What are you going to do?

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day and he was telling me about an interaction with a guy about buying a car. Guy kept saying, “what are you going to do?” and politely my friend said he was going to buy the car, but the paperwork (title/registration) had to be in order before they would give this guy money. CLEARLY, he said, he is not a member of the upper crust of society and that his money would be in the hands of a drug dealer before it got dark. “What are you going to do?”

So over the last couple of days, we have been back and forth texting, making phone calls, and general good fun with just the statement, “What are you going to do?” But it has also gotten me thinking about the “less of me” journey that I started last week. Now I realize that I am getting fantastic gains (losses in weight) because that is how it works in the beginning, great losses, then it tapers off, to just a few pounds a week, then a pound or two every week or so. I am in that “great loss” segment and I am asking myself, “What are you going to do?”, “What are you going to do?”, “What are you going to do?”?????? I have been walking (about 1/2 a mile at least 1x per day) was shooting for 2x per day wake up and at dusk when it was not so hot. So far it is every morning. Certainly not taking the “exercise” route, but a little go get the blood pumping will not hurt.

The WW “freestyle points” system is very good, there are a LOT of things that I can snack on (different that what I WAS snacking on) that keeps me full. If I am not craving something, then I am REALLY good. But when that craving kicks in, I am “off to the races” in terms of finding something to scratch that itch…

“What are you going to do?” I have made a commitment that I am going to lose 100#. I now have a plan, and I know that every bite I do not take, is one step closer to reaching my goal. I did not like where I was, was having some real serious problems that were affecting my life, my work, and my attitude. Today 8 days from when I started my journey, I weighed in at 315.4# (started at 330.6#) for a loss of 15.2! That makes me VERY happy…

I hope to inspire you to take the first step, get off soda, that is a HUGE one, take about a week, get over the sugar and caffeine addiction. Water and certain juices are good substitutes. Then make a plan to “move”. Take the dog for a walk. Just a little, you will work up until you are doing more. Just 10 minutes a day.

BIG STEP #3: No pasta, bread, fried food, oils, butter, and buns.

Certainly, this is not acceptable:

BUT, alas, just the one, is acceptable! BUT, I chased it with several bananas, apple sauce cups, and some cashews. and it was OK because I had a really full, but low points day. Surprisingly, that little package was only 8 points. (a McDonalds cheesburger is 16 points for the little one). So in hindsight, if you are going to mess up, then this is the way to go. But I am still down 2.2# from my weigh-in yesterday morning.

So, “What are you going to do?”

Make a plan, make a move, DO IT NOW!

Until tomorrow?

Steve

Less of me, part deux!

Today is Monday 6/24/19, a mere 5 days from what I “officially” started less of me, exactly 1 week from saying that “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”.. I am down 10# exactly. NOW, I know that this has been because I stopped soda, and caffeine as of Monday, then officially joined WW to teach me how to really do it.  I do fully realize that at some point, I will only have 2 or 3 pound loss per week, not 10-12# as I am getting here in the beginning, but for now, I am going to enjoy the good feelings that I am having, and the success that I have achieved thus far. Here is what I have done, and what I have learned:

What I have done: I have started to walk a “lap” around the railroad tracks between the streets at my house and the closest one to the north, exactly .5 miles, I clocked it with the Jeep (so you know it is accurate, go MOPAR) and have attempted to do this 2x per day. Not running, just a brisk walk to get my heart rate up and to beat my previous time which was 10.4 min so a 20+ minute mile. REALLY RIPPING IT UP! The dog has not been thrilled, she is a slacker dog who likes to lounge on the large pillow, or the chair, in my office when the A/C is on, or on the leather sofa when I am not in the office.

What I have learned: I am a real a$$hole when I don’t have caffeine! Some lady almost run us over at the Home Depot and I screamed at her to the point that other people were asking what was going on. In my defense, she was texting on her phone while driving through the parking lot, and not yielding for pedestrians. Just saying…

Second thing that I have learned is that the “great” things that I enjoy, wings, pasta, good bread, regular soda, all are “no bueno” when it comes to eating healthy. Burgers, no bun, chicken, all the grilled chicken that I can handle, grilled, no butter, no olive oil, garlic is ok, but most of the stuff that contains the flavor, is out. I have found that there are other things that my loving and supportive wife have around ARE good for me, grapes, bananas, and cashews are all very good, and have very low points. Applesauce, one of my favs is good as well, can chow 2 or 3 individual cups and cinnamon powder is point free! So as long as I snack right, then I can snack as much as I want to.

I am adjusting, but slowly. This is my journey, my goal, my health (which is very good mind you, bp, cholesterol, A1C, all very, very good). My weight has been a problem for most of my life, limiting what I can do in most cases and has been the cause of me to stop flying, which I really love(ed). I am feeling good about my progress, and I even had 11 points left over from yesterday! Not sure if those credit back to my week total or not, but I am happy and I have not really felt “hungry”. The evening cravings are what get me and I am trying to stay strong.

Check in, in a couple days….

Until then, do something good for your community!

Steve

The journey of “less of me”!

So here is the “scoop”… On Monday 6/17/19, I topped out at 330.6#. I broke past 300 over a year ago, and that was really depressing for me. BUT THIS little piece of happiness broke my spirit. I have been having physical problems, back ache, swollen feet, sluggishness, what I am going to classify as depression (Which I have never had, so I am not sure if that is what it is). I felt like crap, pure and simple.

 

I am a “sugar” addict. I like all things sugar, and CLEARLY that is bad for me. Thursday, I joined Weight Watchers, no so much for the Rah Rah meetings with all the little old fat ladies (although if you were single, that would be like fishing in a barrel, think of the inheritance money! LOL) I joined for the education. I attempted to do the “no sugar, no caffiene” thing a year or so ago, and I was down 30# but then when I came off, (really fell off) I not only gained the 30# back but and additional 30# on top of that, that’s when I broke the 300# mark.

 

I have a REALLY great lifestyle. Michelle the anchor, the love of my life, the one that carries the load for me day to day has been there to support me day in and day out. I stopped caffeine & sugar on Monday, so this week, I have been very cranky, Michelle Woodin I love you and apologize for my attitude.

 

This lifestyle has allowed me to do pretty much anything, and I mean ANYTHING (that does not include other naked women) that I can imagine and I am having a blast. Great friends, GREAT FOOD, great times! BUT with those great food and times, there is a “penalty”, that penalty is weight gain…

 

Monday I topped 330.6#

I stopped soda/sugar, cold turkey

Thursday, I started WW, officially weighed in at 327.6

Friday, started walking 20 minutes 2x a day (20 min mile) with the fat dog, and she was not happy either! If a dog could look pissed off and clueless at the same time, well…

Friday, weighed in at 322.7

Saturday, I weighed in at 320.4 (10.2# since Monday)

Did I mention that I like all things breakfast? Eggs (which actually I can eat at zero points) hash browns, ham, sausage, bacon, BISCUITS AND GRAVY!!! WOW! ORANGE JUICE, really cold with ice, this is the ultimate. So I am going to have to cut down to 3 eggs, over easy, ham (take the couple points there with the OJ) and applesauce which is also NO POINTS, and a banana or an apple, also no points. No toast, bread, bagel, English muffin, or potatoes… : >(  AND certainly under no circumstances NO CREAM CHEESE…

 

This journey for me is going to be learning what is good and healthy to eat, and what is not. PLUS for me, portion control. I also have a habit of finishing EVERYTHING that is put on my plate before I step away (that is my grandmother Lois, and every time I try to leave a little food that I really don’t want, I hear her voice…)

 

I know this is going to be a long journey, getting the weight off if the primary goal, but the “new’ eating lifestyle is going to be the biggest challenge for me. The point system helps me and when I find a few things that have zero points that I like, I will be good, unfortunately “mung beans” and “yams” are no among my top 100 list…

 

I am going to document my journey for my purposes, and my motivation, if you choose to follow along and give your support, thank you, if you don’t that you as well. When time permits, I will do an update here, daily at first, then maybe weekly.

My final goal is to get down to 220# which is just 10# heavier than I was when I graduated high school. Would I be happy with 250, YES, but for now the goal is 220#!

The “good news”

Start 6/17/19: 330.6

Today 6/22/19: 320.4

Goal: 220#

Total lost: 10.2

To go: 100.4#