On 257, 254 and Working on Reaching 200

257.

A little over a week ago I went to see my doctor. I was having some pain in my left arm and my thumb was often tingling, as if it were in the process of falling asleep. This went on for about a week before I decided to seek medical attention. By that time my stomach was constantly in knots as I dreamt up numerous ailments for myself.

It turns out the pain in my arm was nothing with which to concern myself. Apparently I pulled a muscle at some point and my sleeping habits were not allowing it to heal as quickly as it should. It was causing the pain in my arm and, because of the placement of the muscle, it was causing my thumb to tingle.

I’d dodge that bullet, but while I was at the doctor I decided to put the proverbial gun to my temple and pull the trigger again. I had my doctor draw blood and test me for conditions that run in my family – diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease. It’s been longer than I can remember since I’ve had blood work done. It was time.

Two days after my visit I got a call with the results. I do not have diabetes. My cholesterol is fine. All looks well.

And yet, there was one issue I was not able to escape. While seeing my doctor, I got the news I knew I could never ignore.

I need to lose weight.

Numerically speaking, my doctor would like to me drop ten pounds by August. She would then like to see me drop 60 pounds in the next year. If I succeed, I will weigh just under 200 pounds. At my height, that weight would suit me quite nicely. It will also lower my risk of finding myself with diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease.

My doctor and I came up with a plan. I’d already had weight loss in mind and had completely cut soda from my diet in May. I know only drink water. It was a good start. During the month of June, I’ve tackled sweets. Next month I have to face down fried foods. Instead of making drastic changes right away, the plan is to cut out one unhealthy thing a month and replace it with something far more healthy – water, fruit, vegetables.

That was a little over ago. Since then I’ve mustered all the will power I have to completely stay away from sweets. I’ve also been very aware of how much I eat, cutting back on my portions sizes. I’ve taken to going on long walks every day. I even went out and bought a couple of cookbooks, determined to cook at home more often so that I can control the amount of calories I take in.

254.

In those nine days, I’ve lost 3 pounds. That may not seem like a lot, but it feels absolutely enormous to me. I’ve made so many positive changes in so little time, and to be able to get on a scale and see some progress shows me that I can do this. I can beat this. I can lose more than ten pounds by August. And I’ll shed those 60 pounds well before next June.

This is not the first time I have tried to drop some weight, but this time it feels different. I have realistic goals set by a doctor. I’ve been able to meet those goals with very little difficulty. I’ve been very open with my friends and family about my plan, and they have been very supportive in return.  I’ve also decided to track my progress here at Welcome to My Truth.  I will weigh myself each Sunday and post the results in the sidebar for all the world to see.

This time it feels different. This time I’m going to do it. I’m going to reach my goal weight, and in the process I am going to make some healthy changes in my life. You just watch me.

200.