Fat Harry

Hi Everyone,

Here's my full disclosure post.

The Backslide

On January 2, 2018 I weighed 221 lbs. For context, my highest weight back in 2012 was 236. My lowest was 157 (hard to believe). It took some years, but I made it back over 200. Well over, in fact.

So this year, I got back to it. I'm doing a lot of what I learned from Take Shape for Life (TSFL), but I'm doing it without subscribing to their food. I have a protein bar at 6am, 9am, noon, 3pm, then I have a healthy dinner (lean protein like turkey, tofu, lean pork or the occasional something else). After dinner I may have a bag of skinny pop.

I eat more variety now, including some fruit and higher-carb veggies like green beans. I like Wasa crackers (35-50 cals each) and I eat them despite the fact that they're high in carbs.

I average about 1500-1600 calories per day. TSFL had me around 1200-1400 per day. I was losing around 2-2.5 lbs per week before. It was very motivating. Now I'm targeting 1 pound per week.

I track everything in cronometer (the android app and the website at cronometer.com. Note there is no 'H' in cronometer). It's a pretty awesome app.

My Current Progress

This morning I weighed 205. That's down 16 lbs from New Years. It's more than a pound per week, but those early pounds come off the quickest. I have already felt some of the satisfaction associated with losing weight -- some clothes fit better, tighten my belt one more hole. But I haven't dropped any sizes yet.

So here I am. My goal is to be in the 170s. 175 would be nice. A related goal is to not re-gain my weight like I did last time. I am older and somewhat wiser. When I get to my goal, I will not go "off" my diet like I did before. I will loosen up a bit, but there will be no 1/2 pizzas, unlimited chips/salsa or daily PBJ sandwiches. I do like a little ice cream now and again. I think low cal will satisfy me, and I'll indulge around special occasions and not keep it around. You get the idea. No more carte blanche.

I'm confident I'll get there. The first time around, I proved to myself that I can do it once I start. Starting is definitely the hard part. But after a couple of weeks, it gets so much easier.

I'll check in from time to time. And I'll visit reddit.com/r/loseit for inspiration. I recommend you do the same. There are some amazing people out there.

All the best,

Harry

It's April 22 - I'm still thin!

Hit a new low of 157 the other day. I've been at or below my goal of 160 since January. That's an important stat.

It's been 75 lbs

Still on track.

This morning, I tipped the scales at 161. That's officially 75 lbs below my starting weight of 236. And a scant 1 lb from my goal (although I've decided to dip into the 150s just for fun).

Yay me. Feeling and looking good.

A New Low

That's right. I've sunk to a new low. 161.5. The past 4 weeks have been a new experience for me. Some weeks ago, I hit 162.5. That was my low point at the time. Between Christmas and the boys being home over winter break, we ate a few really delicious meals out of the house. My weight responded by bouncing around a little bit, reaching 166 one morning following a family outing to Charlie Gitto's. by the way, they have the best Eggplant Parmesan I've ever tasted!

Anyway, I found it easy to have an oatmeal PCMR (portion controlled meal replacement) for breakfast, then stick with my 5+1 meal plan. So in a couple of days my weight came back down. In diets past, I believe that meal out would have been my turn-around-and-eat-like-a-horse-for'-months moment. But with Take Shape For Life, I have a ready, workable means to stay in control.

I am very grateful for that! I truly believe I can live the rest of my life near my current weight. I'd like to stay below 165. That's where the clothes feel nice and I feel best.

Forks Over Knives

I enjoyed this movie that I saw on NetFlix. I makes a strong and compelling case that health problems are largely preventable and reversible.

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Bravo to Michael Pollan for this important article on the western diet. Bravo to me for reading it a mere 5 1/2 years later.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/magazine/28nutritionism.t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

70 Pound Update

As of today, December 19, 2012, I'm down 70.5 lbs. That's 236 to 165.5. My goal is 160. My BMI was 36.1. Now it's 25.3. My goal is 24.5. (Healthy range is 20-25).

My waist went from 40-42" to a 32". I've been buying clothes at thrift stores as I dropped. I'm glad I discovered them. There's no real reason not to shop at the nicer ones all the time.

I'm not particularly active and have gone on some walks but do not have an exercise routine as yet. I just got "Habits of Health" as a gift and may take up exercise as I get through those parts of the book.

When I hit my goal, I will maintain some important aspects of my new eating discipline. I'll eat 6 times per day at 2.5-3 hour intervals. I'll continue to enjoy vegetables and lean meats/seafood, and will add fruit, dairy and a little whole grains (and the occasional bites of "bad" foods like pie).

I have come to terms with cutting out past favorites entirely including: Cheez-its, Oreos, frozen pizza, pizza rolls, Doritos, white bread, donuts, fast-food burgers and fries. I will never again sit down on the couch with a bag of potato chips.

I realize that patronizing food manufacturing companies got me into this mess in the first place. They don't care about my health, no matter what the packaging says. I wish I could change their ways them for everyone's sake. But all I can do is stop buying from them.

Congratulations to all for your efforts and successes with weight loss. Enjoy the holidays. Remember: the first two bites taste the best, so just stop there!