Alligatorob's Diary

I sat next to a family member who is about 200 lbs overweight, he has heart problems. He told me about the progress he was making with his cardiac therapy, as he ate plate after plate, including several of the deserts. I could not help but have the "There but for the grace of God go I" feeling.

There's something really sad about that story. My parents went on a cruise a good few years ago now and they said some people just went insane at mealtimes because it was all-inclusive. Well done on resisting all those amazing desserts!
 
We went to Las Vegas to an all you can eat buffet. It was incredible with the tables piled with empty teetering plates. People left them and got a fresh plate each course. It's wonderful you could resist all those desserts and things, and so great to hear you are getting a little better each day. I've been meaning to try podcasts, but am not good at all this technology. Great Courses sound wonderful, but I don't know if I'd be able to follow such things when sleepy and in recovering. I think fiction books on tape might be more my speed.
 
Not a bad day, my calories were low, but food choices iffy... Problem was dinner turned out to be just a big desert thing continuing the birthday thing. I ate very little of the deserts, but when my calories were totaled tonight I could see I probably should eat something more. So being lazy it was just peanut butter and crackers. Good news is no binge! Oh well, I'll try to eat better tomorrow, retaining the no binge thing.

I am walking a bit more every day, just
Good for you making healthy choices at that restaurant!
Thanks Liza, I feel good about it.
It's great that you resisted over-eating, Rob. I haven't been to an all-you-can-eat buffet for so many years, but I still shudder at the memories of people overeating to excess. It makes me feel ill just thinking about it.
It's also great that you feel like you have turned the corner with your neck recovery.
Yeah, it was a bit uncomfortable to watch. Thanks on the neck, it is getting better, but still slowly.
There's a pan-Asian restaurant near me that used to have an amazing buffet. I definitely got close to having to roll home from that one a couple of times... Thankfully they got a new chef and I'm no longer tempted.
The closest buffet of this kind to my house is the Beijing Buffet, it is cheaper than where we went last night, and the food is horrible. I am pretty sure no chef, old or new, ever set foot in the place... I rather doubt much of their food is authentic... pretty sure the deserts are not.
There's something really sad about that story. My parents went on a cruise a good few years ago now and they said some people just went insane at mealtimes because it was all-inclusive. Well done on resisting all those amazing desserts!
Yeah, it is a sad story. Made me sad watching it, but it probably did help me resist. He and I have talked about weight loss, and I know he tries dieting off and on, without success. I certainly can't judge him, but I do feel bad for the guy...

The quantity of deserts was amazing, the quality not so much. The pecan pie really surprised me, don't know how it slipped in.
We went to Las Vegas to an all you can eat buffet. It was incredible with the tables piled with empty teetering plates. People left them and got a fresh plate each course.
I know Las Vegas is the world capital of those places, I ate at Circus Circus once, pretty much as you describe..
Great Courses sound wonderful, but I don't know if I'd be able to follow such things when sleepy and in recovering. I think fiction books on tape might be more my speed.
I listen to them on Amazon Prime on my TV. You don't really need to watch, its mostly the lecturer talking. My attention goes in and out, but I now know more about the French Revolution and Black Plague than I ever have! I suspect you could listen to the audio on a phone, but I wouldn't know how.
 

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I know Las Vegas is the world capital of those places
...and they have a huge problem with their sewage system because so much grease goes down the drains. That's the other awful part of all you can eat: the amount of food waste it results in. Doesn't mean you can't do it on rare occasions but it really, really shouldn't be a regular thing for anyone's sake. Except people IN Vegas who are trying to gain that last little bit of weight they need to get free food at the Heart Attack Grill, I guess...
 
I've always preferred Indian or Asian buffets because of this, but even they can have sugary junk food in them. It's so weird how cheap food is usually bad for you. So backwards! I didn't know about the sewage problems in Vegas. Uck.

We've been having fun with old videos from the library, and are watching some really excellent Agatha Christy's at the moment. Glad you are enjoying the Great Courses. My mom really liked those, as well. I don't know if you get Netflix or not, but we just watched the first episode of a new series on the war in Europe on Netflix "All the Light We Cannot See." It is wonderful so far.
 
Not a bad day for another down day. I think I ate well, but my calories look low when I logged, I sure feel like I ate more, maybe I forgot something... Neck hurts a bit tonight but I think it is still slowly getting better.
...and they have a huge problem with their sewage system because so much grease goes down the drains. That's the other awful part of all you can eat: the amount of food waste it results in. Doesn't mean you can't do it on rare occasions but it really, really shouldn't be a regular thing for anyone's sake. Except people IN Vegas who are trying to gain that last little bit of weight they need to get free food at the Heart Attack Grill, I guess...
Did not know that about the Las Vegas drains... I do know many restaurants are required to have grease traps on their sewer lines, and it would make sense that Las Vegas is about as bad as it gets. Never made it to the Heart Attack Grill... just as well.
I've always preferred Indian or Asian buffets because of this, but even they can have sugary junk food in them. It's so weird how cheap food is usually bad for you. So backwards!
I think low quality fats and sugars are about the cheapest calories. Maybe throw starch into the mix too...
we just watched the first episode of a new series on the war in Europe on Netflix "All the Light We Cannot See." It is wonderful so far.
We just finished it. I won't say much, see how you like it by the end.
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It was a good day, I ate relatively well, did more work around the house and yard and feel good tonight. My neck and shoulders hurt after a bit of activity, but I think a little less all the time.
Oh dear I just googled that place...certainly not somewhere i would want to visit!
I actually might one day just to see it, probably not to eat. I doubt they have a light salad. It first opened in Phoenix, and a friend of mine tried to take me there one night but we couldn't find it. Then it moved to Las Vegas, fits in better. This is a bit old, now they have a 20,000 calorie burger...
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Ugh, that Heart Attack Grill is repulsive. I really dislike when people sell things that are bad for you and they relish how bad what they are doing is. It's like celebrating addiction and ignorance. So glad your neck is starting to feel better!
 
Honestly I don't hate the Heart Attack Grill concept. Yes, it's gross, but really they're just being clearer about what they're doing than other huge-portions/no-nutrition-beyond-macros restaurants. Which is all fast food plus most other restaurants.
 
t was a good day, I ate relatively well, did more work around the house and yard and feel good tonight. My neck and shoulders hurt after a bit of activity, but I think a little less all the time.
That's great to hear you are able to do more and more with less pain Rob!
 
Ugh, that Heart Attack Grill is repulsive. I really dislike when people sell things that are bad for you and they relish how bad what they are doing is. It's like celebrating addiction and ignorance. So glad your neck is starting to feel better!
I agree with Marsia here. I couldn't even watch the video about it. Gross.
Glad you're starting to come right, Rob but wish you would take it easy for a while.
 
Well I binged yesterday, no record of it, but a binge. Too much chocolate and cookies, not my worst binge but one none the less.

Today was better, big lunch but back on track.

Went to the Dr for my neck surgery follow up and got mostly good news. Everything seems to be healing as it should be, and I can do more now. Lift a bit more weight, up to 10 to 15 lbs from a previous 5 lb limit. And I am going to go back to the gym in the morning with Dr's blessing, but will have to be careful. Low weights and lots of reps, no situps or other things that require a lot of neck muscle. It will be at least another month before I can try to start getting back to what I was doing before. Oh, and I can drive now, no restrictions, good news!

Also got a prescription for PT, but not sure how soon I can get an appointment to start. They gave me an appointment for the 30th, but the receptionist said she would call as soon as they got a cancellation, done that before and I am pretty sure I can start sooner. The therapist I really liked is back, after her maternity leave, saw her and she showed me pictures of the new baby. I'm thinking she may help with getting me on the schedule.
So glad your neck is starting to feel better!
Thanks Marsia, it is, but the Dr says it could be several more weeks before it stops hurting.
That's great to hear you are able to do more and more with less pain Rob!
Thanks Liza, it is a slow process, but Dr says that's to be expected.
Glad you're starting to come right, Rob but wish you would take it easy for a while.
Thanks Cate, and I will just slowly work my way back into the gym routine, kind of resolved to that now. This is very different from the knee experience where I was encouraged to do all I could do and stand the pain. I was back in the gym one week after knee surgery. This time there are things I can't do that don't hurt too much, and it will have been 2 1/2 weeks away from the gym. And this time I think getting back into it will take longer. But it is what it is, I don't want to reverse any of the surgical things...
Ugh, that Heart Attack Grill is repulsive.
Honestly I don't hate the Heart Attack Grill concept. Yes, it's gross, but really they're just being clearer about what they're doing than other huge-portions/no-nutrition-beyond-macros restaurants. Which is all fast food plus most other restaurants.
I agree with Marsia here. I couldn't even watch the video about it. Gross.
The video and the place is gross, no doubt. That is what has made them famous, and a lot of money.

I tend to agree with Llama, they are just more honest about what they are selling than many other fast food places. I saw a video where the owner showed off a bag of ashes, cremains, of man who actually died of a heart attack while eating in the restaurant. It is kept in a display case for all too see. He challenged McDonalds, Burger King, and KFC to show their ashes, a valid point.

He also spoke about two other patrons who had heart attacks in his place, and survived. He said both went on to heathier diets and healthier lives as a result. He said he was happy to lose their business.
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I'm glad you are taking it easy and slowly working back to your prior strength. I hate when I can't get physical strength training in and then lose muscle, but I bet you'll get it back way faster than how long it took to build it up the first time!

That is bizarre about displaying the ashes of a prior customer. I guess honest advertising celebrating unhealthy living is maybe better than not mentioning how bad foods are for you. My mom used to buy discounted birthday cakes and eat them in a couple of days and laugh at how bad they were for her. I am touchy on the "forbidden sin" topic as she got dementia, which they are now calling type 3 diabetes. It makes me really uncomfortable when people celebrate things that are horribly bad for them.

Anyway, I hope you can get an earlier PT apt and that it really helps your neck feel better!
 
I'm glad you're being so sensible about getting back into your exercise regime. Being sensible is tough!
 
Nice that the healing is all coming along nicely! And that you can slowly start getting back to the gym!
 
Back after a couple of binge days. No binge yesterday or today, so back on track. I've been back to the gym, 2 1/2 hours today, but the mildest workout possible. I am trying not to over do things or even get close. Dr restricted what I can do a lot and I am trying to follow instructions. Not real good exercise, but better than not doing it, and its keeping my muscles moving a bit.
I'm glad you are taking it easy and slowly working back to your prior strength. I hate when I can't get physical strength training in and then lose muscle, but I bet you'll get it back way faster than how long it took to build it up the first time!
I am sure you are right, really doesn't bother me too much. My goal never has been to be another Arnold Schwarzenegger, but just to keep in the best shape I reasonably can. A much more achievable goal.
That is bizarre about displaying the ashes of a prior customer. I guess honest advertising celebrating unhealthy living is maybe better than not mentioning how bad foods are for you.
That's his point, he says that he does it to show people what will happen if they don't learn better eating habits. That may, in part, be true, but I suspect his primary reason is to make money. I know he has made a lot of it, not sure how much success he has really had in helping people to eat right.

Sorry about your mother, dementia is an awful thing.
I'm glad you're being so sensible about getting back into your exercise regime. Being sensible is tough!
Thanks Cate, and for me you may be right. I have never been good at moderation. This time however it's not feeling too hard.
Nice that the healing is all coming along nicely! And that you can slowly start getting back to the gym!
Thanks Liza, the healing is slow but sure, a little better every day. Feels good to be back at the gym, even if its at about half speed.
My friends visited that Heart Attack Grill place years ago. That’s interesting about the ashes!
Hey Emily, what did your friends say about it? Was it in Phoenix before they moved to Las Vegas? The ashes are a very unique thing, I hope it makes some of the patrons think about what they are doing. If they are like me I suspect they think they should start a better diet... tomorrow...

I sure feel like this calorie count is too low, I'm pretty full right now.
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That's great you are able to do half strength at the gym. Nice the binge didn't increase your appetite. :grouphug: Yes, thanks Rob. Dementia was just devastating. It's so good that while we all struggle, we all try so hard and are staying out of the realm of these awful diseases that come from being grossly overweight. I think overall we all are doing so well!!
 
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The ashes are an attention-grabbing gimmick, like the whole restaurant concept. It's clearer and more honest (for a given value of honest) than your average fast food restaurant but that doesn't mean he cares or he'd be using his money to fund veg stands in food deserts or simple cooking classes in schools.
 
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