sex, and slimming down creates much more opportunity."

"I decided to diet last summer, and finally realizing that I was slowly killing myself. I could hear my heart beat when I lay on the sofa."

"In 12 months, I lost 150 pounds. Things I don't miss are bleeding hemorrhoids, sleep apnea, always being tired, and, most of all, being large."

"I can now look in the mirror with more self-respect and pride in myself. I went from about 240 pounds and a 38-inch waist to 190-195 pounds and a 32 to 33 inch waist. I can see abs I never dreamed I would see, and my confidence has increased considerably."

"Ever since I lost the weight, I've noticed that my body fits into more designer clothing and I'm more confident at my workplace." Armando Spataro, 23, lost 55 pounds

"Sorry, guys, you gotta cut down on booze. For real, that stuff just makes you fat. you can enjoy a beer with the boys, but you cant drink a six-pack on a regular basis and expect to be thin." Mark Ohlinger, 31, lost 60 pounds

"I didn't weigh myself very much at first. I didn't have a scale at home, and still don't. I kept track of my weight loss by how my pants fit." Mark Ohlinger, 31, lost 60 pounds

"I plan what I eat (six meals per day) and I know what I am going to accomplish in the gym before I walk through the doors." Hobie Jones, 44, lost 28 pounds

"I always ate healthy  but was sold on the low-fat thing. I realized that despite the fact that I was eating very little fat, I was skating to the tune of 3,000 to 4,000 calories a day. I switched to a more balanced diet...I cut out the pasta, potatoes, cookies, juices, and soda; and stuck more to fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and fish. I drank only water and skim milk." Chris Slabon, 33, lost 40 pounds

"Basically, my diet consists of vegetables, raw and steamed; and a lot of seafood, especially tuna for protein. I eat as many vegetables as i want and never feel hungry." Frank Serafini, 30, lost 80 pounds

"Find a nutritious meal that you like and stick to it -- routine is good for creating good habits. My magic meal? One chicken breast with steamed rice and vegetables and skim milk with chocolate syrup." Geoffrey White, 26, lost more than 150 pounds

"I love my grill, and it's amazing what you can do with a piece of fish and the right seasonings." James Gordon, 44, lost 60 pounds

"I look forward to going to the gym every night. Before, I would find myself in a bar after work for 2 hours." Frank Serafini, 30, lost 80 pounds

"I have been doing a workout I found on the Internet: Day 1 -- all the push ups I can do. Day 2 -- all the sit ups I can do. Day 3 -- 2 sets of pull ups, 3 sets of sit ups, and 3 sets of push ups. Day 40- all the pull ups I can do. Day 5 -- rest. Day 6 -- start all over with Day 1." Jon Ziegler, 38, lost 25 pounds

"My exercise routine starting out as walking, then progressed to biking, and after 70 pounds of weight loss, I hit the gym."

"I have had trouble isolating my biceps. I found one exercise that gives me the deep biceps burn I was looking for: I stand with my back and elbows against the wall and perform bicep curl that way." David Richardson, 42, lost 60 pounds

"I hit the gym every morning before work. at first, it was extremely hard getting myself out of bed that early and [getting] motivated for exercise. then I found a buddy to make me get up and lift with him every morning. This was the best thing a friend could do for me." Jonathan Coleman, 25, lost 39 pounds

"I started a log to record my weight and had a friend take a picture of me. I had my own "before" picture, and now it was up to me to get to the "after" picture. Jonathan Coleman, 25, lost 29 pounds

"Two days before my 30th birthday, I too a good look in the mirror and realized it wasn't the shirt or the jeans that made me look fat--it was the gut I was stuffing in them. I joined Gold's Gym that afternoon and started working out. In 5 months, I have gone from a 441/2 inch waist to a 34. I also have gone from 240 pounds on a 5'11" frame to 190 pounds.

"I began walking every night. I started with short walks through the neighborhood, then began making them longer. One day, while walking, I decided, 'Maybe I can jog to that light post down there.' Each day, I would make my jogging periods longer. Soon, I was running the entire route." Steven Klapow, 32, lost 57 pounds

"Although it has not been easy, I have learned one thing: There are no miracle cures for weight loss. It only takes a proper diet and exercise." Joe Reposa, 38, lost 52 pounds

"Excuses like 'I have no time; I'm too tired, too old, too weak' are just that....excuses. Nothing just happens without effort. It is because of constant effort and education that this occurred, and I am glad I found the strength to do it." Raffael Borelli, 34, lost 40 pounds

"This is a lifestyle change. All the things are okay in moderation. I avoid fatty foods, but now and then can afford to treat myself because I keep up my end of the bargain -- and exercise." Mark Ohlinger, 31, lost 60 pounds

"I am constantly learning new exercises to keep myself from getting bored and to work slightly different muscle groups." Jonathan Coleman, 25, lost 39 pounds.