Well, I'll start from the begining, my name is Sean and I am twenty. I was very well known, and liked, ever since high school, not to mention I had a very athletic body, and I will admit looked very good. But not a few months out of high school, I got an issue with a tumor. Treatments left me nearly bed-ridden and the constant use of steroids made me gain 150+lbs in a single year. I was incredibly frustrated thinking, "Don't people normally get smaller from this?" But my doctor said because of steroid therapy it can go the other way.

Thankfully my girlfriend -now wife- stayed with me through the ordeal, but the weight wasn't coming off. So a few months ago, about Jan., I decided to do something about it now that I had enough energy, but I could not believe how hard this was.

I rarely -if ever- eat more that 1700-2000 calories a day, and almost NEVER eat fast food or drink soda. I drink mabey, 80 to 90 oz. of water daily. I regularly increase my excersize intermittantly. Currently I am up to Yoga and Martial Arts about 3 to 4 times a week. I also walk to and from school at least 5 to 6 times a week, and it is 3+ miles away, for a total of 15 to 18 miles a week. Also I weight lift mabey two or so times a week.

The actual loss went very fast at first, but has recently lost momentum. But I've been good to not be discouraged; I keep reminding my self, "Your clothes are getting bigger, and you've lost 70lbs since Jan." I was rather proud of my self when putting it into context. I was noticing people noticing me again, and it felt good. Yesterday in particular there was an outfit I loved, but couldn't fit into for the longest time, so I tried again... It fit! I felt wonderful!

Being in such a good mood my wife and I went shopping -as is a fun activity for us . We called a Taxi to go home and -my wife being in the Air Force- told the driver to take us to Franklin Gate -the frontal gatehouse. He turned to me and said, "What? How the hell are you in the military? How can you be in there with all that weight on ya?"

I responded, "I'm not in the military, she is." During the uncomfortable ride home my mood shifted from raging anger to intense dissappointment, and now a sorry state of shattered self esteem. I have the feeling like, "What is the point?! I've worked my ass off for months, and it is still not enough!" My wife said to not listen to him, that I looked great. She said the sweater hangs funny because of my "worked-out" chest... But I am not sure if it is the state of esteem, or what, but I only think she is lieing to either try and protect my feelings, or because she is embarassed so she is lieing to herself.

I'm really having an issue. That comment spiraled me into pit like I've never been in. I know I shouldn't let an offhanded comment affect me so, but it did. Now I feel I must've been diluted in thinking people actually were noticing me. To think I was attractive again, to think I had made progress... It's honestly too tiring. I'm not sure how much more I can take.

PS: Talking to my wife is also very difficult. She's 6'1" and 140lbs. and absolutely perfect. Never gains an extra inch. And actually modeled during high school. So she doesn't understand, and because of this strong feelings of inadequecy developed among my esteem shattering issue.

Holy crap! That was ignorant! But - that's life - igonorant people are part of it!!!!!!!

Ok - that being said....

Had that guy known your story, and known how much you've worked at losing all this weight - perhaps he would have put his foot in his mouth.

Your doing great - and you may just have to up your workout routine to get things going again, it sounds like everything you are doing - you are doing right!!!

Sometimes you stall for a bit - but I'm sure it will pick up soon enough!

Please - lean on us here for support - we will help pick you up when your down!! AND PLEASE ignore those ignorant people! You don't need to look good for them - you need to look good for yourself!

70 lbs lost - is AMAZING!! Sounds like you've been through quite a bit!

You have an AMAZING story!!! WOW...70 lbs???? Don't think again about what that guy said! It was pretty pathetic. If you keep it up, you will get yourself where you want to be.

Be happy for your wife that she doesn't HAVE to go through this mess like so many of us have to. She definitely sounds like she is with you through all this so don't be embarrased about this with her! She obviously loves you very much...whether you have a few lbs to lose or not! You can't buy that kind of support!

Do not let an ignorant stranger stall your enthusiasm. Your story is incredible, and your achievement is, well, words cannot explain - what an amazing job you have done. I can comepletely relate to having a spouse who is 'perfect' - my boyfriend is 5"10, 150 pounds of sheer muscle (we're talking 6 pack - and he has been told by many people that he should model) and he has never set foot in a gym. Some people win the genetic lottery I guess. Having said that, don't underestimate her ability to empathize with your situation - she obviously loves you deeply and is there to support you. Use that as motivation. Jenny is right, come here and lean on the people on this board, we are all fighting the same battle and I personally came to this board because after reading the weightloss journals on this forum, I can say I've never seen such a group of positive supportive individuals as there are on this forum.

Your progress is phenomenal, keep it up, please do not get discouraged, you are doing an amazing job

Just getting out my feelings has helped... Thank you for the support. Going from a fit nut to over 345lbs in a year was the worst thing. But I guess the best way to think about it is I am about half way done...

It would seem you and I have walked down similar paths. I too was knocked down several pegs by cancer. I'm only now crawling out of that pit. And yes, I've had it up to the gills with how people treat me just because I'm fat. I've barked at more than one insensitive clod and let him know just how I thought his family tree didn't branch.

That said, rather than repeat myself, I'm going to refer you to a post I made on a separate thread. Whenever you start to think your wife doesn't really love you, just read it and trust what she says to you.

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/showt...696#post105696

Be well, and just take things one day at a time.

jj

People are idiots--plain and simple. Someday his remark will turn around and bite him in the a$$ and maybe then he'll understand what a jerk he was.

That said. 275 is not hugely overweight---my husband was at 494 a month ago so be thankful that you know that you're doing a great job and go buy your wife some flowers because she does love you and she does feel your sadness and it makes her sad that your sad. I know, I've been in the same 'moronic taxi driver' situation and she isn't embarrassed to be with you...she's sad because she knows that it hurt you. Roses are nice.

Well this has really helped. And based on the support I've been given, I think I'll stick around.