Bert's Weight Loss Diary

Originally Posted by bertjo44


Well, I’m not sure how common this is but this is my first post in almost 3 years. I don’t remember specifically why I stopped, though I’m sure it was because I failed once again. I have checked in and read other’s post from time to time. I decided to post again because I feel I have finally beaten my battle with being overweight, not that I’m all the way there but this time just feels different and I wanted to share what I’ve been doing. Also, I have been feeling temptations the last couple of weeks and thought getting re-involved in the forum would be good for support.



Back in February of this year I went to the Dr. and weighed 326 lbs (highest had actually been 330). I was on BP and Cholesterol medicine, was having foot pain, knee pain and had hemorrhoids. Well that weekend I went out with my in-laws for dinner and had a huge plate of fried seafood. I then had what I felt like was a flare up of gout. I just felt like my body was breaking down at only 38 years old. I decided to change once and for all. I started eating better and scouring the internet. I found a book called ‘Eat to Live’ by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. On one hand it’s not ground breaking but the way he presents it and with the scientific studies to back it up it just made so much sense. Basically you are to get 90% of your calories from nutrient dense food (he developed a nutrient density chart). So in essence nothing is off limits (after the 1st six weeks) as long as it is in moderation. The really cool thing is he doesn’t really promote it as a weight loss program, it is meant to protect or even cure diseases and ailments, weight loss just happens to be a great side effect.



Six months later I have lost 68 lbs, have no foot or knee pain, no hemorrhoids and stopped taking both medications. I actually went to the Dr. today for the first time and BP was good, still waiting on test results for cholesterol. I lost 6 lbs this week, which was my 26 week. There have been very few times when I was really hungry (I have fasted a couple of times) because you can pretty much have as much salad, veggies and fruit as you want. I haven’t been strict to the 90% rule but Dr. Fuhrman even says in his book if you are getting 60% or 70% from nutrient dense foods you are doing much better than the average American. I have been exercising some too. I started out just walking, and then started doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. In the past month I have started running and hiking some. On Sunday I did an 8.4 mile hike and climbed over 1700 feet which was tough but felt like a great accomplishment for someone who was considered ‘morbidly obese’ six month ago.



Anyway, I know that is a lot but I just wanted to share.
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Heeeeeeeey!! Welcome back to the forum. I really enjoyed your last post, its so cool to hear an after story from this site!! That book defo worked for you:) I think everyone has to find what works for them in terms of losing weight!! Mine is counting calories in my Food diary notebook and also this forum.


Congrats on losing 68 pounds that is craaaaaaazy amount of weight. You should be so proud of yourself. Its great that your health has improved greatly.


Well done also on the 8.4 mile hike!!


All the best!
 
Hi IrishPrincess,


Thanks for the nice comments. Looks like your off to a very good start as well. I will stop by your diary.


Well, not the best weekend eating wise, not terrible though. I have been allowing myself to enjoy the weekends a little more. One thing I have really tried to make an effort on this time is not being too hard on myself. I know I love food, so to think I can be even close perfect for the rest of my life is not realistic. I really like that concept the more I get comfortable with it bc I can still enjoy food but not let it dictate my life. I just have to be careful as I don't want to fall back into my old habits as in the past.


I finished my 48 hour fast and had oatmeal with dried cranberries Friday morning. For lunch I tried the new Oven Crisp Chicken from Subway with pepper jack cheese lots of veggies and honey mustard. I had switched to 6" subs (as I used to always order 12" or whatever the largest was) but I was so hungry from fasting I had the 12". Then for dinner I had Hibachi chicken and scallops w/ mushrooms and carrots and rice and my wife and I split a California roll (I love sushi).


Saturday I had Oatmeal with dried cranberries again for breakfast. Lunch was a bowl of kidney beans with diced onion & tomato, salsa and vinegar (beans are a very big part of my diet as they are low fat and high fiber). About 4:00 I had a turkey sandwich on whole wheat with fresh sliced tomato. Then came the sabotage. We were going to watch my cousins' children while they went out, so he brought pizza for all the kids. Well, he brought 3 large pizzas which the kids couldn't finish so I ended up eating 3 slices of pepperoni pizza. I worked in the yard for about 1.5 hrs for exercise.


Sunday morning I went for a run. This felt good as I finished by going up a pretty steep hiking trail. I probably ran about 100 yds up then walked the rest of the way. I can really feel it in my hamstrings. Then for breakfast I again had oatmeal with dried cranberries and dried mango. Then for lunch another challenge. We went to my in-laws for my brother-in-laws birthday. They had gotten 3 party packs of taco from Taco Bell. Fortunatley there was a veggie and a fruit platter. I filled up on fruit and veggies then had 1 soft taco, about 2 tbsp of mexican rice and about 8 Tostitos with salsa. I passed on the birthday cake and ice cream. For dinner I had a turkey sandwich on whole wheat, a dill pickle and a small handful of BBQ potato chips. This is where I have gotten a little weaker. For the first four months I didn't touch anything like potato chips.


I also had probably 3 Heinekens each day (Fri - Sun).


This morning I had 2 hard boiled eggs w/ a tsp of light mayo and 2 pieces of cantaloupe for breakfast. For lunch I packed a turkey sandwich on whole wheat and some broccoli slaw with Sesame Ginger dressing. For dinner I am planning on baked tilapia and steamed broccoli. Not sure if I'll exercise today as my legs are pretty sore from running uphill.
 
Well, been a couple of weeks since I checked in. I had a less than desireable 1 - 2 weeks and had kind of hit a plateau for a while.After almost 50 lbs in 4 months I only lost 10 lbs over about a 10 week period. I know that is still not bad but I was getting a little frustated, mainly bc I still have a ways to go. So, I committed to refocusing and changed things up a little. I starting doing low carb and combined with intermittent fasting about 2 weeks ago. While the low carb doesn't fit exactly how I want to 'Eat to Live' it isn't too much different. The main difference is I am eating a little more meat (only fish and chicken though and no beans) but still certain fruits and veggies. The change has paid dividends. I lost 9 lbs the first week and 5 lbs this weeks.bring my current weight loss to 78 lbs and a current weight of 248. This is my lowest weight since approximately 1996, so I am very excited about that. My next 'goal' is 227 which would be my lowest weight since probably my sophmore year of highschool. I have done a little fasting over the past 7 months and really find it beneficial. For those who don't know about IF (intermittent fasting) it is basically fasting for one to two 24 hour periods a week or a prolonged peroiod of 14 to 20 hours each day. I am fasting for 16 hours per day (approximately 8pm til noon the following day). Since it has been three weeks since I posted I'll just give a sample of my daily diet over that past two weeks combine with IF.


Noon - An apple, strawberries, 2 hard boiled eggs, 2 - 3 oz sliced turkey

6 - 8pm - 5 - 6 oz chicken breast (baked, grilled or boiled) w/hot sauce, steamed broccoli w/vinegar

At least 96 oz of water

1 cup hot green tea each morning (some days I have a cup of coffee in the afternoon)


I haven't been doing as good with my excercising but I have been doing and excercise video or some light jogging a couple times a week.
 
Hi Folks,


Thought I was due for another check-in. Looks like some others are having some very good successes. I have been doing okay. I have lost another 6 lbs since my last post, averaging about 1 lb /wk. While I should be happy with this I am a little dissapointed mainly due to how I have been cheating too much on weekends. I have been doing better exercising though. My work just opened a fitness center onsite, its small but I can do most of what I want. I have committed to no cheating between now and the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and a goal of losing 8 lbs (that's the day we leave for my parents for the holiday). Also, I am off the low carb for now. I am still avoiding sugary foods, potatoes, white bread, white rice and pastas but am eating some whole wheat breads (I like those Arnolds's Flat Rounds). Here is a sample of my day:


Mid Morning Snack - 2 - 3 boiled eggs, green tea

30 mins prior to workout - cup black coffee, apple

Lunch - Morningstar Burger on ww flat bread, diced cucumbers and onions in vinegar, protein shake (post workout on workout days)

Dinner - large salad, homemade pizza on whole wheat pita (sugar free marinara, low fat cheese, canadian bacon)


I've been hitting around 1500 calories a day. Lifting weights 3 times x week. Walking/jogging about 1.5 miles on non lifting days.


So, I've lost a total of 84 lbs and have about 27 to go.
 
Hey 6 pounds is still amazing, so dont be mad at yourself:) just try not to cheat on the weekends, i know its hard but you will suceed if you try hard enough


best of luck
 
Wow 84lbs is simply amazing! You're 3/4 of the way there!

I've been doing low carb, any reason you switched off of it?
 
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