On a positive note, with today’s “official” weigh-in, the scale reads 193.4lbs. My starting weight, back on
February 26, 2020 was 375lbs, and I am down 4.4lbs from last week for a total 181.6lbs and am now at my lowest weight to date.
My previous low weight was 196.1lbs on January 30th. Then the following week I hit a major roadblock, a setback that turned into an obstacle but that did not mean it had to be over. Honestly though, I was shaken by how easy it was to fall back into the slothful and gluttonous pattern that led me up to weight of 375lbs.
I have often written of the war with obesity, which I term the bastard. Some battles I’ve one, some the bastard has won. For a moment, I was concerned the bastard was re-exerting itself, and obviously it was, but I managed to regain the upper hand, and the weight started again dropping, to now bringing my total down from the previously low. However, one thing of which I am certain, is that without the support and encouragement of all of you – I may very well may not have regained control in this go-round.
I am 51 weeks into this journey to recapture health, fitness, and wellness and while the BIG number is 181.6, it is important to realize that to get to this big number, it took consistently focusing on a series of smaller number {3.5lbs a week, 14lbs a month}, to get to this point. And to also understand, and accept, that setbacks happen, and it is easy to get down on ourselves, but to keep making progress, even with those setbacks, we must consistently and steadily keep moving forward.
This week the scale is adored. It is a definite teller of truth and the truth this past week was good. Yet, it isn’t the sole demonstrator of progress. In addition to the weight loss, this past Wednesday I had a personal best 5 mile run of 1 hour, and 11 minutes. And the jeans are now a tad loose size 36. 😀
This is a war, and the bastard obesity wins some battles, we win others. A lost battle is not the end of the war. We must not quit, even when that seems like the best option. Trust me, I understand. As I have said, the last battle the bastard had won, I really thought was the last. A year ago, I was ready to completely give up and succumb to the sloth and gluttony that consumed me. Yet, over the last year I re-learned two important lessons:
don't get discouraged
do remain consistent
With all that has been going on during this pandemic, we can get lost in what we no longer have, or what we can no longer do. However, it is now that I realize just how grateful I am for what I do have, and for those whom I have in my life. To everyone on social media, my blog, Racquel and Annie at work, my favorite patient and most encouraging fan of my writing Nicole, and my accountability buddy on Facebook Carol, thank you all for your words of support and encouragement. I know for a fact, that during these most difficult times, which have been greatly compounded by other forces, without your positive comments pushing me forward, the results would not be what they are.
Even if others give up on you, or try to drag you down -- don't ever give up on yourself. As the shirt says, “NEVER UNDERESTMATE AN OLD MAN WHO DEFENDED YOUR COUNTRY!”
Be well and safe everyone.
Love and respect to all.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Joe
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