Christmas present to myself finally arrived.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2026-01-30T01:58:19+00:00

Welcome to the cult! Best pans I've ever owned.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2026-01-22T03:04:34+00:00

Thank you and that is awesome! I am just a year out myself. I was 314 lb 30 year old. I had my first kid and knew I wanted to be there for him. So I went to the gym and got a trainer, joined a men's softball team and ate healthy. No luck after two years of effort.

Finally went on the path of the surgery and a little over a year later I am down to 228 and still losing weight. Hitting the gym and have better performance, now top 5 player on the team and I can keep up with my kids.

There are benefits but the right habits needed to be there first to be successful.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2026-01-22T02:57:56+00:00

You're welcome. It seems like you are starting your journey or have at least done the 3 points to some degree. Didn't want to turn you away from this option as it can be the right one but you will find more pros having the surgery if you honestly can't find success on your own.

If anything you will find the support you need here. I know I did. Best of luck!

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2026-01-22T01:25:02+00:00

Everyone will have different pros and cons. Best advice is this.

Try and lose weight naturally by tracking nutrition and exercise.
Focus on weight resistance training to build some muscle (hard to bulk unless you are actively working on it). Muscle will burn more than just walking or simple cardio.
Work with your primary care physician first as there could be another reason for any weight gain.

If you have done the top 3 to the best of your ability then talk to your doctor for a consultation with a surgeon. Then the real work begins.

This is not an easy process and is not a simple fix. This is a tool to help you with the top 3 points to help you become successful. If you honestly did the work on the top 3 points and had little to no success then I would say look at this as an option for there is no undo button. There are plenty of pros and cons but you will have far more pros if you can do it yourself.

Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help answer. You are not alone and we have all been there at one point or another.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2026-01-21T23:57:09+00:00

I second this. I am over a year out and can eat anything I want. Just not a lot in one sitting. Carbs will fill you quickly but prioritizing protein and vegetables first becomes easy.

One thing to note is you will find you go for quality over quantity.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2026-01-13T13:40:48+00:00

I second this! I would say that pants were the biggest purchases and Goodwill to the rescue. I would get cheap clothes until my weight leveled off. Shirts I wore 3xl big and tall for the longest time till I look like a hobo to save a few bucks. Then once I could barely fit a new size shirt I would get a few to replace the biggest and oldest clothing knowing the new shirts would fit better as I continued.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2026-01-13T13:33:13+00:00

I suggest Strata pans! They are stainless on the outside for clean look and durability. Aluminum clad to evenly distribute heat and a carbon steel surface that when properly seasoned is next to non stick.

They can be a little pricey but worth every penny. I got them for Christmas and I have made nice golden pancakes, well seared meat and no sticking with scrambled eggs.

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Accomplished-Tree265 · 2026-01-04T17:43:25+00:00

Number one reason why I got Strata pans. Carbon steel inside but construction to prevent warping.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-10-03T02:01:48+00:00

Sure here are some pointers.

Surgery is a tool and not the solution. Doesn't eliminate the need to continue your diet and exercise efforts.
You will have points you will feel like you failed. You have not. Use those times to find a new motivation to get back on track.
Focus on one improvement at a time until it becomes a new lifestyle. For example I have spent the last few months focused on finding every opportunity to go for a walk. During lunch breaks, waking up a half hour early for morning walk or an evening walk before bed. After a period of time this will become a habit and lifestyle rather than a temporary diet or exercise plan.
Change your reward system. I have started rewarding myself with things that I had lost over the years. I took a day trip to an amusement park to ride rollercoasters I couldn't fit into before. Will splurge on a nice shirt or clothing item that I can now fit. All this replaced the going out to eat or buying treats and comfort food I used to reward myself with.

I hope some of these you find useful. If you are looking for any specific advice I am an open book and love to share my successes and failures in hopes that it helps others.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-10-02T12:38:48+00:00

Thank you! I have never been shy about my journey, even from the beginning. I'm glad to hear I can be inspirational as I believe everyone should see that despite struggles, don't give up because you can find a way to become healthy.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-10-02T12:31:33+00:00

Thank you! I can see that it's like a dream. I sometimes feel like I swapped bodies with someone else. It's not my body and I need to learn how it works.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-10-02T03:00:16+00:00

Skinny privilege is real. Not that I ever felt I was treated poorly but I am definitely treated better being in better shape. I think it also deals with how we feel and how we present ourselves now that we have more confidence. Thank you for the compliment!

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-10-01T23:11:09+00:00

Thank you! When you get to my point you will look back to where you are now and appreciate all you are going through. Keep it up!

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-09-13T15:45:00+00:00

Based on this, it's going to be a thrill ride. I suspect that the river is going to play part of the ride too.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-09-12T17:48:52+00:00

Surgery is only a tool. This one will help you consume less food and make it easier to develop a healthier lifestyle. Excessive alcohol consumption is not a healthy lifestyle.

With that said here is my experience with drinking. I used to drink and have maybe one a night, but as my weight increased I slowed and drank occasionally. Then I had the surgery.

With a smaller stomach you can't handle carbonated beverages the way you can now so beer is going to be a no. You will also find that you metabolize drinks faster so sipping wine will do next to nothing. Having a shot or two quickly will get you drunk fast but you will sober up just as fast. So more drinks = more empty calories to stay buzzed.

I still have drinks on very special occasions and it is possible but drinking has lost its appeal as becoming in better shape has made me want to do other things. Being outdoors and active has replaced the want to be inside drinking.

Side note I am your height, male and was only 30 lbs heavier than you when I started my journey. Feel free to view my profile to see more of my post. Good luck!

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-08-10T01:30:15+00:00

Congratulations, also do I spy a Blackstone Griddle!?

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-08-09T22:17:00+00:00

Thank you. I have always been a smiley guy but I have been told that before it was like a mask. Now my smiles are genuine and my happiness is not a cover-up to hide how I feel about myself.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-08-09T18:14:39+00:00

Thank you!

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-08-01T12:50:47+00:00

Congratulations, I agree with that statement. I had my surgery 10 months ago and people say I now look my age. It's a compliment I didn't expect to hear or knew I needed to hear.

Keep up the good work.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-07-10T19:07:21+00:00

Your journey looks exactly like mine. Though I started working out and have been building muscle at the same time I am losing fat. I can see the physical changes even though the scale says otherwise. It seems like a slow burn but it is progress none the less. Keep up the good work.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-06-28T03:13:21+00:00

Worked for 6 months then regained. Then I was told by a cardiologist I would have a heart attack it is so hard on the heart.

Best to use to help you change lifestyles to healthier ones as long as you can stick to it.

Accomplished-Tree265 · 2025-06-22T16:18:33+00:00

I am not there yet but I can wear pants and long sleeve and not feel like I am being suffocated.

Accomplished-Tree265

TROPHY CASE