Good morning!
Here's to new beginnings!
Well, I was really hoping that I'd be needing to lose about 10 kgs before the check in with my surgeon in February, but fact is that it's gonna be 14.5 kgs that I need to drop. That's okay. I'll make it there on time, but I'm gonna have to be serious about it if I wanna reach my goal. And reach it I will.
Wife and I are determined to do this. Do it right. Make it last.
I've done a LOT of soul searching lately, have had some things that I needed to clear my head of, and I feel that I am getting there, though maybe not there 100% just yet.
However, waiting for me to be a-okay will not do me good. I till not push my deadline, on the contrary. It will bring it much closer. Imagine if I don't get going for another month? Then, guaranteed, I will not reach goal on time. I'm already pushing it, so I need to do this. Now.
I have had so many of you writing to me. So many have supported me through this tough time, and I am soooo appreciative of that. You guys were in my thoughts last night for Thanksgiving. Not just because you are the ones I wanna thank, along with my friends and family, but of course also thinking of all of you lot who are - even on Thanksgiving Day - desperately trying to get all your numbers put into the Diet calendar. LOL.
Personally, I didn't. I had a VERY clear idea that I would not count. I did, however do faily well. I think I had what would be a regular Indulgence Day, and I am fine with that. I didn't stuff myself, and I am thankful for that. I actually felt good afterwards.
So, today I am on track. It's 6 AM, and ALL food is registered for the day. I have all meals planned out, and spare calories for shenanigans.
I'm gonna go with my trusty old approach. Eat what you feel like, but consider it an extra time before you eat something stupid that you know you really shouldnt. If it fits in your calorie plan, then it's fair game. If it doesn't, then let it go.
That's how I lost the weight. That's what have proven to work for me. The moment I have changed to micro detail things, I see that I start making it harder on myself, and eventually I mess up. Let's not do that. Until further notice, this is my approach.
It's a good thing that I have a good coach on hand. Or at least, people tell me.
I have had the most awesome comments and mails from you guys and from the students in my weight loss class.
My class has reached their goal. They set out - 12 people - to lost 70 kilos in 13 weeks (3 months). Well, there are 4 people who stopped showing. 8 left. Out of those, two haven't really moved forward much. I think this is what I need to expect from a class like that. Not everyone is motivated, but just the fact that they show up regardless makes it worth it for me - I hope they eventually will move when they are ready, and then be prepped for it. That's basically what happened to me. I had two "false starts" here on FatSecret, before I really rang through. And god know how many false starts this time around.
Anyways, those 8 people have in 11 weeks dropped 74 kilos. That's 163 lbs for you Americans! I am so stoked that they made it, and then some. They now have a new goal of reaching 80 kilos. Let's see if they can do it! :)
I wanted to quote something that really motivated me to come back here and do things. I had a little messaging back and forth yesterday with a FS Buddy. He was checking in on me, and asking how I was. I told him about my struggles and he wrote the most awesome thing back. I don't think I've ever been so proud in my life. Seriously.
I am taking a bit of a liberty to quote here, and I am sure he doesn't mind. I haven't asked, though, but I just need to share this.
"I want to tell you something. I would not have been able to lose the weight and change my life in this regard if it was not for you. Yes Keld, you. To me YOU are Fatsecret. I draw inspiration and strength from your experiences, your successes and also your failures on those days that I felt I could not do this anymore. And those days were many my friend..."
I have no words for how heart warming this was. Real men don't shed tears, right? Well, this pushed me pretty damn close. LOL. Still does.
I love the fact that I have inspired. I love the fact that I am so far in my own journey. I don't like that I have pushed myself back, but I love the fact that I know exactly what I need to do to to get back where I want and need to be.
It's strange. From my first day on the weight loss journey, and until I reached my goal the first time, I have lost 80 kilos. More than half my body weight. Then, gaining 10-15 (who am I kidding? 15!) kilos, I feel SO HEAVY! It's crazy what a difference it makes. Who knew? I really want those kilos off so I can feel comfortable and energetic again.
I decided to put a couple of photos in my journal today. I want to show you guys three photos. My OLD "before" picture. My "goal reached" picture. And my current picture. Maybe we should call it my "new before picture. :)
My old before picture:
My after picture. This is from when I reached goal last summer.
This is today. Right now.
So there we have it. All cards on the table. Phew. That weigh-in was a tough one, but I needed to do it, or I won't be able to tell if I do any kind of progress.
Tomorrow, if I remember, I will try to measure fat percentage too. Now, that is SCARY! lol. I know it's gonna be high. I'll just have to swallow my pride and deal with it. Again, having the knowledge of where I am will help me move towards my goal.
I'm gonna start moving forward on exercise too. I haven't FULLY decided how and why and all that. I have three options (and of course then some) that I am considering, and I will probably end up doing a little of all of it.
First of all, I need to get back onto my trusty bike. Both the indoor and outdoor ones. Since winter will be hitting us soon, I'm expecting the indoor bike to be the winner, generally. However, Wife does like biking (judging from the one time she went with me) so I will try to trick her into going with me. ;)
Second, I want to train more focused on my entire body. I'm gonna start with my Extreme Makeover Weight Loss DVD. I really like that workout. It isn't a rough one, and it's not intimidating. I don't like the ones that has an über-pumped coach screaming and yelling. I want to punch them in the face and turn the thing off. I'll never ever get going on that. So this one works for me, and it gets me moving and works pretty much my entire body, little by little. If feels GREAT doing it, and that is what is important. And, to quote that DVD, there is no wrong exercise. Anything you're doing is better than not doing anything at all. I can only agree with that.
My third option is the gym. First priority will be cardio, as I am looking to drop the fat. Then, I will have to get going on the weights. I had a trainer lined up, a private friend. Sadly, he has gotten very sick, and will most likely not be available to do any sparring with me. So I gotta find a buddy that can help me out and motivate. I'll get to that. I have a few ideas.
Of course, on top of this there is the daily exercises. Do more stairs, walk further, etc. I have already set my printer at work up so I have to pick up all printouts on another floor. It's a great way to get more exercise, as I go there quite a lot. Sadly, we have now also changed to a new mail system where we don't actually do and physically send the letters. We send them digitally and they will be printed and enveloped by a company. That takes away many a chance of getting up and out of my chair.
Which reminds me that I also need to be standing up at work. I have gotten too comfortable sitting down. Fixing that right now. :) Yes, I'm at work writing this. lol. Time well spent, I'd say.
Anyways, I think this would be quite enough babbling for today. Not bad for a "first" journal, I think.
Please, everyone, have an AWESOME weekend. You guys don't know how much I appreciate you, and how much it means to me to be back again and write this. I missed it. I think a positive outlook is what drives to me write these journals. I need to keep that positive out look. It's always there, but just like anyone else I need to dig deeper to find it occasionally. That's where I've been lately. Enough of that.
Today, I'm thankful for:
- Weighing in a LOT heavier than I thought I would be. This can be used as motivation.
- An Awesome Thankgiving dinner yesterday. Wife's cooking rocked. Again.
- Early at work. Going home early.
Have an awesome weekend, my friends. I will be here off and on, but I will be here and check in daily. I will read my buddies journals and dedicate daily time to do this. It keeps me focused and helps me to do this.
Life is indeed good. Even at 94.4 kgs. But it's better at <80 kgs. Let's go!
