Battle of the Bulge, Part 4: The Tide Turns

A couple of months ago I saw my buddy Fuzzy, and he was fresh off of dropping a good chunk of weight.  I asked him how he did it, and he showed me this:

This little device is a Fitbit Flex.  It monitors your motion, via a very sensitive (and surprisingly accurate) tracking mechanism.  It tracks things like how much you've moved, how far you've gone, and even how soundly you slept.

Armed with this motivation to move, it also supplies a web interface which allows you to track things like calories consumed, heavier workouts, water consumed, and your weight.  Taking a spot on the wrist, it provides a constant reminder of your activities (or lack thereof), and to think about what you're doing.

I started using it, and have been religious about my use.  I log everything, and know exactly how many calories I've consumed, and how many additional ones I've earned via activity.  I know when I'm in a deficit, and when I'm over.  And more than that, for the first time in my life I know with great confidence the amount of calories contained in what is going into my pie hole.

And the result?  Since I started using it in September, I'm down about 25 pounds.  I've lost about 4 inches around my waist.  I now weigh an amount that I haven't weighed since I was in college.

And I'm no longer freaking obese:

Oh, it isn't over.  A war that has lasted since my childhood can't ever be over.  But for this portion of the battle, I'm winning.

And the war rages...