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Introduction Text Losing weight is easy. It is so very easy that anyone can do it. However, doing what needs to be done can be diabolically difficult for the average person. I'm writing this somewhere between 1/3rd and 1/2 way to my goal. I've thought about this for almost half a year now and I'm pretty sure I've figured it out. And really...it is so, so, easy. You just have to eat within your range and exercise regularly. Yet there are times where you want nothing more than to curl up into a ball and cry (yes, guys feel that way too). When your absolute favorite food is sitting on the break room table free for the taking, when you have worked your butt off and discover the scale hasn't moved an inch (or it went in the wrong direction), or when all of your friends and family tell you it can't be done. These are the hard times. But you know what? Your friends and family are wrong. Don't hold it against them, they aren't saying you won't reach your goals because they are being mean. They only want to try and moderate your expectations, to soften the blow for when they expect you to give up like you probably have done so many times in the past. That is a nice sentiment, but they are wrong. Do you hear me? THEY ARE WRONG. You and I can do this. We will do this. What I have learned is that you have to reach deep within yourself to find an inner strength. That is what you rely upon to say "NO!" to the cake. To force yourself to go out for your walk in the rain or cold. To ignore and (just this once) disbelieve your most trusted advisors. I can do it. I know I can, because I have done it before. I have gone jogging in 17 degree weather with a 0 degree wind chill or in a blinding thunderstorm and come back chaffed and bleeding. I've said no to the free homemade cake. I've ignored my family and friends, people who know me better than anyone else knows me. (Don't be intimidated by the jogging. When I started out, I was mall walking 3-5 times a week. I was so slow, I even got passed by a septegenarian. After 3 months of mall walking, I started walking outside. A few weeks after that, I started running up small hills and walking the rest of the time. At 4 months in, I started the couch-to-5k podcast program...thats when I was finally in good enough shape to attempt short, interval training jogs) I'll be honest with you, it is probably easier for me because I'm a man. Men have been proven to lose weight faster and easier than women. It makes sense since men have more muscle on average than women. Also, men are conditioned by society to compete and "tough it out". Women are instead conditioned to be more sensitive and reliant upon others. I mean nothing hurtful by these generalizations, and believe me, I recognize that they are only generalizations. But I don't doubt for a second that you, regardless if you are a man or woman, can dig deep within yourself to find that inner strength. If being overweight is the problem, then your inner strength is the solution. Sparkpeople is just the path between where you stand today and where you can be tomorrow after you apply the solution to the problem. Use the tools. Log your food. Build relationships in the teams. You can do this. I know, because I'm doing it myself. Find that motivation within yourself and you will find that inner strength. For me, it is pure unadulterated greed and cheapness. I want to win the money and I hate the thought of having to pay for my own failures. Your key motivation is likely different, but I'm sure it is just as strong as mine. Tap into it and achieve what no one thought you could do. -R 1/7/08

Lose 100 lbs in 1 year.

Reduce calories and increase exercise. Is there any other way? (Hint: I walked alot at the mall with headphones on as I listened to podcasts or books on .mp3)

Columbia, SC

Play poker, read non-fiction, enjoy sailing. Married 8 years and going strong.

Add a Link My rewards: 238 - Dumbbells -:) 230 - Boxing Game - :) 222 - Dog Obedience Classes :) 214 - Eee :) 206 -UnderArmor /Jan :) 198 - Single malt Scotch/Feb 190 - Sign Language Class /Mar & Apr 175 - ???/May 160-Paid BARGE '08/Jun 150-WIN THE BE
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