Truffle Monster
Active member, Cyclist
You’re absolutely right there. A good workout releases all sorts of endorphins and gives you a real high. The dopamine rush IS real.
Alligatorob's Diary
- Thread starter alligatorob
- Start date
You’re absolutely right there. A good workout releases all sorts of endorphins and gives you a real high. The dopamine rush IS real.
alligatorob
Respected Member
281 down 2 more pounds this week. I am happy and surprised, after my big 4 lb loss last week I expected less.
I am now 3 months into this diet, my first post was May 15, and I'm down 39 pounds. That surprises me, I assumed that at my age, and lack of exercise I couldn't lose weight this fast. I am pleasantly surprised to be wrong. I am also surprised that I could do it without starvation, though I still have the urge to binge all too often I have learned to separate feelings of hunger from urges and I am not very hungry most of the time. My diet is a whole lot healthier than it was or probably ever has been. Even though my calories are low I eat a lot of food, replacing fat and carbs with fruit and veggies, a lot more than I have ever eaten before. I can feel the changes in my body as a result, and most of them are for the better.
I have finally gotten brave enough to start a Goodwill box with my 5 xl clothes and am mostly wearing 4 xl, still big but headed in the right direction. When I first started this I did a calculation and saw that it would probably take about 2 years to reach my goal weight, I think that is probably still about right, now down to just 1 year 9 months though. I know the weight loss will slow as I lose more, and I know from reading the diaries of others here that the last few pounds will be the hardest. But I prefer to think of this as a permanent change in my habits, not something with a goal-line and an end. I just try to focus on what I do today and not look too far ahead.
I know I need to figure out some kind of exercise that I can do and stick to. That has always been a problem for me, going back a long ways, I have never liked any kind of planned or organized sport or exercise. There have been times in my life when I did exercise, long ago I ran and worked out in a gym, but to be honest I never enjoyed it. The exercise I have been able to do most consistently was physical labor building and making things, hiking, hunting that kind of thing. I still do some of the physical labor of building and yard work, but not enough to count as much exercise any more. Now I am less able to exercise, 66 years of being obese has taken its toll on my knees and feet, though they are working a little better as I lose weight. So my options are a bit more limited. I have been thinking about trying bicycling, that is something I do remember liking long ago, and its not so hard on the feet and knees. I've been researching bikes to see what would work for me, and I've been talking to my wife about joining me. I have also been driving some of the back roads in the area to look for safe and interesting places to go, This is not the ideal place to cycle, the main roads are very busy and the secondary highways are pretty narrow. That leaves the dirt farm roads and the new residential subdivision roads, which are where I have been looking. It is also pretty hilly here, not many long flat stretches of road. Anyway for now I am happy losing weight, if I keep thinking about it I am sure I'll find some form of exercise I can like.
This place has been a big help, I know I could not have found the path I am on without all the good advice I've gotten here, it is all appreciated. And being able to see role models who have lost weight and kept it off is a big help. It also helps me to see others struggling, like I am and to talk with them about what may or may not work. The biggest benefit for me though is the support and having a group of folks, a team as Frank M puts it, who understand the problem and provide a lot of positive support, that is great! I also like to think I help people from time to time, it will be a while before I can see myself as any kind of role model, 3 months and 39 pounds may be a start, but that's all it is. Maybe that's why I always try to respond to the newcomers, they are people with less experience than I who might be able to benefit from what I have to say.
Anyway my posts are probably getting too long and introspective!
I am now 3 months into this diet, my first post was May 15, and I'm down 39 pounds. That surprises me, I assumed that at my age, and lack of exercise I couldn't lose weight this fast. I am pleasantly surprised to be wrong. I am also surprised that I could do it without starvation, though I still have the urge to binge all too often I have learned to separate feelings of hunger from urges and I am not very hungry most of the time. My diet is a whole lot healthier than it was or probably ever has been. Even though my calories are low I eat a lot of food, replacing fat and carbs with fruit and veggies, a lot more than I have ever eaten before. I can feel the changes in my body as a result, and most of them are for the better.
I have finally gotten brave enough to start a Goodwill box with my 5 xl clothes and am mostly wearing 4 xl, still big but headed in the right direction. When I first started this I did a calculation and saw that it would probably take about 2 years to reach my goal weight, I think that is probably still about right, now down to just 1 year 9 months though. I know the weight loss will slow as I lose more, and I know from reading the diaries of others here that the last few pounds will be the hardest. But I prefer to think of this as a permanent change in my habits, not something with a goal-line and an end. I just try to focus on what I do today and not look too far ahead.
I know I need to figure out some kind of exercise that I can do and stick to. That has always been a problem for me, going back a long ways, I have never liked any kind of planned or organized sport or exercise. There have been times in my life when I did exercise, long ago I ran and worked out in a gym, but to be honest I never enjoyed it. The exercise I have been able to do most consistently was physical labor building and making things, hiking, hunting that kind of thing. I still do some of the physical labor of building and yard work, but not enough to count as much exercise any more. Now I am less able to exercise, 66 years of being obese has taken its toll on my knees and feet, though they are working a little better as I lose weight. So my options are a bit more limited. I have been thinking about trying bicycling, that is something I do remember liking long ago, and its not so hard on the feet and knees. I've been researching bikes to see what would work for me, and I've been talking to my wife about joining me. I have also been driving some of the back roads in the area to look for safe and interesting places to go, This is not the ideal place to cycle, the main roads are very busy and the secondary highways are pretty narrow. That leaves the dirt farm roads and the new residential subdivision roads, which are where I have been looking. It is also pretty hilly here, not many long flat stretches of road. Anyway for now I am happy losing weight, if I keep thinking about it I am sure I'll find some form of exercise I can like.
This place has been a big help, I know I could not have found the path I am on without all the good advice I've gotten here, it is all appreciated. And being able to see role models who have lost weight and kept it off is a big help. It also helps me to see others struggling, like I am and to talk with them about what may or may not work. The biggest benefit for me though is the support and having a group of folks, a team as Frank M puts it, who understand the problem and provide a lot of positive support, that is great! I also like to think I help people from time to time, it will be a while before I can see myself as any kind of role model, 3 months and 39 pounds may be a start, but that's all it is. Maybe that's why I always try to respond to the newcomers, they are people with less experience than I who might be able to benefit from what I have to say.
Anyway my posts are probably getting too long and introspective!
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Biking sounds really good - my daughter has knees that bother her and biking and swimming are the exercises that don't bother her knees. I don't know if you can get too introspective on this forum - for me all the great support and taking the time to introspect are the best things about coming here!
overlandflyer
Well-known member
re: biking.... hope this doesn't sound too weird, but i would often do laps throughout a local cemetery. nice gentle hills, no traffic to speak of, and quite peaceful. i can still picture the tombstone of a James Kirk (no T, darn it...!) i used to pass by... not only for the name, ...but because i noticed he was born the same year i was. one thing about a situation inspiring deep thought... it make the time (you exercise) seemingly whiz by.
Same in German but in Austria it´s Melanzani, which I guess is the Italian word (aubergine being French).
I started quoting the bits of your last post I loved and wanted to react to but there are so many! I love that you´re starting to get rid of your largest size clothes and getting comfortable with the idea of exercise, even if it´s still a future thing. I love that you´ve reached a point where you can look back and see how much you´ve already done. I LOVE that you´ve found a method that works for you, even if it´s sometimes hard, and which you can imagine sticking with forever. And this part I do need to quote:
Yes! So much! And sometimes also people who´ve been around here a long time
You are such an asset to this forum.
Cate
Long term member
Rob, 
with all of the above. You are a great asset to the forum as you are so encouraging & also obviously a genuinely good person. When I first started in the forum I noticed that as soon as people got to their GW they dropped out & no-one was left with much experience so I promised to stay when I did get there. Now, it's an integral part of my life.
Just an idea, but are you able to buy a simple exercise bike(you call them stationary bikes) to start off with, to get your legs used to cycling? I have a very simple York bike. So many people buy them & then sell them cheaply. I keep going back to mine. I have it go freely, without much resistance, get up to about 30 kmp & then read. Mine's in our living room but partially hidden by a stone wall. It faces a window with a nice view.
with all of the above. You are a great asset to the forum as you are so encouraging & also obviously a genuinely good person. When I first started in the forum I noticed that as soon as people got to their GW they dropped out & no-one was left with much experience so I promised to stay when I did get there. Now, it's an integral part of my life. I agree with Marsia. You could write in a paper diary, but you would not get the feedback that you get here. Often by the time I have finished typing It has helped me decide something. I used to delete a lot of stuff, but now I don't. It's really good therapy.
Just an idea, but are you able to buy a simple exercise bike(you call them stationary bikes) to start off with, to get your legs used to cycling? I have a very simple York bike. So many people buy them & then sell them cheaply. I keep going back to mine. I have it go freely, without much resistance, get up to about 30 kmp & then read. Mine's in our living room but partially hidden by a stone wall. It faces a window with a nice view.
Truffle Monster
Active member, Cyclist
WOW! Huge congratulations rob! Well done.
You have done amazingly well. I’m very impressed!
You have done amazingly well. I’m very impressed!
Re introspection, that's what I like about this forum. I do a lot of it but what I post is the crux of many of my struggles during this process. I can recall feeling lost on previous weight loss attempts but I'm in a much better position mentally at this stage in the process now because of the encouragement and helpful information others share. I feel better prepared for when I reach my GW. I've always had difficulty being social and finding the words but it's great to see your ability and support of others. It helps me.
Congrats on the additional 2 pounds!
Congrats on the additional 2 pounds!
alligatorob
Respected Member
The tomato sauce season is upon us. My wife made the first batch yesterday with excess tomatoes from our garden. Today we went and picked up a bunch off the ground from the farmer's field next door. He can't sell anything that hits the ground so we are free to take what we want, most of them are damaged in some way, but on average about half the fruit is usable and makes great tomato sauce. We boil it down and then freeze most of it, we get a lot of our tomato sauce this way. The tomato sauce I had on my eggplant at dinner was still hot from the first batch when my wife put it on. I have to admit I use the term we here kind of liberally, my wife does most of the work, I mostly supervise and encourage. My role is more on the consuming end.
I want to thank y'all for your kind words, they were just what I needed. I tried to get around to everyone's diary as a bit of a response, still have a few to do.
Wednesday
breakfast yogurt 80
cereal 100
snack
jerky 20
lunch
yogurt 80
cereal 100
strawberries 54
snack
jerky 20
strawberries 54
dinner - eggplant thing
eggplant from our garden 40
homemade tomato sauce 60
cheese 226
snack raspberries 90
blue cheese 117
total calories 1,041
King David was born in 1041 BC, or some claim he was anyway. David was, of course an important figure in the Torah Bible and Quran, important in 3 major religions. Best known for killing the giant Goliath, conquering Jerusalem, and then having an affair with Bathsheba and having her husband killed. An interesting character.
I am no religious scholar but what strikes me is how much Christians have in common with not only Jews, but Muslims. Jesus is the second most important prophet in Islam and the person most mentioned in the Quran. His mother Mary is the only woman named in the Quran; "O Mary, God has chosen you, and purified you; He has chosen you above all the women of creation". Makes you wonder why we can't get along better. I know but a few Muslims, however I know lots of Christians and particularly some of the people I grew up with in the Bible Belt south do not think much of Muslims, and I sure don't know why. I don't think most of them have even ever met a Muslim. A couple of years ago I ran into my best friend from high school, a very smart guy. When he started saying derogatory things about Muslims I tried to tell him about some of the people I met when working in Saudi and Kuwait, but he'd have none of it. I just don't understand the problem. Enough of politics and religion for one post.
I want to thank y'all for your kind words, they were just what I needed. I tried to get around to everyone's diary as a bit of a response, still have a few to do.
Wednesday
breakfast yogurt 80
cereal 100
snack
jerky 20
lunch
yogurt 80
cereal 100
strawberries 54
snack
jerky 20
strawberries 54
dinner - eggplant thing
eggplant from our garden 40
homemade tomato sauce 60
cheese 226
snack raspberries 90
blue cheese 117
total calories 1,041
King David was born in 1041 BC, or some claim he was anyway. David was, of course an important figure in the Torah Bible and Quran, important in 3 major religions. Best known for killing the giant Goliath, conquering Jerusalem, and then having an affair with Bathsheba and having her husband killed. An interesting character.
I am no religious scholar but what strikes me is how much Christians have in common with not only Jews, but Muslims. Jesus is the second most important prophet in Islam and the person most mentioned in the Quran. His mother Mary is the only woman named in the Quran; "O Mary, God has chosen you, and purified you; He has chosen you above all the women of creation". Makes you wonder why we can't get along better. I know but a few Muslims, however I know lots of Christians and particularly some of the people I grew up with in the Bible Belt south do not think much of Muslims, and I sure don't know why. I don't think most of them have even ever met a Muslim. A couple of years ago I ran into my best friend from high school, a very smart guy. When he started saying derogatory things about Muslims I tried to tell him about some of the people I met when working in Saudi and Kuwait, but he'd have none of it. I just don't understand the problem. Enough of politics and religion for one post.
Cate
Long term member
with you whole-heartedly about not understanding the anti-Muslim sentiment (or the Palestine/Jewish situation etc). It seems so illogical when you hear it from someone who is seemingly intelligent. I think most religious biases & racism is fuelled by all the fear-mongering in the tabloids, on TV and/or by politicians. People fear the things they don't understand.
Petal001
New member
I have a Muslim friend and when we first knew each other he kept it hidden . His wife is very much a practicing Muslim him not so much . Think he was wary working in a Christian country that the stigma would affect him. Sad really . Tbh I envy they way their family live in a way , a big family and they look out for every single person no matter how distantly related they are and they help those that are struggling . The returned to their own country once they had a family . Think it was easier for them . Their Christmas updates are so vibrant and colourful.
Anyway I digressed a bit there .
Rob your dinner sounds delicious , very Italian . Sounds a bit like a Greek dish too the English call lady's slipper . Not sure if that's right I may check it later
Anyway I digressed a bit there .
Rob your dinner sounds delicious , very Italian . Sounds a bit like a Greek dish too the English call lady's slipper . Not sure if that's right I may check it later
alligatorob
Respected Member
That is very true, probably a part of human nature. I grew up in the US segregated south and learned lots of prejudices as a kid, it took getting out and meeting people to see how silly they were. One I remember well has to do with Jews, as a kid I thought Jew was just a slur to describe a bad person, I did not even realize they were a separate race or religion. When I was about 15 I was with a friend and I said some disparaging things about Jews then he said hey I'm a Jew. I was pretty embarrassed and got a quick education, that's something I will never forget. We did remain friends. After that I took some effort to learn who and what Jews really were. I think we all learn our bigotry and prejudices, as you say mostly for people or things we don't understand. For me it often takes meeting the victims of those prejudices to really understand how wrong they are.
Truffle Monster
Active member, Cyclist
really gives you something to think about that’s for sure.
We really have no idea about anything outside of our own world.
I spent some time working for a less than reputable small loan company as a finance manager and really saw a completely different sub culture of people pretty much hidden in plain sight in my world. I couldn’t morally keep doing the job but I’m very grateful for the opportunity to learn; especially about how other people live. It made me a lot less judgemental of people on welfare. There are SOME bludgers and people who just take advantage but it’s incredible how many hoops the genuine ones have to jump through.
On the religious front; I’m proudly and steadfastly catholic and I feel genuinely sorry for Muslims. I think it takes great strength these days to say you’re Muslim (sad).
I often ask “christians” who speak negatively about Muslims and call them terrorists etc if they know what the crusades were. Most look at you with a completely blank face (sad again - what do people learn in school these days). The way I see it everything goes full circle eventually. Radical christians tried to defeat Muslims in war and now radical Muslims are trying to beat christians (or more accurately westerners) in war.
There’s a lot of misplaced hate in today’s world but what’s worse is the number of desensitised slack jaws that see evil and do nothing. That’s where evil gets its power.
We really have no idea about anything outside of our own world.
I spent some time working for a less than reputable small loan company as a finance manager and really saw a completely different sub culture of people pretty much hidden in plain sight in my world. I couldn’t morally keep doing the job but I’m very grateful for the opportunity to learn; especially about how other people live. It made me a lot less judgemental of people on welfare. There are SOME bludgers and people who just take advantage but it’s incredible how many hoops the genuine ones have to jump through.
On the religious front; I’m proudly and steadfastly catholic and I feel genuinely sorry for Muslims. I think it takes great strength these days to say you’re Muslim (sad).
I often ask “christians” who speak negatively about Muslims and call them terrorists etc if they know what the crusades were. Most look at you with a completely blank face (sad again - what do people learn in school these days). The way I see it everything goes full circle eventually. Radical christians tried to defeat Muslims in war and now radical Muslims are trying to beat christians (or more accurately westerners) in war.
There’s a lot of misplaced hate in today’s world but what’s worse is the number of desensitised slack jaws that see evil and do nothing. That’s where evil gets its power.
davisgirl
New member
Just getting caught up Rob, CONGRATULATIONS on 2 more pounds! 39 pounds in 3 months is amazing, truly. Inspirational!
I love your exercise idea. Biking sounds like a good start, I bet you could pick up a used stationary bike cheaply and put quite a few miles on that. Walking is always good too. I find being outside so much more enjoyable to anything done on a treadmill or exercise bike though. It doesn’t feel like work as much.
My take on recent religious strife is the focus on extremism. I think you can probably take any major religion and find the folks practicing their brand of it that are downright dangerous. When the focus is on the “lunatic fringe “ (damn always loved that tune), then the whole group gets dragged down and I believe this is largely what happened with Muslims. Plus the whole fgm thing is a big downer for me.
I love your exercise idea. Biking sounds like a good start, I bet you could pick up a used stationary bike cheaply and put quite a few miles on that. Walking is always good too. I find being outside so much more enjoyable to anything done on a treadmill or exercise bike though. It doesn’t feel like work as much.
My take on recent religious strife is the focus on extremism. I think you can probably take any major religion and find the folks practicing their brand of it that are downright dangerous. When the focus is on the “lunatic fringe “ (damn always loved that tune), then the whole group gets dragged down and I believe this is largely what happened with Muslims. Plus the whole fgm thing is a big downer for me.
alligatorob
Respected Member
And you should be proud, despite my ranting and raving I think on balance organized religions have been and are very good for society. And the Catholic Church has been a very important one. I am particularly encouraged to hear you acknowledge the misadventures of the Crusades, a mostly Catholic thing. Recognizing these problems and changing makes religions even stronger. Your analogy between the Crusades and the problems with extremest Muslims is interesting. A lot of historians will tell you the first anti-Christian Muslim jihad was the organized defense that eventually drove the Crusaders out. A difference today is that I think a much much smaller percentage of Muslims support the current war on the west than supported the original anti-Crusader jihad.
I am a not so religious person raised as a Protestant, a Methodist, I do still identify as Christian. We are not without sin either, for example the KKK claims to be a Christian organization, originally Protestant, though I would not call them either. And my wife, who does still attend Church from time to time, recently changed to Presbyterian because of some of the things the Methodist Church has done regarding LBGT issues. I just hope we keep changing for the better.
alligatorob
Respected Member
It was a good day, I ate well and feel good. I did have to battle cravings a bit in the afternoon, but not so bad as other days.
I ate the first peach of the season! I picked up several from the ground, the ripest are most likely to fall off. I tired them all and only the last one was edible. Not nearly so good as they'll be in a week, but good.
Wednesday
breakfast
yogurt 80
cereal 100
grapes 42
snack
2 mandarin oranges 92
lunch
yogurt 80
cereal 200
the first peach! 59
mandarin orange 46
snack pluton (plum/apricot hybrid) 40
dinner veggie stew with some bacon
okra 13
corn 46
yellow squash 13
onion 9
tomatoes 38
banana peppers 19
bacon 138
snack
pluton (plum/apricot hybrid) 40
cheese 80
total calories 1,135
I have been doing too much ranting here and it was set off in part from my search for historic events. It seems most of what is recorded in history is related to wars, battles, assassinations, etc. So to avoid that tonight, I looked up the number 1135 and found it has an "Angel Number" meaning, I have never heard of Angel numbers before but here it is:
The message, encoded in number 1135 relates to the field of money and personal development and says that It is possible that the very first step you take in the direction of your personal growth will open the way to big money for you. The door that you have not noticed before will turn out to be unlocked the very moment your interest in material goods is replaced by an interest in your own self. It makes sense to continue self-improvement.
Not sure that has a lot of meaning in my life, I am in the process of retiring so for me the money is about as big as its going to get. The thing about an unlocked door may be more for me, I'll have to think about it.
I ate the first peach of the season! I picked up several from the ground, the ripest are most likely to fall off. I tired them all and only the last one was edible. Not nearly so good as they'll be in a week, but good.
Wednesday
breakfast
yogurt 80
cereal 100
grapes 42
snack
2 mandarin oranges 92
lunch
yogurt 80
cereal 200
the first peach! 59
mandarin orange 46
snack pluton (plum/apricot hybrid) 40
dinner veggie stew with some bacon
okra 13
corn 46
yellow squash 13
onion 9
tomatoes 38
banana peppers 19
bacon 138
snack
pluton (plum/apricot hybrid) 40
cheese 80
total calories 1,135
I have been doing too much ranting here and it was set off in part from my search for historic events. It seems most of what is recorded in history is related to wars, battles, assassinations, etc. So to avoid that tonight, I looked up the number 1135 and found it has an "Angel Number" meaning, I have never heard of Angel numbers before but here it is:
The message, encoded in number 1135 relates to the field of money and personal development and says that It is possible that the very first step you take in the direction of your personal growth will open the way to big money for you. The door that you have not noticed before will turn out to be unlocked the very moment your interest in material goods is replaced by an interest in your own self. It makes sense to continue self-improvement.
Not sure that has a lot of meaning in my life, I am in the process of retiring so for me the money is about as big as its going to get. The thing about an unlocked door may be more for me, I'll have to think about it.
Petal001
New member
Rob that's a great diet day and nice to see you eating well . Have you noticed your increase in lots of filling fruit and veg from when you first wrote .
I get afternoon cravings too . Yesterday I got some lovely Greek 0% fat yoghurt added a level tsp of honey and blueberries. It was absolutely divine. Think it's going to be my new go to treat for awhile .
Never heard of angel numbers . Interesting
I get afternoon cravings too . Yesterday I got some lovely Greek 0% fat yoghurt added a level tsp of honey and blueberries. It was absolutely divine. Think it's going to be my new go to treat for awhile .
Never heard of angel numbers . Interesting