Back in March, I stood on the scale and weighed 236 pounds. I knew it was time to go on a diet. I was eating Chinese buffet two or three days a week, and was drinking too much beer. (Yes, there is a thing as too much beer!) I also wasn’t working out. I sit all day, and would come home to sit all night. It was time for a change. Not to mention heart problems run in my family. I needed to lose a few pounds and get in shape. I decided a good goal was 185 pounds. I also wanted to run a 5k in 2012. In December I reached my goal and have since finished two races.
I decided to write this post last night when I was laying in bed. The New Year always brings resolutions, and I decided in 2012 to start my resolution in March. I usually weigh myself on Sunday morning, and the last time I weighed myself I was at 183.
So how did I do it? Well, it wasn’t easy. I am pretty much always hungry. But it took a LOT of discipline and I was determined to reach my goal before the end of the year. It took longer than I wanted, but I finally made it.
Using MyFitnessPal.com
This goal wouldn’t have been possible without MyFitnessPal.com and the MyFitnessPal iPhone app. The service is great, and free to use. It allows me to track my input and output, and helps keep me accountable for what I am putting in my body. If I drink a beer, I track the calories. If I eat a piece of pizza, I track those calories. If I run a mile on the treadmill, I track the exercise. Each day I have a calorie goal, and I feel bad if I go over my goal. You can also track your weight loss (or gain) and connect with other users like any social network. There are several people using the service losing a lot of weight, and are great in leaving comments on a job well done.
The app is great, as it allows me to track this stuff on the go. If I am out, and order a cocktail, I can track the calories. I have become obsessed with tracking calories, and will continue to do so until I reach my new goal. My new goal is to be 175, maintain, refine, and to keep hitting the gym as I begin training to hike more mountains in 2013.
When I look in the mirror, I still don’t see it. But my pants no longer fit. I also enjoy when I see someone that I haven’t seen in a while and he or she will mention how much weight I have lost. In the end, I just want to be healthy. I am sleeping better than ever, and I have the diet to thank for that. There is nothing wrong with going over… every now and then. I went over 5,000 calories on Christmas day. But I celebrated one time… not all month! I am not a fitness expert by any means, but I have managed to lose a significant amount of weight thanks to MyFitnessPal and some discipline that I never knew existed.
Not sure what I will weight this time next year, but hopefully I will keep shredding pounds and will be in the best shape of my life when I turn 30. I just hope I don’t fall off the wagon and can keep moving forward. If you are trying to lose weight, try MyFitnessPal. It works. I am living proof that it works!
Free Calorie Counter
The website also provides you a free calorie counter to add to your website. I don’t want this on my site all the time, but I did want to share it here. This will change over time, but is another great way for me to stay on track with my weight loss.
Hi, I can also suggest http://www.trackeat.com – this firm has website and mobile apps – recommended!