As You Can Likely Tell...

I'm frustrated.

These plateaus are painful to go through, as most of the Coalition is already well aware. For me, it seems like the worst plateaus show up after I work my ass off.

We went on that 7-mile walk/run a few weeks ago, and my weight was up four pounds the next day. I started my boxing, push up, sit up routine a few nights ago, and my weight was up three pounds.

I think it would be easier to handle if these things weren't popping up after good workouts.

Regardless, no matter how frustrating these weeks have been, I will get through. I've been through a lot worse than weight loss plateaus over the last few years, and I'm still standing. I'm sure not going to let something this trivial be the enemy that finally takes me down.

I'm determined to get myself down to 260, and maybe even 245 after that. I've given my diet a complete overhaul. I've increased my activity level. I've changed my harmful habits to healthy habits.

That said, I think we're all allowed to feel and voice the frustrations we encounter at times like these. It's one of the reasons we started these blogs, and the Coalition. It's good, I think, to let it out.

Things aren't great for a lot of us right now, weight-wise. We're stuck on numbers we want to get off of. The weight isn't melting off the way it does for people on The Biggest Loser. We still can't go out with our shirts off, or wearing a two-piece bikini.

But step back from these feelings for a second, and look at the big picture.

Where were you two, three, six months ago?

I was unable to do a single push up. I was wearing tight size 44" pants. I was waking up in the middle of the night not breathing from my apnea. I was getting 5 migraines a week. I was taking out 7,000+ calories per day of pure crap. I was winded from tying my shoes. I was always sick. I couldn't play with my daughter for more than five minutes. I was killing myself.

All of those issues have been destroyed by my lifestyle change. I'm in loose 42's. I haven't had any apnea issues in four months. I play and dance with my kids all the time. I can do anywhere from 15-20 push ups. I'm eating the right amounts of the right foods.

I could go on, but you see my point. In times like these, try to focus on where you are, not where you're trying to get. Focus on the good you've done, not what your body won't let you do right now. Remember the other moments in the past that you've had just like this one, and remind yourself that those moments are just that - in the past. This one will be, too.

Everybody push forward. I know it's a little cliche, but the only thing that can stop you and beat you on this journey is you.