Weight Loss Success: John McCarthy Wanted To Set An Example For His Son And Lost 130 Pounds

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Name: John McCarthy
Age: 35
Height: 6'1"
Before Weight: 311 pounds

How I Gained It: I was often encouraged to "put some meat on those bones" as a teenager. After getting married, having a child and beginning a career in a sedentary role, the weight just sort of snuck up on me gradually over the past 10 years.

I did lose weight one other time. In February of 2009, I weighed 300 pounds. I lost 80 pounds by June of that year. But by February 2010 I was 269 pounds again, and gradually gained it all back, and more.

I'd start every weekday at Dunkin' Donuts, and get two donuts and a large iced coffee with cream and sugar. Sometimes I'd have no lunch at all, and I'd have fast food at least three times a week. I also drank a lot of soda, maybe as much as an entire two-liter bottle, plus two or three 20-ounce bottles a day.

I was consistently tired, I couldn't do the things I wanted to do with my son and I felt old. My doctor told me I had high blood pressure and was likely going to have an issue with diabetes if I continued on the path I was on. Otherwise, I was in good health; the doctor told me I needed to lose some weight and take care of myself before that luck ran out.

Breaking Point: On Memorial Day weekend I made the choice to lose the weight to be a better example to my son. In June, I joined a gym and changed my diet forever. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I knew I was too young to feel that old. Clearly I was setting a bad example with my poor eating habits and lack of activity. I was tired of watching. I knew my son would remember I was always there to support his athletics or to take him places, but it wasn't enough. I wanted to get out there and play with him, run, hike and join him.

How I Lost It: With no trainer, nutritionist or fad diets, I've lost 130 pounds using tried and true methods. I eat from the farm not the factory, I drink at least eight glasses of water a day, I get eight hours of sleep a night and I walk a lot.

I have always been a walker -- I enjoy it. When I made the choice to lose the weight, the first thing I did was go for a walk. I walked three miles that day, and I was exhausted. Now I walk four or more miles, three to five times a week, and on the weekends seven to 10 miles a day.

By September, just 87 days later, I'd lost 81 pounds! Today, I've lost 130 pounds, and I'm keeping it off! I haven't gained back any of the weight I've lost. I started 2012 in the best health of my life. My doctor has praised me for my health and said I'm no longer at risk for preventable issues. I was lucky to have a doctor who didn't prescribe a "magic" pill to fix my health issues. He was certain that a good diet and exercise would put me on track, and he was right. I feel great today.

I eat eggs at home for breakfast every morning now. I still go to Dunkin' Donuts, but I skip the donuts and I drink a green tea, black, no sugar. I still drink coffee too, but I drink that without sugar as well. I eat five times a day now, and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables and peanut butter are some of my staples. I eat at least two fish meals a week. I don't drink any soda, and I have not eaten any fast food since I decided to lose the weight.

I'd like to share the philosophy that helped me to accomplish this: "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it."

This fall, my son and I were walking somewhere together and we were running late, so we started to jog. Later, he said to me, "I've never seen you do that before." I asked, "What?" and he said "Run."

When I lost the weight the first time, in 2009, I hiked the Franconia Range to the summit of Mt. Lafayette at 5,249 feet. My goal is to do it again this summer. Now I can start hiking with my son. I was tired of watching. Now we're making memories together.

After Weight: 180 pounds

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Comments

[Lechiffre]

01:01 PM on 03/14/2012

John looks 45+ , just losing weight ain't good . he didn't work out at all. all he did was cut down on the food.

[bradhshickoh]

08:10 PM on 03/13/2012

John Mcarthy, Good for you!! You thought about your child, and that was the right thing to do. It is common that if you see a fat mom or dad, the kids are no different

[average77]

06:45 PM on 03/13/2012

he looks old.

[dbrockskk]

06:44 PM on 03/13/2012

4 liters A DAY??

[xodusfire]

06:32 PM on 03/13/2012

Pic 37 & 38. Where's her tattoo? Suddenly she has flawless skin on the same arm?? Even with laser removal there's still scarring left. It's really ridiculous and cruel to lie to people by finding pictures of people that look similar.

[Lechiffre]

01:03 PM on 03/14/2012

if you have an olive skin ( say darker ) the tatta removal works well. For the plae flabbies it doesn't.

[Dean M Miller]

06:15 PM on 03/13/2012

good story, smart man. realized that eating fast food and drinking pop were the root of his problems.

see people? its just common sense. stop eating junk. no excuse to let it slip until you are 600 pounds or more.

[average77]

06:42 PM on 03/13/2012

exactly, but some people get hated on for stating the truth like you.
you can loose weight without surgery also

[gfgarv]

06:14 PM on 03/13/2012

Good for him but his "after" picture has him looking like he's two steps from a prison camp.

[VitoIncognito]

08:37 PM on 03/13/2012

Nope. People are just so used to seeing obese or overweight as normal. He's at the correct, healthy weight for his height.

[gfgarv]

08:53 PM on 03/13/2012

I still say he looks too thin.

[Kathie Shaffer]

05:44 PM on 03/13/2012

HELP

[Dean M Miller]

06:13 PM on 03/13/2012

?

[bradhshickoh]

08:12 PM on 03/13/2012

I didn't understand either!!

[bmitche]

05:09 PM on 03/13/2012

Good Job John! After losing 130 pounds, no one can call you 'Big John' anymore.

[gfgarv]

06:14 PM on 03/13/2012

How about 'Big Loser"?

[bmitche]

07:12 PM on 03/13/2012

I'll drink to that.

[PJHT2]

04:35 PM on 03/13/2012

If you choose walking as your form of exercise, do yourself a favor and get a pedometer.
You can get one at any place that carries sports equipment. Or, if you really want to get into it, go to 10-ksteps.com, and for $30, they will send you a free pedometer, and you’ll have free access to the site for one year. Be sure to put your pedometer on when you first get up, so you don’t miss a single step!! Trust me - it is so rewarding to look at your pedometer and see how far you’ve walked! According to the website, 5,000 steps is about a mile, and the goal is 10,000 steps (2miles) a day, but if you haven’t been walking or exercising, take it slow, so you don’t injure yourself!! HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH!!

[PJHT2]

04:34 PM on 03/13/2012

In addition to the known health benefits of losing weight, there is another, critical reason for losing weight and exercising. Research has shown that people who are overweight and or don’t get much exercise, are MUCH more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease. I was recently diagnosed with fronto temporal dementia. While not currently curable, it is possible to slow down the process, with exercise, learning a new hobby, taking a class, playing brain games (go to AARP.com for games), anything that creates new brain cells. I love to walk, so right now that’s my activity of choice. I often walk to the local library, which is about 2.5 miles round trip, but might be more or less, depending on which route I take. If the weather is nice, I take my lunch, and walk at the waterfront park, which is 3.1 miles, and then sit by the duck pond and enjoy the scenery, fresh air, and, or course, the antics of the ducks and an occasional goose or two, while I enjoy my healthy lunch.

[mayday1313]

04:19 PM on 03/13/2012

Congratulations! I have made many of the same lifestyle adjustments and am seeing some good results. I am always so inspired by the stories here... good luck to you, thanks for sharing your story!

[Chatt]

03:54 PM on 03/13/2012

The upside to obesity is you don't have to save so much for retirement.

[killowatt]

03:13 PM on 03/13/2012

Edwards body seemed a little freakish. Like maybe he had breast implants. I really don't know. Just being a little envious of his pecks.

[360Dunk]

02:51 PM on 03/13/2012

As a majority stockholder of McDonald's, I'm appalled at all these life-changing weight loss stories. People should accept their hefty figures and eat fast foods at least once a day. Doctors should encourage happiness over healthiness.

[poorboots]

03:25 PM on 03/13/2012

The fact that you claim to own 50% plus one of Mc Ds stock (majority stockholder) gives you absolutely no credibility.

[360Dunk]

03:48 PM on 03/13/2012

The fact that you don't recognize when a post is serious or not gives you absolutely no cognitive skills.

[zomotoco]

03:34 PM on 03/13/2012

Pure B.S.

[360Dunk]

03:49 PM on 03/13/2012

Thank you for stating the obvious, zomo. Boy, nothing slips past you.