my friends, in one year, I have lost 122 pounds

Im posting this to encourage anyone who struggles with their weight, or has even given up trying, thinking they cant do it. please dont give up

Ive always been a big guy, but multiple knee injuries, and a crippling back injury just destroyed my mobility. I also got lazier, stopped playing sports, and made terrible choices. over the years, I got less mobile, the back and knees worsened. got lazier, got depressed, and on and on. the heavier I got, the more depressed, and the more withdrawn.
it really became a vicious cycle that I couldnt see a way out of

my back injury forced me to give up my LSU football, LSU baseball, and Saints season tickets- I could not walk from the parking lots anymore without almost coming to tears with how bad it hurt.

i became a type 2 diabetic, and my weight just skyrocketed

I work for the state, and they offered a program in conjunction with Pennington Center. The first option was weight loss surgery, drawn by a lottery. I waited a year for the call that never came, and hit rock bottom. My health was failing and i state witout hesitation, I would have been dead in 5 years

but they offered a secondary program- a meal replacement trial. 4 months of no food- only 5 meal replacement shakes per day, 800 calories total. no cheating, not even creamer in coffee
I focused, didnt stray once, which was hard on christmas and thanksgiving.
i lost 104 lbs in the 4 months.

ive since been on part time shakes, and part low calorie food (lean cuisine, etc).
Ive had some misteps lately, but im tying to refocus

I am NO LONGER DIABETIC. my blood sugar is is in the 70s. my blood pressure is perfect. I can walk anywhere without pain for the first time in 10 years. Ive gotten a new lease on life and I intend to make the most of it,

If you are struggling with your weight, please dont give up. if you know someone who does, dont give up on them. If you are a state (and i think city-arish worker), please contact Pennington and ask about the Heads UP/ IMI program.