Past Success: 20 Pound Loss

I thought I would take this oppotunity (boredom) to write about how I succeeded in weight loss a few years ago.

I was always a little chubby growing up but during my second year in college I was at my heaviest. I was always on some sort of diet that I would fail at and start over each week. I never really had the drive or motivation to follow through. That summer I started a job at a plastic surgeon's office as a office assistant and surgery intern. Everyone in that office looked great and everyone was on a diet so I decided that I was going to start watching what I ate. I remember that time so distinctly. I would eat 2 Eggos for breakfast, a Luna bar as a snack, an apple and a Slim Fast shake for lunch, some sort of snack before the gym and whatever my mom cooked for dinner (I was home for the summer and living with my parents). I lost about 5 pounds in 2 weeks and I was feeling pretty good about myself already. My dad picked me up from work that day for some reason (I think he changed the oil in my car) and during the drive we chatted....
Dad: "So, I see you are dieting and getting results right away."
Me: **Smile**
Dad: "You know, you seem so happy now. I don't understand why you didn't do this a long time ago."
Me: "What do you mean?"
Dad: "Well, everytime I look at you at home you have something in your mouth. If looking better makes you THIS happy, well... (***key phrase to my success...***): Do you not have enough character to eat less, not stuff yourself and therefore make yourself happy?"

Wow, I thought. Well, I was pissed. Character? He is questioning my character??? Always something in my mouth??? I was so pissed but I was angry mostly because I knew he was right. I was so mad that from that day on I continued my eating plan but I didn't stick one thing in my mouth after dinner for the rest of the summer (4-5 weeks or so). He would offer me cookies, fruit, etc. while we watched TV as usual. I wouldn't eat one grape and give him the satisfaction. Haha. I ended up losing 20 pounds or so and feeling like a rock star. It was tough, we ate dinner at 6pm the latest. I went to bed starving some nights but it got easier. I am so happy that my dad gave me that reality check years ago. He didn't mean it to hurt me. He only wanted the best for me. I was so mad because I was embarrassed. He never told me I looked bad or anything like that...now he even tells me to put on some pounds here and there. I love him and I thank him for that.