LESS IS MORE

I have had one day to celebrate and contemplate the fact that I currently 'only' weigh 268 lbs.  For many human beings living on this planet, this would be an insanely high number.   Considering that I arrived at 268 lbs from 309 lbs only 46 days ago, it seems like a good number.

This past week, I continued my daily sub-1000 calorie consumption as I have been doing since December 24, 2014.  Since I began this journey I have not had one snack.   I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.  That's it. When I sit down to breakfast each and every day, I am truly breaking my fast from the night before.  This was the first week that I almost exclusively worked out on the ELLIPTICAL TRAINER. (I 'walked' on the treadmill only on Saturday morning.)

I worked out for a total of 7.5 hours (one 60 minute walk and thirteen 30 minute sessions on the elliptical machine) which burned 5397 CALORIES.

My weight loss for the week was 4.7 lbs

The previous week I was just a little bit 'psychotic'.   I 'walked' 80 miles on the treadmill.   I spent 20 hours, 'walking' at 4 mph for 60 minutes each session. (twenty sessions total)  I calculated that I should have burned 12,000 CALORIES.

My weight loss for the week that I 'walked' 80 miles, burning 12000 CALORIES was 'only' 3.7 lbs.

CONCLUSION: REGARDING EXERCISE....
                            ...S O M E T I M E S...
                            L E S S  I S  M O R E

I decreased the hours spent working out, and experienced better results.   Conclusion: LESS IS MORE!

SATURDAY MENU

breakfast    three poached eggs, two strips turkey 'bacon'                                     280 CALORIES

lunch          4 oz salmon filet, spinach, vinaigrette dressing, pumpkin soup          364 CALORIES

dinner        Mahi Mahi burger, spinach pancake, iceberg lettuce, pumpkin soup  282 CALORIES  

total consumption        926 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

6AM  ELLIPTICAL 30 minutes  400 CALORIES

1PM   ELLIPTICAL 30 minutes  400 CALORIES

total burned  800 CALORIES

NET CALORIC INTAKE        126 CALORIES

Mahi Mahi burger, spinach pancake, lettuce wedge w/vinaigrette, Pumpkin Soup        282 CALORIES

THE SCALE OF JUSTICE DID NOT TIP IN MY FAVOR

This week I went wild with 20 hours on the treadmill.

I continued to consume less than 1000 calories each day.

I was expecting a very satisfying result on the scale.
I was so excited with anticipation, it was hard to fall asleep last night.
AND YET, WHEN I STEPPED ONTO THE SCALE THIS MORNING, I WOULD BE LYING IF I SAID THAT I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.

It seemed unjust to me that I spent 20 hours on a treadmill and 'only' lost 3.7 lbs.

I was victimized by an unjust metabolism this week!

272.7

I weigh 272.7 lbs.
I lost only 3.7 lbs this week.
I lost 36.3 lbs in 38 days. Today begins Day 39.
I have lost more than 4 inches on my waist.  
I am still at the beginning of a journey that never ends.
I weigh 272.7 lbs. (38 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)
I have lost 11.7% of my weight since Dec 24.
Although I am disappointed that I only lost 3.7 lbs this week...
...I know how to begin this week... 
treadmill


My efforts this week did not seem commensurate with my results.

CALORIES CONSUMED THIS WEEK         TIME ON TREADMILL       'MILES WALKED'
SATURDAY                                       981                           120 minutes                                     8
SUNDAY                                           999                            180 minutes                                   12
MONDAY                                          842                            180 minutes                                   12
TUESDAY                                          990                           180 minutes                                   12
WEDNESDAY                                   847                           180 minutes                                   12
THURSDAY                                       957                           180 minutes                                   12
FRIDAY                                              859                           180 minutes                                   12


CALORIES CONSUMED  6475    20 HOURS        80 MILES 

I increased my calories consumed by 10% over last week.
I increased my time on the treadmill by 60% over last week.

CONCLUSION: I did still lose 3.7 lbs.  It is probably unfair to accuse my body of hitting a plateau.  By definition a plateau would have been represented by no change.  I presume that I am toning (and perhaps building up) the muscles in my legs.  Building muscle works in contradiction to weight loss - although it is a desired outcome.  I was convinced that I was going to have lost at least 8 lbs this week.  I did not.  There is only one thing to do - continue doing what I am doing.  And that is precisely what I am going to do.

FRIDAY MENU

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

LUNCH             two Orca Bay salmon patties, cup pumpkin soup                          320 CALORIES

DINNER           Trader Joe's Mahi Mahi Burger, 2.5 oz Baby Spinach
                           tbsp balsamic vinaigrette dressing, Creamy Corn Pepper Soup      257 CALORIES                                            

TOTAL CALORIC CONSUMPTION         857 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     943 CALORIES

Trader Joe's Mahi Mahi Burger on a bed of Baby Spinach w/balsamic vinaigrette, Creamy Corn & Pepper Soup  257 CALORIES