What has worked for me

I know that what I'm about to write will not work for everyone, but it has worked for me and I hope that it will encourage at least someone out there. With that in mind, here we go.

I've always been an athlete. For my entire life. I think I've played every sport that there is. My main loves were football and baseball. I loved baseball more, but seemed to be better at football. After my athletic life, I kept up my eating habits that I had when I was in sports. And the weight piled on quite fast. I would yo yo back then, I would try the "new, hot" diet or program. From Atkins to the zone to herbal life with their ridiculous shakes and pills. But nothing ever lasted, I'd lose weight, then put it back on. It didn't help that certain family members would "diet" Monday through Friday lunch, and then the weekend was a free for all that included brownies, cake, pancakes saturday morning and huge sunday lunches, but we were always "back on it come monday." Once I graduated college I was right below 400 lbs and I decided to do something about it. I went gung ho on the south beach diet. From February to August 2005 I lost almost 80 lbs. I also met the girl who is today my wife.

In August of that year I suffered a severely sprained ankle and was on crutches for about 6 weeks. During that time old habits crept back in and I gained it all back and then some. So, 4 years and 125 lbs later it was January 1 2011.

Happy New Years!! Everyone makes resolutions to lose weight on new years, but I knew this year was different. I was tired. Literally and figuratively tired. I was tired of getting winded by tying my shoes and feeling uncomfortable in my clothes. Tired of my ankle and knees hurting. Tired of the way I felt when I overate. Tired of feeling like that this was the best it was going to get. Tired. I made the pact with myself that it was going to end then.

I am very active in my church and at the beginning of every year we go through a period of fasting and prayer. I knew that I couldn't beat this on my own. So I decided to participate in the fast. It was tough but I truly believe that it helped me with my break through with my struggle. I didn't fast as a weight loss plan. I fasted as a fix my issues plan. I realized during this time that my issue was not physical, far from it. It was a spiritual issue, I was using food to plug a hole that only God could fill. So when I realized that that was my problem, when I finally got back to eating I knew that I didn't need a certain program or diet. I needed a complete lifestyle and attitude change.

I know that people will scoff at what I just wrote, but like I said at the beginning, this has worked for me.

I realized that my problem was a portion control issue. Weight loss is simple. Its not about carbs, or the right carbs versus the wrong carbs, or low fat versus high fat. It is about calories in versus calories out. That's it. Its that simple.

After my fast, I started paying attention to how much I ate, not so much what I ate. I also began working out. Being a former athlete, working out has never been a big deal to me, I'm used to it. I enjoy torturing my body. Working out til it hurts and then working out a little more. I used to workout and then go to burger king and order the left side of the menu. Now I workout and have a protein shake. Another thing that has helped me is the fact that I allow myself a "cheat meal" or a "cheat day" where I increase my calories, but it doesn't go past that meal or that day. So I know that after a workout if I'm wanting a doughnut, I know that I can get one friday night, or sunday at lunch.

So here I am, August 28. I'm down 90 lbs. I know it could be more, but I'm doing what works for me. I don't really want to overeat anymore. I don't want to eat junk any more. I find that even on cheat meals or days, I'm still eating somewhat healthy. I just want people to know that you can do it if I can. Its not hard. Its hard at first, but once you start to notice, and even better, when others start to notice. It makes it easier. Just keep it up. Work hard. Stay focused. Keep reminding yourself of your goal. Write down your goal weight, put it on the fridge, on the bathroom mirror. In your car. Make it your facebook password, a part of your twitter handle. Whatever that number is, keep it in front of you and don't lose sight of it. Keep pushing. When you have hard days, and you will, just remind yourself why you're doing what you're doing.

Thank you for taking the time read this and I hope it helps you out in someway. Much love.