The changes in me

I wouldn't call myself a vain person, but part of losing weight is about vanity. Dieting, or in my case, changing habits and changing the way I am was all about me and how I feel.

That's not to say the rest of the world doesn't mater, because it does, but if I am not happy with myself or the way I am living than no one else around me can be the same. So, in a way this has been a trip in vanity. After all, I wanted to look different and have a different attitude.

And boy do I ever.

Here are some changes I have noticed in myself. It may not be all-inclusive, but there's always another post or two for that down the road.

"The Remote Shelf"

There has been one glaring image stuck in my head as to why I started Operation 40. There was a time when I could lounge on the couch and place the remote control in the place between my chest and the start of my stomach. I started calling it my "Remote Shelf"

Well, the "Remote Shelf" is officially gone. Now I have to hold the remote in conventional ways, lol. I guess I can still lay it on my tummy, but you get the idea.

Wastin' away again in Milnerville!

I made the latest weigh-in a bit later. I stepped on the scales on Saturday and BAM!

No, I didn't break the scale, sillies. I lost 5 more pounds. That makes me down 45 pounds and now 191. My new "goal" is 185 by the official end of Operation 40. I may surpass even that.

I admit, that the cutting the calories way down has been good, but I need to start adding them back, slowly. I can't keep losing weight forever, and need to find a balance.

I also splurged on Friday and had four pieces of real pizza. OMG, it was great. I felt kinda guilty, though. But when I stepped on the scale I felt better.

Granted, pizza will remain a once in a while thing, but it shows me that I have worked hard and can reward myself from time to time. Some of you may think the pizza was cheating, and to some extent you are right. But, I don't think it was too bad.

SUCCESS!!!!!!

I gave myself until April 30 to lose 40 pounds. It was a reasonable goal and more than attainable.

Well, as of March 16 I am 196 pounds and have reached the goal! Actually I'm a few ounces below 196 as of the weigh-in, but still the goal has been met and I will continue until April 30 to see where it takes me. Then it is on to toning and losing a bit more.

This journey hasn't been easy. It was difficult to change things early on and I still have times when I need support to pull through. However, it has been a great change for me. I feel good, I look better and have more energy.

Thanks to all who have supported me and thanks to all those who will support me in the future.

Oh, and I started exercising again yesterday. It took a little nudge but I did 35 minutes of cardio and it was just like riding a bike.

On the path ...

I weighed in a bit earlier, this time on a Monday (March 8). It was only five days since my last check-in, but I still had decent results.

I lost one more pound for a total of 38 since I started. I am now 196 and two pounds away from the goal.

This was good news. More came on Thursday, but that has nothing to do with my weight loss.

I am on the path and this marks another weigh-in where I lost weight and didn't gain anything. Life is good.

This magic moment ....

..... It was about 10 years ago. I say 10 years because it's a round number. It might actually be a few more, but still 10 years is a long time.

I weighed myself on Wednesday, March 3. I lost a little over one pound. That leaves me at 199 and three pounds away from the goal.

Why is this significant? Well, it has been 10 years since I have been under 200 pounds. This is a huge accomplishment for me and one i am quite proud of.

I intend to stay this way. So goodbye 200-plus pounds. It's been nice knowing you.