The MNCG between Texas and Alabama marks a big day for me. It is the 1st anniversary of my quest to be a fitter, happier, healthier firefighter, dad, friend and person.

On January 8th 2009 I started eating better, working out (very slowly at first) and taking the supplements that have helped me fight the urge to binge on chips, fries, pizza, cake, etc. They have also given my body the nutrition I was not getting in my diet (not on a diet, but the way I eat).

I got down to a low of a little under 210 until mid summer, when things of course got crazy and our eating habits slipped a bit back to more bad carbs and less exercise. Not a great combination.

So, to make life interesting I decided to take up the 24 day challenge a friend in Advocare had come up with about 8 months ago.

This one is a little more strict and makes for a great way to not only lose some weight, but get back on the proper foods plan I had slipped out of over the summer and last couple months of my wifes pregnancy...

So... about a week before Thanksgiving, I started it thinking if I could do this through my favorite holiday without gaining a pound, I could get the 10 pounds off I set as my goal.

Well Thanksgiving came and went and I managed to lose 2 lbs over the long weekend... a challenge with pumpkin and coconut cream pies all over the fire station. For that matter I had lost 7 pounds in the first 10 days!

The second 2 week cycle was not as exciting in the weight loss numbers game, but clothes were definitely fitting better and I even got into a pair of pants that had hung laughing at me for 5 years.

Onward...

I am pretty excited about the 12 pounds, almost as excited as I am to have lost a total of 45 since last January. My waist has shrunk from well over 45" to just a touch over 40". Not great but so much better... BTW waist is around the naval, not where your jeans sit...

My next goal is 190 by 22 January...