58 Years Old and 81 Pounds Gone (Pics too!)

Congrats! You have done a great job. Can't help but notice there was only one week that you didn't record a loss and the following week you had a huge loss. You are so very lucky because most people don't lose like that, most people plateau at some point. Awesome job!

Thank you for your kind words. There actually was 3 times I lost 0 pounds and 3 times I gained over the previous weekly weigh-in. And fortunately I didn't experience the much-dreaded plateau. All I can say about that is when I gained or lost nothing during the weigh-in I tried to keep my 'pity party' as short as possible--with no snacks--and move on. I didn't waste time berating myself, cursing the universe (I did curse the scale though), or hating my body. I just did my best to quietly sit and gave a chance for the "voice in my head" to wear itself out without trying to challenge, curse or appease it--then (after my weigh-in) I put the scale away, thanked my body for all the hard work it did over the past week, went for my Sunday walk to get my newspaper, came home and whizzed up my morning smoothie, and continued on down the road to my healthy lifestyle. I found that if I kept my power and control my body would cooperate the following week. I mentally prepared for 'the plateau' but fortunately it never happened in my case.

It makes me cringe when I read people say horrible things about their bodies. They say they hate their fat, flabby thighs; they feel like a whale, pig or elephant; they feel gross or like some huge, ugly beast. And yet they expect 'that body' to cooperate and transform itself into something fit and healthy. I believe the body is a wondrous machine that deserves our love and respect regardless of what shape it is in NOW...which is the right starting point to turn it into something more fit and healthy.

I am humbled and amazed at all the wonderful comments I've received--they've given me 'wind beneath my wings' as I make my way into the Valley of Maintenance (where I shall fear no Drive-thru).

I have also received several friend requests that regretfully I'll have to decline at this point. As a Child of the 60s, I have not embraced this social networking thing and would not be able to put forth the time, effort or energy that some folks deserve (or require). As I said in my story, my sister is my only pal and I want to give all of my available time and effort into helping her achieve her goal of the peaceful, healthy life she deserves (she's 60 now). Our goal is to both complete the 5K she traveled 600 miles to walk with me again this year--hopefully with her at or near her goal of a 150-lb loss. That, and developing my maintenance program must be my main focus over the next several months.

Again, thank you all...I wish you all the best in your lifestyle changes...I ain't going anywhere, I'll be logging my food and exercise till I take the final ride in the brass-handled Cadillac.