Weird thing happened to me at the gym today

So I was working out today and as I was finishing up (I was stretching) this big muscle guy came up to me...I see him in the gym all of the time.  Well he came up to me and asked me how much weight I have lost.  I guess I acted a little confused...I think I was just shocked because men never talked to me...especially big muscle guys. 
So he said "I have seen you around here for awhile and I was just wondering how much you have lost" 
so I said "140 lbs"
he then asked "where did you start at"
again I looked confused and he said "how much did you weigh before you lost weight"
I thought well he is asking some personal questions.  Then I thought he will know how much I weigh if I tell him how much I weighed when I started...but then I thought who cares damn it...be proud!!!
So I said "354"
and that's when he said "I was 388"
I think my jaw hit the floor.  I would have never guessed this guy used to be fat.  
Then he said "do you watch your diet too"
I said I did.  I don't go around telling perfect strangers I have had WLS.  
But then he shocked me again by saying "he had LapBand surgery"
Again to say I was shocked was an understatement.  I then told him I have the band too.
He then said "I had a feeling you were a fellow bandster...the way you come in here everyday and work your ass off.  only someone that USED to be obese works as hard as you do "  
HE SAID USED TO BE OBESE!!!  I guess I keep forgetting I'm not THAT fat any more.

So I wanted to share this for two reasons...first reason...here is this guy I was completely intimidated by because I thought of him as better than me because of his physique and it turns out he is one of us.   Second reason...we have another great Band success story out there.  If you saw this guy you would have thought "yummy"...hahaha



 

 What a great story!

uh...so is he married?

;)

I didn't see a ring...hahaha...you know I had to check!!!

too funny

 :)  sounds promising...

woo hoo...way to to girl!!!
Sherie

That is a GREAT story.  :)  Thanks for sharing.

That just gave me chills!!!

That is a GREAT story!  I can totally relate - I joined the gym across from my office 2 weeks ago.  Made an appointment with the trainer there and when I showed up, he really didn't seem all that enthusiastic about showing me around the gym (his attitude actually made me feel kinda crappy and inconsequential at the time).  Anyway, after I filled out the membership papers, he began to lead me over to the rowing machine, never asking me any questions about why I was there or what I wanted to achieve.  So I stopped and said, "hang on - can I give you a bit of background here?".  He said "sure", as his bored expression changed to puzzlement.  "Well," I said, "in the past year I've lost just over 100 lbs, but I've reached a plateau and I need to add some weight training to the 40 km per week that I walk for exercise."  The change in his facial expression was freakin priceless.  In one sentence I could see in his eyes that I'd gone from some middle-aged, overweight housewife to someone who was serious about weightloss and health.  From that moment on he treated me with greater respect and now when I go for my workout he is right there, asking me how it's going and offering to help in any way possible.  It made me realize again that what we do to succeed every single day is something we should all be very proud of - it's damned hard work, but worth it in so many ways.

Nice story ----- at my gym, the treadmills and ellipticals are upstairs, so I can look down at other people exercising ---- I try to make it a point to stop by and compliment people who I see alot -- and are working hard and obviously losing weight.


I have had a few people notice my effort and weight loss over the last 2 years, it is nice to have them comment and respect our efforts.

Good job!!!