88 lb lost—4 lb past your goal!

In my last blog post two weeks ago, I wrote about reaching my goal weight of 142 pounds. As of this morning, I'm at 138—88 pounds lighter than when I started!

To put that in perspective: see this woman's big jugs? Full of water, they would weigh about 40 pounds. Each. Think she could stand there holding them like that if they were full?

Imagine anyone (even a body builder) trying to carry them both around, all day, every day. For years.

If full, those two jugs—all 80+ pounds—represent slightly less than the weight I no longer carry around all day.

Is it any wonder that being over weight can lead to health problems like swollen feet and ankles? Back aches? Fatigue? Shortness of breath? Inability to climb stairs? A general condition of only feeling so-so (and not great) a lot of the time? Some obese people even have problems getting out of a chair. Remember watching—or being—a woman about eight months pregnant? And most woman don't gain 80-90 pounds during their pregnancy...

Is it any wonder that once they've lost some weight, most people report having much more energy and generally feeling much better? We're not expending all that energy lugging around all that extra weight.

First major goal

Yesterday, eight months since I began this journey, the scale said 142. i.e.: the "target weight" I set back in January. 84 pounds less than I weighed earlier this year. It's odd... working so long to reach this point, I'm not sure exactly how I feel about actually getting here...

As my post about the last ten pounds points out, for weeks now my progress has been painfully slow. Still progressing, albeit very slowly.

Today the scale's back up 1/2 pound. But tomorrow or the next day, I'm sure it will move back down again. Within a week or so, I'll end this weight loss phase and begin my transition to a life of healthy eating. And that's very exciting to me!

Once I decided it was time to take charge of my own health, I researched a number of well known weight loss programs. I eventually settled on a comprehensive program which

1. Begins with weight loss, using medically formulated, low-calorie portion-controlled meal replacements;
2. Teaches key Habits of Health--including how to eat healthy for life;
3. Propels you on the path to permanent optimal health for life!

I've not been hungry during the weight loss phase. Mainly because I eat every 2-3 hours! Six small meals each day.

Although I haven't missed them, certain foods have been "off limits" during this first phase. I'm on what's considered a "medium" carb nutrition program. Not low carb, but definitely fewer carbs per day than most people normally eat. Accomplishing that requires restricting your intake of certain higher carb veggies, fruit, grains and dairy. All things I love!

For months, I've been intent upon accomplishing my weight loss goal. Knew these food restrictions aren't permanent,  I never really missed any of those foods. This close to beginning the transition to "regular" healthful eating for life, I'm starting to think about things like corn. Brown rice. Fruit yogurt. And really looking forward to eating them all again!

So let's get together. I'll show you what I've been learning, and cook you a healthy, tasty meal!

John