Becoming a Weight Loss Success Story Takes Work

19 Sep 2012

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Healthy Weight Loss

by Tony

I hear about the obesity epidemic every day and how so many of us are overweight in the U.S. People say with all the technology and advancements we have now, it should be much easier to lose and keep off weight.

I mean, there is an app I have on my phone where I can scan what I eat. I do not have to get a paper and pencil anymore. I can pull up this application and scan food to track it. Do you know how many times I looked for a piece of paper to write down my food? The app makes tracking so much easier.

Or does it?

And everything… and I mean everything has nutritional information on it. Think about it, if I want a slice of any type of pizza I can just ask the person who made it for the amount of calories. Most corporate restaurants have it. If not, I can Google it. I know the exact calories, fat and protein I ate. It even tells me what kind of fat I am eating! That makes decisions much easier.

Or does it?

And there is some device you can strap on your arm that tells you how many calories you burn every day. If I jump, I burn more calories. I know exactly how many calories I can eat in a day. That makes planning easier.

Or does it?

Technology should make healthy weight loss easier but I am not sure it does.

I lost 50 pounds when I was 14 in 1990. Back then, there was very little nutritional information. It was a time when carbs ruled and fat was bad, and a time when I guessed how many calories I should eat in a day. It was a time when the only workout I knew of was walking around the neighborhood and group workouts had Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons as the leaders on VHS.

Now there are shakes and pills and so many different things that aid in weight loss. There are thousands of books, thousands of registered dietitians and thousands of personal trainers that give advice as well as Youtube videos galore about the right and wrong way to eat. There is a right way to workout and eat right, along with the wrong ways as well.

But I have a secret…

Do you know why it is not that much easier?

Because weight loss is not easy. Not for me. Not for someone who has struggled her whole life.

I am okay with saying that and not being able to eat one cookie or being able to control myself with certain foods. I am okay with having voices in my head telling me that I can have one bad meal. I mean, it is one bad meal right?

One bad meal turns into one bad year for some. I am the some.

I know better. As much as I struggle, the most important thing in my life is never being 420 pounds again. I made that commitment in 2008 and I am sticking to it. I am not close to that weight. In the last four years I have not been close to that weight. I have made bad decisions with food during that time. I have made selfish decisions with food as well. My love for the gym and fruits and vegetables have stood strong. They have helped me.

This month we are focusing on getting “Back To Basics”. When I read the ingredients on a box of Uncle Sam cereal I know what those basic ingredients are. It is amazing how you take such basic ingredients and it turns into a great breakfast!

I do not know a quick way to lose weight. I do not know the best workout for you. I do not know what you should eat.

What I am saying is weight loss is not easy. That does not mean it is not possible. I wake up everyday fighting like most people do with weight loss. I am also a success story.

And success stories struggle as well. They just do not give up.

Be well!

Tony

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