Two Weeks In

Happy 4th of July! I started my weight loss journey two weeks ago today and am down nearly 22 pounds! In many ways this has been so incredibly easy that I wish I had done years ago. Weight loss is hard work though, and I don't think unless you are incredibly motivated/committed to weight loss it wil be successful. A couple years ago I started a diet program on my own, and did well at it losing 25 pounds in 5 weeks, but I wasn't committed to the weight loss, and once the summer BBQ season started and constant snacking at my parent's camp started I quickly regained almost all of that weight. In the past 3-4 months I gained ALL of the weight back plus probably an additional 10 pounds. I was at my highest weight ever and really scared by it. When my Dad died I became even more scared. To a certain extent I can control my future outcome, however the realization is that I have a genetic makeup that I can't control. I have a predispotion to heart disease and diabetes, but throughout this process I am hoping to slow down any disease process that I can. My wife introduced me to a website www.tonetiki.com. This woman lost an incredible amount of weight by eating natural foods and exercise. I have been enjoying reading her recipes and can't wait to try all of them! I share in her approach to weight loss and have been encouraged by her posts. My wife has come on board and been a big encouragment to me. We are enjoying family walks and healthy meals. Eli, my four year old, told my father in law "Daddy went to the doctor and now has to eat healthy". So cute, and so true! Patients and coworkers at work have been noticing my weight loss and having these compliments make me feel great, and help to serve as an accountability. I haven't selected a goal weight yet. Instead I'm taking this pound by pound - knowing I have a long way to go and don't want to be discouraged by the huge gap from my current weight to goal weight. I have set a short term weight loss goal. By the time I go back to the doctor on September 10 I want to lose an additional 15 pounds. I have no doubts that I can achieve this, and much before September --- and when I do I will challenge myself to another goal. Off to the elliptical - Thanks for reading!