Forgetting about a finish line...

I made the announcement on Schulte and Swan’s morning show that I am ready to pass the shirt on to the next person. The announcement was made this past Friday. Although I am still a ways away from a comfortable healthy weight, I have reached a point where I don’t need the shirt anymore. The shirt has been a wonderful thing to have. It was more of a security blanket than a garment. In fact, I only wore the thing twice. Instead, I hung it on the mirror I use every morning to remind me of my public pledge to lose weight. Now I have more energy and motivation than ever.

I have been reluctant to give up the shirt and my time as the “brother of the moment” because I kept thinking that the finish line is still a ways away. I have now lost 47 lbs since I first appeared on Schulte and Swan’s show. I would still like to lose another 25-30 lbs before I would like to just maintain a weight. The important thing I have learned by losing weight slowly is that there really is no finish line. Yes, there is a number I’d like to hit and there is a weight range I would like to stay within, but there is no end to keeping a healthier mindset.
In the past, I have looked at weight loss goals strictly from a number standpoint. In earlier blogs I have mentioned how I have seen many people, including myself, struggle after losing a lot of weight. Personally, I think it is because while I have deprived myself of certain food and drink, I really thought that after a certain number hits on the scale that I could ease up and start eating like a horse again. Losing weight slowly has allowed me more freedom in not having to totally give up foods I love. Now I know that no matter what the scale says, I will still have to make smart decisions every day for the rest of my life. That doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy a beer from time to time or a cheeseburger. It just means that I have to know my limits and keep myself in check. I know it’s harder than it sounds. I will no doubt continue to struggle, but I really think I can continue to lose weight with the help of family and friends including the new friends I have made at KZIA.

So, if you are someone who is ready to put yourself out there to publicly lose weight. Please email Clare, the morning show producer at KZIA. Her email is clare@kzia.com. We’ve already received some emails of people who are interested and will be passing the shirt to the next brother on Friday. If you decide to be the next holder of the shirt, you can lose weight in any way you choose. We’ll be there for support and advice if you need.

Thanks again to everyone for your words of encouragement. It has been great so far!