BREAKFAST LUNCH and DINNER

On Saturday I was still basking in the afterglow of the knowledge that I had lost another 6.8 lbs in the ninth week of my 'program.'    My program is called the 'Rabbi Hillel Diet' which is not really a program - but more of a philosophy.

My success has come from a 1000 calorie per day diet, combined with daily exercise. Over these past nine weeks, I have been training myself to enjoy portion sizes that are a mere fraction of the volume of food that I have eaten in the past.

Over these past nine weeks, I have not had a single solitary snack. I eat BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER. That is it. When I complete my dinner, I announce (mostly to myself) that I am now 'fasting.'   In fact, I really do 'fast' after dinner, and I break my fast, the next morning when I sit down to eat BREAKFAST.

BREAKFAST,  LUNCH & DINNER -  I  EAT THREE MEALS EACH DAY.
I HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE SNACK SINCE DECEMBER 23, 2014

During these nine weeks, my alcohol consumption has been limited to two nights.  In both cases, I was at a party. I did not have a chip, a cookie, a piece of cake, or even a mint at either of these parties.  I did however overindulge with SCOTCH WHISKEY.  Hey, I'm only human.  In preparation of each of these two parties, I actually ate even less during the day, so that I would have some calories 'in the bank.'   The second of these two parties was this past Thursday to celebrate Purim.  I (think I) counted 8 shots (one ounce serving) of SCOTCH WHISKEY.  Each shot was 69 calories, so I added 552 calories to my daily intake that day.  Even so, my total consumption was below 1250 calories.

For too many years, I was a regular customer of the vending machines 

in the hotels I stayed when on the road.  I could easily  consume 800+ calories

of candy and/or chips in the space of 10 minutes.

My weight loss has been systematic and regular, practically dropping in a straight line from the December 24, 2014, starting point at 309 lbs.   I am aiming to get into the neighborhood of around 200 lbs (or perhaps even less.)  I chose to be paint a picture with words to describe where I am...I am in a sailboat and I can see the shoreline in the far distance, but I have a cooperative onshore wind at my back.

From where I am now, I can see the 'shoreline'

LOSING WEIGHT IS SIMPLE, IT'S JUST NOT EASY.  The thing is, it has seemed easy for these past nine weeks.  And I promise you, I am not any hungrier during the day than I used to be when I was constantly stuffing my face with all kinds of processed garbage.   I do get hungry at mealtime - and I think that is right about the time that someone is supposed to be hungry.

So, let me once again repeat the philosophy of the 'Rabbi Hillel Diet'

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

THE BASIS OF THIS WISDOM IS MORE THAN 2000 YEARS OLD...That is an amazing thing about wisdom.  Wisdom does not have an expiration date.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 


For lunch, I stopped at My Fit Foods to try another one of their prepared meals.   This is how it looks in the container.   I came home spread and spread this out on a plate, added a soup, and I had a most delicious and nutritious lunch.

MY FIT FOODS: Omega Me Crazy Salmon

Ginger glazed Scottish salmon with sugar snap peas and carrots.  340 calories

SATURDAY MENU
breakfast   Sweet Italian Turkey sausage (lean)                                                 160 calories
lunch         MyFitFoods Omega Me Crazy Salmon, Butternut Squash Soup     430 calories
dinner        Bowl of Chicken Soup for the Soul Tortilla Soup, Spinach Salad   319 calories

total calories consumed 909 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED
elliptical machine    33 minutes     520 CALORIES

SATURDAY NET CALORIES  389 CALORIES

LUNCH:  OMEGA ME CRAZY SALMON, BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP  430 CALORIES

my fit FOODS

My latest 'discovery' is 'my fit FOODS'  
This is a wonderful place to pick up a prepared lunch or dinner,  ready to eat.

This establishment opened in my neighborhood nearly two years ago. Up until now I had no particular reason to visit.  Things are different now.  On Friday, my wife and I went into this store for the first time and discovered an establishment that stocks 60 different nutritious meals each with detailed nutritional information printed right on the packages.  Virtually every meal looked delicious.   All the meals are packed ready to go.   The place also has an ample amount of tables for those who want to eat right there. We have tried two meals so far, and each was both low calorie and vey tasty.  The person who assisted us at the store said that all of the meals on display are made in the kitchen right on the premises. This chain has locations in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, California and my home state of Illinois.  

Yesterday for lunch, my wife and I split the 'Lean Lemon Turkey.' It was much spicier that I had expected - but very tasty.  On Friday, right after my appointment with the doctor we split the 'Asian Flat Iron.'   The Asian Flat Iron tasted like a gourmet meal that one could have been served at any fine restaurant.

Lean Lemon Turkey All natural lean ground turkey seasoned with garlic, onions and citrus, served with parboiled rice and asparagus. ($8.50)

Asian Flat Iron Asian spiced flat-iron steak with broccoli strings, carrots and broccolini. ($9.50)

Now that I have discovered 'my fit FOODS' it occurs to me that their must be similar businesses throughout the country that I need to discover.   The more that I learn about the healthy food options available to me, the easier and easier it becomes to eat healthy when traveling. 

SATURDAY MENU

breakfast  cup oat meaL, prune, 2 poached eggs, two strips turkey 'bacon'           355 CALORIES

lunch         1/2 container myfitFOODS LEAN LEMON TURKEY, chicken broth 270 CALORIES

dinner        3.5 oz. salmon, spinach, ginger dressing, chicken soup, asparagus      365 CALORIES                                                                               

total calories consumed 990 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

6M   elliptical machine  30 minutes 425 calories

3PM elliptical machine  30 minutes 430 calories

total calories burned 855 CALORIES

NET CALORIC CONSUMPTION    135 CALORIES

LUNCH: Honestly, I don't think my photograph properly captured this very tasty lunch
(half container of 'my fit FOODS' Lean Lemon Turkey) and CHICKEN BROTH
270 CALORIES

BREAKFAST: Following my doctor's advice: adding oat meal & a prune to my diet 
(It won't be hard, the steel cut oat meal was something I'd never had before, I liked it)
355 CALORIES

WALK THIS WEIGH

Hello everyone.  If you were interested in hearing about my follow-up appointment with my doctor that took place yesterday, Friday morning, I simply could not wait to blog about it.   Yesterday, I had two separate blog posts.   I talked all about my visit with my doctor on the post titled: "There's always another meal six hours away."  It is the blog post directly preceding this one.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One of the biggest hits from the legendary rock band, Aerosmith, was Walk this Way, released in 1975.   Since December 24, 2014,  I have chosen a new path, and I encourage others to walk this way with me.   The rules are very simple.  The philosophy of the Rabbi Hillel Diet can be explained in a few short words: "What is unhealthy for you, do not eat.  That is the whole plan. The rest is commentary - go and have lunch!"  Those that internalize these thoughts will walk this way with me.   For the past seven years, and for most of my life I had been walking another way.  This path that I am on now, is the right way.  I now know that with every dietary fiber of my being!

Saturday February 21 means that I have completed 59 days on my new program, which I have named the 'Rabbi Hillel Diet.'  Since I began this journey on December 24, 2014 I have been walking a different way.  Today begins Day 60. Saturday is the day to weigh myself so I can gauge my progress.  It is my favorite day of the week.



254.5 lbs

I weigh 254.5 lbs.
I lost 8.1 lbs this week.
I lost 54.5 lbs in 59 days. Today begins Day 60.
I have lost 6+ inches on my waist.  
I am still at the beginning of a journey that never ends.
I weigh 254.5 lbs. (59 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)
I have lost 17.6% of my weight since Dec 24.
I have lost 2.6% of my weight since last Saturday!
I have had an extremely successful week losing 8.1 lbs.
I have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 34.04 (still Class I obesity)
I had a 42.0 BMI on December 24, 59 days ago (Class III obesity)
I will 'graduate' from Class I obesity into simply 'overweight' in a few weeks (224 lbs)
I have two words to describe how I feel right now - super euphoric
...I know how to begin this week... 
ELLIPTICAL MACHINE


FRIDAY MENU
breakfast   (NONE) I needed to fast in order for my blood to be tested yesterday
lunch         MY FIT FOODS ASIAN FLAT IRON, carrot ginger soup                     355 calories
dinner        7 oz. SALMON, spring mix salad, ginger dressing, pumpkin soup        480 calories

total calories consumed  835 calories

CALORIES BURNED
6AM   ELLIPTICAL MACHINE 32 minutes         435 calories
6PM    ELLIPTICAL MACHINE 60 minutes         805 calories

total calories burned  1240 CALORIES

NET CALORIES       NEGATIVE 405 CALORIES

my fit FOODS: ASIAN FLAT IRON (prepared meal) w/Organic Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque Soup  
355 CALORIES

dinner: 7 oz. salmon fillet, 50/50 Spring Mix Salad w/Sesame Ginger Salad Dressing, Pumpkin Soup
480 CALORIES