Matt's Weight Loss Odyssey: Part 9 (Back from the Dead)

Simple as that. Fall seven times, stand up eight.

For over a month now, I've been working out at least 5 times per week, usually 6. This is up from the 3-4 nights a week I was working out beforehand. I've replaced most of the solitary basketball shoot-arounds with more elliptical time.

I've been making an effort to eat more fruits and veggies. A friend who is much smarter than I showed me how to make some seriously superb salads that could serve as the main course in a meal.

Beyond that, I've been buying more fruits, vegetables and bagged salad. The problem there is that, after putting my bananas or apples or oranges in the refrigerator ... I forget about them until well after they’ve gone bad. But I have been enjoying chicken salads from Quizno's pretty regularly. That's gotta count for something.

And here I am, knocking on 300's doorstep. Right now, at 302 pounds, is the lightest I've been in five years. The last time I was at this weight, I had a girlfriend, was two months removed from high school, I was working security, and I still ate fast food. My exercise routine was walking around (A LOT) twice a week.

My how the times have changed!

Even a year ago … if you would have said to me a year ago that I would lose 70 pounds, work out almost every day, eat healthy and all that good stuff, I wouldn't have even laughed. The thought would have been too absurd. Granted, I was trying to lose weight at the time, but that was when I thought leisurely walks, Big Gulps and hot dogs would do the trick.

Perhaps my greatest victory yet came last Thursday. I went into Fred Meyer and stopped at the clothing department. Instead of making a bee-line for the "Big and Tall" section, I took a gamble on a good ol' XXL shirt. Up until this point, I've worn a 3XL shirt for about two to three years.

You can't find 3XL shirts in most clothing outlets. Big brands don’t touch 3XL. There are "special sections" for "big and tall" folks, and sometimes, there are ... "special stores." And speaking of which ... "big and tall?" Who in the hell do these people think they're fooling? Give me a break!

Anyway, I tried on a 2XL shirt -- a white Adidas shirt promoting "All City Basketball" and a navy shirt with the three stripes sewn on over the heart.

And miracle of miracles, they fit! Even after the shrinkage that comes with washing them ... the shirts fit! Not only do they fit, but I look good in them. Damn good.

So, knowing that I was on the road, a straight and narrow path paved in fruits and surrounded by water, I turned around to the Big and Tall section. I took a look at the shirts, not a single fashionable color to be found among them, and I waved good bye. I waved good bye to the Big and Tall section forever.

And as I paid for the items, I thought to no one in particular, "good luck, my big-boned brethren. I hope you find your way out of the cotton and khaki jungle and come out slimmer on the other side. But I can no longer join you in the embarrassing experience of shopping for 3XL clothing items. For I have to work out tomorrow."