Day One

I wish I could claim I started on day one with enthusiasm and dedication. I wish I could say I accelerated my weight loss journey with great tenacity. But that wouldn’t be the truth. The truth is I failed day one. I had no specific goal, no plan, no accountability. I didn’t know where I was going nor how to get there. I just generally knew I needed to lose weight, and I struggled to find direction. I have a basic understanding of health, nutrition and exercise. But I didn’t have a specific plan.

Over the next two months I lost a disappointing six pounds. I needed to change. I needed to be focused.

This is when I connected with a fitness coach. I needed the accountability, the knowledge, the roadmap. We were able to figure out a plan. On day one with my fitness coach, I weighed 277 pounds.

Along with a plan came my focus. I now knew what was needed from me each and every day.

The first day with my fitness coach was enjoyable yet exhausting. I completed a physical fitness assessment so both of us could learn where I was at physically. This assessment was grueling. But I also suspect my coach was gauging my mental toughness as well. Multiple times during the assessment; I vomited. But while my head was lurched over the trashcan, I could hear my coach telling me I still had more sets to do. Wiping off the throw up I picked myself up and got back to work. This was the moment would I let adversity stop me? Was I in this for real? This was going to be hard. This is going to be a fight. This won’t be easy. With a burning throat and newfound determination I resumed my workout. I learned what I was made of. I was determined. I didn’t care if every single day from here on out involved vomit filled workouts. Nothing was going to stop me. I purposed in my mind I would no longer be defined by my excuses. I would now be defined by my perseverance.

We set a goal. I was going to get my weight below 200 pounds. The roadmap to accomplish this goal will be simple yet effective. I would walk… a lot… and then walk some more. I would restrict my calories to 1,800 a day. I would up my protein intake and drink at least 100 ounces of water daily. This along with at least three weight lifting exercise sessions a week would be the vehicle which gets me to my goal. For accountability I would weigh myself every single day and text it to my coach. We would track everything. My steps, my food, my water, everything.

Now let’s move forward and do this thing!