Hi Everyone,
Here's my full disclosure post.
The Backslide
On January 2, 2018 I weighed 221 lbs. For context, my highest weight back in 2012 was 236. My lowest was 157 (hard to believe). It took some years, but I made it back over 200. Well over, in fact.
So this year, I got back to it. I'm doing a lot of what I learned from Take Shape for Life (TSFL), but I'm doing it without subscribing to their food. I have a protein bar at 6am, 9am, noon, 3pm, then I have a healthy dinner (lean protein like turkey, tofu, lean pork or the occasional something else). After dinner I may have a bag of skinny pop.
I eat more variety now, including some fruit and higher-carb veggies like green beans. I like Wasa crackers (35-50 cals each) and I eat them despite the fact that they're high in carbs.
I average about 1500-1600 calories per day. TSFL had me around 1200-1400 per day. I was losing around 2-2.5 lbs per week before. It was very motivating. Now I'm targeting 1 pound per week.
I track everything in cronometer (the android app and the website at cronometer.com. Note there is no 'H' in cronometer). It's a pretty awesome app.
My Current Progress
This morning I weighed 205. That's down 16 lbs from New Years. It's more than a pound per week, but those early pounds come off the quickest. I have already felt some of the satisfaction associated with losing weight -- some clothes fit better, tighten my belt one more hole. But I haven't dropped any sizes yet.
So here I am. My goal is to be in the 170s. 175 would be nice. A related goal is to not re-gain my weight like I did last time. I am older and somewhat wiser. When I get to my goal, I will not go "off" my diet like I did before. I will loosen up a bit, but there will be no 1/2 pizzas, unlimited chips/salsa or daily PBJ sandwiches. I do like a little ice cream now and again. I think low cal will satisfy me, and I'll indulge around special occasions and not keep it around. You get the idea. No more carte blanche.
I'm confident I'll get there. The first time around, I proved to myself that I can do it once I start. Starting is definitely the hard part. But after a couple of weeks, it gets so much easier.
I'll check in from time to time. And I'll visit reddit.com/r/loseit for inspiration. I recommend you do the same. There are some amazing people out there.
All the best,
Harry
