Six Month Plus Update

It's just been over six months since I started my journey from Flab to Fab! I started this journey on January 17, 2011 and it's been quite exciting and enlightening. I look great but more importantly I feel great.

I have gone from a fat 240 lbs (I said 237 at the beginning, but I really think I weighed much more than 240...at my heaviest) guy who didn't get much exercise, okay none. Now I am a fabulous 190ish dude (I go from 190-195 in and out) who works out 6 days a week. Getting here was not easy and maintaining is even harder. I would love to lose another 10-15 lbs, but I am pretty happy at where I am now.

What has changed in my life:

• I no longer drink soda, water is now my drink of choice.
• I watch what I eat but I don't deprive myself either.
• I make conscious choices regarding the types of food I eat and what it would mean to me.
• I listen to what my body is telling me and it's a good indicator when I've over indulged (sluggish no energy and bloated) or just ate something that doesn't work well for me.
• I workout and workout hard (weights, cardio, spin and boot camp) about 1.5 hours a day.
• I am increasing my muscle so it will take care of the fat.
• I take better pride in the way I look, because I feel much better about myself as a person.
• I make no excuses.

It's amazing how people think I look much younger than I am and how they say I look 10 years younger than my actual age! It makes me feel good...trust me it's a motivator. I am glad I no longer look like a dad of three (I only have one) wearing my jorts (jean shorts) with my white socks and sandals....I was starting to dress pretty dumpy as Flabulosa...because nothing looked right on my anyway. Now, I love to shop again, especially because I can get great deals on the sale racks for my new size (33/34 waist and size large shirts).

Trust me, I still have a long way in shaping my body and I am still trying to reduce the mid section...UGH...that's so hard to tone and get rid of. They say the first place you gain fat is the last place you lose it and for me it's right in the middle of my body. Seriously, I am looking at getting the love handles sucked out! Instead of getting a butt, I got love handles...my mom's family's' butt went to my sides instead...I know sucks for me. But the flat tires have reduced in size...but it's still my nemesis.

This is a picture that my cousin dug up of me with my mom, who sadly died of pancreatic cancer after a two-year battle last week. This photo was taken on July 4 2009, just over two years ago and right before my mom's diagnosis. As you can see I was much larger than I am now...HUGE. At my mom's funeral last week, this was part of the slide show and me and other family members gasped when this was on the screen. I can't believe at how much I have changed in two years...better yet in six months. So let this be a motivator...if I can do it you can all do it as well!

The biggest motivator is yourself...no one else! Once you are ready to commit and do it for yourself, without making excuses, than you will definitely succeed. Getting a good support group is also a plus...but what I found really helpful was to publicly journal my experience, because other people started to support me and also kept me in check. I also met others on their own journey to fabulousness! I have to give it up to the Chemical Balance Diet that jump started my road from Flab to Fab and to my doctor who scared me out of my wits regarding my blood pressure and cholesterol!

Like I said, being healthy is a journey and it's one journey that has changed my life for the better! Start your own journey when the time is right for you. Commit even when it's hard not to...stick to the plan and to your needs and you will succeed!

Thanks again for listening to my ramblings and for your on going support!

-Percy