Day 6

It's day 5 and everything is still on track!  I woke up with a burst of energy today.  What's up with that? I got up, showered, fed the dogs and cats and then channeled my extra energy into trimming the hedges in the front yard.  I got all that accomplished before 8AM.  I got the hedges done just in time because just as I was finishing, it started to rain. It's been raining ever since (going on 3 hours now).  The rain is a nice welcome to the desert southwest where we average only about 8.5 inches of precipitation a year.  I was planning on going to the Albuquerque Zoo today, but the rain is making me say "no".  The walking trail through the zoo is 2.5 miles. I figured that would be a nice pleasant way to get in some walking today.  It will have to wait.

How's your day so far?

End of Day 5

End of day 5!.   I found that I wasn't as hungry today.  Is it because my body is getting used to the new diet? I hope so!!  I made all my food goals.  All and all a happy day today.  2 more days until my first weigh in.  I'm so excited.

Here's what I ate today....

8/20/2014	Fat	Fiber	Calories	Protein
Multi-Grain Hot Cereal	1	5	140	5
Premier Protein Drink	3	2	160	30
1 cup Brown Rice	1.8	3.5	216	5
1 cup Black Beans	1	15	227	15
Banana	0.4	3.1	105	1.3
Premier Protein Drink	3	2	160	30
Peach	0.4	2.2	59	1.4
Total	10.6	32.8	1067	87.7

Fat Shaming Must Stop!

I read this article today and it saddens me. 

http://www.salon.com/2013/10/02/my_embarrassing_picture_went_viral/

Fat Shaming must stop!  Just remember all you skinny people, we're bigger and heavier than you. Don't make us all come over and sit on you!

End of Day 4

I made some new friends on Facebook/Twitter today.  Kenny O'Neal was on The Biggest Loser last night and friended me on Facebook today.  I chatted with a guy from the U.K that started his journey the same day I did. We both have about the same amount of weight to lose (although he calls them stones, I call them pounds).   I feel like I'm in this club of people who all have the same goals, and challenges.  Together, we can do this.  We can help and motivate each other.

I tweaked the blog format today.  I'm not really crazy about Blogspot and its lack of tools to make the blog look like I'd like.  Any ideas how to migrate to another blog site?

I met my goals (20/20).   I was a little low on protein. I will fix that tomorrow. I had a huge sugar craving today. A craving that I didn't cave into!!  Yay!  for me.   Here's what I ate today.

8/20/2014	Fat	Fiber	Calories	Protein
Fiber One Brownie	5	5	90	1
1 cup Brown Rice	1.8	3.5	216	5
1 cup Black Beans	1	15	227	15
Premier Protein Drink	3	2	160	30
Chicken, Almonds & Veggies	4.5	2	270	13
Low Fat Popcorn	1.5	4	13	3
Total	16.8	31.5	976	67

Sugar is Evil

This article describes me perfectly.  When I gave in to have 'just a little something' with sugar, that 'little something' always lead to 'a BIG something'.  A perfect example is I bought a bag of fun sized candy bars. I told myself I'd just have one a day to get my sugar fix. Well, after my one, I told myself "one more won't hurt". Before I knew it, the entire bag was gone. I can't just have one!   Take a look at this article and give me your thoughts.   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/20/why-you-crave-sugar-rebecca-scritchfield_n_5694675.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067

Day 4

Ut OH!

So my daughter (19) called me and let me know that she accidentally dropped her phone in the toilet.  So we tried the "Submerge the phone in rice" thing and the hair dryer thing and the "let it sit" thing.  All to no avail.  Luckily we have the service plan from Verizon so we can get a new phone for only $169.. (Insert Sarcasm Smiley Here). I guess it's better than spending $600 for a new phone though.  I believe stress causes weight gain.  So, I'm just going to 'Let it go....."  and laugh at the fact that she dropped it in the toilet.  I didn't ask her how she got it out, or if it was #1 or #2..

End of Day 3

Well this is the end of the 3rd day and it was a tough day. I knew it would. Day 3 has always been the hardest for me.  So what do I mean 'tough'?  Well, I have no energy and I'm very hungry. It was expected.  The best part is, is that it's over and things should get better with both the energy and the hunger.  Follow my blog and we'll all find out together.

Here's what I ate today. Even with the increased hunger, I didn't cheat and I did make my food goals. My protein was under 100, but I may eat a non-fat greek yogurt before bed to bring that up my protein (and calorie) count.

8/19/2014	Fat	Fiber	Calories	Protein
Wheat English Muffin	1	3	120	5
Egg Beaters	0	0	30	6
Salsa	0	0	5	0
Fat Free Cheese	0	0	30	4
Mini Sweet Bell Pepper	0	0.33	8	0.33
Premier Protein Drink	3	2	160	30
1 cup Brown Rice	1.8	3.5	216	5
1 cup Black Beans	1	15	227	15
Banana	0.4	3.1	105	1.3
Peach	0.4	2.2	59	1.4
3" Subway Oven Roasted	2.5	2.5	160	11.5
Chicken Breat
Total	10.1	31.63	1120	79.53

Day 3 - Breakfast

Breakfast Sandwich!

Ok, ok, ok, I'm not going to be one of those who snaps a picture of their food and posts it online all the time.  However, when I make something really good and healthy, I want to share, So here's my first food picture.

This is what I had for breakfast:  Whole Wheat English Muffin, 1 serving of Egg Beaters, 1 slice of Fat Free Cheese, I Tablespoon of Salsa. 1 mini sweet yellow bell pepper.   It was yummy and oh so good for me!

8/19/2014	Fat	Fiber	Calories	Protein
Wheat English Muffin	1	3	120	5
Egg Beaters	0	0	30	6
Salsa	0	0	5	0
Fat Free Cheese	0	0	30	4
Mini Sweet Bell Pepper	0	0.33	8	0.33
Total	1	3.33	193	15.33

End of Day 2

Another successful day comes to an end.  I was feeling hungry late afternoon, but kept to my plan.  I decided to go for a walk to occupy my mind.  It was a nice leisurely mile walk.  When I got back, the hunger was gone and I had worked up a little sweat. :-)  I'm a little tired and heading to bed.  Tomorrow's another step. 

Here's what I ate today:  I made all my food goals today (< 20g fat, > 20g fiber, 100g protein - I rounded up)

8/18/2014	Fat	Fiber	Calories	Protein
Wheat Toast	0.5	3	100	4
Premier Protein Drink	3	2	160	30
Walnuts*	0	2	190	4
Almonds*	0	3	160	6
Sugar Free Strawberry Jam	0	3	10	0
Fiber 1 Brownie	5	5	90	1
Premier Protein Drink	3	2	160	30
3" Subway Oven Chiken Breast,	2.5	2.5	160	11.5
Yogurt	0	0	140	11
Total	14	22.5	1170	97.5
*Fat in Nuts are not Counted.

DAY 2

Yay! Day 1 is over!  I'm on my way!  It was a totally uneventful day.  Everyone says the first 3 days of any diet are the worst.  It's those days that your body is getting use to the lack of __________ (fill in the blank) from caffeine, sugar, carbs, to fat.   So far, I have no cravings and feel quite satisfied.  I did my 1st trip to Subway.  I plan on visiting @Subway a lot during my diet for a couple reasons.  Their low fat menu options fit in quite well with my diet plan and goal and it's quick and easy.  

I LOVE to cook, but since I'm living alone, cooking a lot just for me doesn't seem worth the effort.  The closest @Subway to my home is 2.4 miles.  That's almost 5 miles round trip.  For now, I'm driving, but as the pounds come off, I plan on walking or riding a bike to that Subway.  What a great way to get some exercise and a healthy meal!

Here's what I ate yesterday....

8/17/2014	Fat	Fiber	Calories	Protein
Peach	0.4	2.2	59	1.4
Yogurt	0	0	120	12
Walnuts*	0	2	190	4
Almonds*	0	3	160	6
Subway Oven Roasted Chicken	5	5	320	23
1 cup Brown Rice	1.8	3.5	216	5
1 cup Black Beans	1	15	227	15
Total	8.2	30.7	1292	66.4
*Fat in Nuts are not Counted.

I met my goals of less that 20g of fat, more than 20g of fiber.  However, my protein is lower than I wanted. I'm trying to shoot for more than 100 grams of protein per day.  

Today, I plan on a trip to Costco. I'll get a lot of walking in while I look for low-fat, high protein foods, bars, snack.  Any suggestions?

It's only day 2, but "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." ~Lao Tzu.

My journey to a leaner, skinnier, healthier body has begun.  Join me on my journey.

Today's the Day
OK, here we go!!  The first day of my diet is here. I am determined. I am resolved. I will succeed.  I will weigh-in once a week (Sundays) and post a chart on this blog with my progress.  Encouragement and "way to go's" are highly encouraged..   The diet I'm starting is called 20/20.  It seems easy enough. 

Here are the 2 rules:  

1. Eat LESS than 20 grams of fat per day. 
2. Eat MORE than 20 grams of fiber per day.

That's it!  Everything is permitted in unlimited amounts if I just follow those 2 rules. I don't have to count calories, or carbs or sugars or anything!   We'll see how it goes.  

In addition to those eating rules, I'm taking Phentermine (37.5mg), a multi-vitamin and Chromium Picolinate daily. The Phentermine is by prescription and I'm doing this whole plan under that doctor's care.

I'm usually not a pill guy and during my career as an Air Traffic Controller, these pills (and many others) were strictly forbidden. When I was a teen, I took these pills and they helped significantly to help me lose weight. So, having taken them before, I'm not at all apprehensive about taking them again. Is it 'cheating'? WHO CARES!! I need to lose weight and will take any help I can get.

Here's my first week's charts. They're not much to look at now, but you just weight!!! (yeah, pun intended!)

				Total	Lbs. to	Avg.
Week	Date	Weight	Loss	Loss	Go	Per Week
0	8/17/14	321.5	0	0	141.5

Now, let's go lose some weight!
Please share this blog with others that may need encouragement to help them lose some weight!!!

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN

I went to see Olivia Newton-John @olivianj in Las Vegas on August 5, 2014.  I was fortunate enough to meet this wonderful lady and had my picture taken with her.  That picture was a wake up call for me.. I was so looking forward to have my picture taken with Olivia. I was going to be so proud of that picture and plaster it everywhere on social media.  I was going to brag that I had met Olivia.  But after I looked at the picture, my heart sank. Olivia was beautiful. I, on the other hand, was this huge, obese person with the shell shocked look on my face. I was MORBIDLY OBESE AGAIN.  I'm actually embarrassed of this picture.  During her concert, Olivia spoke of her health and wellness center in Australia. I was this fat guy, meeting this healthy living legend and getting my picture taken showing all my unhealthiness.   This picture was my wake up call for me.  Olivia was nice, polite and cordial, but I can't help thinking that she was thinking "Oh my God, this guy is so fat and so unhealthy."   So here's the picture. It was my wake up call. Hopefully, when I get down to my goal weight, Olivia would be gracious enough to take another picture with me.  A picture that I can be truly proud of.. 

August 5, 2014

How many of these can you identify with?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/samstryker/my-stomach-is-a-bottomless-pit?bffb

I'm back!!  It has been 7 years since I quit posting my blog and quit my diet..  Unfortunately, I gained all my weight back, plus more..  Everyone that has a weight problem knows the pitfalls of quitting your diet and gaining the weight back.  We'll that happened to me.  I weigh more now than I did before I started the You: On a Diet (YOAD) over seven years ago.  I will do an official weigh-in tomorrow, the start of a new stage of healthy living. I feel a need to blog and share to help me talk about ups and downs of dieting.  Last time, it was therapeutic for me.  I will try my darnedest not to blog completely about the diet, but also blog about what's going on in my life.  A lot has changed in 7 years and I have a lot to share.  I will do a weigh in one a week so everyone can join me on this journey I'm about to embark on.  Hopefully, I will post and share something everyday. Feel free to comment and share. 

~Rich~

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