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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ADVERTISING WORKS

I have been to Applebee's many times over the past 7 weeks.
Each time I look at the same menu and every once in a while I select something new.
Last night I saw a commercial on TV for Applebee's touting their new Bowls.
I sought out the extra menu when I went to Applebee's for lunch today.
SOLD.
The bowl I had was delicious and suitably low in calories.
Advertising works!

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270.8 lbs MONDAY MORNING

Most people do not brag about weighing north of 270 lbs.
Even today, I am not 'bragging.'
It is also true that most people did not weigh 297 lbs when they woke up on New Years Day.
Nevertheless, I am one of those people.
So I will allow myself to be pleased that I am not too far away from getting into the 260's.
It does matter what you weigh today, that makes one happy.
It kinda depends on what you weighed a month ago.
I am going in the write direction.

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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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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18 HOUR DAY - OUT AND ABOUT

As I review my food consumption today, I see that this is the first time I have exceeded 2000 calories this year.  I woke up at 5:30AM and scarfed down a quick breakfast at the hotel before taking a 45 minute in order to be at an appointment at 7AM.  When I returned to my hotel around 9AM, I stopped and had a breakfast sandwich at Starbucks.  I also had two significant meals for lunch and dinner. I stayed away from pure junk food all day, as I have all year - and I feel OK about my going over 2000 calories.

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BLACK JACK

Wow what a difference a 'mindset' makes... Last night I was in a hotel which gave me access to a 24 hour pantry - stocked with fresh coffee maker, water, soda, bagels, and chocolate chip cookies.  Had I been there one month ago - I would have eaten 5 cookies, 10 cookies, more cookies?  Who knows, but it would have been more than one.  Last night I had none. It does take some will-power to walk away from free food. However, nothing in life is free.  One 'pays' in different ways when one overeats. 21 days into the new year - and I am going strong.  21. BlackJack!

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AS MY WAISTLINE CONTRACTS, MY WARDROBE EXPANDS

Recently I have had a lot more stuff that didn't fit than stuff that did fit.

I had a couple of favorite pairs of pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets that I grew out of.

More stuff is returning to everyday 'wear' - and this is at just under 280 lbs.

Apparently losing 20 pounds makes a difference.
I 'discovered' a new pair of pants today that I don't remember wearing since a few months ago....
in fact, it had to be about twenty pounds ago.

I am just getting started!

It's a bit early for me to nominate myself as Dieter-of-the-Year,  as I have a l-o-n-g way to go.... I'm just getting started!

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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.

Goodbye Columbia 50, Welcome Ralph Lauren 46

Back in October as my weight was increasing and increasing, I was running out of options for pants. I needed to go home to visit my Mom for a family function.  I literally had nothing remotely appropriate to wear.  I purchased a pair of Columbia pants, 50W.  They were ridiculously loose when I got them... but as 2019 drew to a close they started to fit much better - which is quite sad as I was 'growing' into them.

This week I was able to 'revive' a pair of Ralph Lauren pants size 46. They ain't loose. But they fit.  Before too long, I hope to make these too big, so that I can hunt in my closet for the some 44's.
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I am a ridiculous person.  I am good at gaining weight and losing weight.  I really stink at maintaining weight. Well at 280+ that will not be something I need to worry about for quite awhile!  There is nothing about my current weight that I wish to maintain!

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Applebee’s

I am rediscovering all the places I used to visit when I lost so much weight a few years ago.

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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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OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Well that's it....
Just finished a conversation with my Mom in New York
Admitted to her that I likely gained weight since my October visit.
Admitted to her that I weighed 297 pounds on New Years Day.

Announced that she would not recognize me when I return home for a visit at the end of March.

So that's it... I am committed.
I was already.
Now I am even more committed.

DOUBLE DIGITS

Double digits.
TEN DAYS
progress being made.

Perhaps in a couple of weeks or so I will be able to wear the XL long sleeve button down shirts my Mom gave during my last visit last October.

I didn't even bother to try them on.... but I will be wearing them soon enough.

On Saturday morning, I weighed 282.1 lbs.
Since I did weigh 297 lbs on January 1st.
I guess I am 'happy'

The ridiculous thing, is that back (a long time ago) when I was under 230 lbs and crossed that border into the 230's I was depressed.

The direction one is moving is everything.

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Day 6

This blog has proved time and again that it is necessary for me to keep to log my food diary.
Still I have managed to be unsuccessful with it after a period of time.
But I have never even started without it.
Long live the Blog.

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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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Thursday May 30

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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.

MONGOLIAN GRILL (DAY 110)

I guess I did not successfully cut down on calories on Saturday.... A trip to BD's Mongolian Grill in Bollingbrook nixed that plan after a quick trip to Ikea.