Weight Loss (Our Biggest Challenge)

I would like to take the time to discuss the very common affliction many of us have struggles with, losing weight. It is a real big pain in the ass! There is just no other way to say it.

The statistics are overwhelming that this is our biggest health challenge in America. Over 70% of us are considered overweight and almost 40% of us are considered obese. This is a really big deal. The impact on us is huge both from a physical health standpoint and on our mental outlook.

I have battled this for the entire second half of my life! I am 56 years old and remember at 30 when my daughter was born and I felt like I was the one who had been pregnant. I had about 15 extra pounds and that was just the beginning of what was to come. I added about 1 pound a year and maybe 2 in some years and I peeked out at 274 pounds and about 40% body fat. I remember looking at myself in the mirror and thinking “what the hell happened to you?” One to two pounds a year is nothing but if you get old enough it adds up to a big number!

This was honestly one of my toughest mountains to climb in my personal project and my Mom’s words let me know it will always be a fight. I have been able to finally lose weight after fighting ups and downs for three decades.

What works for me was may not work for you but this really all comes down to the mind game! You can lose the weight if you really decide it is important and put in the grit and determination. There is no magic bullet on this but you have to find what works for you. Just as I gained the weight over a long period of time it is really reversible with a change in lifestyle and it doesn’t have to drive you completely crazy with starvation.

Let's say you need to lose 60 pounds, let’s do the math:

¼ pound a week = 1 pound a month

One pound a month = 12 pounds a year

12 pounds a year = 60 pounds in 5 years

Now you have reduced the high risk of premature illness and can live a much more active and vital life and feel a whole lot better!

I had tried everything and finally, after I read the book The Obesity Code I found a path of intermittent fasting that worked. I wouldn’t eat during the day during my weight-loss period and would have a very solid meal at night. It made me full and I could sleep. I found ways to get through the days knowing it was only going to be done for a short window of 30 days before I would get a reprieve. By setting up sprints followed by a couple of days of pure freedom I was able to find a rhythm that worked. I would have breakdowns quite often but remember the stacking good days back to back I would just jump back on the tracks. This and regular exercise helped me go from my peak of 274 down to 225 pounds and really get feeling great. Keep in mind I was not doing any running or intense cardio. I hate that stuff and besides, I had my left hip and a right knee replaced during the window of 3 years it took to lose the weight. It can be done even when going through major surgeries and physical recoveries.

Just staying determined and using accountability to track results was the difference and only forcing it for windows of time. That gave me an out for however long I needed to stay sane while I whittled it down. When I got serious I would make up a tracking sheet with my weight and put it on the fridge, tracking weekly progress.

by John Lohrenz the Author of The Prosperity Project.

The Prosperity Project is available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, If you are interested in finding your own formula for building abundance and a map for a life well lived check out The Prosperity Project.