Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I've posted some updates on my new blog. Check them out here!

A new blog

I have started up a new blog: http://hooperpalooza.blogspot.com/

I couldn't figure out how to change my sign-in email address with this blog (it signs in through Google), and I've changed my email address.

Thank you,

Commitment Issues

In March 2009, I posted about a very optimistic plan to lose weight. I had goals, both short term and long term. I had hope.

I even wrote a poem that expressed my feelings of being overweight

When I look in the mirror

I don't like what I see

Flab handing from my arms

How can that be?

I look at my waistline

Love handles all around

And when I see my profile

A double chin hanging down

A bulging belly

and thunderous thighs.

I look at my backside

to a behind that I despise.

Lugging pound after pound

I find myself out of breath.

If I keep up this trend,

it will surely lead to my death

Well, it is now 2011. Nearly two years later. I can tell you that up until last fall, I really didn't make any progress. In fact, I got worse during part of the year. Below is a chart of my weight from March 2009 to March 2010. My highest weight during that period was 249 pounds.

Alright, so last fall, I stepped up my game and really attempted to "stick to it." I cut back on what I ate, I went to the gym 3 times a week, and found other ways to be active. I actually made progress! A lot of progress!

Check it out:

On September 1st, 2010, I weighed 235 pounds. I went to Zumba class, tried Turbo Kickboxing, and really watched my eating habits. I lost about 17 pounds in a month. I've lost another 13 pounds during the last few months of the year, for a total of 30 pounds.

The holidays kicked my butt and I was too busy for the gym. Too busy to watch what I ate. So, I've gained about 4 pounds back. At my last weigh in, I was at 206 pounds. My lowest during all this was 203 pounds.

I still have a ways to go before I reach my goal. Even though I started much later than I had planned, I think I've made some good progress.

Here's a collage that illustrates the weight loss a bit more clearly than charts.