Taking a Break

I am going to be taking a break from the blog. I have too many personal issues going on and can't present a blog of encouragement and happiness when I am not. I will still YOAD, no worries there. But the blog will be comatose, but not forever. Promise.

Thanks to everyone I've met here. Thanks for sharing your lives and your stories, your trials, your pains, your pleasures, your joys, your defeats, your sadness, your concerns. Good luck to everyone and please stay strong and motivated.

Thank you all for being a part of my life.

Rich

U Turn, or Going in Circles?

Why is it SO hard to get back on a diet plan once you get off? It's crazy! Is the motivation gone? Nope. Is it that maybe you're thinking 'oh, I've cheated, so one more day of cheating won't hurt'? Maybe.


I had full intentions of having a good YOAD day today. I did my walking, I had my Cheerios, I had my salad, I got out and was active, and then.....I went over to the dark side.

I drove by TGI Friday's with my daughter. TGI Fridays is her favorite restaurant and she asked if we could go. I said sure. I had very good intentions to be good and eat healthy. Well you know what they say about the road to hell and what its paved with. So we went in and I saw all the wonderful YOAD friendly foods and contemplated getting something really healthy and then I saw it.. You see, there's a 3 course special for $12.99 which gets you appetizer, entre and dessert. SO I gave in. (psst. the cinnabon cheesecake is awesome - just in case you were wondering).


My daughter and I had a good meal with good conversation. I came home around 3 and have been snacking since. Yeah, I feel guilty. I've told myself "I can get back on YOAD tomorrow"(how many times have we ALL said that??). So as I put down my pint of Breyer's Vanilla Ice Cream, I write this, with a full tummy and a guilty soul. Tomorrow's another day. I go to work tomorrow and the temptation will decrease dramatically. Tomorrow's another day for me and YOAD.


And how did your Saturday go?

Back

Back on the treadmill,
Back on YOAD
Back on Track
Back as best I can with my life.

A Heart Felt Thank You

A Heart Felt Thank You to everyone for all your words of encouragement and support. I'm back in Albuquerque now, back from the funeral, back from a very emotional week. They say time heals all wounds, and in time, things will get easier I'm sure.

God Bless,


Rich

Sad News Today

It's with a sad heart that I tell you, my blog family, that my brother passed away this afternoon. He is 3 years older than me. He had been ill for a long time. He's had diabetes for several years and had been doing dialysis for several years. Today, he was in surgery to remove his lower leg (a complication from the diabetes) when he had a heart attack.

Please keep me and my family in your prayers.

Rich

Say Cheese

I had my colonoscopy today. It wasn't bad at all. They gave me some 'happy' drugs and I had a very relaxing day. I'm STILL getting over my sniffles, but feel a lot better than even a few days ago.

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost

Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14
18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14
19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
22.....8/01/2007.......231.....67........41.......16
23.....8/08/2007.......222.....75........39.......18
24.....8/15/2007.......221.....76........38.5....18.5
25.....8/22/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
26.....8/29/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
27.....9/05/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
28.....9/12/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
29.....9/19/2007.......216.....81........38.......19
30.....9/26/2007.......222.....75........38.......19
31....10/03/2007......219.....78........38.......19






Rich

Back from the Dead

The fever is gone, the throat is ok, still a little congested and blowing my nose, but all in all, I'm think I'm back from the dead. What a horrible little bug I caught. I did walk 30 minutes on Thursday and it TOTALLY WIPED me out. I think I pushed it earlier than I should have. I should have rested. I don't think I'm going to start the walking again until I feel 100%. I am back on YOAD though. Thanks to everyone for all your positive thoughts.

Rich

What Can I Say?

Ok, What can I say? Here's the excuses.. I was/am sick. I haven't walked in a 6 days, I ate comfort food, I drank a lot of fluids, I didn't do any strength exercises. As a result.. (bowing head in embarrassment) I gained 6 pounds. Can you believe it? Now, if I got all the physics right, I would have to eat 21,600 more calories (3,600 calories = 1 pound) than I burned off to gain 6 pounds. IMPOSSIBLE. That would be the equivilent of 108 (9 dozen) Krispy Kreme Glazed Doughnuts.

My body is out of wack with this cold I have, I'm drinking a lot of fluid, but don't think I'm going to the bathroom that much. What I think is happening is my body is holding on to fluid. A natural response to having a cold? A response to cold medicine? I don't know. But what I do know is that 21,600 calories?? NO way. My waist is still the same (38").



So with that said, I'm feeling a little better. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill today and sweated a LOT more than usual. I have been running to the bathroom more often and I'm getting off the cold medicine. It will be interesting next week for sure. Which reminds me. Next week's weigh day will be skewed. I have a colonoscopy scheduled next Wednesday, so Tuesday will just be clear fluids and that wonderful 'cleaning out' medicine, so next Wednesday's numbers will be affected by that. No pictures this week. Nothing to smile about.


Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14
18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14
19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
22.....8/01/2007.......231.....67........41.......16
23.....8/08/2007.......222.....75........39.......18
24.....8/15/2007.......221.....76........38.5....18.5
25.....8/22/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
26.....8/29/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
27.....9/05/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
28.....9/12/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
29.....9/19/2007.......216.....81........38.......19
30.....9/26/2007.......222.....75........38.......19



Rich

Reports of my Death have been greatly exaggerated

I'm not dead yet!! Getting better though. I made a big pot of chicken soup (whole chicken, celery, onion, peas, corn, green beans). Seems like it is YOAD approved. I havent' been walking and I know I'll pay the price on the scale tomorrow. I haven't been doing too much of anything except laying in bed, drinking and eating. But that's ok. Heal my body first then continue with the weight loss.

Thanks for ALL the positive thoughts.

Rich

Oh, the hoodia pops, I suck on one when I get a sugar craving or get a little hungry. Somedays I eat 3-4 other days none. They actually help. I just bought a new batch from ebay. I paid .62 cents each, but I had to buy multiple bags to average that price.

The Plague

Ok, I'm sure it's not the plague, but I feel like death has marched over me and is coming back for seconds. No energy, sore throat, draining sinuses, etc. I'm expecting green pea soup to come spewing any second. wait, hold on..... ok, it's safe, false alarm. Needless to say, I haven't been walking. In fact, the only thing I have been doing is laying around doing nothing for 4 days now. Blah.

So how's your weekend?

Peace,

Rich

It's About Time

F I N A L L Y ! ! ! I have broken through that horrible plateau of 218. My official weight today is 216!! 2 1 6 !!! I can hardly believe IT!!!

But wait, there's more!! With the arrival of being 216.. Drum ROLL PLEASE......

I'M NO LONGER OBESE!!!

After using the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator, I am now grouped in the OVERWEIGHT category. I'm NO LONGER in the OBESE category!!!! That bit of information hasn't quite set in yet. NO LONGER OBESE! OMG. Can anyone really be this excited about being overweight?? YEP YEP AND YEP!!

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost

Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a

1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1

2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5

3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2

4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4

5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5

6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5

7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6

8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7

9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8

10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9

11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10

12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10

13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5

14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5

15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13

16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13

17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14

18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14

19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16

20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16

21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16

22.....8/01/2007.......231.....67........41.......16

23.....8/08/2007.......222.....75........39.......18

24.....8/15/2007.......221.....76........38.5....18.5

25.....8/22/2007.......218.....79........38.......19

26.....8/29/2007.......218.....79........38.......19

27.....9/05/2007.......218.....79........38.......19

28.....9/12/2007.......218.....79........38.......19

29.....9/19/2007.......216.....81........38.......19

it.

Biggest Loser Tonight

Don't forget your weekly dose of The Biggest Loser tonight!

Yummy Fajitas Tacos

This was so simple to make, I'm sure it's out there somewhere, but I thought it up myself and it was quick, and easy and oh sooo yummy.

Slice 1 BELL PEPPER and put it in a gallon sized ziploc bag.
Slice 1/2 YELLOW ONION and put it in the ziploc bag.
Add 1 TBSP. of Olive Oil and Seal Bag, shake it up a little, mix it around and set it aside.

Broil Chicken Breasts (Broil whatever amount you want, but at least 1) and slice into slices and set aside

Prepare the Tomato-Salsamole on Page 302 in the YOAD book and set aside.

Add the Green Pepper/Onion Mixture from the ziploc bag to a hot skillet and saute until the unions are limp and set aside.

Take 1 Whole Wheat Tortilla and put a little bit of Olive Oil on 1 side with a dash of salt. Place oil side down on a baking sheet and oil and salt the top side. Place under a broiler until the tortilla starts turning brown. When the top turns brown, flip the tortilla over and brown the other side.

When the second side of the tortilla is brown, remove from the broiler and add some chicken breast slices to 1/2 the torilla, add the some of the onion/bell pepper mixture to 1/2 the tortilla, add some tomato-salsamole to 1/2 of the tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half to form a taco and MUNCH AWAY!

Let me know what you think if you try it. It filled me up!!

As Always,

Take Care, Eat Well.

Rich

PS. Dr. OZ will be on Oprah tomorrow (Monday, 9/17/2007)

Friday's Menu Numbers

I put in my menu from Friday into Sparkpeople and this is what it spit out.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE!!



Kinda looks to me, I'm right in my zone. Comments?

Rich

Monday Blues

Well, it's Monday again for me. (I work Friday thru Tuesday). I woke up with a new sense of determination to break through this hideous brick wall I've hit.

I put on a batch of oatmeal in the crockpot last night, so I woke up with warm, steel cut, cinnamon oatmeal. yummm. I did my hour on the treadmill and did the intermediate YOAD work out. For snack, I had Activia, for Lunch I had baked Talipia with Brown rice. For dinner tonight at work, I've premade my Salad (Romaine, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Smoked Turkey Breast, Feta, Craisins). I've had 2 Fuze drinks and I'm drinking gobs of water. I will spend 2 of my 30 minute breaks at work tonight, walking the parking lot.

Like I said, Monday Blues.

Rich

State Fair

I went to the New Mexico State Fair today. It is held near downtown Albuquerque at the state fair grounds. And let me tell you, I was bad.

Every year I have fried cheesecake. I know, I know, it's probably the worst thing I could eat while being on YOAD. I know, I know, "Fried Cheesecake?" Yeah, they take a frozen piece of cheesecake, batter it up, stick a stick in it and set that puppy in the deep fat frier. Then they sprinkly powdered sugar on it and pour some chocolate or raspberry sauce on it.!! I know, I know, you're thinking 'eeeew'.. but let me tell you, I crave it every year during the State Fair. And come HELL or High Water or YOAD, I'M HAVING MY YEARLY PIECE OF FRIED CHEESECAKE!!. Just one piece, just once a year.

I also had my annual "Navaho Taco". (It's fried bread (think big sopapilla), with red chili sauce, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, ground beef, beans.) Besides for the Fried Bread, the Navaho Taco isn't that Un-YOAD. All in all, I had a fun day. I walked my 30 minutes on my treadmill before I went, and walked 4 hours while at the fair. (Except when I sat to eat my Fried Cheesecake and Navaho Taco (at different sittings, eating them together would just be gross)).

Anyway, I'm back home and my muscles ache. I guess that's a good thing. A combination of my 4.5 hours of walking today and my Intermediate YOAD workout yesterday (Shannon, I am too 'intermediate'!!). Tomorrow I'm back strictly on YOAD and on Sunday, I go back to the gym!! Damn this 218 roadblock. Come hell or high water, or Fried Cheesecake, I'm getting down to 197!!

Rich

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

The good news.. I didn't gain any weight.
The bad news.. I didn't lose any weight.

When I break through this horrible plateau I'm stuck at, I think I will do cartwheels!!

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14
18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14
19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
22.....8/01/2007.......231.....67........41.......16
23.....8/08/2007.......222.....75........39.......18
24.....8/15/2007.......221.....76........38.5....18.5
25.....8/22/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
26.....8/29/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
27.....9/05/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
28.....9/12/2007.......218.....79........38.......19

Rich

The Biggest Loser

It's on TONIGHT, NBC!!! WATCH IT!!!

It's on TONIGHT, NBC!!! WATCH IT!!!

It's on TONIGHT, NBC!!! WATCH IT!!!

It's on TONIGHT, NBC!!! WATCH IT!!!

It's on TONIGHT, NBC!!! WATCH IT!!!

It's on TONIGHT, NBC!!! WATCH IT!!!

It's on TONIGHT, NBC!!! WATCH IT!!!

It's on TONIGHT, NBC!!! WATCH IT!!!

It's on TONIGHT, NBC!!! WATCH IT!!!

Yummy Find

I ran across these Nabisco Garden Harvest Toasted Chips - Vegetable Medley in the store yesterday.

I read the ingredients and nutritional information and everything looks YOAD approved. These things are down right Yummy. Can some of you experts check it out and let me know what you think?

Rich

WOW! Such Support

I read everyone's comments and thought how lucky I was to have such great support from everyone. Elizabeth said, "You are totally my inspiration". Chris said, "...congrats on another week of keeping the weight off! " Orlando said "Hang in there bud!"

I really appreciate your kind words of encouragement. From the amount of support from you guys, I'd have to say that YOU guys are MY motivation!!

Chris asks, "Is there anything you can 'tweak' on the diet at this point of the game?" I guess the only thing I can tweak is exercise. I'm eating around the 1500 calories a day. Based on what everyone says, if I go below that, I'll activate that dreaded 'starvation' mode and complicate things even more. But I'm already doing an hour day of exercising. How much of my day can I devote to walking my ass off (literally!) lol.


Dara asks "Did the green tea pills you once mentioned help? Do you still take them?" This will fall under the 'I don't know' catagory. I still take the green tea pills, but since I've not lost any weight in the last 3 week, I don't know if the 'fat burning' part of them is just hype. I do believe in the benefits of green tea though and will continue taking them for that benefit alone. I also drink Lipton's Diet Green Tea in a bottle. It tastes great! I don't know what to say about your plateau, I'm in the same boat. If you find the magic answer, let us ALL know! Congrads your 20 pounds and 5 inches lost!!

Orlando says, ".....and she went back to a pick-n-stick for breakfast designed to boost her metabolism. " What is 'pick-n-stick for breakfast'???

Elizabeth said... "Keep hangin in there, friend!" I am SO doing that!! I've come too far and worked too hard not to.

Look, I know plateaus SUCK!! We all work so hard and expect some sort of payoff come weigh day and when you step on the scale and there's no payoff we feel cheated. Plateaus are part of the process. I've said it before, this is NOT a race. There is no contest for me to get down to a certain weight by a certain date. This is a new lifestyle change for me. I WILL get to my goal, I will stay motivated, I WILL succeed. Failure is NOT an option. And with great support from friends like you guys, it will make these little bumps in this road a lot more tolerable. Thanks guys!

Rich

I'm Stuck

I'm still weighing in at 218 (my lowest weight in my adult life). Maybe my body is incapable of weighing less than 218. Maybe that's why I've NEVER weighed less than 218 in my adult life. Maybe this is my perfect weight. Maybe this is what I'm suppose to weigh. Maybe this is it. Maybe I'll never lose another ounce. Maybe I'll just GIVE UP! NOT! Never give up, never surrender. No pictures this week, same old me.


Nothing gained, nothing lost. Nothing to do except just keep on keepin on.
Here's the numbers...
Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14
18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14
19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
22.....8/01/2007.......231.....67........41.......16
23.....8/08/2007.......222.....75........39.......18
24.....8/15/2007.......221.....76........38.5....18.5
25.....8/22/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
26.....8/29/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
27.....9/05/2007.......218.....79........38.......19

Rich

Overweight Kids

One of my friends on here posed an interesting question. I thought I'd re-post it on the main blog so we can get a good discussion going on the subject. Here's what she wrote ....

"....... do you (or anyone else out there) have any advice on how to deal with an overweight child? My step daughter lives with us full time - she is 11 and starting Junior high this year. She is really struggling with weight - I want to help her but I don't want her to feel bad about herself, but I'm not sure where to start?! What do you think? Have a great day!..."

Let's all offer some advice and discussion on the matter in the comments section.

Take Care,
Eat Well.

Rich

The Dog Days of Summer

Nothing gained, nothing lost. Nothing to do except just keep on keepin on.

Here's the numbers...

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost

Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a

1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1

2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5

3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2

4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4

5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5

6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5

7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6

8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7

9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8

10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9

11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10

12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10

13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5

14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5

15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13

16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14

18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14

19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16

20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16

21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16

22.....8/01/2007.......231.....67........41.......16

23.....8/08/2007.......222.....75........39.......18

24.....8/15/2007.......221.....76........38.5....18.5

25.....8/22/2007.......218.....79........38.......19

26.....8/29/2007.......218.....79........38.......19

Take Care, Eat Well

Rich

Just a Little Bragging

Today I went to work and wore a very loose 38w Dockers pants. It was an amazing feeling. And yes, I got a lot of compliments. At home, I've been wearing my 36w jeans lately, and they fit very nicely. When I tell people I am still trying to lose another 20 pounds, they tell me, "no way, that's too much, you'll be too skinny".. OMG "TOO SKINNY" I've never heard that before with reference to me. I'm charting new waters here, but I think I'm liking the boat ride.

Rich

Favorite Quotes

Instead of thinking about all the reasons why you can't do something, think about all the reasons why you can.

And of course. Do or do not, there is no try.

Open the Champagne

POP OPEN THE CHAMPAGNE !!! (The low carb, no sugar added, no fat, non-alcoholic champagne that is). Drum roll please............. I'M OFFICIALLY THE LOWEST WEIGHT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN MY ADULT LIFE. I stepped on the scale this morning and I couldn't believe what it said. I got off, and back on, off, on, off, on at least 6 times. I rubbed my eyes, looked again and then jumped off and did my happy dance!!

I'M OFFICIALLY THE LOWEST WEIGHT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN MY ADULT LIFE. I felt I needed to see that in print again. I have reached my mini goal. Now, it's on to my ultimate goal of 197 pounds (100 pounds lost).

Anyway, Here's the numbers, I've condensed the list to list results for every 5 weeks up to week 20...

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
22.....8/01/2007.......231.....66........41.......16
23.....8/08/2007.......222.....75........39.......18
24.....8/15/2007.......221.....76........38.5....18.5
25.....8/22/2007.......218.....79........38.......19
..
In 25 weeks, I have lost 79 pounds and 19 inches around my waist. Simply amazing.

Yeah BABY!!!

Take Care, Eat Well,

Rich

The BIGGEST LOSER

I just saw a commercial for the new season of THE BIGGEST LOSER on NBC. It will start again in 2 weeks on September 4th. If this show doesn't motivate you to get up and move and lose some weight, NOTHING WILL. I love this show! Let's all watch and we can talk about it here.

Rich

Busy Day at Work

Sheesh, busy busy busy day at work today. Because of the left overs of Tropical Storm Erin in Oklahoma, a huge amount of airplanes were rerouted through the southern part of United States. And boy oh boy did the planes come, fast and furious. But since you didn't see me interviewed on CNN, I guess I and all my co-workers did a heck of a job. Hope you enjoyed your Sunday!

Rich

Another One Gone!

Another pound lost this week!! Down to 221. Total of 76 pounds poof! Yay! Another 1/2 inch gone from the spare tire! YAY!!

Ok, it's been really hot in Albuquerque so I've been wearing shorts on my days off and I can't wear jeans to work (silly, stupid, crazy rule), so it's been a while since I slipped on my 38w Jeans. Well, last night, I put them on and OMG, THEY WERE TOO BIG!! I actually took them off to check the tag, YEP they WERE the 38W's. I then tried my 36W jeans, and OMG, THEY FIT!! ALMOST A LITTLE LOOSE!!! I really couldn't believe it. It was truly a moment for me. I have 2 more pounds to go until my mini goal of 219 (my lowest I've ever weighed in my adult life). THAT WILL BE ANOTHER 'MOMENT'. I have a big plastic storage container in my closest (my 2nd big plastic storage container) where I put my FAT clothes that are now too big for me. My 38w jeans are the newest addition to my big plastic storage container. My 2nd container is almost full and my closest is bare. Such a sense of accomplishment.



Anyway, Here's the numbers, I've condensed the list to list results for every 5 weeks up to week 20...

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost

Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
22.....8/01/2007.......231.....66........41.......16
23.....8/08/2007.......222.....75........39.......18
24.....8/15/2007.......221.....76........38.5....18.5

Fat March

Last night on ABC, FAT MARCH. LOVED IT!! Sooo inspiring! Made me want to go walking!

Catch it!

Rich.

PS. I have to work Overtime tomorrow, so my numbers won't get posted for my weekly update until the evening. Sorry.

Rich

OH OH OH, I almost forgot. I was directed to this You Tube Video by someone who saw my video on You Tube. Check it out, It's REALLY good!.

School Days

Can you believe it? In Albuquerque, I registered my son for school today, my daughter 2 days ago. School starts on Tuesday!!! (I'll try to contain my excitement). Seems like every year, they're pushing back the start date and extending the school year. Can you hear "It's the most wonderful time of the year" playing in the background.. lol.

Busy day today. Nothing special with YOAD, I did sign up with Spark People and LOVE their calorie counting program. Check it out.

Take Care,
Eat Well.

Rich

75 Down, 25 to GO!

It was a stellar week. I lost a whopping 9 pounds this week!! I'm down 75 pounds, which is 3 pounds from my mini goal of 219 (The lowest I've ever weighed in my adult life) and just 25 pounds away from my ultimate goal of losing 100 pounds!! Yay!

If you remember last week, I spent several days, not exercising and eating whatever I wanted. The result was that I gained 2 pounds last week. Well here's what I was thinking.. Since I hit a plateau, I was trying to figure why. I was still exercising, still eating right, but yet, my body quit losing weight, it went on strike. So I thought, "ok, my body must be thinking that I'm starving, that I'm losing too much weight and it was starting to hold on to what it still had." So I ate a lot of 'No No' foods, lots of carbs, lots of calories and gained 2 pounds last week. I went back on YOAD, did my hour of walking and this week I've lost 9 pounds. My body must be saying 'Ok, crisis over, the guy's not starving, let's lose some more weight'. Now, this is NO WAY scientific, it was just what I was thinking. I don't really know how many calories I eat during a normal YOAD day, but it seems like maybe I should be increasing those so my body doesn't go in starvation mode.

Anyway, Here's the numbers, I've condensed the list to list results for every 5 weeks up to week 20...

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost

Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
22.....8/01/2007.......231.....66........41.......16
23.....8/08/2007......222......75........39.......18

It's Time for a Sequel - Enjoy

Music by STYX.

Take Care, Eat Well,

Rich

If you think your job sucks....

I just had to share...

Rich

Graphing

I was just playing around with graphs and thought this dramatic visual was worth posting..

The Biggest Loser

I SOOOOO wanted to be on NBC's The Biggest Loser. I just could never get time off from work. Now, they're casting again (details to follow) and I think I'm too skinny to qualify. How ironic is that!!!???? Anyway, if you're interested or know someone that is, here's the details!!



Oh, by the way, another 1 hour on level 4 treadmill today. 628 calories gone, 3.6 miles walked!!

Here's the skinny on the Biggest Loser....

CASTING FOR THE BIGGEST LOSER - ON NBC!

NBC'S THE BIGGEST LOSER IS BACK!

We are searching the country for individuals OR teams of two to compete together and who need to shed the pounds on season 5 of NBC's hit show, and compete for big cash prizes!Now you can audition with a friend, family member, or co-worker -

This is your chance to TRANSFOR YOUR LIFE!



LAST YEAR'S WINNER LOST 214LBS* AND WON $250,000!!!

(*results not typical)

We will be casting in many cities across the US, including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and Chicago!COME BE A PART OF THE BIGGEST PHENOMENON IN REALITY TELEVISION.We are looking for OUTGOING & CHARISMATIC individuals with PERSONALITY who have the WANT, DESIRE and COMPETITIVE EDGE to vie for this all-expense-paid chance of a lifetime.WE'RE LOOKING FOR CONTESTANTS READY TO SHED THE POUNDS ONCE AND FOR ALL!
You must be at least 18 years of age and a legal resident of the U.S. to apply.

TO SUBMIT:Be sure to mention you heard about this from Jeff Gund at INFOLIST.com for priority consideration, and email ALL the information requested below to:mailto:jthomas.prtv%40gmail.com

YOU MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
1. A picture of yourself (and your partner/teammate, if applicable)
2. What city you live in
3. A brief paragraph about why you should be on the show
4. Be sure to mention you heard about this from Jeff Gund at INFOLIST.com! Good luck!

Take Care, Eat Well,
Rich

Treated like Royalty, Treated like a Peasant

I touched on this in one of my comments under one of my posts. We were discussing being 'hit on' since I've lost weight. In all honesty, I don't think so. BUT what I have noticed is that people, complete strangers are A LOT nicer to me. People smile at me more, people are more helpful. Now that I've been in both camps (really fat, and the not so fat camp), I can tell you, YOU GET TREATED LIKE CRAP WHEN YOU'RE FAT. Let me vent again... YOU GET TREATED LIKE CRAP WHEN YOU'RE FAT. People have intentionally gone the other direction when I approached them for help at a store when I was 300lbs. NOW, people seem to go out of their way to help me. People smile at me more, people are more helpful and a lot more friendly. All the attention is unnerving at times, but I think I'm loving it!!

Being fat is something most anyone can change. I've felt the harsh treatment thrust against me when I was 300lbs, it was mean, cruel, unwarranted and totally discriminatory. I am lucky, all I had to do was lose the weight and change, and all that harsh treatment disappeared, gone, poof. I can only imagine what's it's like for others that can't change and face the same horrible treatment. People, like blacks, hispanics, gays, handicapped, etc. don't have that option to change. They can't flip that switch and be treated better. It gives me a whole new perspective. Since they can't change, it's left to society then to change, to look beyond weight, skin color, sexual orientation, religion, physical ability. I've said "we're all in this together" several times in my posts and this was refering to my our common weight loss journey. Seems like it applies to our common journey through life. We're ALL in this together.

Peace out.

Rich

Back in the Saddle

I'm back in my routine. I did 1 hour at level 4 on the tread mill today (Watched "ZODIAC" during the work out, the time just flew by as I burned nearly 600 calories). I had my staple of cheerios for breakfast, yogurt (Activia) for morning snack, Salad for lunch, Almonds for afternoon snack. I'm thinking about dinner and thinking about an afternoon stroll when it get's cooler outside. I walked yesterday and felt my wellness feeling return. I feel really good today except for my ever present back ache. I went to my chiropractor today, he did his magic and I feel better, but know it will only last for a short time. Blah.

Anyway, back on track, stepping things up a notch and hope to blow away my numbers come Wednesday.

Oh, I also checked on some pricing for a tummy tuck to get rid of all this extra skin and well, err, ummm, guess I'll be carrying the stuff around a while. 'nuff said.

Take Care,
Eat Well.

Rich

Just What I Expected

Ok, after my little 4 day vacation of not walking and eating whatever, I gained 2 pounds. This is the first time I've gained on YOAD, but I guess I wasn't really 'ON' Yoad this week. It was an experiment. I have a theory, and I'll see next week if I was right. I'm not upset about the 2 pound gain, actually I expected to gain more than 2 pounds. But trust me, I have NOT given up and I am back on track now.


Here's the numbers...

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14
18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14
19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
22.....8/01/2007.......231.....67........41.......16







Take Care,Eat Well,



Rich

Taking a Break

Ok, I'll be honest here. I've taken the last 4 days off. By 'off'', I mean, not walking my hour a day, and eating whatever I wanted. Tonight I feel like crap. I'm groggy, tired, feeling very blah. I fear hopping on the scale tomorrow. Have I given up? NOT ON YOUR LIFE. Call it a little experiment on my part. Tomorrow, it's back to the routine. Promise.

Never give up, never surrender.


Rich

Good News in the Mail Today

okokokokok, I'm sooo over being bummed yesterday, especially after I got my mail today. I got the results of my blood tests I had done while having my annual physical a couple of weeks ago.

My Total Cholesterol is 149!!
< 200 is desirable,
200-239 is Borderline High,
>240 call the mortician.

My LDL (Bad, Lousy, Cholesterol) is 90!!!
<100 is Optimal
100-129 Near optimal
130-159 Borlerline High
160-189 High
>190 Don't make plans for Christmas

My HDL (good Cholesterol - Higher is Better) is 49!!!
< 40 LOW
>60 HIGH

My Triglycerides is 49!!! Triglycerides is blood fat. May be associated with heart disease and stroke.
<150 is Normal
150-199 Borderline High
200-499 HIGH
>500 - Just squeeze some of your blood in the pot, you can fry chicken with it.

Not too shabby for a 43 year old still technically 'obese' guy, eh? Thank you Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen for not only helping me lose the weight, but making me a very healthy man.


Take Care,
Eat Well,

Rich

Bummer

Another week, and well, umm, errr...... I didn't lose anything. I've increased my walking to an hour a day, ate good, didn't cheat and I still didn't lose. I'm disappointed, I'm only human, and really bummed. Have my expectations been artificially elevated because of my huge success in previous weeks? Maybe. Will I give up, quit?? N E V E R. "Never give up, NEVER surrender". I didn't take any pictures this week, they'd just be the same.



Here's the numbers...
Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14
18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14
19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16
21.....7/25/2007.......229.....68........41.......16

Take Care,
Eat Well,

Rich

Motivation

I stumbled across this really cool website. It let's you create your own personal motivational posters FOR FREE!! Gotta love the free stuff. It's really easy to create, save and print your own customized motivational poster. Here's one I made that now is posted on my refrigerator!!

Take Care, Eat Well.

Rich.

This Makes it ALL Worth It.

When you post a video on You Tube (like my "The Incredible Shrinking Man" video), you plug in your email address and when someone leaves a comment on You Tube, you get sent a notice by You Tube that someone has left a comment. I received this comment today.........

"HI DADDY ur not fat anymore YAY!! I LOVE YOU!"

Wow! That, my friends, makes it all worth it.


Take Care,
Eat Well.

Rich

Another One Bites the Dust

It's been another successful week. Another week of walking an hour a day, another week of eating good, another week of eating right, another week of eating healthy, another week of losing weight. I have 10 more pounds to lose to reach my mini goal of 219 (my lowest weight in my adult life.) and only another 32 pounds for my ultimate goal of losing 100 pounds.

Here's the numbers...
Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14
18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14
19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16
20.....7/18/2007.......229.....68........41.......16

I'm wearing 38" Dockers in these pictures!!! Can you believe it!! 38" Docks!!!

Take Care,
Eat Well,

Rich

n2styx@comcast.net

Mail Call

Usha, Thanks for the comments and insight. I agree with a lot of what you said. While '197' is my goal, it is just a number. Everyone wants to know what I weigh. They don't care how healthy you are, it's always about the number. Trust me, my goal is being healthy and active. The 197 is a means to an end, it is something tangible I can measure to ultimately get to a healthy body. I'm really NOT obsessed with the number. It's really funny too, because at 197 with my height, I will still be considered overweight using the BMI charts. I'm 5' 11". I think I have to get down to 178 to be considered 'normal' weight. I think I'd look dreadfully sick at 178. BMI doesn't take into account frame size. I have a large frame, wide shoulders. The BMI charts only take into account height and weight. But I'll take being considered overweight at 197. I can live with that.

In answer to some other questions. I am 5' 11". I used to be 6', but a crushed a vertebra in my back 2 years ago and I lost an inch. (Believe it or not!).

About the question about handling anger... Ummm.. I ususally dont' get angry. I get frustrated and stressed, but usually not angry. I'm an air traffic controller, so stress is part of my life. I've been an air traffic controller for over 19 years. I sit at a radar scope 8 hours a day and get stressed for a majority of that time. It's a bad combination (seditary work with a ton of stress, no wonder I have belly fat). I never really used food to cope with stress or anger or frustration. I usually ate junk food because I was bored and I loved to eat!!! I cope with anger by removing myself for the situation that causes anger. When put in a situation that causes anger, I take a line from the Penguins in the movie "Madagascar", "Smile and wave boys, just smile and wave."

Take Care, Eat Well,

Rich
n2styx@comcast.net

Where's the Comments?

Ok, I was getting a little bummed that no one was posting comments. I was beginning to think no one visited my little ol' blog, but my counter says over 500 people have visited my blog. But still I had ZERO comments on all my posts. Today, when I logged on, I saw this really small thingy saying I had comments I needed to moderate. All this blogging stuff is really new to me. All this hi-tech hocus pocus throws me for a loop at times. Anyway, I clicked the link to moderate my comments and wah la, there were comments. Then I dug deeper and found a setting that was checked about moderating comments. I unchecked 'yes' and checked 'no'. NOW comments should just post without me having to intervene..

Soooo..... POST AWAY! We could get some good discussions going. Ask me anything. I'm pretty much an open book. If it will help and inspire you, it's all good!

Take Care, Eat Well,
Rich

Fuze - The New Miracle Drink??

I have discovered this wonderful drink called FUZE - Healthy Infuzions. There's different varieties, but I get the 'Slenderize' variety. The Slenderize Variety comes in 6 flavors (Cranberry Raspbery, Strawberry Melon, Tangerine Grapefruit (my favorite), Tropical Fruit, Blueberry Raspberry, Dragon Fruit Lime). The drinks taste really good and each drink has Chromium (40mcg), Vitamin C (135mg), Super Citrimax (450mg), L-Carnitine (45mg). They're really good and the ingredients have long been touted to help lose weight. Again, I can't say these drinks are helping, but they're sure not hurting. Check out their website http://www.drinkfuze.com/ Here's another site where they review FUZE. http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/fuze/ I purchased 12 - 18oz bottles at Costco for $9.99 (Sam's Club had them as well.)

Take Care, Eat Well,

Rich

Leaving the 230's

I had to pinch myself this morning to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I lost another 3 pounds AND 2 more inches!!! I really don't understand how I possibly could be losing so much. I'm eating soooo good (I'm having Flash's Cajun Jambalya again for lunch today!!) and I'm eating all the time (every 2 hours). All those years of starvation with limited results, WHAT A WASTE!!!



Here's the numbers...


Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14
18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14
19.....7/11/2007.......230.....67........41.......16

Another Good Week

It was another good week! 4 more pounds found their way out of my body and into oblivion!! I'm getting closer and closer to my goal weight and oh so close to the lowest I've ever weighed in my adult life. My GOAL weight is 197 lbs (100 pounds weight loss). The lowest I've weighed in my adult life is 219. Both these milestones are just on the horizon and VERY obtainable for me.



Thanks to Flash for the YOAD approved Jambalaya recipe. It rocks! Losing weight and eating food that is so good and so good for me, who can complain?



Here's the numbers....



Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46.......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.......10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5....11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5....12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
17.....6/27/2007.......237.....60........43.......14
18.....7/04/2007.......233.....64........43.......14





Take Care, Eat Well.
Rich

WOW!

I decided to try on my jeans tonight. 40w loose! 38w comfy! 36w, buttoned, zipped, snug. HOLY COW!! Honestly, I almost teared up. 2 day until weigh day.

Eat Well,
Rich

BMI Baby!

I just re-did my BMI (Body Mass Index)....I started at a BMI of 41.5 and now it's 32.8 !!! Incredible!!!

You can calculate your BMI here if your a RealAge Member: http://www.realage.com/WorkoutCenter/bmi.aspx?mod=YOAD_WT

If you're not a member of RealAge.com, then you can go here to quickly calculate your BMI:
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/


Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

According the cdc. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/about_adult_BMI.htm Here's what the BMI number means:

BMI ...................Weight Status
Below 18.5............. Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 .............Normal
25.0 – 29.9 ............Overweight
30.0 and Above...... Obese

So according to the CDC, I'm still obese (duh!!), but I only have to go down 2.8 points to be just overweight!! Imagine that, I'm excited about being 'overweight'!!! Sounds a lot better than OBESE. According the RealAge.com website, my ideal BMI should be 22. It says to get there, I should weigh 157 lbs. That will never happen! I would be a walking skeleton. but if I reach 178, my BMI will be 24.9 and I'll finally be Normal!!!

Take Care, Eat Well

Rich

Lights Camera Action

My first attempt at a home movie... Enjoy!!!

Doing My Happy Dance

Well, after a 2 week plateau, I finally lost some more flab. I won't tell you how much yet, you'll have to read all the way down to the bottom of the post. I love keeping you in suspense.

I think I've done really well while on the You: On a Diet plan, but I have to tell you, I was feeling a little discouraged the last couple of weeks. It's disappointing to step on the scale and not lose any weight. I'm only human, folks. I was bummed. But you know what? I DIDN'T GIVE UP. I kept up my daily walking. I didn't slurp up the ice cream or throw in the towel. I just kept doing what I was suppose to do. I kept my eyes on my goal, visualized how I wanted to look, and kept telling myself that I can do this. One meal at a time, one day at time, one meal at a time. Several times during my other weight loss attempts, when I got frustrated, I cheated. I ate what I've craved. Then I felt guilty afterwards, felt bad, and ate some more junk. Then I told myself, 'self, you've blown it now, no need to continue the diet, try again next week, month, year'. Sounds familar to anyone else? I know I can't be alone in this cheat/guilt/gorge/guilt/give up cycle, am I? I'm really proud of myself this time for not throwing in the towel. High fives anyone?

Ok, thanks again for reading and here's the numbers....

Anyway, Here's the numbers...

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost

Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a

1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1

2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5

3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2

4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4

5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5

6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5

7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6

8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7

9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8

10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9

11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46......10

12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46.....10

13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5...11.5

14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5...12.5

15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13

16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13

17.....6/27/2007.......237......60.......43........14

That's right!!! 3 pounds and 1 inch this week.. 60 pounds total!!!

Take Care, Eat Well,

Rich

n2styx@comcast.net

Nectar of the Gods

I've received many emails lately asking me how I curb my hunger and what do I do about sugar cravings. So here goes....

To curb those hunger pains: First of all, I usually eat about every 2 hours. Main Meal, snack, Main Meal, Snack, Main Meal, Snack. That routine usually keeps me from getting really hungry. But when I just have to have something, I grab some raw walnuts and/or grab a "Pepsi Jazz Strawberries and Cream Soda" or a "Diet Dr. Pepper Berries and Cream" and drink them quickly. The carbonation, I think makes my tummy feel full, I feel bloated and the hunger is gone. I also take a short walk, around the block, around the neighborhood. That little amount of exercise takes the edge off my hunger.

For my sugar cravings, again, the NECTAR OF THE GODS.. "Jazz Strawberries and Cream Soda" or a "Diet Dr. Pepper Berries and Cream". Not only do I find that these soda curb my hunger, they take the edge off my sugar cravings. If I feel I need something more tactile, I'll eat some frozen blueberries, low/non fat yogurt, chew Trident Sugar Free Cinnamon Gum (see a former blog for Trident information), a square of Trader Joe's 72% Dark Chocolate or suck on a Sugar Free Creme Saver Strawberries & Cream Hard candy.

These work for me, indivdual results will vary. I've heard that if you eat sugar free candies and sodas that this will only intensify your craving for real sugar and more sweets. This isn't the case for me. My cravings are gone after a Creme Saver or a Diet Soda. Again, this works for me, individual results may vary.

Take Care, Eat Well.
Rich
n2styx@comcast.net

Holding Steady

After enjoying Father's Day and accepting all the 'treats' offered on the day from my kiddos, I managed not to gain any weight this week! I didn't lose any either, but that's ok! It did make me think, though, how much in our culture we celebrate with food. What's a birthday, without cake and ice cream? What's Father's day without going out to eat with the kids? And don't even get me started about how celebrating the birth of Christ involves sweets of every imaginable combination. What's up with that?

Anyway, Here's the numbers...

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46..... 10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5...11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5...12.5
15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13
16.....6/21/2007.......240.....57........44.......13

No pictures this week. Same old me.

Take Care, Eat Well.

Rich
n2styx@comcast.net

Happy Father's Day!!

To all you father's out there, Happy Father's Day! Enjoy the day, relax and don't worry about the YOAD. On Father's Day, it's the YOAD less traveled. Enjoy the day with your kids and let them let you know how much they appreciate you and all you do.

Rich
Eat Well, tomorrow!

Rich

Another One Gone

Well it was weigh day and I lost another pound!! It's only a pound, but I'm actually surprised because last week I lost 6 pounds and contributed it to water or something freaky. I expected this week to actually gain weight to make up for the unusually big lost last week. But I lost another pound, I'LL TAKE IT!!

Here's the numbers...

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost

Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a

1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1

2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5

3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2

4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4

5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5

6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5

7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6

8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7

9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8

10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9

11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46......10

12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46..... 10

13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5...11.5

14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5...12.5

15.....6/13/2007.......240.....57........44.......13

New Stuff

I started thinking about what I could do to get people to cruise over to my blog and spend a little while, so I found these neato Widgets. You can see them and use/play them if you scroll down the page, they're on the left side of the page. I thought Pac-Man was so appropriate for a bunch of dieters. Go figure. Enjoy!!

Rich

Yawn

After posting my daily routine and menus, I realized how boring and unexciting my days are. Blah. I hate keeping 'food diaries' and these post have been just that.. Therefore, I'm not going to post them anymore. Hopefully the days I've posted gave you a good idea of what I'm doing.

Eat Well,

Rich

Saturday

I slept in until 10 AM today. WOW !! That felt awesome.

10:15 AM - Cheerios with cinnamon, blueberries and raw flaxseeds

10:30 AM - Treadmill, Level 4, burned 320 calories, 1.8 miles. woo hoo!!

Noon - Yogurt w/flaxseeds and walnuts.

Went to the local fair grounds for the weekly flea market.. walked around for about 3 hours. I had a frozen custard. I couldn't resist. I figured I'd walk enough to burn it off.

4:30 - Yogurt

Friday's Routine

Slept in until 9 AM this morning. I have to work until 11 tonight, so sleeping-in was nice.

9:30 AM - Omelette with veggies cooked in olive oil.

10:45 AM - Tradmill, 30 minutes, 275 calories gone!!

11:30 AM - Low Fat Yogurt with raw flax seeds and 6 walnut halves.

1:30 PM - Salad (Romaine Lettuce, Tomato, Feta, Walnuts, Chicken Breast, Cranberries)

2:30 PM - I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go... blah

6:00 PM - Salad (Romaine Lettuce, Tomato, Feta, Walnuts, Chicken Breast, Cranberries)

Thursday's Routine

Got up, and hit the treadmill rightaway! 275 calories GONE!

9:00 AM - Ate Cheerios with Cinnamon, Blueberries and 2 Tablespoons of raw flax seeds

10:00 AM - Went to Costco and avoided all the 'free sample' booths (yay!) I did make myself walk up and down every aisle, because I like to look, because of the exercise.

12:30 PM - Ate Lunch, (Rice Pilaf and Chili) from Yoad Book.

3:30 PM - Ate a cup of Dannon "LIght and Fit" Yogurt (Strawberry - 60 calories, 0 Fat) with 6 walnut halves and 1 Tblsp of raw flax seeds

5:30 PM - 1 baked Chicken Breast.

7:30 PM - 2 squares of Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate (72% Cocoa).

Wednesday's Routine

8:30 AM Woke up, went potty, and got on the scale

8:45 AM - Ate Cheerios with Cinnamon, Blueberries and 2 Tablespoons of raw flax seeds.

9:00 AM - Walked to the grocery store, shopped, came home, total time, 40 minutes.

10:00AM - Took my weekly pictures, wrote my blog, while watching "The View" (Rosie, I miss you)

10:45 AM - Ate a cup of Dannon "LIght and Fit" Yogurt with 6 walnut halves and 1 Tblsp of raw flax seeds

12:00PM - 30 minutes on the treadmill, 275 calories gone!

1:30 PM - Salad (Romaine, Walnutes, Crandberries, Feta, Turkey Breast), Lipton Diet Green Tea.

3:00 PM - Grabbed some raw walnuts and ate them while watching 'Hell's Kitchen' (recorded).

5:00 PM - Dinner time. I'm eating Rice Pilaf and Chili, both from the YOAD book. Yummm.

OMG!!

Wow! I cannot express my amazement and surprise when I stepped on the scale this morning. 6 pounds!!?!?!?? How can this be? I'm trying to think of what I did this week to justify 6 pounds. I can think of nothing. Did I have a big water loss? Was it fat? Was the scale on the fritz? I'll accept this today, but I'll be leary next week.

Here's the numbers...

Week.....Date.......Weight.....Lost.....Waist....Lost
Start.2/28/2007.......297.....n/a.......57......n/a
1.......3/07/2007.......289......8.........56........1
2.......3/14/2007.......280.....17........55.5.....1.5
3.......3/21/2007.......275.....22........55........2
4.......3/28/2007.......274.....23........53........4
5.......4/04/2007.......271.....26........52........5
6.......4/11/2007.......267.....30........52........5
7.......4/18/2007.......265.....32........51........6
8.......4/25/2007.......262.....35........50........7
9.......5/02/2007.......259.....38........48........8
10.....5/09/2007.......254.....43........47........9
11.....5/16/2007.......253.....44........46......10
12.....5/23/2007.......249.....48........46..... 10
13.....5/30/2007.......247.....50........45.5...11.5
14.....6/06/2007.......241.....56........44.5...12.5



Eat Well,

Rich