Weight loss is a problem that I never thought I would have to worry about. That was until Christmas vacation 2008. After the holiday I stepped on the scale and weighed a lifetime high of 224 pounds! For a guy who is only 5 foot 7 inches this wasn't good. My next step would be 250 and then 300 pounds! NO! I thought, I cannot let this happen!
After I analyzed the situation (I analyze everything). Three causes came to mind, age, metabolism, and being less active. Damn age, damn metabolism, and o.k. it's my fault for being less active. I immediately set a goal to lose 24 pounds. But how? Being a meat and potatoes guy I knew it would not be easy. I never liked fad diets and have seen to many friends lose 30 pounds in 30 days only to gain it back again. I knew if I followed an eating plan with food I didn't like the taste of I wouldn't follow it. I didn't write down any regimen. I asked my wife to lessen the portions of my meals. I started eating one hamburger instead of two. Two pieces of Pizza instead of four or five. I cut out all snacks and at the suggestion of my daughters I cut out all pop. I started drinking more water and juice.
I found out I don't need snacks. I LOVE SNACKS AND WANT THEM. I can do without them. Begrudgingly, but I can. When I felt the urge to eat snacks I had to keep telling myself to live without them. The smaller portions weren't hard to take. I found myself being full even with them. Part of overeating is psychological and I had to admit that was part of my problem.
After the first week in January I lost five pounds. After the second week in January I lost a total of ten pounds. Wow! I thought, I am a diet master! Then the third week came. I gained a pound then lost a pound. Gained a pound then lost a pound. This was the dreaded wall, plateau, ultimate weight and any other thing you wanted to call it. I read about it, but I really didn't want to face it! I weighed the same after the third week as I did the second week. I was at 214 pounds and knew the next 14 pounds would be hard. I increased my water and juice intake.
The next two weeks were rough. I had to keep my eyes on the goal and my stomach away from the snacks. I lost four more pounds during that time. But, I never felt hungry and only had to fight against an obsession for popcorn and potato chips. I was too stubborn to eat popcorn without butter or salt. I t reminds me of cardboard, so, I just didn't eat any.
It took me thirty more days to lose the last ten pounds. Was it rough? Yes. Did I starve? No. It was hard enough fighting the temptation too not eat snacks, let alone trying to add things to the "diet" that I did not like. I know I could have lost weight faster on a program. I also knew a picture of me in a bathing suit would not be published anytime soon (thank God) so I did it in my time.
I came to the realization that at my age and metabolism, weight gain is something I will fight the rest of my life. I set a weight of 205 pounds to not go over. If I do I will start this process all over again…
