In August of 2010 I weighed in at 226 lbs with a BMI of 30.6. I wasn't just fat, I looked pregnant. In the two years before and the months that followed, my weight averaged 220 lbs. It would dip down around 217 and then rebound back up. It was a roller coaster.
My birthday this year opened my eyes to my destructive behavior. On my birthday eve I ate half a pizza (medium double dough YUM!). For lunch on my birthday I finished off the other half. I was stuffed and bloated. I looked at the numbers, the roller coaster, and had enough.
I decided that I was going to get the weight off and keep it off. Another major goal was to improve my overall health and stamina. I was getting winded too easily.
I dusted off the elliptical and started working out. When I started I weighed 221 lbs. Due to my bad knees I which can't handle too many jarring workouts, so I focused on the elliptical. During the workouts I watched some of my favorite comedies (The Big Bang Theory FTW) to help distract me and pass the time. I worked out three days a week, initially doing 30 to 45 minute workouts but quickly settling on 45 minute workouts.
My goal is to get down to 185 lbs with the first milestone of 200 lbs (i.e. lose 21 lbs) by August 1, 2011.
It was an effort, not just the workouts but making myself take the time to workout. I focused on making the workouts a priority while still trying to deal with work and home life.
After a month of these workouts my weight fluctuated between 215 and 219 lbs.
I stepped up the workouts pushing some of them to 60 or 70 minutes. My weight stayed in that same range. I started watching software training videos to double the effectiveness of the workouts which I dubbed #LearnandBurn.
Slowly I started the next phase, trying to change my eating habits. Even though I wasn't eating half a pizza any more, I still ate large portions especially of my favorite foods. Of course, it didn't help that my favorite foods are very unhealthy, fattening foods. I've been avoiding, or severely restricting, my favorite foods. I've been eating smaller portions. If I didn't feel hungry before my next meal I knew I had eaten too much at the previous meal. I tried to weigh myself everyday to see where I was at and to remind myself of the goals and dangers.
When I was able to fit in a fourth workout, I did. It still took (takes) effort because when the stretching and cool down time is factored in, my 60-70 minute workout takes 90-100 minutes.
This past week I finally broke under the 215 barrier. For a full week (weighing in daily) I stayed under 215 lbs, well below it. I still have a way to go to reach my first milestone. I still have a fat belly but the waistbands of my pants confirm the progress.
Today I weighed in at 210 lbs with a BMI of 28.5. I lost 11 lbs in 63 days.
I have 57 days to shed the next 10. It won't be easy but I'm determined to do it.