I have a lot to post but have been busy with my corporate life which made me fat in the first place.
I upped my calories for the third week and make Monday morning (after workout) my weigh in. Happy to report that I lost an additional 3 pounds for the week-- total over three weeks is 19 pounds. I have to admit the post diet regimen is harder because you are on your own and you make mistakes.
3 pounds a week is nothing to sniff at and www.fitday.com has been a savior to help me mathematically try to manage. I have done a excel spreadsheet based upon thier numbers of calories burned vs. eaten and we were in a half pound-- a good standard deviation for any scientific study!
I am traveling 4 of 5 days this week and THAT is a challenge, but is my life generally. I have found most people very happy to accomodate you though-- but, you have to ask.
Kicked ass today on the eliptical-- burning 800 calories in and hour-- thanks to my family for the zune i-pod!
This is just demented-- working out at 3am for my 7am flight tomorrow morning!! But, going to visit a very gregarious beer drinking business colleague tomorrow night- so I am doing what I can!!!
John
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Results Show...
Tough weekend for the diet, we had a few social events and went off the wagon. However, kept it to a low roar and conserved the calories. I really see now, how easy it is to just feast on the calories and not be cognizant.
Today is the last day, the "event day" as the diet calls it. I have decided that it is just another day and moving on with it in some modified capacity. My fitness program at Fit Day tells me I am burning about 3700 or so calories through basal and lifestyle actvities. With the workouts I am bumping that nearer to 5000 normally. Given my weight, I think I could go to 2000 or 2200 calories and still see a couple of pounds per week shed off. Will keep you posted, my goal is to be back to college weight by the end of the year.
I have lost 16 pounds or thereabouts, as I was too afraid to weigh myself at the beginning. I am really glad I did, because it has been a boost as I went along. Probably lost about 4 inches on the waist and fit into my favorite suit again (one of my goals).
I planned on going through a "What I've Learned..." post sometime soon to outline what this diet has enlightened me about or changed my thinking about. For example, I never thought I could or would ever workout twice a day-- it is very doable and every day. I think that will be my next post and then off into the brave new world.
Already had a issue at lunch with a far too fattening steak and hard to order restaurant-- I tried my best, but squandered a few more calories than I would have liked. Live and learn.
John
Today is the last day, the "event day" as the diet calls it. I have decided that it is just another day and moving on with it in some modified capacity. My fitness program at Fit Day tells me I am burning about 3700 or so calories through basal and lifestyle actvities. With the workouts I am bumping that nearer to 5000 normally. Given my weight, I think I could go to 2000 or 2200 calories and still see a couple of pounds per week shed off. Will keep you posted, my goal is to be back to college weight by the end of the year.
I have lost 16 pounds or thereabouts, as I was too afraid to weigh myself at the beginning. I am really glad I did, because it has been a boost as I went along. Probably lost about 4 inches on the waist and fit into my favorite suit again (one of my goals).
I planned on going through a "What I've Learned..." post sometime soon to outline what this diet has enlightened me about or changed my thinking about. For example, I never thought I could or would ever workout twice a day-- it is very doable and every day. I think that will be my next post and then off into the brave new world.
Already had a issue at lunch with a far too fattening steak and hard to order restaurant-- I tried my best, but squandered a few more calories than I would have liked. Live and learn.
John
Thursday, May 29, 2008
A Day Out With the Boys...
Wednesday was a day of golf with my crew-- not really drinkers, but we have one or two at the end-- which I abstained. I think everyone was impressed with my committment. Later, it was off to another drinking bud's house for a business meeting (usually over beers) and the Penguin Hockey Game (always over beers). Now, that was jaw dropping-- I had one sip of beer. Two cigars though!
A little frustrated with myself today, kept the sodium low-- about 1500mg but my fat was high due to the catfish at dinner. Should have gone with the orange roughy-- live and learn! Total calories were good and I was a little light on my workout.
Going to try for 9 holes tomorrow and hit the gym early as well. Last 3 days before the Big Day-- then what do I do? I think this is just the start of a new way of approaching my health, habits and eating in general.
A little frustrated with myself today, kept the sodium low-- about 1500mg but my fat was high due to the catfish at dinner. Should have gone with the orange roughy-- live and learn! Total calories were good and I was a little light on my workout.
Going to try for 9 holes tomorrow and hit the gym early as well. Last 3 days before the Big Day-- then what do I do? I think this is just the start of a new way of approaching my health, habits and eating in general.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Results Show... at half time
I am coming to call this cybergenics quick trim my induction phase to a larger diet regimen. Kind of "boot camp" for a fat guy. It really has been an awareness experience, not to sound too granolish!
So, here are the things that I am happy with at half-time:
So, here are the things that I am happy with at half-time:
- Lost 7 pounds, not bad for 7 days dieting!
- Not starving, light-headed, etc.
- Definitely lost a belt size or two
- Some of my "limberness" has re-emerged
- My face is no longer perpetually red (there was a reason that picture I submitted was in sepia tones). This happened almost immediately.
The next six days are supposed to be low sodium days, so no egg whites or tuna in a can (oh, see earlier post but the cat wouldn't trade). I am mystified at what to eat for breakfast as chicken is no low sodium alternative. I have been running at 2400 mg of sodium per day, about what the RDA is for the U.S. The UK calls for 1600 and a low sodium diet is around 1500. There is a lot of debate about salt and we opt for Sea Salt and a specific brand that is supposed to be good for you (see http://www.mercola.com/) So, how do we keep to the "spirit" of the program for the next few days and eat anything other than vegetables AND get protein? Well, according to my read of the program that leaves three options: Chicken Breast, Turkey Breast or Fish and I can't have them all four meals-- in fact, if you did, you would have (you guessed it) almost exactly the same sodium content. Don't blame me, it's not my math. So here was my compromise, nix the egg white, egg beaters or tuna and do two protein drink meals and two chicken/fish/turkey meals. Saves like 1000 mg and gets me to the low sodium threshold. I really see little other alternative.
I am very pleased so far!
Tomorrow I play golf and go out for the Stanley Cup Finals, two beer-fests if there was ever one to be had. Press On!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Recipes just like we make for company...
My kids had a great book, "Happy Winter"-- we used to read it every night. In it, they had a recipe for this special cake-- "just like we make for company". I will spare you the sugar and calorie rich explanation.
This diet has no recipes fit for company and being a aspiring gourmet-- I found that disappointing. Interestingly, my good friend and real chef from NYC, Vince, commented what a shame my culinary skills would be for not being on a diet! So, here are a couple tips I have found:
Chop up your chicken breast beforehand and freeze in portion packages. Pop in toaster oven at 350 for 7-10 minutes. I prefer as "rare" as posible to preserve flavor and moistness. Be careful, we have our chickens nearby, so we know we can potentially be safe at a bit less then the rubber chicken method.
Boy Scouts teaches you these weird things that stay with you. Recently, a guy passed out in the parking lot next to us and almost immediately-- I remembered to treat him for shock, clear his passages, keep him immobile-- straight out of the First Class Handbook! Also from the Cooking Merit badge was foil cooking-- perfect for these meals. I have made both chicken and fish with chopped tomatoes and zucchini. Seal the foil and bake at 350 for 10 minutes or so-- yummy and juicy.
Eggs-- a white omelot just sucks and you need to waste fat on cooking spray or olive oil. Hard boiled are good and handy but can be boring and cold. Oh, spinach and eggs will have to wait to Wednesday (see last post). Baked eggs (whites) are a nice change, put in ramiken or oven safe container, 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Warm and hard boiled texture like, yum.
John
This diet has no recipes fit for company and being a aspiring gourmet-- I found that disappointing. Interestingly, my good friend and real chef from NYC, Vince, commented what a shame my culinary skills would be for not being on a diet! So, here are a couple tips I have found:
Chop up your chicken breast beforehand and freeze in portion packages. Pop in toaster oven at 350 for 7-10 minutes. I prefer as "rare" as posible to preserve flavor and moistness. Be careful, we have our chickens nearby, so we know we can potentially be safe at a bit less then the rubber chicken method.
Boy Scouts teaches you these weird things that stay with you. Recently, a guy passed out in the parking lot next to us and almost immediately-- I remembered to treat him for shock, clear his passages, keep him immobile-- straight out of the First Class Handbook! Also from the Cooking Merit badge was foil cooking-- perfect for these meals. I have made both chicken and fish with chopped tomatoes and zucchini. Seal the foil and bake at 350 for 10 minutes or so-- yummy and juicy.
Eggs-- a white omelot just sucks and you need to waste fat on cooking spray or olive oil. Hard boiled are good and handy but can be boring and cold. Oh, spinach and eggs will have to wait to Wednesday (see last post). Baked eggs (whites) are a nice change, put in ramiken or oven safe container, 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Warm and hard boiled texture like, yum.
John
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Eggs...and my Dad!
We actually get our eggs at a farm nearby. Casual sort of thing-- you can get eggs from his porch and/or goat's milk-- all on the honor system. Bringing the egg cartons back gets you in much good graces! He must think we have lost our mind since the beginning of this diet. I can just hear him saying, "No wonder that fella isn't losing weight!"
This morning I woke up early so that we could get some yardwork done,etc. I was searching the freezer for some frozen spinach to have along with my hard boiled egg whites. There is a story about this that dates back to the late 60's and early 70's. My father never blanched from taking me to a bar when I was a wee fellow-- frankly, I always enjoyed it. Back then, at least in Pittsburgh, there were always these bowls lined up against the bar with two hard-boiled eggs set in a mound of steamed spinach. Not just in some bars but in all bars, or so it seemed to me.
One day I asked my father what they were and he explained as was his usual, "Oh Lad, you've never tried hard-boiled eggs and spinach?" Dad always had this way of making you feel that somehow, you were just missing out on a secret that all the fun people knew. He always ordered the unusual item on the menu and give us a bite... to which we would then suffer our diner's regret for our short-sightedness. In any event, he ordered me a bowl, like 25 to 50 cents, and I loved it. Bartenders would laugh their heads off when I would order one and scarf it down like a Hershey's Bar.
So tomorrow, I will lift my bowl in an appreciative nod to my Dad, as I east my spinach and eggs and remember a fellow I just wished I could've spent a little more time with...
John
This morning I woke up early so that we could get some yardwork done,etc. I was searching the freezer for some frozen spinach to have along with my hard boiled egg whites. There is a story about this that dates back to the late 60's and early 70's. My father never blanched from taking me to a bar when I was a wee fellow-- frankly, I always enjoyed it. Back then, at least in Pittsburgh, there were always these bowls lined up against the bar with two hard-boiled eggs set in a mound of steamed spinach. Not just in some bars but in all bars, or so it seemed to me.
One day I asked my father what they were and he explained as was his usual, "Oh Lad, you've never tried hard-boiled eggs and spinach?" Dad always had this way of making you feel that somehow, you were just missing out on a secret that all the fun people knew. He always ordered the unusual item on the menu and give us a bite... to which we would then suffer our diner's regret for our short-sightedness. In any event, he ordered me a bowl, like 25 to 50 cents, and I loved it. Bartenders would laugh their heads off when I would order one and scarf it down like a Hershey's Bar.
So tomorrow, I will lift my bowl in an appreciative nod to my Dad, as I east my spinach and eggs and remember a fellow I just wished I could've spent a little more time with...
John
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Ah Summer...
is finaly here! It has been cold, but bright-- which is always our challenge in the "rust" belt of America. So, hard to compalin-- but despite the brightness, it was 44 degrees until noon yesterday. Today is considerably warmer and is usually the way things happen as we transition out of spring. I am typing on our back porch with a cup of decaf.
Happy Hour is strange when you are not drinking. First of all, it is hard to keep up with water and everyone was drinking a particular lot last night. At about 7:00-- I HAD to leave as I was scheduled to eat and everyone had eaten there, so I tried to do the "normal" thing-- I invited everyone over for a night cap. That made things better, much better. Although, I never remember our group talking about food as much as we did last night! They ate, fried grouper, salad and dressing, bruschetta, two salads and baked potatoe with butter and sour cream.
Interestingly enough, I baked some halibut (yes a little fatter than it should be, I screwed up ordering, and did it in aluminum foil with Mrs. Dash and chopped tomatoes. Surprisingly satisfying.
Yes, I read the Mrs. Dash Label and found it was yummy.
Now my big challenge is my nephew's birthday party tomorrow. Fortunately, he is strength and conditioning coach at Robert Morris University-- so he knows the drill. His Dad even did this diet some years ago.
Slept in and missed my morning workout. Will be making that up later and adding a lot of yard work today
John
Happy Hour is strange when you are not drinking. First of all, it is hard to keep up with water and everyone was drinking a particular lot last night. At about 7:00-- I HAD to leave as I was scheduled to eat and everyone had eaten there, so I tried to do the "normal" thing-- I invited everyone over for a night cap. That made things better, much better. Although, I never remember our group talking about food as much as we did last night! They ate, fried grouper, salad and dressing, bruschetta, two salads and baked potatoe with butter and sour cream.
Interestingly enough, I baked some halibut (yes a little fatter than it should be, I screwed up ordering, and did it in aluminum foil with Mrs. Dash and chopped tomatoes. Surprisingly satisfying.
Yes, I read the Mrs. Dash Label and found it was yummy.
Now my big challenge is my nephew's birthday party tomorrow. Fortunately, he is strength and conditioning coach at Robert Morris University-- so he knows the drill. His Dad even did this diet some years ago.
Slept in and missed my morning workout. Will be making that up later and adding a lot of yard work today
John
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