I have been hovering around 248-252 for what seems like forever. This is new for me. I’m struggling. I feel like the biggest hypocrite because I often scold people for not sticking to their diets. I tell them, if your goal is to lose weight why would you not follow your diet, it’s just irrational.

One month ago I said I should be coming back for this update at 246. Right now I am 249 pounds. That basically means I lost one pound in the last month. Although that is progress, it’s not nearly enough. I need to get myself into the 230s by the end of the calendar year. So at the present time, I am failing my goal.

I could have easily just glossed over this month’s Operation Be Less Fat entry, however, I have learned from my wife as well as a colleague at work, some people take solace in knowing other people struggle. I guess even more so when that someone is perceived as having an iron will.

Weight loss is a huge struggle for me. It has been since the beginning. There are those out there to whom food is barely important. My sister in law can eat half an english muffin for dinner. Seriously, who eats half an english muffin? Meanwhile, I can spend what seems like the whole day just thinking about what I’ll have for dinner. It’s obsessive.

The point is, I struggle like many out there do. It’s an addict mentality, and I do not say that lightly. People lose this battle all the time, and it costs them their lives. My brother lost his life due to a weight issue. That’s why sharing my weight loss journey is so important to me. I am grateful and humbled by the many who have reached out to tell me I have inspired them.

What to do now is the question. I posted about my struggle tongue in cheek on social media the other day. Oh boy did I get a great response. EliteFTS teammate and coach Harry Selkow, who I really admire and respect asked me if I wanted his soft core motivational speech or hard core. As any self respecting masochist, I chose the hard core version. Harry posted this “Dieting doesn't suck! Know what sucks? Weak cry babies who give up on their goals. Making excuses for their lack of BALLS. Suck it up Buttercup. You've come this far, there is no Ef'n way you quit a Marathon after running the 26 miles only to leave 385 yards left on the table. You miss for three reason and three reasons only. 1. You're WEAK 2. You don't know technique 3. You're an Ef'n mental case. In all THREE perhaps all you need is a well placed THROAT PUNCH! YEA, that's it. Now, get off momma's teet and get back to the process of being AWESOME! We don't have time for this!!!

Man oh man did Harry’s strong words resonate in my head. Cry baby, give up, make excuses, was Harry really talking about me. Yes he was. I have come so far and I am indeed trying to accomplish something great. No, it’s not going to win a Nobel Peace Prize, but it’s a great achievement to me. I aspire to be something more, well, less actually, but you know what I mean.

I have all of the tools I need to accomplish my goal. I just need to maintain my will power. There have already been a few occasions where I reached for some not accounted for calories, fortunately I thought twice about it. Earlier, after measuring out a portion of peanuts I went to grab a few extra and then thought, “You’re striving for greatness.” Again this is not greatness in the world, but greatness within myself. I have high expectations.

People, you are not going to reach your goals by chance. If you are like me and know what you need to do, then just get to it. Strive for your greatness. When your diet becomes a grind and your hand is reaching for the cookie jar just think of the Harry in your head telling you that you are a crybaby or to suck it up buttercup! The last thing we all want is a well placed throat punch from Harry, so get to it. I know I am.