(Day 216 / -111 lbs.) My 7th Month-A-Versary

It's been seven months since I decided to change my life and I think I'm beginning to see some results. Weight loss for me has been all about shrinkage. My waistline has shrunk by 8 inches, my neck by 3 inches. All in all, I'm becoming a narrower version of my former self. I've become stronger, too.

OK wait, please indulge me one little clarification and let me state right now that everything I say is in RELATIVE TERMS; relative to what I was like when I started and in no way compared to any other human being out there. I'm all about ME and I compare myself only to various version of myself and no one else. I know there are those of you out there who are leaner, stronger, smarter, and better-looking than I could ever hope to be. That's great! Good for you! You should be proud. In my little universe there are but THREE people; OLD-ME, ME, and FUTURE-ME. Everyone outside my universe inspires me- like bright, shining stars of possibility.

I've been getting a lot of compliments the past few weeks- mostly from people who only see me on a weekly basis. I'm grateful. It's kind of weird when people compliment me on something that, in my mind is repair rather than improvement. I don't even tell people (outside this blog) how much I've lost. When they ask, I respond with something like, "An embarrassing amount," "One of you," "Almost 8 stone," or "About 16 clove." Still, compliments are a little motivating and I'll take 'em whenever given.

People usually ask how I'm doing it, which program I'm on, or what tricks I'm using to lose weight. "Gypsy curse" is my favorite idiot reply-- and is a lot more interesting than what I'm actually doing. Most people want to hear about some sweat-free, miracle-quick-fix in candy and pie form that I've only had to do every fifth Tuesday of every even-numbered month to drop the weight.

Ultimately I tell them that it's all just attitude and simple arithmetic; I did a little research and discovered what a healthy guy my age needed to do, exercise-wise and diet-wise to maintain a healthy weight, then I decided I'm going to become that guy. The ongoing result is that I'm burning more calories than I'm consuming. I'm committed to becoming that healthy guy, every day, for the rest of my life. It wasn't Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or Phen-phen that took 111 pounds off my body; it was me.

My compliments to all of you working toward similar goals, it ain't easy. You are mighty. You inspire me.