Jeff Blogs

Since reaching my weight loss goal I have shifted from the weight loss portion of my journey to health to a maintenance mode. In order to go from fat burning to maintenance means that I have a transition period where I will begin to add back in calories and foods that were not part of the weight loss plan.

This is a time period I was both looking forward to and dreading. On the one hand it meant that I had reached my weight loss goal but on the other hand it meant giving up the safety net of a structured eating plan that I just had to robotically follow instead of making food decisions on my own.

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One of the most interesting aspects of my weight loss journey has been people’s reaction when they see me for the first time in a while. The groups of people fall into two distinct categories. The first group attempts to be nonchalant about their observation not really wanting to mention the obvious changes that have occurred. While they may think I look different they don’t really dare ask for fear that they could be wrong.

These people wait hoping someone else asks whether I have lost weight or not. It’s funny, once the subject is broached they are very inquisitive asking all kinds of questions such as how much weight I lost and more importantly how did I do it.

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Today marks the 12-week point of my weight loss adventure. My goal when I started was to hopefully be through the fat-burning phase before Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season. For the Arizona Diamondbacks that day is tomorrow.

At the time I didn’t think there was any way possible that I would be able to lose 40 pounds let alone before April 6th. Instead I hit that mark three days prior meaning today is the final day of fat burning.

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Never has the old adage “a picture is worth a 1,000 words” echoed so loudly as when you are trying to lose weight. Before I began this journey to become healthier I tried my best to stay away from cameras. It is said that a camera will add 5-10 pounds to a person’s looks. I felt it was more like 20-30 pounds.

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On January 13th 2012 I made the decision that I needed to be healthier. My weight had progressively risen over the years to a point where I now weighed 210.5 pounds. My Body Mass Index (BMI) was 27.7, which was at the high end of the overweight category nearing obesity. I was taking two medications for high blood pressure and even with the help of daily pills my ratings were 146/95. My health was deteriorating and I felt miserable.

A recent visit to my doctor was a wake-up call. I had two cancer scares and the doctor explained that unless I changed my lifestyle and took better care of myself I would likely not be around very long. One of the first suggestions he made was to lose some weight and begin an exercise program.

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