LEAP DAY

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Leap Day does not come around too often.... in fact, it comes around once every four years... I was curious how much I weighed on the last leap day 2016.... I looked it up... Actually it was a bit depressing... on Leap Day 2016 - I was 228 lbs.  On this Leap Day morning 2020 I weighed myself and I was 265.8 lbs.  Better I should remind myself that I was 297 lbs on New Years Day 2020.... I should celebrate that I have successfully lost 31.2 lbs this year. It's going to be a great Leap Year this year. I am going to lose a lot of weight. And the year will be capped off by an epic election in November!  (Hint: I am not rooting for Bernie, Bloomberg, or Biden!)

WENT TO BED HUNGRY - BUT LET ME EXPLAIN

Typical conversation I have had all my life:
Question: Are you hungry?
Response: I could eat.

Yes, one can 'always' eat... I think the only times in my life I have felt that I could not eat were literally the few times in my life I have dined at a buffett brought myself  almost to the point of puking.  Other than that extreme situation - every other moment in my life - I have been 'hungry.'

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sidebar: true story    Once year not so long ago for my birthday went to all-you-can-eat sushi.  I always get my 'moneys worth' at places like this.  I ate a bit too much too fast and had to run to the bathroom with the desire to puke.  I didn't, but after a few minutes the sick feeling left me and I was able to continue eating.  Was I still hungry?  Uh...no.... But why should a lack of hunger stop a fat pig from eating?
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Of course, this is moronic.  I have never denied being a moron when it comes to food.
For example, last night, after a very slim dinner of a Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon sandwich at Starbucks eaten around 5:30PM, I found myself 'hungry' when I pulled into the town where my hotel was at 8PM.

I kinda asked myself: Am I hungry?
My inner response: Of course, I was.

But I chose to get past the feeling, I had a large glass of water in my hotel, and I focused on doing something else and not thinking about food.  When I woke up on Friday morning, did I rush down to breakfast to finally feed my 'starving self?'  Of course not.  I was not 'starving' the night before.  I did not wake up starving.  I feel a bit hungry.  But this hunger is likely real.  So enough typing... time to go downstairs from my hotel room and grab some breakfast. I'm hungry.

See you tomorrow!


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ON THE PROGRAM FOR A MONTH AND A HALF

It is now the end of the day, February 15.

I have not swayed from my course.

I have continued to eat well for 1.5 months.

This is a bit of an accomplishment.

Even this short time represents 1/8th of year.

As long as I continue... I will see my weight continue to drop.

Unlike past 'health binges' this has been a far more sustainable plan.

In the past I consumed 1000 calories per day. 

It is true that my weight dropped faster - but when I ended that plan, I had not practiced safe eating.

This time, I am eating well.  I am not starving myself. 

And there is not really a plan to jettison...

I am trying (again) to get into the habit of simply eating well.

Someday, and I don't know when, I will have a cookie and maybe a chocolate bar...

But that day should not come soon.

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I have stayed 'on program' for 1.5 months... That is 1/8th of a year.  I just need to keep on doing  what I am doing.

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I HAVE LOST 27.4 POUNDS

Gee, this 'program' seems so easy to me every time I get on it.
What's the program?
Essentially do not eat sh*t foods!
I am no health nut - I still consume artificial sweeteners
I am enjoying the croutons on my salad
I am enjoying the salad dressing on my Casesar's salad
I am enjoying a portion of French Baguette with my soups
I am eating the turkey, vegetable, pork and other sausages as part of breakfast with my eggs

But what I am not doing since January 1st....

No Reese's Pieces
No M&M's
No candy
No chocolate brownie with sprinkles
No sprinkles
No chocolate brownie
No chocolate cake
No vanilla cake
No cake
No doughnuts
No donuts either
No milkshakes
No Chocolate Milk
No Klondike Bar
No Nestle's chipwich
No Ice-cream
No flavored yogurt
No potato chips
No Cheetos
No McDonalds
No Arby's
No Jack-in-the-Box
No Taco Bell
No Burger King
No Culvers
No Panda Express (although there are some healthier options there I could consider)
No Chick Fil A
No Fast Food
No French Fries anywhere
No Cheeseburger with or without french fries
No Hamburger with or without french fires
No Costco Hot Dogs
No Pizza with extra cheese
No Pizza with regular cheese
No Foot Long subs at Subway
No Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
No freshly baked free cookies from the Marriott when I check in
No free cookies left in my room as a reward for being a frequent traveler
No cookies from anyone from anywhere at any time

The Result...

Since January 1st, I am down 27.4 lbs - This morning I weighed 269.6 lbs.

This decal is for marathon runners, to announce to the world that they ran more than the required 26.2  miles.  Today I am using this to remind myself that although I have never been nor never will be a marathon runner, and therefore will never get lost on a marathon course.... I have coincidentally lost 27.4 (pounds) - and that is worth shouting about.

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Tuesday January 28

The month is coming to an end... and I keep rolling along...
Had a great meal today at Red Lobster.
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It turns out that it is far more rewarding to sit down, eat a decent meal than go through the drive-thru at Burger King, Chick Fil A, McDonalds, Culvers, White Castle.... Wow, when I slip, I really slip!

So far this DECADE, I have had no slips!

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Salmon New Orleans

This delicious New Orleans-style seafood recipe features pan-seared salmon topped with shrimp in a rich Cajun butter sauce. 

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SALMON POWER BOWL - NEW FAVORITE?

At a late Red Lobster lunch I carefully perused the menu and stumbled upon the Salmon Power Bowl.  A bit of a misnomer, as it was not served in a bowl, but a plate. That is quite a tiny quibble. The meal was delicious.  Not particularly low calorie, but highly satisfactory... And a high protein meal can't be too unhealthy. Besides, I am not really trying to eat the lowest calorie option at every meal - but I am (so far successfully) eradicating chocolate from my life.  Twenty days into the new year and I have been successful.  If I only keep the chocolate candy, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate ice-cream, chocolate milk, chocolate doughnuts, and chocolate donuts, chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, and the like far away - my weight will drop - as it has already in just the first twenty days of the year.

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AT THE DAWN OF THIS DECADE I WAS NEALY 20 POUNDS HEAVIER

AT THE DAWN OF THIS DECADE I WEIGHED NEARLY 20 POUNDS MORE THAN I DO TODAY.
That 'dawn' was just 18 days ago!

The Dawn of this new decade started at sunrise just eighteen days ago. On that day, I weighed 297 lbs.  Just eighteen days later, I weigh 278.5 lbs - down 18.5 lbs in eighteen days!

On Monday morning, I retired my new Columbia Pants purchased in October and revived a pair of Ralph Lauren 46B waist Black Jeans.  They were tight on Monday, but I was happy just to be wearing them again.  By Friday they were absolutely comfortable. Next stop, they should get loose, then ill-fitting, and then retired as I rediscover some 44W pants I have lying around somewhere.

HIGH CALORIE TUESDAY

My dinner at Red Lobster was Southwest Style Shrimp Tacos... what I should have done was not add the Cup of Lobster Bisque.

Only compared to what I have eaten the past two weeks was my calorie count high yesterday.... Nearly 2000.  This proves again to me how easily it was for me to have 5000 calorie days when I was eating with reckless abandon.

Tuesday was the 14th day of January, the 14th day of the New Year and the 14th day of this brand-new decade.  So far this decade, I have not had chocolate, I have not had ice-cream, I have not had a fast-food hamburger, I have not had fruit juice with breakfast, I have not had a bagel, I have not had a doughnut, I have not had french fries, I have not had potato chips, I have not had a Pop Tart, I have not had any of the free chocolate chip cookies that are available at Fairfield Hotels when I check in, I have not had sugared breakfast cereals, I have not had flavored oatmeal, I have not had a milk shake, I have not had any M&M's.... And I do believe, almost no matter what I eat - as long as I don't eat the garbage on this list - I will successfully lose weight. In fact, belief is not important - I have done this before in my life. Simply cutting out this garbage leads to weight loss.

Something else I have tried to do with some great success is to vastly cut down on drinking diet soda.  Now I am sleeping better, as I am not walking up multiple times per night to (being inelegant here) 'take a leak.'

RED LOBSTER

I  am gaining momentum with my decision to change my life (again).
Last night I rediscovered Red Lobster.
The reason that these ubiquitous chains are important to me is that I need places where I can find, quick, health(ier) food while on the road.
I signed up for the frequent diner program.
They online nutrition builder allows one to be sure of what one is eating.
Last night I had the Caesar Salad w/chilled lobster and shrimp.
I am not tricked into thinking that this is 'health food.'
I am not really seeking 'health food.'
But I am looking to avoid the 'poison foods' that I have been eating for far too long.

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If at First you don't succeed, try, try again (and again and again)

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2020

New Year

The previous year ended with a constant weight increase

The fatter I got, the lesser I cared.

For the last half of the year I was afraid to step on the scale

Although any day is a good day to make a change, I waited until New Year's Day.

I was still over-eating on New Year's Eve.

New Day

New Year

New Decade

Time for a 're-boot' 

Weighed myself New Year's Day and I weighed 297.

Wasn't exactly shocking based on my belt loops, tight clothes and irksome mirrors.

Still it was shocking.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday ----> returned to a normal diet of actual food.

Re-discovered salads, Panera Break, Jimmy John's Unwhich, health(ier) choices at Starbucks.

Weighed myself Saturday morning....   287.5 pounds

Now obviously I did not lose 9.5 pounds in three days. 

Oh hell, maybe I did.

Maybe my weight was wrong on New Years Day... although I did step on an off the scale about ten times to be sure.

Maybe by weight is wrong today, Saturday January 4th.  Again I did step on and off the scale about ten times to be sure.

No matter, positive re-inforcement helps... 

I expect to be in New York before too long, it would be good if I could trim up a bit before getting back home... And although this won't be the first time... A national Quilt Market takes place in Pittsburgh in May - I will make it a goal to look 'good'  

Getting real tired of looking bad.

I know the secret.... NO CHIPS, NO FRIES, NO CHOCOLATE, NO DOUGHNUTS (OR DONUTS)  NO ICE CREAM, NO MILK SHAKES, NO McDONALDS, NO M & M'S (plain or peanut)



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ANOTHER DAY WHEN WORK INTERFERES WITH HIKING TIME (DAY 121)

I did not find time to hike yesterday... In fact, I was particularly INACTIVE - check out my 'steps' for the day - I didn't get past 7000.  On the other hand, I am a salesman. It is my selling career that propels me about the state and affords me the opportunity to hike in all kinds of different locales. Wednesday was a hikeless day, but it was a particularly fruitful day at work - and that is important too.

SMILE, Y'ALL ARE IN HOUSTON (DAY 97)

Houston Saturday.
Woke up 4:45AM
Checked the weather: 57°
Checked sunrise 7:35AM
Left for my 10 mile hike at 5:03AM and returned to my hotel room at sunrise.
Great way to start a day!

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IT'S TRUE - WEAR BLACK - APPEAR THINNER! (DAY 93)

You have probably heard that wearing dark black clothing can make someone appear thinner. That may or may not be true - but in this photo below, I don't think it's only the color of my outfit that is making me appear thinner. I am guessing that is has something to do with the fact that these two photos, taken about 12 weeks apart show me about fifty pounds lighter.  Me in the yellow shirt, August 6 at a White Sox game, was before my first week of concentrated fat-losing effort had just ended and I probably weighed about 280 lbs. and me in black was taken just a couple of days ago when I most recently checked in at about 230 lbs. I believe I look thinner now. I also believe it ain't just the color of my outfit.

The difference between Mr. Yellow Shirt (me at 280 lbs on August 6th) and Mr. All-Black Sports Outfit (me just two days ago about 230 lbs) is about a foot, that is, twelve inches. My waist has shrunk from a giant bloated 50" to a much more reasonable 38".  This means that once again, I can shop for clothes at a regular store where normal people go to shop. Now the thing is, even at 230 lbs, I am NOT thin, but I am thinNER!

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After a two day abbreviated trip to the middle of the Illinois I returned home to Chicago and did what I often do. I changed clothes and took a walk.  Tuesday's walk was ten miles.

THESE GUYS ALL LOOK THIN.

HOW I WALKED TO MICHIGAN (DAY 87)

Yes, I walked to Michigan on Wednesday morning, long before sunrise.
It really was not such a major accomplishment.
My hotel was in HOWE, Indiana less than one mile from the state line.
An eight and a half mile is a healthy walk considering I still had 30 minutes to drive to my first appointment at 9:00AM.

ANOTHER DAY LIKE SO MANY OTHERS (DAY 83)

Saturday was another day like so many others.
I ate. (although a bit too much)
I walked. (nine miles before most people wake up in the morning)

CHINATOWN, CHICAGO (DAY 63)

I intended to take a significantly long walk on Sunday.
For no particular reason, I headed south to Chinatown, and looped back home.
When this urban hike was completed, I had logged 11 miles.

The view looking north from Chinatown towards Chicago

Hey look, it's DUNKIN' DONUTS. This past week, Dunkin' Donuts announced that they are dropping the 'DONUTS' from their name. Soon they will be known only as 'DUNKIN'  (My prediction is that it will take a couple of decades for the public to accept this.)

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