BECOMING OVERWEIGHT - A HUGE ACHIEVEMENT

Since this journey began I have been dreaming of becoming overweight.   Huh?  You ask.   Well, I must remind you that I began this adventure at 309 lbs and was classified at CLASS III MORBID OBESITY.  Eventually I 'graduated' from that classification and into 'only' CLASS II OBESITY and then into CLASS I OBESITY.  I am currently nearing the end of my membership in CLASS I OBESITY.   I bought a pair of 36" waist cargo summer shorts for my next stop on the 'waistline express.'   I tried them on last night to see just how far away I was from wearing them.  To my, happy shock, I actually could get them on and I could zip them up!  Now they are far too tight and uncomfortable to wear (aside from the fact that here in Chicago it is not shorts wearing season just yet)  The point is, I do think that there is a chance of me graduating out of CLASS I OBESITY tomorrow when I step onto the scale.   If not I do not reach this goal tomorrow morning, it's sure bet that I will graduate from CLASS I OBESITY within days.   Graduation out of the CLASS I OBESITY will give me a brand-new classification - OVERWEIGHT.   Not that many people would be so happy being officially overweight - but under my circumstances - I will be ecstatic.

I must admit that the BMI tables that generate these classifications are somewhat controversial.   At 309 lbs - there isn't a soul on planet earth that would have seen me as anything but obese.   At my last current recorded weight, 229.6 lbs - I do not think that there would be too many people who would look at me who say, "Wow, look at that guy - he's obese."   I do somehow manage to wear my clothes well - but when that shirt comes off, I can see that I do still have plenty of extra flab that needs to be David Copperfield(ed) into 'thin air' (pun intended).

STAR TREK: SO VERY TIRED  (SIMPSONS SPOOF)

I only have to remember back to December 2014 to be sympathetic to Scotty.

Announcer: "Star Trek XII: So Very Tired"... see the original cast in the latest and greatest adventure!

[three Birds of Prey confront the Enterprise]

Sulu: Captain, Klingons off the starboard bow.

Cpt. Kirk: [exasperated] Again with the Klingons.

[activates communicator]

Cpt. Kirk: Mr. Scott, give me full power.

[in the engine room]

Scotty: It's no good, captain.

[Scotty is too fat reach the engineering computer]

Scotty: I ca'not reach the control panel!

This is not exactly the type of 'bucket list' that's too healthy!

Even skinny people probably have difficulty with
today's cell phones.

Fat AND Happy?  That's a myth.
HOWEVER, SOON I WILL BE OVERWEIGHT AND HAPPY!
I THINK I HAVE EXPLAINED THAT UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE.

I am apparently very close to being (only) OVERWEIGHT.  I am very excited. I am getting close to tipping the scale at a weight that my body has not seen since the 1980's. Although I did get down to 220 lbs for about 5 minutes 8 years ago - I never saw 219 lbs. This time, I expect to take this journey much further.  I still have the life-long dream of a Grand Canyon mule ride beckoning me...if a donkey trip is to be in my future...I still have a long way to go...  This is an exciting time in my life.

I still kinda cracks me up and amazes me...

...that only two days after 'discovering' that I weighed 309 lbs at a doctor visit...
...and only 48 hours after managing to eat like a normal human being for two consecutive days...
...I decided that I was going to lose (at least) 100 lbs AND BLOG ABOUT IT. (daily)
...I believe that's called CHUTZPAH!
...Who does that?
...Who does that, and puts their own name on their so-called diet plan, RABBI HILLEL DIET?
...and who names their own program and prints up their own business cards?
...apparently, I do - because I did.

I titled today's blog entry: BECOMING OVERWEIGHT - A HUGE ACHIEVEMENT.
There might be something oxymoronic about that title...

You see, as I am about to become ONLY 'overweight' for the first time in nearly a decade...
This particular achievement has seen me become far LESS huge.
So, in a way, it's a SMALL achievement.
(Getting to 309 lbs - that was an unwise, unwanted, undesired, unhealthy LARGE achievement)
I am glad to be forfeiting that dubious accomplishment!

BMI	Classification
< 18.5	underweight
18.5–24.9	normal weight
25.0–29.9	overweight
30.0–34.9	class I obesity
35.0–39.9	class II obesity
≥ 40.0	class III obesity

My 'magic' number is 224.2. (6ft, 1/2 inches tall) to exit OBESITY.

224.2 lbs will officially classify me as overweight!
The question: Did I manage to drop 5.4 lbs this week?  It's a tall order...

VISIT ME TOMORROW AND FIND OUT...
...I KNOW I WILL!


THURSDAY MENU

breakfast  one scrambled egg, two sausage links, SHMURAH MATZO                 280 CALORIES
lunch        JACK'S DELI & RESTAURANT (yep I did go back!)
                 SCRAMBLED EGGS w/NOVA LOX, PICKLE, TOMATO, MATZO   439 CALORIES
dinner      JIMMY JOHN'S bootlegger club UMWICH w/veggies                           280 CALORIES

total caloric consumption     939 CALORIES

CALORIES CONSUMED
YMCA 9AM elliptical machine 35 minutes     485 calories

THURSDAY NET CALORIES      454 CALORIES

JACK'S DELI & RESTAURANT: On my return visit, I ordered SCRAMBLED EGGS w/NOVA LOX, tomato and matzo.  UNBELIEVABLY DELICIOUS!  no, seriously!

more from JACK'S YIDDISH 101
I didn't see this sign during my first visit on Tuesday...and this one is the best of  all of them!

CAMERA SHY NO MORE

At 233 lbs I am getting close to entering the fourth quarter of my journey from 309 lb fat man to 195 lb thin man.  When I look in the mirror now, I see a reflection that I actually like.  Eight years ago, when I dropped from 300 lbs to 220 lbs (before I stupidly gained every pound back and tacked on nine more for 'good luck.') I appeared really thin at my lowest weight of 220 lbs.   For the past many years I couldn't stand looking at photos of myself from that period as I looked so good.  I also couldn't stand looking at more recent photos of myself as I looked so bad. It is no wonder that I was camera-shy.

At 309 lbs, I was not too interested in getting in front of  any cameras.
Anytime my photo was taken, the results were very painful to look at.

I am camera-shy no more.  I am proud of my accomplishment.  The day that I get down to 219 will be the first time that I have been there since the mid 1980's. That was 30 years ago!  Around that time, approximately 1985, I was actually down to 199 lbs (for about five minutes)   This time, my goal is to get to 195 lbs and stay there.  Even after losing 75 lbs since December 24, 2014 - I still have nearly 40 lbs to go. I am on my way - nothing will stop me.

On Saturday when I weighed myself, I admit I was disappointed that my weight loss was only 2 lbs for the week. It makes me nervous when I have eaten so little and only two pounds were shed.  I know that there are other factors at work. I think that each week my body is desperately trying to hold onto its fat cells as much as possible as the caloric intake is still so low.  However, when I review the chart of my progress over the last three months - I must also admit that my results have been in practically a straight line downward.  I have only weighed myself once per week over these past three months.  So, I never had the unfortunate situation where I have seen my weight bounce up a pound or two from one day to the other.  I know that this can happen - but I have negated it from happening by weighing myself only once every seven days.  I take much joy in reviewing this ski slope chart of my success.
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MONDAY MENU
breakfast  two poached eggs, two slices turkey 'bacon'  cup oatmeal w/prune           355 calories
lunch        spinach salad with can albacore tuna & roma tomato                                 150 calories
dinner      Yellowfin Tuna burger, bowl CABBAGE SOUP, spinach tomato zucchini 318 calories

total calories consumed 823 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED
5AM elliptical 32 minutes   475 calories

MONDAY NET CALORIES    348 CALORIES

TIME WEIGHTS FOR NO ONE

TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE: ANTHOLOGY 1971-1977 was a Rolling Stones album that included songs from the period of their 'Sticky Fingers' release in 1971 through their 'Love You Live' release in 1977.   This particular compilation was released only in Britain.  TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE was one of the songs on this album and it was originally released on 'It's Only Rock and Roll.' (1974)

I do think that I was lucky that I was able to reverse the course of my life before I ran out of time. A man walking around more than 100 lbs overweight who combines that lifestyle with a life without exercise cannot and should not walk around like he has all the time in the world.  It might be better to describe such a person as a 'time bomb' - ready to self-destruct at any moment.  This describes who I was on the morning of December 24, 2014.

Here is just the beginning lyrics from this beautiful melodic song written by Jagger/Richards:

Yes, star crossed in pleasure the stream flows on by
Yes, as we're sated in leisure, we watch it fly
And time waits for no one, and won't wait for me
And time waits for no one, and won't wait for me
Time can tear down a building or destroy a woman's face
Hours are like diamonds, don't let them waste
Time waits for no one, no favors has he
Time waits for no one, and he won't wait for me

There is true wisdom in the lyrics of this song.   Hours really are like diamonds and we should not let them waste.  If I had waited too long to reverse the course of my life, time would have caught up with me. The consequences of my level of obesity cannot be outraced forever - time would have caught up with me. My lifestyle change has been a true 'game-changer.'

Now that I am on my way to losing 100+ lbs,
perhaps it can be said: TIME IS ON MY SIDE

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235.4 lbs


I weigh 235.4 lbs.
I lost 4.1 lbs this week.
I lost 73.6 lbs in 87 days. Today begins Day 88.
I have lost 9 inches on my waist. 
My 42" waist pants are getting loose and it is certainly time to start shopping for 40" waist.
My pair of 'Columbia' brand 40" waist pants now fit properly. 
A pair of 'LEE REGULAR FIT' 40" blue jeans I have are still way too tight.
For the past decade, I bought nothing but so-called 'relaxed fit.' (a euphemism for fat guy)
I wear a 16.5" neck shirt now, 87 days ago my neck was 18".
I will always be at the beginning of a journey that never ends.
I weigh 235.4 lbs. (87 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)
I have lost 23.8% of my weight since Dec 24.
I have lost 1.7% of my weight since last Saturday!
I have had an another successful week losing 4.1 lbs.
I have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 31.49 (still Class I obesity)
I had a 42.0 BMI on 12.24.14 just 80 days ago (Class III obesity)
I will LIKELY 'graduate' from Class I obesity into simply 'overweight' in three weeks (224 lbs)
I have two words to describe how I feel right now - very pleased.
...I know how to begin this week... 
ELLIPTICAL MACHINE


FRIDAY MENU

breakfast  2 poached eggs, cup oatmeal, prune, strip turkey bacon, tbsp wheat germ  355 calories

lunch        spinach salad w/chunk chicken breast, tomato, chicken gumbo soup          320 calories           

dinner       salmon burger, spinach salad w/tomato, Tortilla Soup                                 285 calories

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED   960 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED 

7AM Chicago Home elliptical 35 minutes              550 calories

FRIDAY NET CALORIES 410 CALORIES

Do you need further proof that Time Waits For No One?  Keith Richards and Mick Jagger can provide it with the following photographs.

People age.  Time Waits For No One.  Keith Richards.  Then.  Now.

Mick Jagger nearly 50 years ago.  Mick Jagger much more recently.
Mick, not even one grey hair?  I guess only your hairdresser knows for sure.

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.

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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

HAPPY NEW WEIGHT!

Eight days ago, I visited my doctor for a 'wellness' exam. I stepped on a scale in the office with my clothes on and weighed 313.8 lbs.    It is currently January 1, 2015 (eight days later).  I just weighed myself with my clothes on and the scale indicated 301.8 lbs.   My scale is not broken - I have lost 12 pounds as a result of my efforts in the past 8 days.  Of course I wanted to know what my true weight is, without clothing, and that result was 297 lbs.  Now I know that my real weight  on December 24, 2014 was 'only' 309 lbs. Today I am 297 lbs.  I am statistically, medically and in reality obese.  That is not important.  I FEEL LIKE A NEW MAN!  I AM A NEW MAN!  It will be many more months until I can remove myself from the obese classification.   In my mind, I am already a healthy, thin person.   I am starting 2015 in the midst of a life changing experience.  My journey is just beginning.  This morning, I am bursting with happiness.  Happy New Year!

2015 begins with me at 297 lbs, I have already lost 12 lbs!

BEFORE/(no after) PICTURES

Do you share this concern? Every time you see a before and after set of photos from someone who has lost weight - the before photos are always fuzzy and your are never really sure if the photos in the  after are even the same person? I don't have have the after photos yet. My weight loss journey only started 48 hours ago, right around the time I visited my doctor for a 'Wellness" visit and discovered that I weighed nearly 315 lbs. When I returned home to measure my waist and neck - I was more dismayed to discover that the measurements were 52" waist and 18.5" neck. I didn't need to visit the doctor to discover that I was overweight - mirrors that I passed as well as my belt were extremely effective in transmitting this data to my mind. I always figured that I could start a new diet (lifestyle change) 'tomorrow.'  Tomorrow was yesterday. It should be obvious that I only have the before photos. I am aware that this journal could become a bit more interesting with some comparative after photos.  That is the plan.  Marc