Year Long Journey

Me at approximately 360

At my goal weight of 230

Today at 210

Cat Tax

Some background:
I have always been a bigger guy, typically hovering between 300-320 lbs. I played football and rugby throughout college. After college I started a sedentary job as a 911 Dispatcher, and even though I was lifting weights I continued to eat at the same pace as when I was being more active. Eventually I ballooned up to 360 lbs. At the end of last January I decided it was time for a change. I was tired of my knees and back hurting, and disappointed in how I looked. I researched different eating habits and foods and eventually decided on eating 6 small meals a day mostly consisting of chicken and broccoli.

What I learned:
1. You can't view food as an enjoyable thing anymore, it is simply there to fuel you. I know this sounds cliche but its true. Its hard to get enjoyment when you are eating the same thing day in and day out.

2. Motivation is only 10 percent, discipline is 90 percent. Yes of course when I began I was super motivated but eventually it fades but I had to find the discipline to not binge eat or skip working out. I also found that setting small attainable goals kept motivation levels up. Even today I have to fight the urge to go out and eat a pizza or cheeseburger even though when I do it usually kills my stomach.

3. You can still have fun. I took a lot of vacations last year. Savannah for St. Patty's day, Cancun, and Las Vegas. All while still losing weight. I learned that you have to give yourself the occasional break, especially if you have been doing well. Surprisingly, I never gained much weight while on vacation, in fact I actually lost 5 lbs when I went to Vegas (most likely due to excessive walking).

I hit my goal weight in October of 2016 and have been slowly adding calories in to help stabilize my weight. Currently, I usually hover between 210 and 215 depending on what I decide to do on a given weekend. My knees and back feel the best they ever have, and I weigh less now than I did in middle school.

I always see others posting, and honestly looking at my own photos I still see a relatively big guy, but if I can get motivation from looking at others, hopefully I can help someone motivate themselves.

If anyone has any questions feel free to message me!