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!

HOMER SIMPSON CALORIE CONUNDRUM

There are some people who might feel that I am eating too little.   I am in Day 15 of my new program.   My program does not have a sexy name like Paleo, Slim Fast, Biggest Loser, Atkins, South-Beach, Mediterranean, Weight-Watchers, Jenny Craig or scores of other plans.  Each one has its own book (or books) and each has its legions of followers.  My diet plan is EAT LESS.  For fourteen consecutive days I have consumed less than 1000 calories per day.   Some days I have been under 800 calories.   The small amount of literature that I have seen indicates that this might be too low.  Would it have been really helpful if I had a hot dog roll with my hot dog (+100 Calories)? Would it have been helpful if I had had ranch dressing on any of my salads (+300 Calories)? Would it have been helpful if I had had my baguette with my Turkey Chili (+100 Calories)? Would it have been helpful if I had had only one piece of cake as some kind of misguided reward (+400 Calories)?

I am convinced that my body is sending signals to me thanking me for finally giving it the fuel to operate properly.   In the past, I might have consumed 3000, 4000 or even 5000 calories per day. What nutritional benefit did the Ho Ho's, Oreos, Dunkin' Doughnuts, Klondike Bars, or M&M's provide?  Homer Simpson eats a lot of calories, but how much of what he eats is actual food?  At the suggestion of my doctor I have added a multivitamin and vitamin D supplement to my daily routine. It is not my intention to live on 1000 calories per day in perpetuity.   I do not know when precisely I will be ready to increase it.   My next followup appointment with my doctor is on February 20 - and I will discuss this with him at that time.  I hope he recognizes me. 

I never ate as badly as Homer.  In my defense, it is hard to compete with a cartoon character.