04/26/17
Day 43
Extreme Accountability Challenge
Total weight loss to date 34.4 pounds
Today’s scales read a number under 270 pounds. Not by much, just 4/10 pounds, but in territory that I have little memory of. I honestly don’t remember the last time that I weighed under 270 pounds. As I was reflecting on this process, with a lot of thankfulness, I’m reminded how easy it is to forget where we’ve been.
I was thinking about when this all started, my first post was 298 pounds, but when I made the decision was the day before the picture of Angie and I was taken in Atlanta. It was the first time that I had weighed in a while and I weighed in at a whopping 304 pounds. I didn’t want anyone to know but when Chris and Trudie Isbell shared that picture with Angie and me, I took one look at it and said “Who am I kidding, that’s a 304 pound man, it’s obvious!” You cannot hide that kind of weight.
While I have a long way to go, I know that I will get there. This posting of my scales daily has been nothing short of a miracle for me, I am posting a copy of my first declaration, when I was scared and desperate for change on March 15, 2017. Changes often come in ounces, but when I look back I realize how far I’ve traveled.
The first post from 03/15/17
I am writing this post really for 2 reasons, first as a declaration and second as an invitation. As anyone that has known me for any length of time should know I clearly have a weight problem. I have struggled with being overweight most of my adult life but over the last 10 years or so it has completely gotten out of control. It hasn’t been sudden, sure I’ve had the occasional 10 or 20 pound weight loss but then put that weight back on and continued my gradual assent upward. Gaining weight and becoming obese cannot be hidden, although by not really stepping up and taking responsibility for my health I have been behaving as though my size is normal. Well I am 5’11” and when I stepped on the scales yesterday morning it read 298 pounds. That is not normal. I am declaring to everyone that reads this that I have set a goal to lose 123 pounds by November 22, 2017. Wow! that’s hard to write! But I know that 8 days, 8 weeks, or 8 months from now I will remember this and it will keep me on course.
The second part is an invitation, I have a friend,John Davisson, that over 10 years ago, after struggling with his weight for years, took off 65 pounds, and has kept it off. He has agreed to guide me through the process. I know that some of you reading this probably struggle with being overweight or maybe you know someone that does. John and I are starting a private Facebook group that will have extreme accountability. It will not be for the faint of heart. I invite you to go on this journey with me. Either way I am going, with or without you. If this private Facebook group interests you please Private Message me and I will get you the details.
One last thought, if you are like me, whether you have 10 pounds or 210 pounds of excess weight take some kind of action. Posting this for me is stepping into unknown territory, there is no going back when I press “Post”.
We’ve come a long way since March 15, 2017!
Thanks for all the likes and encouraging comments along the way, it nourishes my heart on this long journey.