20 LB Mile Marker

In celebration, I dedicate this post to this mile marker.

Today I hopped on the scale to celebrate my official 20 lb weight loss.  Actually I probably lost about 22-23 lbs, but since my official recorded highest weight was on March 21, 2012, I have dropped 20 lbs.  My BMI is down to 29.6.  I am officially out of the "obese" category.  What a relief!

What are the changes that brought me thus far?

1. Food.  I control what goes in.  I don't keep accurate calorie logs, but I stay around 1200 calories per day, and strive to eat majority fruits and vegetables.  Although I've tried to keep variety of food in my diet, the most common items include whole grain bread, brown rice, vegetables a plenty, fruits fruits fruits (watermelon, apples, cantaloupe, strawberries, bananas), chicken, turkey, yogurt, milk, and granola bars.  Sometimes I plan my meals really healthy, other times I eat fast food (Chicken Fresco Burrito/Tacos from Taco Bell), and I've even been able to mingle during potluck and eat during social gatherings without sabotaging anything.  I eat what I know to be around 300-400 calories during each meal.  It really is a way of life.  I don't gorge or what we'd call "pig out" anymore, and saying bye bye to this one bad habit has made me stronger overall.

2. Water.  I drink a lot of water.  I don't even know how much I drink anymore, but I carry around a 1 Liter water bottle, and refill it during the day.  I'm assuming my water consumption probably reaches about 2 - 2.5 Liters per day.  The only other types of drinks I'd drink besides water are coffee and green tea.  Ok, occasionally some diet coke as well.  But I find that I can't even drink diet coke anymore since my meals are lighter and healthier.  The only reason I used to chug diet coke was because my meals were heavy and greasy.  Diet coke used to compliment these meals.  Now when I drink diet coke, it's too strong and I find that I can't even finish half a can.  I guess that's a good thing.

3. Exercise.  I run.  I hop on the treadmill and run about 3 times a week.  Some runs last well past an hour, while other times I stop at 3 miles.  I weight train about 2 times a week.  I try to be more active outside, and climbing Stone Mountain, walking with my roommates' dogs, and shopping has been more of my weekly activity than ever before.

4. Sleep.  I sleep a lot.  I love waking up feeling refreshed, and sometimes that means I sleep about 9 hrs!  I feel like my body is going through a lot of changes, and the more I sleep, the better results I see.

5. Believe.  I think the motivation from believing that I will meet my goal this year has kept me going further than I've ever been.  Being able to see visible progress and setting realistic expectations has kept my belief aflame.  I know I can do this, and I am so exhilarated knowing I am a good fraction into the journey.  It's hard, but its easier than living with the guilt of knowing I'm negligent to my body.  This is so much easier than all the horrible self esteem bashing rejections and comments I face for being over weight.  This is so much easier than having to be self conscious of my big fat rolls and cellulite spilling over my already too small clothes.  I believe I'm done being a victim, and I have my entire life in the palm of my hands.