Weigh-In 5.5: Monthly Update

Since I’ve been on this journey towards real health for a month now, it’s time to post my pictures and measurements as they stand today. I could have done it Saturday, but I wanted to make it a full calendar month by doing it on the first each month.

Anyway, I was quite surprised by the results. I had a hunch that I had lost a little bit of my size (I need to add another hole to a belt I have) but I realized this morning that this has been a VERY good month of progress! It’s been a similarly good month for Diana, which is extremely encouraging to me as well.

My stats, as I head into month two as a health nut, are after the jump:

Measurements

• Weight: 335.8 lbs (350.5 last month, down 14.6)
• BMI: 48.18 (50.27 last month, down 2.09)
  
• Waist: 59.5 inches (61.5 last month, down 2)
• Neck: 17.75 inches (19 last month, down 1.25)
  
• Hips: 48 inches (50.5 last month, down 2.5)
• Chest: 53 inches (56 last month, down 3)

Photos

Front

Side

Back

Thoughts

I’ve lost nearly 15 lbs (nearly a half pound a day, average) and multiple inches off of my body. In just one month. I’m ECSTATIC! My energy level is up. My stress level is down. Two of the last few weeks were incredibly hard, with work, friendships and finances all rattled, but my blood pressure didn’t skyrocket, and I didn’t binge eat. Something is different. My life is different!

People always talk about how you can’t “just diet” to lose weight and be healthy, but rather that it really needs to be a “lifestyle change.” I am beginning to understand that more and more. I’ve made significant changes to my lifestyle over the past 31 days. I’ve cut back on calories, fat and sugar, and I document what I eat on LIVESTRONG.com I’ve increased my activity level, and hit the gym three times a week in addition to cardio. I’ve spaced my meals out so that I don’t eat a ton all at once, but rather tend to eat smaller meals more times a day. I’ve increased my intake of water dramatically, almost never drink regular soda-pop. Even when I do drink diet soda, I usually drink caffeine free (and most days only get the equivalent of one cup of coffee in my energy multivitamin).

I’ve changed a LOT. And I won’t lie to you, there have been days where it’s been tempting to cheat or quit. My Aunt has been one of the regular commenters on here, and she has encouraged me with a blunt statement that is very true:

Losing weight is not easy; if it were everyone would be thin.

It’s not easy. However, this month has proven to me that it’s worth it. I’m healthier. I’m happier. My wife is healthier and happier, too. Our marriage has grown in ways I didn’t expect. We work better, both as a team, and independently. We communicate goals and plans better. We celebrate each other’s wins. We have more energy. Our parenting is stronger. We’re less stressed; more focused. And, frankly, our romance has rebooted. Yeah, this month has been worth it… And I’m not going back to the old way!