HOW I lost 70 pounds in 7 months

Haha, it sounds like a commercial, doesn't it?  Well it's not, and I don't have anything to sell.  I just want to share information I've gained with others who might be in a similar situation and need help to get their health under control.  I'm no expert, and I did get help from a personal trainer (Bryce at Total Health and Fitness in Draper, Utah).  But once I hit rock bottom and decided enough is enough, I was committed.  There was no going back.  I could have gone on Weight Watchers, Jennie Craig, some form of Atkins or Paleo diet - it wouldn't have mattered.  As long as the program is sustainable in the long-term and isn't geared towards a "quick fix" then it will probably work.  But bottom line is, you have to be committed.  Good health isn't a daily decision - you don't ask yourself at each meal "Hmm, should I be good this time?"  That's not commitment, that's just a dream of wanting to be more healthy but leaving the decision up to your mood, your current state of hunger, etc.  

You've heard this before, but you need to decide once and for all that you are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve the health you desire.  Trust me, it's a long, hard, slow process.  I felt that way and I was dropping an average of 2 pounds a week.  For many others, the process is slower.  But it doesn't matter how long it takes.  It just matters when you start.  Who cares if it takes you 6 months, a year or even 5 years?  At that point we can put you side by side with other healthy people and - Wow, you're just as fit as they are.  

No one needs to tell you how hard being fat is on your body and the innumerable problems that accompany it.  You already know.  You need to engage your heart and mind in the process and decide "Am I comfortable being fat for the rest of my life, having a lower quality of health, limiting my ability to engage in activities, and pay the price both physically and financially?"  If your answer is "Yes!" then grab a pizza and a remote, get comfortable in front of the TV and relax.  If you answer is "No!" and you actually want to have a much greater quality of life, then be willing to follow that decision with some action.  

I'll give you tips that helped me along the way, and hopefully they will help you as well.  But now you know how I lost 70 pounds in 7 months.  I made a decision and backed it up with action.  The decision is far more important than the specifics of how you eat or how you exercise.  I encourage you to make the decision for yourself as well.  You'll thank yourself for it for the rest of your life.