So, how did I lose the 225 pounds?

I have been asked for advice on losing weight a lot lately, so I thought I would share this.

I have tried every fad diet out there, sure I would lose a little weight but then I would gain it back plus some. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Over Eaters Anonymous, I have been a member of them all. All great programs, but just ones I failed at. I even tried restricting my calories to a dangerously low level, just to have my body break down even more.

After trying everything, I finally had an AHA moment! I realized, that for me to be successful I needed to figure out a way to create a diet that I can actually stick with for the long haul. I needed to make this a life style change and giving up bread and red meats just wasn’t going to work for me. All these other diets may be great for some people, but I had to find what was great for me.

So, I scheduled an appointment with a dietician. We discussed what a healthy diet looks like, and we formulated a game plan that I could actually follow through on. I learned about the correct portion sizes and ways to prepare my "must have" foods in a healthier manner. This has been instrumental in me losing the 225 pounds.

The next thing was getting active. I had to convince myself that anything is better than nothing. If that meant I walked up and down the drive way a couple times that’s what I did. It's better than nothing. I had to realize that I had to start somewhere and I wasn’t going to be able to jump right into a marathon. The exercise thing really took me figuring out a way to get past my own insecurities. I was so worried that other people would think I was weak or lazy or slow or any other number of things. Well I am past that now and I am comfortable exercising several days a week.
All, of the above has been soooo important. However, there is one other thing that I had to have to be successful. I had to have the right motivation. I had to figure out what was going to motivate me and then focus on that always. For me my motivation is my family. In fact, I still find that I ask myself a couple of questions when I go to the fridge. "Do I need this? Is this going to help me LIVE my life with my family?" If my answer is no, then I move on.

I just got tired of being afraid all the time, wondering if I would fit or would I break the chair? I couldn’t handle not being able to take my wife out on the town. I couldn’t take her to a play, or ballet because the seats couldn’t handle me. I couldn’t take my son to a ball game or to the amusement park. I was imprisoned and in turn I was imprisoning the two people I love the most.

Since losing the weight I have been able to take my wife to a show and my son and I are going to a ball game this coming Saturday. We have been to and enjoyed the local amusement park many many times, and this past weekend we went jet skiing and enjoyed time at the lake. These are all things I could not have done before. This is what motivates me.

So, my question to you is "What motivates you?"