The last year & a half of my life has been a journey of fitness. It started the day that I turned 30. There is nothing quite like the feeling of loss that comes with realizing... you're getting old. Now wait! Before you go nuts and remind me that 30 is NOT in fact old, don't worry - I couldn't agree with you more. But let's face it... my twenties are gone. No longer am I a "recent grad" or a "new homeowner". I'm now stuck in the middle.
My doctor got my attention at the beginning of 2011 when he advised me that my cholesterol was getting a little on the high side. At a newly minted 30, this was not the news I wanted to hear. And as the Michael Jackson song says, it was time to start with the "man in the mirror", and get serious about getting back into shape.
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| I've never been one to play the blame game. As much as I enjoyed the movie Supersize Me, I'm not the type of person to point the finger. I realize that my choices haven't been productive ones health wise, and I have no one to blame but myself. So I started off on my journey with my sights set on the overarching goal of getting healthy, losing weight and finally making that "change" I'd been putting off for far too long. |
I've been intrigued by the responses I get from people as they've seen me go from a rather swollen 355 lbs. to an approaching normal 235 lbs.
Usually, the first & most common question is "What are you doing?". I provide my somewhat boring answer of "counting calories and running". I can tell immediately that there is almost a sense of disappoint on the face of the inquirer... almost like a "That's it?". They are also quick to mention that if I lose any more weight, I'm going to blow away. It's a compliment for sure. :)
I get it... running and counting calories... it's not a sexy answer. In the day & age of the Atkins Diet, The South Beach Diet, the Paleo Diet, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, and too many more to possibly name, I think that folks want to hear something they can relate to. Just being hungry sucks! And running... well, that's just for crazy people!
But I guess I can share that I've had a bit of help... a support system of sorts. It's called MyFitnessPal. Unlike the parade of diets requiring books, calculators, special meals, and weight loss shakes, MyFitnessPal is just an good ole' calorie counting system. |
| The website allows you to enter the various food & drink you consume throughout the day, and guides you through the calorie goal setting process. Best of all - its free! They even have an Android and iPhone app that allows you to scan barcodes, search for foods on the go, and keep track of your remaining calories for the day. |
Just over a year & a half later, and halfway through a new calendar year, I find myself approaching my ultimate goal weight. My focus has shifted from a question of how to lose weight, to a question of how to maintain the weight loss that I've achieved. This is no small task. According to a variety of sources, somewhere between 80% and 95% of adults who lose a significant amount of weight ultimately regain ALL of the weight lost... and often times... gain more.
I'll keep you posted on the final stages of my journey, and as I turn the page into maintenance, I'm looking forward to sharing some "before & after" pictures with you! |
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