Twelve weeks flew by like nothing.  I actually can't believe that this 12 Week Challenge is done.  I remember when I first started this I had big plans for what my celebration meal. I was going to have a big dirty Pizza Hut feast with some ice cream, and maybe have another foray into cheesecake town.  So, what ended up happening this weekend?  I went to the gym, went out to one of my favorite Taiwanese style stir fry restaurants, and then went out for drinks.  No wild celebration dinner, no gorging, and no cheesecake.

 I've had several conversations about whether or not I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish with this 12 Week Challenge.  I think that what I have accomplished is hard to quantify.  I feel like a new man, and it's an unbelievable feeling.  I have developed a new relationship with food, and with my health in general.  Last night I could have gorged on some of my favorite "cheat foods", but really had no desire to.  I ate reasonable amounts of food that I enjoy, and woke up this morning feeling right on track.

 On Friday night after I did my weekly weigh in, I was talking to my good friend about the progress I have made over the past two years.  I can remember going to the doctor two years ago for my health check up, and seeing 92 kg come up on the hospital scale.  That's right, 92 kg.  In two years I have lost almost 20 kg!  I hope that you find that hard to believe, because I sure do.  I've talked a lot about finding sustainable ways to be healthy and to get into the shape you want, and I really feel like finding what works for me is my biggest accomplishment.  Over the last twelve weeks I lost 13 lbs, but more importantly, I learned how to manipulate my diet to lose weight, feel better, and not live a completely food-centric life.

What happens now?  I would still like to get a little bit leaner before I begin focusing on building muscle again. Building muscle is easier when your bodyfat is low, and since I am already on the fat burning train, I think I should keep going.  Another month, or two at the most, and I should be ready to start "reverse dieting", which means slowly bringing calories back up after an extended weight loss period.  I am going to continue to track my progress and make regular updates both on here and on facebook.  I really want to thank you for all the support that you've given.  You have no idea how much motivation I have gotten from you clicking "like" on my facebook updates, or leaving comments on the blog.  It has made a world of difference, and I want to thank you once again.  Keep an eye out for more updates, and be sure to let me know if there is anything you have questions about, or would like to learn more about.  I'm not an expert, but I am doing my best to learn as much as I can along the way.  As I said, this is only the end of the beginning!