James Whipp lost 237 pounds: 'There isn't a single aspect of my life that hasn't changed in some way'
Weight-Loss Win is an original Yahoo series that shares the inspiring stories of people who have shed pounds healthfully.
James Whipp is 31, 6’1”, and currently weighs 223 pounds. In 2015, after struggling with his weight for most of his life, he realized he needed to change for the sake of his future. This is the story of his weight-loss journey.
The Turning Point
Weight has been an issue almost my entire life. I remember weighing over 300 pounds when I was 14 years old. I was the “big kid” in class, dating back to elementary school.
I can’t really identify one turning point in particular. There have been several. One that really stands out to me was going to a concert and not being able to fit into the chair. I had no choice but to be ushered to what was basically a handicapped section with a bigger chair with no arm rests. I was sitting beside an army vet who was a double amputee and I just remember feeling completely worthless. Here was someone that sacrificed his legs and actually had a reason to be in the disabled section — and I was just fat. It was pretty heartbreaking.
The Changes
The first step I took was a combination of meal planning and calorie counting. I made chicken every Sunday and Wednesday and rationed it out so I was eating four chicken breasts a day with rice and vegetables for lunch and dinner and a homemade breakfast smoothie. This was basically my meal plan for the better part of six months. I lost almost 100 pounds in that first six months. I was pretty restrictive and kept myself to 1,800 calories a day. I maintained a weight of between 350 and 370 pounds over the next six months.
After that I wasn’t as consistent. It was a constant up-and-down struggle. When I was in weight-loss mode I was still restricting my daily intake and started adding a gym routine into the mix. I bounced between 300 and 350 for a long time, constantly losing the same 50 pounds. I did this for around eight months. During this time, I tried most of the diets, like keto, Atkins, and all of the fads too. They all worked when I actually followed the plan, but I wasn’t consistent. Around October of last year, I was still around 300 pounds and decided to really buckle down. The last 80 pounds or so have included a lot of ups and downs, but just being consistent with tracking my calories eventually got me here. The lower my weight gets, the more I try to incorporate exercise into my routine again. I’ve recently taken up running and lifting to try to tone up and combat loose skin.
I’m a very routine-oriented person, so once I get into a routine it’s relatively easy. Results are ultimately what keep me motivated. I want to be the best version of me that I can be for the rest of my life. That’s why I haven’t given up and why I’m still pushing myself to reach my goals.
The After
There isn’t a single aspect of my life that hasn’t changed in some way. Physically, I feel fantastic, being able to work out, run, lift, and walk long distances without tiring out. I love it and I love the feeling I get. Emotionally, I still have my ups and downs, like everyone else, but the weight loss has helped to keep things in perspective. I always have that to fall back on as a motivating factor when all else fails.
The Maintenance
My eating is still pretty restricted. I try to hit 10,000 to 12,000 steps a day and lift weights a few days a week. I still have some weight to lose so I still eat mostly chicken and vegetables with a carb. My progress keeps me motivated. I am still setting exercise goals that I hope to achieve in the future. I want to run a 5K and to be able to do pull-ups and pushups and all of the things I could never do growing up.
The Struggles
I still struggle occasionally with binge eating. There are certain foods that I avoid eating so I don’t trigger it (mostly fried food and sweets). I also struggle with body image, since I have a lot of loose skin that I will likely have to have surgically removed at some point. That has been the one huge negative about losing weight but it was worth it.
Advice
Much like battling other addictions, it all starts with admitting you have a problem and formulating a way to deal with it. You’re never going to be able to overcome it until you’re able to fully take responsibility for your own health and stop blaming outside factors. At the end of the day, everything is 100 percent in your control. I could go on all day about this, but I’ll leave on this note: You can do it. Nothing is stopping you except for yourself. There’s never going to be a better time than now.
Need more inspiration? Read about our other weight-loss winners!
Weight-Loss Win is authored by Andie Mitchell, who underwent a transformative, 135-pound weight loss of her own.
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