Congratulations and I applaud all of you!
I’m 67 years old and about 5 years ago I was 255 lbs. and had a 44” waist. I was diabetic and couldn’t walk around the block without resting several times and being completely out of breath.
When I would look in the mirror I was horrified with what I saw! My belly was so huge it looked like I was 9 months pregnant. Just trying to tie my shoes I had to rest 3-4 times to catch my breath. I started refusing to look in the mirror or at my reflection in a storefront window as it made me sick to see my huge belly.
I had resigned in my mind that I was in my 60’s and being fat was just the way it was going to be for the rest of my life and just deal with it.
I went on a 3 day motorcycle trip with my best friend who I had been riding with for 40 years. While we were riding one day, he had his digital camera out and snapped several pictures of me.
When we got back to our motel, he downloaded the pictures of me on my bike into his laptop. I was horrified with what I saw! It looked like my stomach was covering the complete gas tank! I immediately told him to delete the pictures.
Shortly after that trip, I was getting dressed one morning and all I had was was a pair of 44” waist jeans. I couldn’t get them buttoned and laid down on my back on the bed and with all my strength after struggling several minutes, I finally got them buttoned. That was the straw that finally broke the camel’s back!
I went into the living room and asked my wife if she would go on a diet with me. She immediately said she had been waiting to hear me say that for years. She asked me what diet and I said let’s try the Atkins or low carb diet.
Wow, what a struggle it was. After 3 months I hadn’t lost a pound and my wife was down 10 pounds. I told her that I would give it one more month and if I didn’t lose any weight, I was quitting.
This went on for 3 more months saying I was quitting every month until finally at 6 months I lost 5 lbs. My wife was down 15. I started losing 5 lbs. a month until around the 9th month the weight just started melting away like magic. I had to buy size 38 jeans. The next month 36 until I finally was wearing 32” waist jeans! In all, it took a little over 9 months.
My diabetes went completely away and I had plenty of breath. I could now walk a couple of miles without being out of breath. I was so dedicated and excited, I got all the way down to 150 lbs. and could wear 30” jeans.
However, my wife and everyone else said I looked too skinny and asked me to rein it back. Every time someone said I looked way too thin, I was ecstatic! 
I finally did settle on 170 lbs. and a 32” waist and have stayed there for over 4 years now. I don’t miss sweets anymore and if I do eat something even remotely sweet, it tastes too sweet.
Now, even though I walk occasionally, I did this by diet alone without exercise or going to the gym or anything else. We did the diet ourselves without paying anyone a penny. I don’t recommend my way to anyone as we’re all different but it sure worked for me.
At 67 years old, I now feel strong and my endurance has shot through the roof and I’m so proud when I look in the mirror now and see a flat stomach not to mention I haven’t worn 32” waist pants since my early 20’s.
I apologize for my long diatribe and again I’m not recommending the way I lost weight to anyone. I’m relating my story just to show how important it was for me to lose weight like others have found like Rusty who started this thread. It is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself and I thank God for giving me the strength to do it.
