kabby

I started exercising nearly every day on January 5, 2009. I had a lot going on in my life, and I didn't feel like I was doing enough to make sure my life was where I wanted it to be. I had thought about how my ideal self was different from my current self, and decided to bring the two closer together by becoming stronger and more fit.

I haven't opted to try any strange pills or special diets or crazy exercise gizmos. I haven't bought into any infomercials. I wanted to do this the right, legitimate way: diet and exercise.

The road so far hasn't been easy. It took me a good three months to start seeing any results on the scale. Continuing despite the lack of measured success was the most unexpectedly difficult part of this journey. I started using The Daily Plate once I got serious about not just changing my exercise routine but taking a serious look at my eating habits. It was one of the best decisions I've made, because I couldn't have made these kinds of changes without it. This tool has been, quite honestly, the best I've found. I can't thank the site administrators enough for offering this feature.

As of August 14, 2009, I was down 30 pounds from my highest weight recorded in November of 2008.

As of June 15, 2010, I was down 50 pounds from my highest weight. I had reduced the rate at which I was losing weight, partially because it is harder to lose as you get lighter and partially because I did not want to have a sudden change once I reached my goal weight.

It's now November 10, 2010, and I'm two years out from my highest weight. I've maintained my current weight, 130 (BMI of 20.4, body fat in the range of 17-19%), since June, and, unsurprisingly, it is never over. Maintaining your current weight is much easier than losing, it's true, but it still requires diligence and a continually-being-defined understanding of what moderation is. I do not track my food intake every day any more, though I do try to more often than not just to keep myself in check.

I get quite a few compliments on how my body looks these days, particularly at my kickboxing class. Women will eagerly ask me, "Is this all you had to do to get your body?" and I'll reply, "No, it's mostly calorie tracking." Nobody ever wants to hear that, but it is the truth.