On Losing Sixty Pounds

For those of you who’ve been following along, so far I’ve lost 60 of the 98 pounds I gained by being a slug.  A sickly slug, and also a parent slug.  Medications, lack of movement…doughnuts…denial.  And then one day it hits you: you are one of those people.  Those people who need to lose an entire person.  I can’t say that losing the weight has been easy or, indeed, entirely gratifying in all respects.  And the funny thing about losing weight is, even when you finally reach the point where you’ve lost more than you still need to lose…the amount accomplished always seems smaller than the amount left to accomplish.  Like Sisyphus with his rock, the never-ending challenge.  Even so…

The details are these: 60 pounds lighter has brought me (still 5’9) from a size 20 to a size 14.  Which is a long way to go from where I was, and my doctor would still like to see me lose some weight–as would my vanity–but it’s nice to fit back into some of my old clothes.  And to buy some new ones.

There’s really no secret to it.  Exercise regularly, watch the quality of what you eat, but also practice portion control.  I’ve had my ups and downs, and days when I ate things I shouldn’t; but I’m learning that it’s the overall trajectory that matters.  Just like one day of healthy eating won’t reverse years’ worth of doughnut consumption, neither will the occasional treat negate all your efforts to the contrary.  Although, for me, the concept of “occasional” has been tough.  It’s remarkably easy to convince yourself that once or twice a week (or more!) is “occasional.”

For those of you who are new to this blog, and want to read more about my weight loss journey, go here.

Anyway, 40 more to go!

Wish me luck!