(April 24th, 2009 - Weight today: 244 lbs) Just a few stats and thoughts....I haven't been 244 lbs since 1984. I was 27 years old. I traded in another tuxedo yesterday for a smaller size. I've gone from a size 58 tux jacket to a size 50, and from a size 48 waist to a size 40. That will fit me for my next two weddings, then I'll trade down again. (Thanks Kevin). I'm on stage five of my food plan. I basically eat 6 times a day. I aim for high protein and low fat foods. It's a modified "South Beach Diet" w/ smaller portions. Yesterday morning I had 1/2 of a whole wheat English muffin w/ imitation butter spray. Morning snack was a Dannon Light & Fit yogurt. Lunch was a Morning Star Veggie Burger on an Arnold whole wheat pouch. (Took me 40 minutes to eat). Afternoon snack was sugar free Jello pudding, and dinner was 1/4 of a Black Angus Burger without the bun at Casey O'Connors in Mansfield. (Great Burger Rob). For desert I had one Michelob Ultra at Big D's. (OK, that's not on the stage five food plan, so sue me).
Mentally and Physically I'm doing OK. There are a few adjustments that I need to make, and a few things I need to remember every time I eat. I'll sum it up in two words "Slow Down". I keep forgetting that my stomach is the size of a hard boiled egg and it takes two normal persons bites to fill it up. Smaller bites and longer meals are key. I have been losing about one in eight to ten meals. (if you are having GB or are thinking about it, send me a note, I'll explain). It does bum me out when I lose a meal that I was really looking forward to. Ho hum. The meals that give me the hardest time are solid foods like chicken, scallops, steak, etc. I need to remember to enjoy them slowly, and make sure I use fat-free sauce or gravy to make them moist. That way they digest better.
Exercise is still a chore, but as the weather gets warmer I'm enjoying getting out there for my three mile walk around town. At the gym (Canton Club) I'm doing a combination walk/jog. Yesterday I walked a half mile, jogged a mile, and then did a mile on the elliptical. I burnt 400 calories total. Not bad considering I ate 700 calories all day.
I plan on keeping this blog till I reach my goal of 185 lbs. The reason I do it is to be able to look back and see where I've been if I'm ever struggling w/ my weight again. (Yes, even w/ a smaller stomach you can gain weight if you eat to much of the wrong food and stop exercising). I also hope that it may help someone who is overwhelmed by their weight and eating habits. If that's you, please read this from the beginning. I started this journey at 321 lbs. I wish you luck with your journey. GT
