Tuesday morning officially marked the 9 month mark on the journey. I stepped on the scale as I normally do. But this was the first time in a while that I actually breathed out an exuberant YES after seeing the number appear.

I had once again stalled out and was hovering around 260 several weeks ago. One week I was 262, the next I was 260.5. Then back up to 261. All the while counting every calorie eaten and every calorie burned. Frustrated, I held my ground and stayed the course. It finally paid off and I was officially under 260. It wasn’t for a lack of checking, as I had been weighing myself every single morning (and sometimes at night to see what my body was up to). I know what your thinking… You shouldn’t weigh yourself every day. Don’t worry, you wouldn’t be the first to tell me that. What can I say… I’ve become kind of OCD about it.

Too extreme?

Of course my goal sheet had me slated to be at 235 lbs at this point so I planned to coast through the final 3 months only having to lose the last 15 pounds. So that is now out the window. Instead, I now have just 90 days to shed the final 40. Do I think I can do it? ABSOLUTELY.

Without a doubt I had a little pep in my step Tuesday. To top it off I ran 4 miles (no walking) and somehow managed to hold a conversation during the entire run. My first 10K is less than 3 weeks away and I think I’ll be well prepared.

Both of my sisters, who I had not seen for a while, commented that they can’t imagine what I will look like after losing another 40 pounds. It was nice to hear and also gave me a little extra oomph to push for it. It’s been a good twenty years since I have been at that weight and I can’t say I remember it well. I use to be an athlete and am starting to feel like one again. My wife, who sees me daily and has never known me this “small”, is enjoying this weight loss and has taken notice of the changes. So much so, she felt the need to take a picture of my body part. Nothing R rated (yet)… Just a simple snap shot of my leg which showed definition. Perhaps one of these days there will be definition in my stomach and I can show off my abs… Instead of just my ab. Now that will be a situation.

Up to this point I have been following my own plan. Running a lot — and eating a little. Now with 90 days left, I am pulling out the X factor. Specifically… P90X. Surely you have seen the informercials on TV. Late at night, early in the morning. On multiple channels at the same time. It’s everywhere… and now it’s in my living room.

Get this body in 90 days... or less, right?

For full disclosure, I actually ordered P90x at the end of 2010. There is an introductory video called “how to bring it”. After watching that video, I thought it should have been called “how to return it” – because that’s exactly what I did. However that was a year and a half and 60 pounds ago. So I have re-aquired P90X after consulting with some friends who had success on the program. I am using it as my trump card to take me to the finish line.

I’ll keep you posted on my results, and soon enough I will being saying the following: