Day 104 - Halfway There!

125 days after I started my pre-surgery diet, I've lost 101 pounds of fat.

On April 26th, when I filled out my pre-op paperwork at Crestwood Hospital in Huntsville, AL, I weighed in at 441. It's the heaviest I've ever been in my life, and the heaviest I will ever be. This morning, 125 days later, I weigh 340.

That puts me at 50% to goal weigh loss. I've told myself I want to make it to 240. My ultimate goal is 220, but I'd be ecstatic if I can hit 240.

The positive changes in my life are simply too numerous to list. I don't have the vocabularly to properly express how happy I am with my new life, and how hopeful I am for the future. The mental and physical transformation has been radical.

Day 87 - We're Going to Need a Bigger Boat

A few years before I was brought into this glorious world, wild-eyed Sheriff Brody realized in order to capture the big fish named Jaws, he was damn sure going to need a bigger boat.

The quote actually says a whole lot in a few words. It shows a determination to meet the goal whilst acknowledging weaknesses and devising a new plan.

Welcome to my world.

I took about five days off from exercising to contemplate the latest changes the nutritionist recommended. That break yielded the formulation of a new plan.

New Plan: Ignore the nutritionist.

Day 82 - Altering the Routine

So I've lost 85 pounds. I'm feeling more confident. Clothes fit better. My chest is poking out a little. The ego is inflated. All-in-all life is good right now.

There's nothing better to deflate a good ego trip than seeing a nutritionist.

Now, my nutritionist is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He believes firmly in positive reinforcement, and is the type that can just about nice you to death.

Armed with last month's log of food intake, I marched into his office full of pride and 100% positive I was doing 90% right. :-)

As it turns out, my percentages may have been a little off.

Day 77 - The Emperor's New Clothes

"Ed! I'll be there. And I'm gonna look good."

So says a disheveled Ron Burgundy in the movie "Anchorman" as he's called back into action.

That's the way I've felt recently. After rummaging through some old smaller clothes and finding inspiration in a couple of things that fit really well, I decided it was time to throw away some old fat clothes and buy a few new things.

My pants had gotten to the point where the crotch was hanging down to my knees. I had to cinch my belt down so tight that the pants were punching up around the waist. I no longer felt comfortable because of the huge legs and baggy bottom. Most of my shirts were too big. As narcissistic as it may sound, I didn't feel like I could show off my progress as well in the baggy clothes.

So with a fresh payday in hand, I went shopping.

And I was greeted with much more inspiration.