Today was the day....

I have never started a thread - but I figured that if I was ever going to - today was the day. Not sure if anyone will read this or comment. I hope they do but that is not the point. The point is that I just want to type this out because it helps me think about things and put things into perspective. It also forces me to exam things from all angles when I write. Not that I am great writer its just how my mind works. And if anyone can read this and take away from it that your goals are possible - well that is a bonus.

So today was the day that I hit my true goal 209.8 (Under 210). It was the goal that was in the back of mind when I first joined MFP the day after Memorial Day. I didnt say it out loud at the time. I kept it to myself. To the people I knew my goal was to get to 224.9lbs. I was starting at 235.9lbs and I just wanted to get under 225lbs. That in my mind was something I could wrap my head around.

But deep down inside I knew I had to get here. I knew that if I did then I would have accomplished what I had hoped to do. Which was improve my health, look better, get back into clothes that I had to give up and feel good about myself again.

This time last year I was 250lbs. Over time I had got down to 235.9 - mostly through working out making very small changes to my diet (like giving up soda). And while I was happy with that I was still far too heavy for my body. Especially given that until 8 yrs ago I was never over 210.

So in late May I had enough at last. I found out about this website and after looking at it a few days in row I decided I was going to give it a try.

I was lucky in the sense that I was able to say within my calories and not feel too deprived. I discovered some new foods along the way and after a week I thought it might be do-able. It really helped that I was able to see a 2lb loss in the first week. By the 2nd week I got better and really started watching was I was eating and each week for the first month was at least a 2lb loss or more. Once I got going I just found the will and I could see the light.

About a month ago I went a few weeks where I stalled a bit and I did get a little worried but I stuck with it. I kept thinking about the math of it. Less Calories in than burned and you will lose. Yes I know many people would debate that - but it was all I could tell myself so that I didnt lose my way.

Last week I noticed that I started coming down again about 1lb+. So today I started the day as I always do. Getting on the scale. It was also the first day that I truly had no expectations. Somehow I was down 2.2lbs and I saw that 209 come up. I stood there and looked at it for a while. Happy but not over the top.

I know that I I would like to go another 15lbs if possible. But at least for one day I could just relax and enjoy the hard work. The best part of it is that I leave for vacation on Friday and in my head I was hoping to be under 210 before that. Three weeks I had accepted that wouldnt happen but I thought I would try.

Now that it happened - I have no plans on getting on a scale for two weeks. I am going to go on vacation as a sub 210lb person.

I have no words of wisdom to anyone - other than this.

I am not special. I dont have any special willpower. I dont have any training secrets. I dont live in a gym. I dont obsess about macros (didnt even know what that meant until a few weeks ago), I dont lift heavy, I dont do endless cardio, I do not treat carbs like Ebola, I dont deal with a stall by eating more.

I do eat pizza once in a while, I do eat pasta when I am at an Italian restaurant, I do try to get 20 mins or so of cardio in 3-5 times, a week, I do try to do some body weight workouts once a week, I do try to drink more water during the day, I do try to log everything I eat, I do use a food scale - however the most important thing I do is just give it an honest try and accept the fact that if I go over my goal that it is my fault and I have to figure out a way to stay negative for the week.

Long way of saying - that if I can do it then anyone can because as much as I hate to admit it (and my mother might disagree) I am NOT special.

Good luck to all that that read my ramblings! Thank you for letting me get this out.