Answering you
Finally, some comments. (The pandering didn't hurt.) Anyway, let's answer em.
From: Alexandria Jackson
Comments: Hi, I'm here. I'm thrilled for you!
I stopped commenting so much because:
1. I was starting to feel like a stalker
2. I was having my own medical issues.
3. I didn't think you cared much.
However, know that I still watch for your articles and am wishing you well.
We start off with Alexandria, my favorite. I just want to say that you should not feel like a stalker, and I care very much about the comments on here, especially from people who have taken a regular interest in this. It's tough to find motivation to write when you aren't sure people are reading. I don't want this to turn into a personal journal. I want it to be something people can take and use in whatever way they want.
Oh, and good luck with your medical issues.
From: Guy
Comments: Little disappointed with the quickness in which you abandoned the 25 day plan. You'll never know how much progress you could have made. The one constant I'm finding is that breaking the plan is never worth it. At this stage in the game it's going to take near perfection to see any kind of results. You're right -- the gradual weight loss stage is probably over -- from here on out it's going to take a week or two of solid work to see the scale move in the right direction. Just do it, perfect days from now until May and see what happens. It will be worth the effort.
I agree with everything said here. Breaking the plan really isn't worth it, and it always feels better to turn in a perfect day. Certainly it makes sense to just pick up the pieces after a bad weekend and just look toward the next goal. I can't be happy about screwing up, but I can't dwell on it either, right? This entire thing is about what happens next, what can I do to get to where I want to be? It has nothing to do with getting down to 270 anymore, or worrying about the effects of a bad day. Accept what you have lost and move on.
From: literalist
Comments: Hi. Fuck you... How are you doing? (Hey, you said "say hi if you feel like saying hi and fuck you if you feel like saying fuck you", so...) Anyhow, hope you make progress with your weight. Don't overdo it. Just a suggestion.
Yes, thanks for the "Fuck you," it definitely brightened up my day.
As for overdoing it, I understand what you mean. It's tough at this point, you know? I can see the ultimate goal and it's hard not to just sprint there. I have to admit that sometimes I skip meals because of my schedule, and I always feel good about it. After all, 1,200 calories is better than 1,500, right? But not really, especially if I go six hours between eats. But I'm not exactly ready to drop down to an 800 calorie diet, nor will I ever be.
From: Sarah
Comments: I'm reading... and rooting for you.
Thanks! I am rooting for you too in whatever it is you do.
From: Alexandria Jackson
Comments: You'll get there. I am glad the "Perfect April" didn't materialize. It might have gotten you something in the short run but it isn't who you are. You're making mostly healthy choices, you've stepped up the gym attendance and, while you haven't lost weight this week, you certainly haven't gained. A lifestyle change toward healthier choices is a great goal that you have already achieved and can maintain. Perfection is overrated.
Yes, the Perfect April is not me, that's for sure. But that's what made it alluring. I viewed it as a way to push this to the end, and make up for past mistakes. Also, I was curious about how long I could go without screwing up. Perfection may be overrated, but it's also nice to achieve from time to time. My philosophy is still to extend the time between off days so I can see what kind of progress I can make.
From: Gigi
Comments: Been reading you since first 100 days! Please keep writing, and the every three days postings keep it real. I am curious about how you are planning on maintaining your weight when you finish the "diet."
That's a great question, and one that I have been thinking about for the last few days.
Once this is over, what happens? That's the question to end all questions. I can tell you one thing, I won't be entirely happy with the way I look. Smaller, yes. Healthier, yes. More attractive, yes. But I won't exactly be what I want to be. I'll still have a gut that I'll have to hide, and I'll still be concerned with the double chin that will probably never go away (but that will probably not be noticeable to anyone but me).
Theoretically, I could go back to my old ways, but that's not going to happen. That's really just not me anymore. I can't imagine going to the grocery store and loading up on shitty food that will make me feel terrible all week. One thing I can say is that I have developed a grocery shopping habit over the last two and a half years. I don't even think about buying unhealthy items. That never changed, even when I was eating like shit at the end of last year.
So I'll keep the grocery shopping intact, though I do need to find a way to cut about $50 per paycheck off that bill.
But still, what will my habits be once I am not worried about weight loss anymore? I think I figured it out, actually. They won't change. The daily eating regimen will be pretty much the same as it is now, save for a few extra calories per day. It's just what I do now, you know? Plus, just because I am at 240 doesn't mean I have to stay at 240. Maybe I won't be trying to lose weight, but that doesn't mean it can't come off. If, by the end of the summer, I am down to 235 or 230, then that's cool. If I am still at 240, then that's cool too.
In order to keep my weight in check, I think I'll weigh myself about once a week, and if I am over 240, I'll make that correction quickly. That's my maintenance plan.
The exercise will change, though I haven't quite yet figured out how. The elliptical will continue to be an important tool in maintaining my weight, but I might scale its use back to two or three times per week. But I think once I achieve my goal publicly, I will start a private regimen (no blog), to change my body. That means finding and staying on a lifting plan that will give me a little more definition and a lot less body fat. I'll start doing crunches and lunges and bench presses and curls. Lifting is the one thing I have been putting off during this endeavor, but I think it will become a big part of my life once I am done. After all, I pay for use of the entire gym, not just the elliptical machines.
But honestly, who knows what's in store for me after this? I do, however, think I owe it to myself to continue for a long time.
One thing I am really looking forward to is not worrying about social situations or taking a day off here and there. I will have to learn to keep things within reason, but I'll also learn to indulge without worry or sorrow.
What I have ahead of me is a life of balance, but it might take a while to figure out the proper balance. But in the end, I am confident that I can pull that off.
However, I have to lose these final 24 pounds first.
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