1lb from goal wt, 236 lb --> 186 lb, 6.5 months, pics

I think in my intro post I stated that my goal was to get down from 236 lbs to 185 lbs by the end of May 2013, so I'm basically on schedule. The first 40 lbs went pretty much to plan at just over 2 lb/wk weight loss. The last 10 lbs have been harder and I've had to make adjustments to aim for 1 lb/wk weight loss and also had a 3-4 week stall mixed in there.

MFP tool has really helped me accurately assess my 'Calories IN'. The message boards have also had some nuggets of good info, it is worth scanning through the threads to find some good posts. The 'Recipes' forum has been gold. I haven't really put a lot of stock in 'eating back exercise calories' since I think the calculations are fraught with error. Instead I've just logged my data in a spreadsheet to back calculate my TDEE.

If I back-calculate my activity coefficient for the past 6 months, it works out to 1.50 ...... which is basically right in line with the 1.55 assigned to moderate exercise ..... I aim to work out 6 times a week, but miss days here and there so probably average 5/week, split up between either running or lifting weights. Sedentary job.

TL;DR pics or gtfo

BEFORE




Maybe 1 month after starting





AFTER











I'm thinking of trying to lose another 10-15 lbs but I need a break first. For now I think I will eat at maintenance while I formulate a plan.

I have to say, it feels great to get things under control and being active again. In many ways I feel like I've turned back the clock 10 years. Rather than lamenting wasted time I'm looking forward to things - plan on snowboarding again next winter after a 6 year hiatus. I just got to the point where I had to stop making excuses - you know the usual - work is stressful, i have no energy, my commute is too long, blah blah etc.