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!

Due to the chaos of life, this post is going to be a quick one. However, the good news is that I did manage to lose weight again this week, and increase my physical activity. I also found a local spot to get some healthy Mexican food. Those of you who know me know that this is a wonderful thing, though it may not be good for my budget!

I said last week that I had been through the hardest week of 2010 thus far, and not just in the realm of healthy living. Well, this week blew last week away in that department, and got even more difficult at times. However, in the midst of it all I see God at work in the lives of myself and my family, and I can’t help but be thankful. And I haven’t been binge-eating because of stress, so that’s a great sign!

This week’s statistics can be found after the jump:

Measurements

• Weight: 336.6 lbs (342.2 lbs last week)
• BMI: 48.29 (49.10 last week)

Thoughts

With 5.6 lbs lost this week, and at 1.6 lbs less than my previous lowest point, I’m very pleased. In just about a month, I’ve lost 13.8 lbs! While I’m not at liberty to divulge details, I’m VERY pleased to say that my wife, Diana, has lost also lost 13 pounds since the first of the year! She’s got a great group of trusted confidants that she is accountable to, and it’s been great to see her making progress too.

The neat thing is that while we’re both doing things differently (I’m counting calories, hitting the gym, and blogging; she’s being mindful of what she eats, doing cardio at home, and connecting with a few close friends), we’ve found things that work for us. My approach fits my work schedule, my goals, and my personality. Diana’s does the same for her, which is why it’s a different plan. Yet we find ways to encourage one another, which is awesome. I’m certain that those who get spousal encouragement in weight loss end up with higher rates of success than those who get apathy or discouragement from their spouse. I’m sure someone has done a study on it, but it’s just common sense.

With January essentially over, I’m looking forward to seeing what February will bring. This is just about the longest that I’ve been consistent with a “diet” in the past, but since it’s no longer just a diet, but a true focus on a healthy lifestyle, it’s been a lot easier. I’ve had to make some adjustments (I’m aiming closer to 2000 calories than 1600, like I was originally… I felt like I was starving all the time), but it’s doable, especially with added exercise. If you’re working on your own weight loss plan, and trying to get fit, keep it up!