Update - 3 Weeks into the Diet and 15+ lbs. thinner...

[Yollam]

(Feel free not to read if you're bored by such topics)

Possibly even 20 lbs - not sure, because I had no accurate scale when I started. My clothes are fitting better and I feel great. Went to have Mexican food at Chevy's the other night - ate exactly half of my chicken tacos plate, and saved the other half for the next day's lunch. I no longer feel that I need to be the garbage disposal when my kids don't finish all their food. I realized something - if you eat food that your body does not need and it just turns to fat, THE FOOD IS WASTED JUST THE SAME AS IF YOU THREW IT IN THE TRASH.

After having hunger pangs from the small portions and reduced calories for the first several days, I have gotten used to it now, and need a lot less carrots between meals to keep satisfied. It was a little tough at the mexican joint waiting for the food - while everybody else was munching on tortilla chips, I just had to wait. That's the breaks. It's garbage like that that got me in the mess I was in. I've gone from 270~275 to 255 in a little under 3 weeks, and am shooting for 190 by April. If I don't make it, that's cool, but this is much better than slowly gaining 5~10 lbs every year, feeling bloated and gassy and tired all the time. I actually have more energy now and sleep better! And food being limited seems to make it taste twice as good! Everything is delicious! Everyone said I was nuts to diet through the holidays, but I'm really glad I did. I enjoyed the holidays just as much without gorging as I ever did (and I had an excuse to pass on my stepmom's revolting stuffing and gooey pecan pie - blech)


I am personally glad to be free of the American fad diets that tell you "you can eat all you want as long as you eat no fat" or "you can eat all you want as long as you cut out carbs" or "you can eat all you want as long as you work out all the time". They are all designed to perpetuate our tendency into deluding ourselves that bad diet choices are actually healthy. The fact is that most people take in a lot more calories than their bodies need. Even if you exercise and stay trim, higher calorie intake reduces your longevity. A balanced diet with small portions and moderate exercise seems to be the ideal to me. I've been pretty good about taking a 30 min. swift walk everyday, except for the travel days.

I hope everybody who wants to can get in better shape in the new year in the way that works best for you. You CAN do it and you will feel better.

Happy New Year! I'm happy to be back to San Francisco! But enough with the rain already!

[DS1]

1. 190 by April is aggressive

but good luck :thumbsup:

[Yollam]

3. Yeah - no biggie if I don't make it though.

I'm a big guy, so losing 20 lbs is like a smaller woman losing about 10 lbs., and I can't expect that the pounds will keep coming off at the same rate. But it's nice to have a goal. I'd like to reach a final weight of 170~175 and keep it within that range. I want to keep close tabs on my weight from then on and never let it get out of hand again. All the tasty junk is not worth the health risks and discomforts of being overweight.

Thanks!

[qnr]

2. Congratulations. I'm working on it myself. Haven't really lost any

weight yet, but primarily because I'm building more muscle by doing flexibility, and strength exercises in addition to my aerobic exercises and modified caloric intake. Although I haven't lost weight with the reduced calories (yet), my blood glucose level has dropped from 520 mg/dL at the end of November (the 1st reading. Generally in the 400 range though) to the mid-120s now.

Edit: Should point out that I haven't been doing the exercise bit for the whole month, just conscientiously started it about 9 days ago.

[Guava Jelly]

4. congrats to you

I lost around 28 lbs since mis sept.
just by walking 1.5 miles a day on the treadmill.Watching what i eat and drinking wine instead of beer
I wiegh 206 lbs and want to be around 160-170 around june.
you should do what i am doing and videotape yourself working out in your undies.
there is nothing more motivational then seeing your self almost naked.
plus its nice to notice the results

[Yollam]

6. Thanks - what an interesting techinique.

But I really don't want to see myself in my undies, even if I was thin! My apartment is too cramped for a treadmill, but I have thought of one of those mini stair-climbers. In the meanwhile, vigorous walks around the neighborhood are good.

[u4ic]

5. Congrats!!

:toast: <<only water in those mugs, hence no calories

I lost 20 lbs this summer and understand how difficult it is. As I lost weight, I gained momentum and confidence to keep on losing. Good luck in reaching your goal...remember, slow and steady is best.

[Yollam]

9. Funny thing is, it HASN'T been difficult.

"I lost 20 lbs this summer and understand how difficult it is."

It was hard to get the nerve worked up to create a diet/exercise plan - making the commitment to skip on the junk I loved so much. It was a little less hard getting used to the smaller portions, etc. It's still a little bit hard forgoing junky treats when others around are enjoying them, but keeping up the diet is easy, since I feel great, and I still get to eat most of the things I like, just in smaller portions.

I'm a little weird that way - I can't do thinks halfway. I haven't tried to diet at all for the last 14 years. I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to. I exercised, and that helped, but that was it. But when I finally set my mind to do something, I usually do it. I get really stubborn.

But congrats on your weight loss.

PS - I gave up beer and wine for the time being, too. :cry: I just had a couple sips when there was a toast over the holidays. I do kinda miss it, but I wasn't a big drinker anyway...

[SeattleGirl]

7. Congratulations!

I've lost almost 20 pounds in less than 2 months, so I know how good it feels. Good for you!!!

[flvegan]

8. Wow, good for you! Just please don't get frustrated if

your body, at week 6, slows down on the weight loss. Right now, your body is showing the natural reaction to reduced calories, but the shock will wear off, and the weight loss will slow down some as the body adjusts. When it does, just stick with it. You're right, taking in fewer calories than you burn results in weight loss.

Well done, and congratulations!!

[Yollam]

10. The shocking part is feeling BETTER.

I was worried that I'd feel weak and tired, but it has been the opposite. I really was eating way too much, and the food I hate was too heavy. I'm not a vegan, but I have definitely cut down on the percentage of my protein that comes from animals, especially beef. Kudos on your choice to go vegetarian. I hate how it's become trendy to rag on and make fun of vegetarians/vegans.