Day 470 Hiding The Weight?

Day 470

Hiding The Weight?

The outpouring of support and compliments from yesterday's pictures was nice. More than one reader friend asked “Where are you hiding the weight?” Well, trust me, it's there. My height has always allowed me to carry more weight. That's why some friends and family are shocked when they find out how much I weighed when I started. 420? Sure, they can see that...but 505? No way! Yes. It's like that now at 272. You don't look 272. Well thank you, you're kind my friend. I'm very lucky in that regard. Oh but I could and maybe I should take some not so flattering pictures. It would take some serious guts to post them, but perhaps I should. After all, my before pictures make me cringe sometimes, but it's OK, because that's not me anymore. The question I would have to ask myself is: What would be the real value in posting my worst current pics? Nobody wants or needs to see those pictures. Suffice to say, we still have work to do! And we're doing it and getting there one day at a time.

One reader, after looking at the Christmas day photos, asked about the progress of Irene and my daughters. They noted how I haven't given an update on them in some time in regard to weight loss. This is indeed a touchy subject. But, given the past openness of these writings—I should address that question. I can't speak for Irene. I know she has had tremendous success (over 140 lost) and is looking and feeling better than ever. But we don't talk about weight loss when we're together. I know she's learned some irrevocable lessons about weight loss, just as I have. We learned them together along this journey. So if she's struggling, and I'm not saying she is, but if she is---she'll be OK. She's going to be just fine.

The girls? Yes, they have struggled through this transition in our family. But they too are going to be just fine. It's been an unspoken struggle for the most part, but the signs are all around. Daddy knows. And I care, I do, and they know I do. But I'm not the calorie police for anyone, including my daughters. They're nearly 20 and 16. They're both honor students. They know where they stand along this road. They know how important they are to me. They know what they want and that they have the power to get there too. When the time is right we'll have a private father-daughter conversation concerning weight loss and health. In the meantime, I can only offer my fatherly support and love, and do my best to set a positive example in this pursuit. I love those girls so much, I can't describe how much, they're everything to me. We're so lucky to have such smart, beautiful, well balanced kids. They're each a true blessing.

It was wonderful to sleep in today. I'm taking vacation days before the end of the year. Just a couple, today and tomorrow. I'm really kind of looking forward to getting back to work. Is that crazy or what? I've had way too much time on my hands lately. It's routine that makes it a little easier for me. I'm a routine kind of person. And at this point I'm strong enough to navigate changes in that routine, but it's still easier when the routine is in place.

I got a call for a racquetball match today. I didn't reserve a court in time and we had to scrap that plan until Wednesday. Whitney is a fierce competitor in the court. But Wednesday just might be the day she loses. Whitney has followed this journey from Day 1, and I mean Day 1---September 15th, 2008---she read that post on that day. She's offered non-stop encouragement and has traveled her own weight loss road from right at about 200 pounds. I think she's at goal now. You're at goal, right Whit? Her and her husband Jim are friends and good people. Thanks Whit. Get ready to lose one Wednesday!

So no racquetball today, instead I visited the fitness center downstairs. Twenty minutes on the elliptical is all I can stand and all I did before doing 1.5 miles on the treadmill. It was a short workout really. No good excuse why. Just short and sweet. My level of workout depends on how much I jog. It doesn't take long at all for me to get an amazing workout when I'm jogging. So it may have been short, but productive with serious heart-rate and serious sweat indeed.

The plan was to cook at home tonight. Amber is leaving tomorrow ahead of our next possible snow event, so we all got together for dinner. But instead of me cooking, it was suggested that we all go to one of our favorite restaurants. JW Cobbs is not the kind of place you would think would be good for losing weight. But if I've said it once, I've said it a million times: It's not the restaurant, it's our choices. I've lost 233 pounds so far and that's included enjoying this place at least a dozen times or more in the last 470 days. I've written about how the staff, most of whom remember me at my heaviest, are always shocked at the progress. Of course they notice the differences in our ordering habits. Irene met us at the restaurant and we dined nicely.

The girls and I retreated to the apartment for a good movie and more visiting before we called it a night. It was good, so wonderful---a very enjoyable day for sure. I've promised the girls omelets in the morning. Egg white omelets! Low calorie and taste great? You bet! Load 'em up! Thank you for reading. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean