Tale of the Tape: Week Eight

Monday morning weigh-in

Starting Weight: 208 lbs

Last Week’s Weight: 197 lbs

Current Weight: 197.1 lbs

Weekly Difference: +.1 lbs

Total Loss: 10.9 lbs

Seven full weeks down and I’m sitting at 197lbs, not too bad.  I’m about the same as last week, but I also had some crazy stomach flu that weekend.  Sickness weight loss doesn’t really count, because it doesn’t typically stay off.  That being said, I’m just two pounds from my 195 goal by December 23rd.  It’s very doable, but I can’t get too cocky.  I don’t want to have to shave my head, nor does my wife want to see me bald.

I think it’s safe to say that I’ve officially lost ten pounds.  I would argue that the first ten and the last ten are the hardest.  Getting on a good program, diet, and routine is one of the tougher aspects of losing weight; especially, if it’s a big change from your daily activity.  Once you’ve committed to it and it becomes the norm, I feel like it gets easier.  By the time you’ve lost those first ten pounds, you’re on a steady path to success.  That becomes the new norm, which you have proven can be accomplished.  The next bit is easy peasy.

What about the last ten pounds?  Obviously everyone has different weight loss goals, but deciding when you’re in the “last” ten pounds can be a difficult determination.  The last ten pounds when you started may not be the last ten pounds once you’ve reached that initial goal.  Your body has changed, your mindset has changed, and your way of life has probably changed completely.  What seemed impossible before is now in the realm of possibility. Make no mistake though, it will be a physically hard ten pounds.  By this time the body has adjusted to the physical stress that has been applied to it and the body will have adapted.  That’s how the body gets stronger.   This means it will take more stress and more dedication at the end, than it ever took at the beginning; especially, when you’re talking about keeping that last ten pounds off.

I would argue that if you’ve reached the point of your “last” ten pounds, you have all of the tools you need to finish it off and keep it off.  The only thing stopping you is yourself.  Now… reality check.  It looks good on paper, but life’s a bitch.  In twenty years my weight has fluxated from 165 to 185 to 200 to 173 to 215.  Life gets in the way, as well as priorities.  At 40 years old, I honestly cannot afford to keep the weight fluxuation game going; so, I’ve committed myself to being healthier and staying at a healthy weight.  I have a lot of work to do and I'm sure it's not going to be all rainbows and unicorns, but I look forward to that last ten pounds!

This week’s stats:

Beer: 4 x Sam Adams Winter Lager (not bad, Fonda didn’t like it much)

Scotch: None

Wine: None

Champagne: 4 x Bare Foot

Least healthy food, but tasted awesome: Popeye’s chicken (Christmas Party; haven’t had fried chicken in months!)

Best healthy meal: Veggie burger on 100% whole wheat sandwich round, with a little salsa verde

Craving satisfied: Filet mignon (medium rare) YUMMY!

Only two more pounds to keep my hair, should be a good week!  Have a great one!