End of 2012 Weight Loss Results

In January I created a goal, not a resolution, to lose 60 pounds in 2012. At 277 pounds and not only looking like crap but also feeling like it something had to change. That first month was a lot of confusion and frustration with only a few pounds down.

By February I had joined Weight Watchers and started to see success for the first time in any of my weight loss attempts. The pounds seem to just fall off and I was thrilled to watch the numbers on my scale decrease.

By July, I was down 40 pounds and determined to reach my 60 pound goal. Life, however, changed things and the weight loss halted at 40-42 pounds down.

August was the start of my first semester at UNLV and my dad moving in with us. Junk food replaced healthy and nutritious meals. Portion control disappeared as I chomped down pizza, KFC, Taco Bell, or whatever we were having for dinner.

Greasy goodness…NOT!

Despite the sudden overload of junk I still maintained my 40 pound weight loss. To this day I still cannot figure out how or why. The late summer heat here in Las Vegas kept me indoors and away from my favorite places to walk.

Admittedly I’m not a big fan of the gym. As such, I tend to avoid them even when the weather is either too hot or too cold for for me to lace up my favorite pair of sneakers and go out for a walk.

I know…they’re so sexy aren’t they?

I do have a theory for why I maintained my weight loss even though my eating habits sucked.

I walked a lot on campus since I parked on one side of campus and hung out in the student union on the other side of campus. I also stayed conscious of what I was eating and didn’t binge on junk. I nibbled but I didn’t go nuts.

Recently I had a craving for canned chili (I know, gross) and bought a single can. Ignoring portion sizes and nutrition I ate the entire can with what I am guessing was a half cup of shredded cheese. At dinner time that evening I decided to do a rough estimate of calories consumed that day, canned chili included.

It’s evil…EVIL I tell you!

The can of chili came in at a whopping 720 calories for ONE can. Add in 180 calories for cheese (1/2 C) and approximately 8 saltines (about 120 calories) my lunch came in at an astounding 1,000+ calories. That sudden revelation made me realize I had to put a stop to the downward spiral.

I’ve decided to make a much more conscious effort again to watch my eating habits and start making exercise a priority. Here is what I need to do to get back on track:

1. Portion control. This is crucial.
2. Creating meal plans…and sticking to them.
3. Despite the cold must make an effort at least 3x a week to walk at least 2 miles
4. Water, water, and more water. I’m still drinking it regularly but daily intake has dropped from an average of 70 oz per day down to 30 oz or less.

And speaking of exercise I also need to use my heart rate monitor more often. I paid $65 (on sale!) for the darn thing back in early September and have used it no more than 5 times in these past few months. FIVE! That’s just…sad.

I do love this thing…and I really need to use it more often.

I’m looking ahead and setting another weight loss goal of 60 pounds for 2013 though I will be happy with 40 pounds.

And yes, I will take it 5 pounds at a time rather than look at just the big picture. I am no slave to the scale and monitor my progress with reasonable expectations. I currently weigh 235 pounds and would like to be at or below 200 by June or July.

Wish me luck my friends! I fully intend to make 2013 a kick ass year for health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness. I got a good start now it’s time to kick it up a few notches.