Weight loss success stories: Bill Ivory Larson

I have read and came across many weight loss success stories, but the story of Bill Ivory Larson and how

he lost over 200 lbs by sheer determination and a burning desire to live a long, quality life epitomizes how an “ordinary Joe” can achieve extraordinary results. If you love food and you’re struggling to lose weight, you owe it to yourself to read every word of Bill’s weight loss journey. Enjoy! (See story below)

Since moving to the Philly area in 2005 I lost a total of 175lbs., without surgery or a special diet. No doctor’s help. Nothing. When I moved from Chicago to the Philadelphia area in 2005 I was 400.6 pounds which was my heaviest (at least I think that was my heaviest – it could have been more).

I was only in my 30s but had health problems creeping in that were very, very bad: high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joints hurting. Combined with a family history of diabetes I knew that carrying that weight would one day kill me.

Since then, thanks to go old-fashioned determination and a desire to live well into my 40s and beyond, I trimmed myself down to a much healthier 225 lbs, all the while eating what I’ve wanted, controlling my

portions and exercising.

In other words I am a “normal Joe” who wants to inspire people lose weight because we are all the same. Anyone fighting the “battle of the bulges” is in this fight together. Again, I had no surgery or even after-surgery to remove the excess skin as one of your former subjects did. I just exercise every day to maintain how I look and feel.

In the following Q/A interview, Bill reveals in more detail how he went about losing 175 lbs and literally transformed his body from flab-to-fab without any surgery.

1) When did you decide to lose weight

I decided to lose weight in 2005 when my weight topped 400.6 pounds.

2) Why did you decide to lose weight

I was working in PR for an aquarium and was helping a photographer set up for a shoot the next day. He took some test shots of me in the shark tunnel. He said they would turn out so well. When I saw the photo I was floored. I looked terrible. I was so large.

Not to mention the fact that my knee hurt just climbing up stairs. I had sleep apnea and high blood pressure. I couldn’t even sit in a theater without my knee locking up and making movie watching (my favorite thing) painful.

3) When you started your weight loss journey, what specific changes, if any, did you make to your environment to support your goal

I knew that I needed to lose weight using what I had in front of me. That’s the way I wanted to do it. So the changes I made were my own. Walking up and down the stairs like a stairmaster. Walking to my car to go out to lunch at work instead of doing the easy thing and getting fast food at work.

4) In order to lose weight, what specific changes, if any, did you make to your eating habits

First and foremost I knew that the sheer quantity of food had to be cut. I was eating two breakfast sandwiches, hash browns and sode from McDonald’s every morning. Then for lunch a full order of chinese food, or a burger and fries. You get the picture. Then would go home and have a big dinner. I just stopped going to McDonald’s except as a reward or a special occasion. I cut down significantly on sodas, fries, etc. and ate more salads.

5) When you decided to lose weight, what specific lifestyle changes did you make, if any, to support your goal

In addition to shifting how much I ate and what I ate I also increased my activity by doing the thing that we can all do for free – walking. I got up to walk around the office, or even at home. It was what I could do immediately and I needed to start immediately.

6) What specific challenges did you face after your started your weight loss journey, and how did you overcome them

My biggest challenges still exist today. The fact that I am an emotional eater. That I love food. That I have to just say “that’s enough, Bill.” and stop eating. That fast food is everywhere. That sometimes a work schedule or trip precludes eating as well as I should (oh God, did I overeat in Egypt).

7) How did you stay motivated throughout your weightloss journey

I stayed motivated because I wanted to live, plain and simple. I could not carry 400 lbs and live through my 40s. I was sleeping badly, has high blood pressure, etc. I wanted to get rid of my sleep apnea mask, stop taking blood pressure meds. Stop my knee from hurting watching movies. Stop getting seatbelt extenders on planes. Stop spending googobs of money on big and tall clothes.

8) What specific setbacks did you face, if any, d uring your weightloss journey and how did you overcome them

I still face them and always will. Sometimes I eat things I shouldn’t or eat too much. It happens. But failure only happens if we let it happen and let it keep us down. When my mom died I regained 20 lbs from grief eating. I am human and my weight goes up and back by a few pounds because of life. But I let my setbacks fuel my drive and determination to get right back up and keep going.

9) Did you seek professional help (such as, a personal trainer/nutritionist) in order to achieve your weightloss goals? If so, how did you go about finding “help”?

Nope. I still ate whatever I want and still do.

10) What did you do specifically in order to lose the weight

Everything a doctore tells you. Exercise more, increase activity and eat less. That was the simple equation. I walked, ate less, drank water, etc. and it worked.

11) How much weight did you lose? How long did you take to lose the weight?

I lost a total of 175lbs over a period of about three-and-a-half years.

12) How has your life changed after losing weight

As you can imagine I feel spectacular. I no longer take blood pressure meds, no longer wear the apnea mask. I have so much more energy. I have also noticed how differently people view me and treat me. Which is weird and which is something I am still getting used to.

That is why I am so thankful for the people who are my friends who knew me when I was so heavy. I get more attention but take most of it with a grain of salt. But I LOVE being able to spend less money on “normal sized” clothes, being able to fit in more literally and figuratively.

13) How do you go about maintaining your new body weight

I exercise daily (at least 1/2 hour on the elliptical, weights and steam room) and try to eat bad foods only in moderation while still eating what I want overall. But being smarter about food choices, too.

14) Do you find it difficult to maintain your new body weight? If so, how?

Some days are harder than others for the reasons I mentioned. I stress and emotionally eat but now I am more aware of what I am doing so I can back away and say “no.” Also there are days I don’t want to work out but I do because I know I am worth that work.

15) What are 3 tips/advice you would give someone that’s trying to lose weight?

There are five actually. Here are five basic rules that I follow:

TELL EVERYONE! I know you might feel embarrassed, but you’ll have a support system amongst friends and a way to hold yourself more accountable than if you keep it a secret.

WHEN YOU CAN, PURGE YOUR “FAT CLOTHES.” Doing this gives you no way back to being larger, and shopping is one of those rewards you get when you shrink.

BE FORGIVING OF YOURSELF. Ok, so you lose ten but gain back four or five. THAT STILL MEANS YOU LOST FIVE!!! You’ll learn what foods and exercise work and don’t work with your body during this process, so forgive yourself and know you will eventually accomplish your goals.

KNOW THIS WILL TAKE TIME: As Hal Holbrook said in WALL STREET, “Good things, sometimes, take time.” Sustained weight loss and maintenance will happen when you make eating better and exercising part of your every day life. They will be a part of my life for the rest of my life.

MAKE THE TIME. Make regular time for some form of exercise (walking, climbing stairs, or doing five or ten sit-ups to increase activity). You are so worth this effort and work, and you are so worth the rewards you will see on your journey.

16) What was your life situation when you decided to lose weight? For example, were you a stay-at-home mom, married, any children, and so on?

I had just moved to the Philadelphia area and was getting used to a new area, new job, new phase of life.

17) Did you have the support of your family and friends after you decided to lose weight

Yes, I did. Absolutely. That’s why I told everyone. My friends and loved ones have been so great to me and supportive and I can’t thank them enough. They continue to inspire me, too.

18) How has your successful weightloss affected or inspired the people in your life?

I hear all the time that I inspire people because I am human. I get tempted by food. I gain a couple over the holidays. Etc. But more and more people tell me that my story has helped them recommit to themselves. Or to start.

Wasn’t that a great story? Good job, Bill and thank you for being so candid and open about how you lost 175 lbs–amazing!

If you would like to reach out to Bill and find out more details about his weight loss journey, you can visit his new website at www.determinedtosucceed.com.

Read More Weight Loss Success Stories

Disclaimer: The article above is for information purposes only. Always consult your physician before engaging in any exercise program.