I Finally Hit My Goal, Dropped 125 lbs

Northampton County has a Department of Weights and Measures. This story is about my weights and measures. I finally did it. I started in July 2018, and as of October 25, 2019, have reached my goal weight of 170 lbs. In the pic on the left, I weighed in at 295. I dropped 125 lbs over the course of 15 months. I posted about this once before, when I was at the halfway mark. I want to thank all the people who encouraged me along the way. You have been very supportive.

What got me started was a tiny Jackapoo (half Jack Russell and half toy poodle) named Suki. She's the Captain Danger of designer dogs. When she is at my grandson's house, she mostly acts like a toy poodle and even refuses to go out in the rain. When I have her, the Jack Russell comes out, and she is the Terror of Terriers. I have to walk her incessantly. I have had to give her several skunk baths over the years. In July of last year, I spent a few days dog sitting and she got me motivated again.

She was quite disgusted with me, which she would make clear as I struggled to keep up with her.

Gradually, I cut out the junk food and replaced it with more healthy choices. I also limited my caloric intake. I try to consume my calories for the day within an eight-hour window. With rare exceptions, I stop eating by 8 pm. Using an app called "MyFitnesPal," I have been able to keep track of exactly what I eat, and with a fairly accurate count.

I start the day with a capful Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, mixed with 16 ounces of water. I continue drinking water all day, trying to consume 80 ounces.

Initially, I was just walking, but at my weight, it was becoming very painful in my hips. So I used a machine called the Arc Trainer, which burns a shitload of calories in far less time and is very gentle on the joints. As time has gone by, I can walk again, and at a brisk pace. I'm uncertain whether I'll be able to return to running. I try to burn 500 calories a day. I try to get it in every day unless I am sore or sick.

I began lifting weights in September 2018, and that has been the biggest surprise. I spend one day doing upper body, one day doing legs and one day doing nothing. If I am sore, I will rest extra days. I am still unable to do a single unassisted pull-up or chin-up, but can bang out 43 push-ups.

This exercise has made me much stronger than when I was running 26.2 mile marathons in my younger years. Over last winter, I did a header on black ice, landing on the back of my head and ass. I was uninjured, but think I would have had broken bones had I not been exercising.

Have I relapsed? Yes, and as recently as Saturday. But these binge fests have become less common, and after Saturday, I was so sick I doubt I will ever binge again.

As things stand, I am still at the high end of what is considered normal, but will take it.

My worry is that I will return to my evil ways, as I have always done. I'm like a yo-yo when it comes to weight, and marvel at those of you who can maintain the same weight for decades. To me, maintaining is much harder than losing.

To those of you who still like to taunt me about my weight, keep it up. It motivates me.

Unfortunately, I'm still ugly.

Once again, thanks to the many people who said such nice things as I struggled.