Trading Fat for Fit: Part 4 - 7 Months Later

That was my weight on July 1st, 2012.
I look at that number ever single day. 
It reminds me of what can happen when you get lazy and allow bad habits to form.
It reminds me of how badly out of shape and overweight I really was less than seven months ago.
It motivates me every day to eat healthy and exercise; it has provided me with the willpower to put down the chips, the soda, and the fast food and clean up my diet.
It has provided that nudge to work through the aches and pains and continue to get up before work and hit the gym.
I look at that number and I...

...cringe!

I do not cringe as badly looking at that number as I do looking at these pictures, but I do cringe. I was a meal away from 300 pounds, I was not overweight, but I was in the grossly obese category. Yikes!

Those of you who read this blog regularly know that I have been tracking my progress on this blog. I didn't start till month 3, and last month I skipped month 6, but if you follow me of Facebook, I post Fatty Weigh-in Friday pictures of my progress each week. Before proceeding, lets recap...
Month 3
Month 4
Month 5

Month 5 ended with a final weight of 227.4. Well, since it has been two months, we have a few weigh-ins to catch up with....
One Week Later

Two Weeks Later

Progress is slow, but it was still progress...
Three Weeks Later

That is a little better, showing some better progress.
Four Weeks Later

Five Weeks Later

Six Weeks Later

Seven Weeks Later

Eight Weeks Later

Nine Weeks Later

I continue to lose weight although it is at a slower rate than the first few months when I dropped in excess of 56 pounds. My current weight loss is now 78 pounds and I have reached my original goal of 220 pounds.  

I have continued to work out; however my reconstructed knee does not like running as much as I do, so I have had to curtail the running as the swelling of my knee was forcing me to take days off from exercise. I have replaced the running with the elliptical and everything seems to be going fine.
I am really seeing the results as I am firmly in size 36 pants and down to XL shirts. 
I think I am stuck as size 36 pants however; the problem is that my thighs do not fit in size 34 pants even though my size 36 waists are loose. However, this is a problem I will gladly have...
...much better than trying to squeeze into pants and shirts that are snug....making you look like a 4 pound sausage in a 2 pound casing!

With my original goal of 220 accomplished, I am currently considering my next set of Health Oriented Goals. For the time being, I will be dropping the goal to compete a 5K and 10K as my rebuilt knee is not going to take that strain. This is very disappointing to me as I really wanted to finish at least a 5K before I hit my one year HEALTHY anniversary. My doctor and I are looking at non-surgical methods to alleviate the swelling, so I am hopeful this goal will still be viable.

I think that I am going to drop my weight goal down to 213 pounds which is the Willoughby Ideal Weight for some of my age and height. This means that I will not be changing my diet very much with the small inclusion of some fruit. Up to this point I have avoid fruit and concentrated on vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy carbs (brown rice, sweet potatoes).  I am not doing this willy-nilly, but I am doing it after consulting with my doctor who believes this is not only a doable goal for me, but one that will have lasting health benefits.

Well, see you next month...oh, before I go, here is the obligatory monthly photo of my ugly mug!