I DID IT MY WAY

In 1969, Frank Sinatra released a song, 'My Way.'   This song sounds as wonderful today as I presume it did in 1969.   In 1969, I was just beginning to care about music - and Frank Sinatra was not yet on my musical radar screen.  (I remember, one of the first albums that I ever purchased, was back in 1969. It was Led Zeppelin II) The Sinatra song, famous for the lyric, 'I Did it My Way', reminds me how I lost 80 lbs seven years ago and then gained every pound back and tacked on 9 more for good luck.  I did it my way. I did it the wrong way.  I should have done it a different way. 

Seven years ago, I did it my way.  Now it's time to do it a different way

Fast forward to 2015. It is clear to me that I am going to be successful in losing something in the neighborhood of 100 pounds again. This time, I am still doing it my way.  I am just not doing it the same way.

Seven years ago, I spent much time and energy shopping for (and eating) all kinds of low-calorie and/or low carb snacks.  Back then, seven years ago, I did not even try to break my habit of non-stop eating. This time, I have eaten three meals per day: breakfast, lunch and dinner.   That's it.  No snacks. This is a very different way.

It was the constant snacking that was more than partially responsible for derailing me.   

Example 1: Rice cakes are a good low calories snack. Each rice cake is approximately 35 calories.  I would eat the whole bag of them in one sitting.  (35 x 16 = 560 calories)  Not a very smart idea.  There are so many wonderful foods to eat if one is going to consume 560 calories.

Example 2: Whole Foods offered a wonderful variety of Nuts and Trail Mix.  These products are purchased by the ounce.  A consumer buys as much or as little as they desire.  Nuts and Trail Mix can be a healthy nutritious snack.  I derailed my efforts by abusing portion control.

Example 3: My program seven years ago started out as a modified version of the Atkins Diet.  Low Carbs.  The Atkins Diet is effective, especially in the beginning - but it is difficult to maintain over the course of time.   However, that wasn't the problem.  I 'discovered' so-called Atkins Bars. This was basically a candy bar that had reduced carbs.  However, no matter what anyone says, there is only one way to lose weight.  One must create a caloric deficit of 3500 calories below the number of calories that one needs to maintain one's weight.  The Atkins Bars were delicious.  Since they had the imprimatur of 'health,' I ate them with reckless abandon.  I bought them by the 10-pack carton. And because of my weak-will, I was capable of eating five at a time.   Not a good way to consume 850 calories.  I have learned from this experience of overindulging.

If I get an overwhelming desire to have chocolate, I will just buy one bar and eat it.   Right now, I am very aware that it takes a lot of work on the treadmill to 'erase' 200 calories, so for the past few weeks - I have not had a chocolate craving at all.   I do get genuinely hungry.   And when mealtime rolls around, I eat.   It's not complicated.   It's the 'Rabbi Hillel Diet' plan.

"What is unhealthy for you, do not eat. That is the whole plan; the rest is commentary - go and have lunch!"

Atkins Bars (and other similar products) taste great - however, with all due respect, they are not healthy.   Maybe they work for you.   I will avoid them.   When I decide that I 'need' (or crave) a chocolate bar - I will have a genuine chocolate bar manufactured by genuine chocolatier.

Atkins Bars: They are expensive, They taste great, and they are not particularly healthy.

Atkins Bar: I think that there are more effective ways of having a 170 calorie treat.

SUNDAY MENU 

BREAKFAST three poached eggs, two slices turkey 'bacon'                               280 CALORIES

LUNCH            4oz. Salmon filet, Chicken with Rice Soup                                 322 CALORIES

DINNER           1/2 hamburger patty, Chicken Rice Soup, 2 Zucchini Pancakes  395 CALORIES

TOTAL CALORIC CONSUMPTION   997 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

6AM   TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES

3PM    TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES
10PM  TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES

NET CALORIC DEFICIT  803 CALORIES

It appears that I am heading for another significant weigh-in on Saturday.
Last week I 'walked' 50 miles.  I had not planned on doing that.  I just did it.
This week, it is a definite goal of mine to 'walk' 50 miles.
The week which begins on Saturday is only two days old, and I have logged 20 miles already.
I am doing things that I never would have believed possible just 5 weeks ago.
I am begining to believe that endorphins are real!