Fast Five Months - 255 lbs.

Today is a little anniversary - day number 140 of my diet. 

I've been doing this for 20 weeks, or five full months!  I cannot believe how quickly that time has flown by.  It hardly seems possible that I've been dieting for five months already.  And, at this point, it doesn't really even feel like "dieting" anymore, but more of just the way I eat (although I'm just starting the SSDDDY challenge, so maybe that feeling will change).  Ha !!

Five months ago, I had 162 lbs left to lose.  Today, I need to lose 110 lbs., but I know I can do better, work harder, and put forth a more dedicated effort - especially now that I have the diet mastered.  That, of course, means adding regular exercise.  This is going to be my # 1 resolution this upcoming year - to support my efforts to get healthy, by adding regular exercise.  This couch potato is determined to change her ways in that arena, just as I have been on changing my diet this year. 

One hundred and ten pounds is still an intimidating number, but I take things in smaller increments  (my mini-goals), and don't let the big numbers discourage me.  I also set realistic goals for myself, and always look for new ways to keep myself motivated, because my journey will be a long one.  I am constantly (as in, always) moving in a healthy direction.  When I started my diet in late July, I figured it would take 24 months to get to goal, realistically.  I may actually get to goal sooner (Dec. 31, 2011??), but only time will tell.

I try not to whine.  Whine is not enjoyable, unless it comes with a little cheese.  Besides, it took a long time and a lot of carelessness and laziness to get to be well over 300 lbs.  It is just common sense that it will take effort and time to take the weight off now, and I have no one to blame but myself.  So, who wants to hear me whining at this point?  (Don't knock each other over, running for the exits.)  Meanwhile, life goes on ...

Last night, one of my closest girlfriends called, to announce her son is going to ask his girlfriend for her hand in marriage!  (She'll say yes.)  So, in addition to a probable family reunion next year, we'll also have a wedding to attend, closer to home.  Cameras, everywhere ... SO, that is additional motivation for sticking to a healthy lifestyle plan, as if HEALTH alone wasn't a good enough reason. 

I have all sorts of challenges and goals in place, to help move me along the path to improved health.  And life's events have a way of cropping up too, as additional motivators.  I use whatever I can to keep me focused and moving forward.

Today is the second day of The Spawn challenge.  I am right on schedule, and realized it was time for a snack when I heard a very unfamiliar noise ... my tummy was actually GROWLING at me!  The nerve ...

So, I hopped on my scale this morning, to officially record my 5-month weight.  Drum roll please ...

December 17, 2009 = 327 lbs.
December 8, 2010 = 255 lbs.

Yes, I've lost a pound (already) since the weekend.  I weighed twice, just to be sure.  I've lost 72 lbs!  And 52 of those pounds came off in just the last 5 months - when I got serious about losing weight and regaining my health.  In the last five months, my measurements improved, my cholesterol medication has been completely eliminated, my blood sugar has fallen to normal levels, my energy has increased, and the list goes on and on and on.

I cannot WAIT for my next doctor's appointment (about 6 weeks from now) - I want to be under 247 - finally out of the morbid obesity category.  And I want to see those numbers continue to improve!  Dieting cannot bring up the HDL level, so that is another reason to add exercise (which can) ... I want to see an improved HDL level and BP level, by the January doctor appointment.

The insidious part of gaining weight, slowly over decades, is that it stealthily steals from us a host of things we don't even realize. We put those changes down to the aging process, perhaps, but it isn't entirely that, is it?

Time to take back my health.  I am in control, and my destiny is up to me entirely. 

Day 140 and looking forward, moving downward, staying strong!