Lose 30 pounds

I weighed in at my chiropractor’s office today and I’m down another two pounds, so that’s 11 pounds total toward my goal. At this rate, it will take another 19 weeks, but I’m not in a huge hurry. I think I can reach my target weight before the end of summer without going on any crazy diets. I just need to keep up the exercise and apply portion control.

I’m down 9 pounds from my beginning weight. Except for the yearend holidays, I’d be half way to my goal. Now I want to lose 8 more in the next four weeks before I fly to Tokyo to visit my daughters. I’m almost sure I’ll gain weight while I’m traveling. Time to redouble my efforts.

I just read a very interesting article on this topic.

Here’s a simple method for determining the energy density (calories per gram) of foods you buy in the supermarket:

• Look at the Nutrition Facts label on the food package.
• Find the serving-size weight in grams and the calories per serving.
• If the calories are a smaller number than the grams, the food has low energy density. Feel free to enjoy satisfying amounts of that food.
• If the calories are equal to, or twice as much, as the grams, eat moderately and watch your portion size.
• If the calories are more than twice the grams, limit your portions.

You’ll discover that dry foods, like crackers, have high energy density (calories more than twice the grams). Surprisingly, fat-free pretzels have the same energy density as cheese. Munching on these without controlling your portions can quickly add weight.

Fascinating.

I’m blaming it on my job. Last week I had breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings on Wed/Thurs. It totally threw me off my Slimfast routine and I missed two days of exercise. This week I’m back on schedule and hoping to rid myself of the regained pound, plus another.

I lost a couple over the past week. Hooray! Back on track after the year-end battle with festive food.

Kathy baked up several batches of cookies yesterday to distribute at work. Of course, I had to sample them. Our breakroom at the office is stocked with fruitcake, pumpkin bread, beek jerky, boxes of chocolates… all kinds of goodies brought by vendors or clients. There have been parties and dinners and banquets. And all the football bowl games are coming up, with the requisite tailgating food and beer. So I’m still chugging water and sticking to SlimFast for lunch. I’ve been exercising in our home gym 30 minutes everyday. But the eight pounds I was down are now six. If I can make it to January 2nd down five, I’ll consider it a victory. Then it’s diet and exercise in earnest in 2007.

It was lose 20 pounds and now the goal is 30. I’m going to see a chiropractor on Thursday. Apart from the spinal analysis he’ll do, I know he’s going to tell me to lose weight. Maybe having an outside influence will assist me in getting some progress on this goal. The holidays are coming up, which is the worst/best time to start dieting again. But I just can’t keep putting this off.

I’m not into fad diets, but my S.O. wants to try South Beach for the next two weeks, so I’ve agreed to support her and go on it with her, at least for the meals/times we are together. I may even be a bit picky about what I eat at business events (about four of those a week). The hard part will be cutting out beer, especially when there’s a good football game on. Somehow water just doesn’t do it for me when it’s fourth and goal, down by five with three seconds on the clock.

A week ago I was still making progress, but this past week…nada. I know why, too. I haven’t been drinking water. This week, I’m going to do better—MUCH better.

Just weighed in, my first week after renewing this goal, down two pounds. Whew!