Just finished eating lunch after hitting the Y for a lunchtime workout. While I was there I weighed in on the 'good' scales (our scales at home tend to be a bit temperamental). I weighed in at 182 lbs! That's two pounds beyond my original goal that I set back in February! Three pounds lost last week (actually probably not that many - the home scales were probably reading a little off last week) & a total of 28 lbs lost in 15 weeks.

I'm still plugging away. I'll probably lose another 5-6 pounds. Then, I'm going to begin lifting weights with more regularity in addition to my 3x a week workouts to try and add some muscle mass.

I'd have to say I'm feeling great. If I could get more disciplined about getting a good night's sleep each night I'd probably feel better than I've ever felt. Still working on that, though. As I was reflecting back, there were a few 'hurdles' that I had to overcome. Nothing too terrible, but I think these are natural for anyone wanting to lose weight/get healthier.

The Hunger Barrier
This is the first major hurdle I had to go through. I'm pretty used to it as this has been something I have had to deal with every time we have done weight watchers. This hits hard & it hits fast. It takes a few weeks after beginning Weight Watchers before my body gets used to the decreased intake of food.

This is also probably the time you feel like giving in the most. It's the time that is the hardest to resist that brownie, or potato chips, or (fill in the blank with your favorite not-so-healthy snack).

The Start Exercising Barrier
Ever wanted to begin working out with more regularity? You get yourself all psyched up & determine that 'this is the week' you're going to start that intensive daily one-long workout program. Then you realize that you have never been to the gym and you're nervous about walking around all those 'fit' people (add the additional anxiety of having to walk around a massive guys locker room that is very much not-private). You get the guts up and hit it hard the first day, and you feel it the next (and the next and the next). After that, honestly the last thing you feel like doing is exercising anytime soon (especially when it feels as though your body can't exercise again soon).

The Keep Exercising Barrier
The good news? After easing up on workout expectations & determining (with as much regularity as resisting those brownies or chips) that you will workout at least three days a week, you actually get to the point (at least I did) where you really enjoy it - you look forward to it.

I'm at the point where I'm actually disappointed when I don't get to workout like I wanted. Of course, it helps that my workout many times doubles as my 'get alone & read' time - I regularly ride the stationary bike, while listening to Norah Jones on my iPod Shuffle and reading whatever my current book is. (Yeah, I know, Norah doesn't strike you as exactly the best workout music - but it works for me!)

So, I'm hooked. I'd have to say the best part of all of what I've been through the last several months is that I have an amazing wife who: (A) Has always made it a priority for our family to eat healthy, whether we were trying to lose weight or not, & (B) Takes the extra effort & energy to research low-fat recipes & cook them for us - all of which makes this much, much easier! (Thanks, hon!)