300

Yesterday's Weigh In: 277
Yesterday's Calories: 1392
Today's Weigh In: 274
Today's Calories: Pending

I wanted to talk about a few things today. First off - the subject and picture represent the number of posts that I've made on this blog since I started. It's hard to believe that I've posted 300 times on this site. Looking back, I can't believe how much of a roller coaster this ride has been, and will be. From wanting to quit to being proud of my accomplishments, I've ran the gamut. I think that it's sometimes hard to see the big picture - we get pissed off and think we're never going to lose any more weight, and sometimes we see some progress and really feel great and think we've locked into a long term solution. The only 'truth' that I've found is that this is an ever changing battle, and if you don't adapt, you get lost in the dust.

Here's some other things that I've learned in the past 300:

1) It's just as hard now as it was the day that I started. I always assumed early on that once this became a 'lifestyle' I wouldn't have to think about it. I would just naturally work hard and eat right and do all the things that I need to do to succeed. That's not the case, at least for me. 300 later, I'm still having to be SO diligent about what I do and how I do it. When I get lazy, I lose the success. That's a statement about life in general, and it really reflects on how we're losing weight.

2) Keep it simple, stupid! I can't tell you how many times I've tried to out-think myself. "Let's do it this way", or "let's substitute this for that". The most basic concept that we think of when we're talking about weight loss is "Calories In, Calories Out". The second think we think of is "the trick to weight loss is eating right and exercise". These are the truths that I've come to learn. You can add things, change things up, try new things, but the bottom line is - this has to be our focus. Are you eating right? Are you exercising? If both are "yes", then chances are, you're in the right direction.

3) Teamwork. This Coalition was founded when Kevin and Becky put together their blogs. Then, once I started promoting the day I started, I found Billy on some random website. Once we found each other we decided together that we would do good to have each other hold the others accountable. I think this is the biggest key right here.

I think sometimes we lose the focus on the FAT Coalition. We're here to keep each other accountable. We're here to cheer each other one, to be supportive when others are down, and learn from each other, but the founding principle was that we held each other accountable. I can only speak for myself, but ever since we formed these original four blogs, I felt like I had to report to these guys. During the day, every time I had an opportunity to cheat on my diet, I remember that I would have to confess to these three people. If I was debating between working out and skipping the gym, in my mind all I could think about is the fact that I would have to admit my laziness to these folks - and that would drive me to the gym.

Over time, the Coalition has grown, and I love what we've created as a group. The majority of us have never met, yet we trust each other with our inner most thoughts. We are this team of folks that have maybe only one thing in common - and that's our desire to lose weight.

300 posts later, I'm proud of what I see. We have our disagreements, we have different opinions, and we aren't afraid to speak our minds. And the most important part?

We're doing it. Want proof?

Tuck's Big Challenge Results: -
August, total weight lost: 34.34 pounds -
September, total weight lost: 79.5 pounds -
Two Month, total weight lost: 113.84 pounds!

That means something. It means it's working. October's numbers will be up soon. Can everyone who wants to be in the challenge put their starting numbers up (today's weigh in) as a comment in this blog?