Stopped lying to myself (mostly)

Twenty-five years of being with a caring woman has taken its toll on my body. She has always let me eat what I want and it definitely shows! When we started dating I was a rather sickly 136 pounds (5'8") and have on a couple of occasions in the last year pushed 285.

This needs to change! I have several motivations really pushing me this time. First, I am going to be looking for a new job in the next couple of years. I no longer have an interview suit that fits me, and frankly, when I see myself in the mirror I don't think I "present" well. Second, I will soon be 50, or as I now refer to it, 49 extra large. I would really like to be around a little longer and maybe get to see my daughter finish high school, be there when she gets married, and maybe even get to enjoy some grandchildren. And finally, speaking of my daughter, the unhealthy lifestyle my wife I lead have trickled down and affected her as well. She is also overweight, but thankfully not unhealthily so (yet!). I feel if I can make the positive changes needed it will benefit her as well.

I had vowed early in the year to lose 50 pounds by the age of 50. That is not going to happen. It just won't. At this point though, I'll take any loss I can get. Two things just last month really put me over the edge and put a boot where it will do me the most good. We took a vacation back east, and on every flight I was just barely able to get the seat belt fastened. I honestly would rather have died than to ask for an extender in front of my wife and daughter. While on vacation my daughter really wanted to go horseback riding. Horses have always been her favorite things in the world. Unfortunately, I exceed the weight limit at every stable we called. She still got to go with my wife, but she wanted to know why I wouldn't go with them and because of my own shame I lied to her. I'm done lying. Done lying to her and done lying to myself! I don't want to miss out on any of the time I have left with her.

My logs are open, and anyone who looks at them might think I'm full of it. They show some pretty unhealthy living. I AM trying! I'm making small changes. Changing the amount I eat rather than what I eat. I am getting more active, but the weight, the COPD, my desk job and the plantar fasciitis give me too many convenient excuses . I try to walk two archery courses (about a mile each) at least 4-5 days a week and I walk to work and back home (about 3/4 mile each way) most days. I'm willing to do more! I could use some friends for advice and support. Some alternatives for some of my common meals (same breakfast every day kinda person) would be a big start.

Thanks for listening to my story. Congratulation to all of you for all of your hard work and good luck and best wishes for all the others starting this journey.