These days, the majority of comments I receive from friends, colleagues and family revolve around my putting an end to the weight loss drive. This I find very funny personally, because as they say, human are the like the weather. Nothing is ever good enough! When I was overweight, the same folks telling me to stop had spoken about my ‘fatness’ although not to my face. Very few people, close people, actually mentioned to me directly that I was on the big side and needed to do something about it. I appreciate those who did – Thank you! Now, everyone not only comments on how miraculous it appears that I have lost so much weight and dropped three dress sizes in six months, they decide to spice up the unsolicited feedback with comments about how I have lost fat in all the ‘right areas’ and have to stop losing more weight or risk becoming unattractive. Can you imagine? Again, I find it all amusing. Amusing mainly because I can’t understand why people think they get to decide when I should stop when they had no role to play in my decision to start in the first place. Anyway, I like the attention, good or bad. I like that it reinforces within me the reasoning behind my commencing the journey in the first place and strengthens my resolve to keep at it.

One of the best comments I received in the last few weeks from a very senior colleague at one of the International Aid organizations was “Wow! Funke you have not only lost weight, but you have lost 15 years!” That made my day. There have been instances where people people did not recognize me when I attended meetings or met with them after a long while because most times, they said I had changed a lot and they were unsure if it was me or not. Some have also commented about my looking younger, but that comment about losing 15 years really brought it all home. I am so glad to hear that I look younger. I guess every woman (and maybe every man) would like to look young forever! Lol!

As I ponder on the frequent comments about “it is enough o!”, “E don do”, “You should stop now, don’t lose any more weight”, I remind myself of what made me start the process and what keeps me going. I think for the benefit of those that may think about the life-long consequences of embarking on a fitness journey, it will be helpful to share my innermost feelings and joys about my experience so far and how I see the future with this reborn sportiness.

1. It started out as a weightloss journey, but I have since realized that the benefits outweigh just weight loss and being fit is much more important. Right now, I have set my weight goal to 70kg and intend to maintain that weight once I hit it. I set an increased goal mainly because my BMI is still quite high (over 25), because I am short in height! But I think at 70, I would be just good enough for my personal liking and comfort.
2. Consistency is key in life. Nothing comes easy; not getting the desired job, not becoming a wealthy and successful person, not regaining fitness (if you were ever fit or not). I have learnt to comply with my routine and to learn discipline. Being disciplined even when it appears little or no gain is being made has brought me this far. So even though I have come this far, I recognize that I need to continue to stay physically active or risk one day looking back and asking how I got back to my pre-weight loss state or worse. It is all about that one step and the next. So I keep at it.
3. It is not about how far you have come, but how much more you have to go. I guess, for an over-achiever like me, I don’t settle for enough. I always want more, i want to break new records, achieve new targets, so I tend not to focus so much on what I  have accomplished in the past, but what more I can do and how I can prove my limits to myself. I think it is important to continue to do this to prove to myself that I can do more. For example, the first time I decided to add push ups to my routine, I could not do one. Now, I am able to do three/four sets of 20 reps. So when you ask me when it is time to stop, I can’t relate with that question. You know why? Because I am not going to be a case study of how to attempt weight loss and fail.
4. Running, working out, being fit has added more meaning to my life. As hard as it is to get up in the morning some times to run or climb 16 sets of 75 stairs, or drive to the stadium to play tennis instead of attend a friend’s get together, or just get up and walk so I can meet my step targets for the day, I totally enjoy these activities. It has also made me a more relaxed/chilled person. I realize that I am less stressed and I feel that my memory has improved dramatically. This also happens to be the first resolution I have made in my life and actually succeeded in! It makes me believe more that if I put my mind to anything, I can do it. I just need to put in as much dedication and intensity as I have learnt from this journey. For example, these days, when I drive around Abuja, I find myself coming up with ideas on how to encourage more physical activity in the FCT especially for people that don’t think it has any value or believe they don’t have time for it. Should I open a fitness centre? There aren’t enough really, but maybe I could start one and infuse a lot of outdoor activities going by my experience which is that indoor gyming is super boring. Or maybe I could write a book? It has opened up a lot of possibilities for me; potential that lay dormant for years.
5. For the health benefits, it makes it all worthwhile. As mentioned many times in previous blogs, I have observed a number of positive changes in my health and this makes it all worthwhile. The fact that I can constantly run longer distances, no matter how slow, I can climb 10 floors without panting, I have less breathing difficulties, and I just feel lighter and more agile is amazing. I really do feel like when I was 13 and in secondary school. I can do almost anything I want to. I also know that eating more fruits, drinking more water and less alcohol, cardio exercises, help to improve my endocrine, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, cerebrovascular and immune systems, so I do them with pleasure. At least, I am giving my body the needed care, playing my part and hope that God gives me long life.
6. Last, but more important, this has been all about me. With no apologies to anyone, I made a decision to do this because I felt it was time and I made a conscious effort to do it. It has always been about me, how I feel and what makes me happy. As we say in Naija, if you are not happy that I have lost so much weight, then please hug transformer. Oya, no vex, don’t hug transformer, but leave me alone. I am happy with where I am physically, emotionally and mentally, and that is all that matters. Life is short, life happens and you make the most of what you get out of it.

So for me, I am in a good place, and I hope you feel me. When next you decide to ask that question – “When will you stop?”, please don’t, because I will not give an answer. I don’t plan to stop working out to stay fit, ever. It is a lifestyle and I will maintain it for as long as I can. A personal goal is to look back 10 years from now and say that I started this journey ten years ago and I am still at it. As for the weight story, I am aiming to reach 70kgs by the end of September this year and then maintain my new weight. Of course, life will happen, I will have kids, I will gain some weight and I will lose again, but until then, love me just the way I am. Have a great weekend peeps! Thanks for reading as always.