BIRTHDAY FARBRENGEN

A Farbrengen (/fɑrbrɛnɡɛn/, from the Yiddish פארברענגען, meaning "joyous gathering"; German verbringen "to spend [time/solidarity/festivity together]") is a Hasidic gathering. This term is only used by Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidim, as other Hasidim have a Tish or a botteh. It may consist of explanations of general Torah subjects, with an emphasis on Hasidic philosophy, relating of Hasidic stories, and lively Hasidic melodies, with refreshments being served. It is regarded as a time of great holiness. Farbrengens are public events open to non-Hasidim as well.

At my local Chabad House there are four people celebrating their birthdays this week.  One of those people is me.  Last night at the Chabad House there was a Birthday Farbrengen for the community to celebrate.  There are not too many gatherings of people more enjoyable than a Chasidic Farbrengen.  My birthday on the Jewish calendar will take place starting at sundown on October 31, Cheshvan 18.  My secular birthday, the one listed on my drivers license, will not be for about two more weeks, November 12.

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It is said that one cannot forget how to ride a bicycle.  Prior to the Half Dome hike, I was using the elliptical machine almost exclusively for months and months. Since returning from the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park at the beginning of this month - I have been walking as my preferred method of exercise.  Today, I did not have an opportunity to walk during the day, so I returned to the elliptical machine for the first time in over a month.  I wasn't sure if I would remember how to pace myself properly. It was silly to worry about that.  As soon as I hopped on board, I set the resistance to the highest level as always and squeezed in a great workout in just 62 minutes.  I guess the elliptical machine is like a bicycle - you don't forget how to use it.

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup	600	108	0	16	0	0
Roundy's - Center Cut Bacon, 2.01 Slices	47	0	3	5	147	0
Forelli - Rice Cake, Multigrain, Thin, 18 slice	360	72	0	0	360	0
	1,007	180	3	21	507	0
L U N C H
WHOLE FOODS 8497 - CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA, 71.5 g (3/4 cup)	312	52	9	6	78	19
WHOLE FOODS 8738 - DRIED MANGO SLICES, 40 g (approx 6 pieces)	110	28	0	2	1	20
WHOLE FOODS 9392 - YOGURT RAISINS, 60 g (approx 34 pieces)	255	42	11	2	23	38
WHOLE FOODS 9246 - 100% RAW CACAO GOJI, 50.4 g (approx 2 chunks)	180	27	11	4	9	18
WHOLE FOODS 7882 - GIN GINS ORIGINAL CHEWY GINGER, 72 g (2pcs)	240	60	0	0	0	60
	1,097	209	30	14	110	155
D I N N E R
Generic - Italian Sausage Link, 2 link	540	4	44	34	2,020	0
Generic - Grilled Brussel Sprouts, 1 cup	65	13	3	6	23	0
	605	17	47	40	2,043	0
S N A C K S
Maker's Mark - Bourbon Whiskey, 5 oz	345	0	0	0	0	0
	345	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	3,054	406	80	74	2,661	155
Your Daily Goal	3,464	433	115	174	2,300	130
Remaining	410	27	35	100	-360	-24
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,534 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
elliptical	62	1,540
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-6
Daily Total / Goal	63 / 30	1,534 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	320 / 210	6,424 / 4,130

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
total calories consumed 3054 calories
total calories burned 1540 calories
total net calories 1514 calories

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fitbit day 56

20054 steps
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TRIPLE CHEESEBURGER? I'LL PASS. OR TRIPLE BYPASS

I was driving to an appointment in Chicago to sell some buttons when I passed a billboard touting McDonald's newest creation - TRIPLE CHEESEBURGER.  I think I might have missed my calling in life.  Back when I was 17 years old and working at Burger King, (earning the minimum wage of $1.85 per hour) there was a deduction on my pay for each day worked as it was assumed that we would be eating our meals during our breaks at the restaurant.  We were allowed to have anything we wanted.  I used my creativity.  It was nearly 40 years ago that I thought that I had invented the TRIPLE CHEESEBURGER.   As I recall, even back then, I always had two of them.  When I look at the calorie count of this recent introduction by McDonald's I see that one of these triple cheeseburgers has more than half the calories that I have had in a typical day since I changed the course of my nutritional life.  It will be a long, long time before I get the urge to eat one of these things.  Never seems like an appropriate time frame.  (Just for laughs, someday if you ever order one of these things, take good look at it - I promise it will not look anything like you you see in this picture!)

McDonald's Triple Cheeseburger
CALORIES 510
PROTEIN 31g
FAT 27g
CARBS 36g

I need to remember to thank God that I have the health that I do.  I think I will pass on the opportunity to eat this menu item offered by McDonald's.  (That should not be too difficult as I am avoiding everything at McDonald's.)  This triple cheeseburger is the type of food that can lead to something called a triple bypass.  I don't really know what that completely means - and I am not anxious to find out.

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I made an effort to cut back a little bit on my breakfast, lunch and dinner so that I could have some calories to spare that I could 'spend' on some 'L'chaims' at the Farbrengen last evening.

WEDNESDAY MENU
breakfast   three poached eggs                                             220 calories
lunch         Jason's Deli Cup of Spicy Seafood Gumbo       200 calories
dinner       5 oz Irish Lamb Stew, Chicken Tortilla Soup    280 calories

FARBRENGEN  6 'L'chaims' (shots of whiskey)               420 calories

TOTAL CALORIES (including breakfast, lunch, dinner and 6 'L'chaims' was 1120.  (This was the first day since December 24, 2014 that I consumed more than 1000 calories in a single day.  It was a good streak while it lasted.  The streak was broken for a good cause - the birthday farbrengen of my dear friend, Rabbi Meir Chai Benhiyoun)  I had anticipated the possibility that I might overindulge a bit - therefore I worked out for three sessions yesterday.  Even after my meals and 'L'chaims' were tallied up - my caloric intake yesterday still came out to a deficit of 130.

calories burned
6AM   elliptical 31 minutes      415 calories
6PM    elliptical 31 minutes      415 calories
8PM    elliptical 31 minutes      420 calories

net caloric deficit   -130 calories

My good friend, neighbor and Rabbi - Meir Chai Benhiyoun, whose birthday we celebrated last evening.

FARBRENGEN

This week, Jews around the world will usher in the month of Adar.  Adar is the month when Jews are commanded to experience joy.  There will be great joy in my neighborhood as our beloved Rabbi and friend celebrates his birthday this evening.  Rabbi Meir Chai Benhiyoun who with this wife, Rivka, are the directors of the Chabad House just two doors down from my own home will host a farbrengen this evening.  When a Chabad Rabbi celebrates a birthday, he doesn't exactly have a birthday party - he has a farbrengen.  Here I (mostly) duplicated a definition from wikipedia.com.

A Farbrengen (/fɑrbrɛnɡɛn/, from the Yiddish פארברענגען, meaning "joyous gathering"; German verbringen "to spend [time/solidarity/festivity together]") is a Chasidic gathering. This term is used by Chabad-Lubavitch Chasidim. It may consist of explanations of general Torah subjects, with an emphasis on Chasidic philosophy, relating of Chasidic stories, and lively Chasidic melodies, with refreshments being served. It is regarded as a time of great holiness. Farbrengens are public events open to non-Chasidim as well.

I am not a Chabadnik (Chabad-Lubavitch Chasidic Jew) - I have amazing friends who are Chabadniks.  I always enjoy spending time with my Chabadnik friends.  Chabadniks are the happiest people that I know.  Their  joy for life is extremely contagious.

An important part of a farbrengen is wishing L'chaim to one another.  I again consulted wikipedia.com for a definition.

All attending wish L'chaim, blessings of life, to one another. The reason for the L'chaim is to open the hearts of the participants to be inspired to want to change, and internalize what is being spoken at the farbrengen.... However, (alcohol) is only meant to be drunk sparingly, as the Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson forbade drinking more than four shot glasses of alcohol ("L'chaims") for anyone, especially those under the age of 40.

In my experiences with my Chabadnik friends, this (limitation  of four L'chaims) restriction is much more of a guideline than a strict rule! 

Tonight, I will see many friends that I have not seen for about two months.   And in those two months, I have lost nearly 50 lbs.   It should be great fun to see everyone again.   I will be 'armed' with my new 'Rabbi Hillel Diet' business cards should anyone want to learn about my eating/dieting philosophy.    And I will be careful to drink my 'L'chaims' sparingly.  

I may sacrifice the volume of liquor that I enjoy, but I will not sacrifice the joyousness of the occasion.

TUESDAY MENU
breakfast   three poached eggs, two strips turkey 'bacon'                                               280 calories
lunch         Salmon burger, Sirloin Burger Soup, Organic Salad, balsamic, asparagus    327 calories
dinner       turkey burger, sirloin soup, organic salad, balsamic, artichoke hearts            382 calories

total consumption  989 CALORIES

calories burned
6AM    elliptical machine  31 minutes    410 calories
6PM     elliptical machine  31 minutes    430 calories
8PM     elliptical machine  30 minutes    405 calories

total calories burned    1245 calories burned

NET CALORIC INTAKE     NEGATIVE -256

LUNCH: Salmon burger, Sirloin Burger Soup, Organic Salad w/balsamic dressing, asparagus    327 calories

L'CHAIM! TO LIFE!

Could anything be more true?

Some of my best friends are Jewish.   This is really not so amazing as I am Jewish.  When Jews gather together to celebrate Shabbat (the Sabbath) and other happy life events - we toast, "To Life." (L'chaim)   Many people familiar with the musical, Fiddler on the Roof,  remember the song, "To Life"  (L'chaim)  In fact, L'chaim is really plural, and the toast is better understood as 'To Lives.'   None of us lives alone, we all count on each other to experience meaningful lives.  So, why am I telling you all this?  In two weeks, I will be attending the birthday party of my dear friend, and Rabbi at my neighborhood Chabad House.   I know that there will be many 'L'chaims' during this celebration. When we toast L'chaim it is usually with 1oz of vodka or whiskey or scotch.  I need to plan in advance how I can participate in the 'L'chaims' without busting my calorie budget. It is not complicated. I will just fill my 'L'chaim' cup only 1/3 full, so that I can enjoy the camaraderie of sharing 'L'chaims' with my friends.

I am lucky that I am not a regular drinker.  Alcohol consumption can greatly interfere with weight loss.   I was curious how many calories are in some of the drinks that I have enjoyed in the past.

GREY GOOSE VODKA 1oz               69 CALORIES
MAKER'S MARK BOURBON 1 oz.  69 CALORIES

It appears that if I only 'fill' my cup 1/3 full, I will be able to fully enjoy myself.  And that, is my plan.
L'Chaim!

Tevye and Lazer Wolf toast 'L'Chaim' as they have sealed the deal on the marriage of Tevye's daughter.

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I have enjoyed virtually every meal I have eaten since December 24th, when I started my lifestyle changes.   Today, at Costco, something caught my eye that I would never have seen or considered in my previous life.   Something called: Vegetable Yakisoba (Japanese Noodles)  

This product was described as "Japanese-style stir fried noodles with crisp vegetables and a savory sauce."   It sounded good to me.   A 4.5 oz serving has 250 calories.   On Wednesday evening, I tried the Yakisoba and it was in fact, delicious!  Experimentation is fun.  

WEDNESDAY MENU

breakfast  3 poached eggs, 2 strips turkey 'bacon'                                280 CALORIES

lunch        3 oz beef, sweet potato bisque soup, spinach w/balsamic   327 CALORIES

dinner      4.5 oz YAKISOBA JAPANESE NOODLES

                sweet potato bisque soup                                                       350 CALORIES

TOTAL CALORIES      957 CALORIES

calories burned

6AM  30 minutes elliptical  380 CALORIES

6PM   30 minutes elliptical  390 CALORIES

total calories burned 770 CALORIES

NET CALORIES 187 CALORIES

YAKISOBA JAPANESE NOODLES w/Sweet Potato Bisque Soup  350 CALORIES

And finally.... a last word

A favorite quote from my Rabbi, goes something like this:  "Jews don't drink, we L'chaim!"   I think he means that there is a spiritual benefit when we L'chaim.   I have to admit, it does sometimes kinda feel like drinking!

More dubious 'wisdom' from Homer Simpson

ELLIPTICAL IMPROVEMENT IS SWIFT

I started using the elliptical trainer on Saturday.   On Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesay I used the elliptical twice per day.  Each time I limited myself to 30 minutes.  (That's almost funny - I promise when I got off the machine each time - I didn't have a minute more in me!)

Each time I get on, I plug the same information into the machine: weight 273 (my last official weight) and I set the machine to 'calorie burn.'    I start pedaling with no particular goal in mind relative to speed, I am just pedaling along at a rate that seems natural and comfortable.   Still without trying to improve, the improvement has come naturally.


SESSION                CALORIES BURNED
SATURDAY AM              322
SATURDAY PM               330
SUNDAY AM                   340
SUNDAY PM                    360
MONDAY AM                  350
MONDAY PM                   360
TUESDAY AM                 370
TUESDAY PM                  380

I am in awe of how fast one can improve in such a short period of time.   As I have improved, I remain just as winded (or more winded) than when I first began using the machine.   I am definitely 'getting more bang from my buck' from the 60 minutes that I am devoting to exercise each day.

TUESDAY MENU
breakfast   three poached eggs, two slices turkey 'bacon'                                    280 CALORIES
lunch         Jason's Deli Bowl Spicy Seafood Gumbo                                          301 CALORIES
dinner        Mahi Mahi burger, iceberg lettuce w/balsamic, Spinach Pancake
                  Sweet Potato Bisque Soup                                                                  312 CALORIES


TOTAL CALORIES       893 CALORIES

calories burned
6AM elliptical  30 minutes   370 CALORIES
7AM elliptical  30 minutes   380 CALORIES

total calories burned  750 calories

NET CALORIC INTAKE   143 CALORIES

photograph by Sara Jacobs, age 12

Mahi Mahi Burger, Spinach Pancake, Iceberg Lettuce wedge, Sweet Potato Bisque Soup  312 CALORIES 

80 MILES

Last week, I logged 50 miles 'walking' on my treadmill. I admit I was very impressed with myself. This week, I turned it up a notch. As always I only 'walked' one hour at a time. I always rested at least a couple of hours between 'walks.' Last Saturday (first day of the week) I 'walked' twice, 2 hours total, 8 miles. Starting Sunday, I spent three sessions per day, each lasting one hour, logging 12 'miles' per day always at 4 mph. Today is Friday morning, and I will definitely 'walk' three times today so that my weekly total will be 80 MILES.

80 miles 'walked' on the treadmill in one week @ 4 mph (20 hours) burning approximately  12,000 CALORIES!

I have been assuming that each time I spent one hour on the treadmill that I was burning approximately 600 calories. Last evening, I double-checked five different websites that calculate calories burned for various exercises. Although each website produced a different result - the average was indeed slightly more than 600 calories using my weight last recorded of 274 lbs.  I just wanted to make sure that my estimate of calories burned was correct.

I am restating that my goal for exercise in the future is to follow my doctor's orders: "Exercise regularly.  Aerobic exercise like fast walking 4 to 6 days per week." OK, so I went a little (a lot) overboard this week. I had the opportunity and I seized it.  I 'carped' my diem! (Carpe Diem)

In conjunction with this 20 hours of exercise, I enjoyed another week where each day I kept my caloric intake below 1000 calories. In 24 hours, when I step onto my scale I am expecting to see a very rewarding result. I know that people who are losing weight sometimes hit various plateaus. This will not be a plateau week. I am fairly certain of that.

This week I spent 20 hours on the treadmill.  'Walking' 4 mph - I logged 80 miles!

THURSDAY MENU

BREAKFAST   three poached eggs, 2 strips turkey 'bacon'                                     280 CALORIES

LUNCH             iceberg lettuce, clam chowder cup, 3 oz. Costco Beef                   333 CALORIES

DINNER           cup pumpkin soup, cup broccoli, iceberg lettuce wedge
                           Trader Joe's Turkey Burger                                                             343 CALORIES

TOTAL CALORIC CONSUMPTION         956 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

5AM  TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES
6PM   TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES
8PM   TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES

NET CALORIC DEFICIT     844 CALORIES

Trader Joe's Turkey Burger, lettuce wedge, Balsamic Dressing, cup of broccoli, cup  pumpkin soup 343 CALORIES

IN 24 HOURS,  I WILL WEIGH MYSELF.  
SEE YOU TOMORROW!
I CAN HARDLY WEIGHT!

HEALTHLY LIVING IS A MORAL OBLIGATION

Many days that I blog, it is as if I am writing to myself.  I am trying to understand myself.  I am even trying to understand where this new-found perseverance has come from. Today, I am not trying to be funny or amusing. I am being brutally honest with myself. I learned as a young kid that 'honesty is the best policy', it certainly is not an easy policy.

Today, I am publicly stating what I was far too ashamed to admit for the past seven years.

HEALTHY LIVING IS A MORAL OBLIGATION

If each of us lived on our own world with no children, no spouse, no family and no friends - it would not matter how we chose to live.   We could make every wrong decision to adversely affect our health and it would affect no one else.  We would not have a moral obligation to take care of ourselves.

None of us live in a world like that.

We all live in a world with children, spouses, parents, family and friends.
WE DO HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO TRY TO LIVE AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE.
I didn't just figure this out now - when I was packing on the pounds despite the fact that I have a wife and child - I knew that my behavior was not only stupid, but it was immoral. Apparently my desire to eat the way I did (to have 'fun' eating) overwhelmed my desire to behave morally.

In recent years, my Father asked me a very hard question.  The question was not difficult to understand, but it was hard to answer since my actions were not in accordance with my answer. My Father asked me, with regard to my dangerous overweight condition, "Don't you want to be around and see your daughter grow up?"   The question was a hard one; not because my answer was yes. It was hard as my actions were in conflict with my desire.  A parent has a moral obligation to try to live as healthy as possible. Morbid Obesity is dangerous. It can be a gateway to all kinds of devastating health problems.

* * *

Here is a tougher assessment.  One who walks around with no regard to their own health, who continues to add to their morbid obesity without making an effort to change - is being selfish.  It brings me no joy for me to admit that for seven years I was behaving selfishly in this regard.   I thank God, that he gave me time and the opportunity to make changes in my life.   Not everyone gets this opportunity.  I was lucky.

You might now accuse me of being a hypocrite. You might say, that since I am trying to reverse a lifestyle that I have so freely lived for the past seven years, isn't it now easy for me to claim that I am being more moral now? Yes, of course, it is easier.  This short essay is addressed to me, the me of the future. Now it is my job to remember this, so that there is no going back to that selfish, all-you-can-eat lazy lifestyle. It would be immoral.

Every day we awaken at the intersection of Right & Wrong.  There is always an opportunity to go the Right Way.

Easy decisions often take you on the wrong path.  Moral decisions are always on the right path.  It is a moral obligation that we all have to our spouse, children, parents, family and friends to try to live as healthy as possible.  It is not easy, we may not always succeed but we are morally bound to try.   (As Bart Simpson says: we should 'try to try')

WEDNESDAY MENU

BREAKFAST   three poached eggs, 2 strips turkey 'bacon'                                     280 CALORIES

LUNCH             1 cup chicken broth, 4 oz. salmon filet, zucchini pancake              303 CALORIES

DINNER            4 oz Seafood Blend, 1 cup clam chowder, iceberg lettuce wedge
                            one Tbsp Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing                              263 CALORIES

TOTAL CALORIC CONSUMPTION        846 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

5AM  TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES
6PM   TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES
8PM   TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES

NET CALORIC DEFECIT     954 CALORIES

Delicious Dinner: 4 oz. Seafood Blend (Shrimp/Scallops/Calamari) lettuce wedge, clam chowder 263 CALORIES

THE RETURN OF TRADER JOE'S

The return of Trader Joe's? Not Quite. Trader Joe's never went anywhere. I guess it would be more accurate to say it was me who returned to Trader Joe's.  Yesterday afternoon I went on a mini shopping spree. I carefully examined everything I bought and checked calories. I bought some Brussel Spouts, Spinach and chopped vegetables.  I found some interesting soups with low calorie counts: Pumpkin, Chicken Noodle and Sweet Potato Bisque.  Lastly I purchased Mahi Mahi Patties, Pre-Cut Angus Beef and Sweet Apple Chicken Sausages.  This should make some of my upcoming meals more interesting next week.  Food Shopping is now both important to me and fun for me.

While walking the aisles at Trader Joe's most ridiculous thing I did see (which of course I did not buy) was CHOCOLATE COVERED POTATO CHIPS.  Really, Trader Joe's?   Potato Chips are not unhealthy enough?  They need to be covered in chocolate?  The sad truth is, had I been in Trader Joe's a month ago - I am sure I would have bought this product!

It is fun to lose weight.  (I remember this as I lost 80 lbs seven years ago, before I stupidly gained every pound back and tacked on nine more for 'good luck.')  One thing that I am looking forward to is seeing friends, family and customers after I have lost enough weight for it to be immediately noticeable.   Yesterday, I saw my friend, my favorite Chabad Rabbi for the first time since before December 24th.   The very first thing he said to me was, "Slim!"   I really didn't expect anyone to notice how much weight I had lost quite yet. Apparently my Rabbi has amazing powers of observation.  It was very gratifying to know that my efforts are now becoming visible to others. It felt great!

Sunday was another low calorie day:
BREAKFAST   three poached eggs with two slices of turkey 'bacon'                           280 CALORIES
LUNCH            1 cup Trader Joe's Chicken Noodle Soup, one Maryland Crab Cake   290 CALORIES
DINNER           2 cups Healthy 8 Chopped Veggie Mix, one Maryland Crab Cake      270 CALORIES

                                TOTAL CALORIC CONSUMPTION SUNDAY      840 CALORIES

SUNDAY MORNING 4 MILE WALK @ 4 MPH for 60 MINUTES - BURNED 600 CALORIES

NET CALORIC INTAKE WAS ONLY +240

The many billions of fat cells in my body are now fighting a war that they cannot win!

My favorite question that I am looking forward to hearing: HAVE YOU LOST WEIGHT?

Since I had promised my Rabbi that I would join him for morning minyan on Monday - I completed my workout for Monday a little earlier than usual.   I started at 12:30AM and finished at 1:30AM.   I have had bundles of energy these past few weeks.   I have been either staying up late, or getting up very early, sometimes both.

RABBI HILLEL DIET

Two days ago, I reported that I had lost 24 lbs in 24 days.  Certainly what it is that I am doing has produced the desired results.  I am not following any popular diet plan.  Up until now my plan had no name.  That is no longer the case.  My plan has a name.

It is the  'Rabbi Hillel Diet.'

One of my favorite stories that I learned within the past two years from my Rabbi at my Chabad House in Chicago involves a story about the great sage, Rabbi Hillel.   This 2000+ year old story goes something like this: A man interested in converting to Judaism said that he would accept the teachings of Judaism if a Rabbi could teach him the entire Torah (Five Books of Moses) while the prospect stood on one foot.   He first asked this of a Rabbi who was insulted by the 'ridiculous' request.   The prospect was undeterred.  The prospect approached Rabbi Hillel.  Rabbi Hillel rose to the challenge, and he said:

"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary - go and study it!"

It is from this famous quote that I have fashioned the name of my plan.  You could now ask me what is the name of my weight loss plan.   You could task me with divulging this information while you stood on one foot.

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

Rabbi Hillel was asked to teach a prospective convert to Judaism the entire Torah while the prospect stood on one foot.  Rabbi Hillel accepted the challenge. "What iS hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary - go and study it!" (artwork by Sara, my talented daughter)

That's it.   It is truly simple.   Not necessarily easy, but truly simple.  If someone should ask me what plan I am following to lose weight - I will simply say: It is the 'Rabbi Hillel Diet.'

'