SakanaUshi's Diary

I'm reading "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan right now, and it has me inspired to cut out processed foods almost entirely. I already cook from scratch most of the time, so it's not a huge step. But I'm going to completely avoid artificial sweeteners, which is different. Also, you'd be surprised about some of the "foods" with ridiculous ingredient lists at the supermarket. Like, it took me awhile to find a loaf of bread that wasn't full of odd chemicals and unpronounceable ingredients. So sad.

Anyway, water intake today was good. I've had at least 5 of my 6 pints of water, and I'm thirsty for another now, so I'll definitely drink my goal today.

Also, I poured out my diet soda and I'm not making any more sugar-free kool-aid or crystal light or anything like that.

Dinner was some Cajun catfish, roasted onions, and broccoli. I'm trying to eat more fish and less other meat. Also, I'm trying to eat loads of veggies. Of course, this isn't really about craving avoidance or anything, since I plan the meals in advance for each week. I just planned three fish-based meals and a couple vegetarian meals... and one meat loaf. *shrug* It's not too bad... it was in Cooking Light.

Anywho, I'm feeling a little better. I did backslide a bit on the scale (up to 308lb), so my easily-obtainable goal of 300 by Memorial Day probably shouldn't happen (it wouldn't be healthy). Oh well. Let's do 300 by my sister's wedding--in the end of June.
 
Michael Pollan is cool. The Omnivore's Dilemma was also good.

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

I'm having trouble with the 'mostly plants' part. :)
 
It's always a tough one. As you said, if the entire story was about calories then very few people would be fat, but there's also the "why" aspect and a lot (most?) people that are overweight do have some form of "issues"/habits/views/whatever on eating that can hinder them.

After saying that, I do think you can over-think things and spend time looking for stuff that either isn't there or isn't really relevant or even make something that IS an issue bigger than necessary. Everything we do/think/feel can be traced back to nature and/or nurture. But that doesn't always mean that in order to change something we always have to first tackle the origins of that something.

A leads to B. To change B you could first change A. Or change B directly which will often change A. A to B is a two way street. It's rarely as simple as a one-way cause and effect situation.

About the discipline/willpower thing. Take your perceived lack of these, multiple it by a factor of 100 and you'll see me. If losing weight was totally dependent on discipline, then I would have been out of here weeks ago. What is working for me I guess is that after doing this for a few weeks and seeing some small changes, eating well and going for my walks makes me much happier than overeating. Apart from the odd time where I crave something and have to focus to not eat it, it's not a struggle for me anymore. Simply because the reward I get from doing this (feeling good that I'm doing it) far outweighs any good feeling from bad eating.

So discipline, while one may need to rely on it at the start, becomes pretty much a none issue once you get into your stride and realize that whatever kick you got from food is outshone by the kick you get from "being healthy". Add weight loss to that and you're on to a winner. Lack of discipline, imho, is not going lead you to failure.
 
Hey Sak,

Kudos for cutting out the diet soda and artificial sweeteners. I won't touch 'em.

As Michael Pollan says - If your great-grandmother wouldn't recognise it as food - it isn't food.
 
Exactly. I feel so much better (psychologically) cutting out all that junk. I'm sure I'll even feel it physically soon.

I wish I could go for walks. Unfortunately, going for a walk in Vegas at any time other than maybe just before sunrise is pretty much deadly between May and October. :S Well, anything long enough to do much good. I can walk to the store any day, cuz it's only a 5 minutes walk.
 
It's a Christmas miracle, children. I weighed myself yesterday, and I was only 302. Then I weighed myself again today, and I was STILL only 302! So it wasn't just a fluke!

Basically, all my slippage seems to have not affected me all that much. Well, I guess that what it really comes down to is that I didn't really slip that much.

See, I stopped exercising very much, but I was still making good food choices over all. So, while my pace slowed and practically stalled, I didn't actually lose ground. When I weighed in at 308 or whatever, that must have been a "full" moment where I was still carrying a lot of food, water, or whatever. Or maybe I was wearing more clothes than usual.

Anyway, I'm extra specially inspired to keep at it now. I really should work out tonight... we'll see if that happens.
 
I need new shoes.

I didn't have as much of a problem before... my shoes were too small, but I dealt with it. When I'm not exercising, I just wear sandals, so that's fine.

Then I stubbed my pinky toe really hard and tore up the nail a bit.

Now I can't wear my too-small sneakers. Why are my shoes too small? Well, I wear 14's (US) for starters. Try finding a pair of 14s that aren't basketball shoes in any store that doesn't only sell shoes. Now try finding a pair that isn't too expensive in any store.

I might have to get some new shoes anyway now, cost be damned. I can't handle the smushed toes anymore. I've been looking online, and I think I can get the shoes I want for about $60, which isn't too bad at all. Free shipping and returns, even. Now I just need to clear it with the wife. *Crosses fingers*
 
I just got back from a shoe-shopping trip. I spent $180.00 on a good pair of shoes that are designed for my feet and gait.

Expensive, but given that walking is my primary form of exercise, and also that I need my feet for the rest of my life, I decided it was worth the cost.
 
i hope we didn't lose you, but if we did, come and say your goodbyes so we can convince you to stay, or at least we don't have to wonder what ever happened too. I understand that we need to do this when we are ready, and when you find that time and place in your life when youa re, we'll still be here in one form or another to support you. Good luck to you in whatever decision you make. Also no worries about it. I took me 2 years to get to this point. it doesn't happen over night.

If you just out of town, this disregard that first part. lol I know you said you were waivering so just sending out a little hope you come back.
 
He sent me a pm on May 31 saying that he was holding the line but that he had lost steam.

Sak, I hope we see you around here again.
 
Yay!

I am victorious!

No, not on the whole weight-loss thing. I'm as heavy as I've ever been now (325lb).

I'm talking about logging in!

The stupid thing wouldn't take my old password, so I had to reset it, and then it wouldn't take the password it had just sent to me.

Anyway, long story short, I succeeded! Login accomplished!

A little update as long as I'm here.

We moved. Not far, but we moved. Same apartment complex, even. :p

I gained back the little weight I lost. I'm kinda struggling with things, but I'm starting to see a therapist, and I've taken up disc golf. It's not the most demanding sport, but it's at least some walking, or even jogging if I'm in a hurry. ;)

I'm trying to get ready to tackle this thing once and for all, and getting back on here was the first step.

So, no goodbyes. I'm hopefully back now for good. :D
 
I figured that starting the week of Thanksgiving is a bad way to go. I know that I'm gonna have to deal with the holidays for the rest of my life if I want to be thinner, but that's a hard way to start.

So, I didn't. I enjoyed the holidays, and I tried not to overindulge on my delicious brined turkey. And now I'm using the leftovers for healthy alternatives like turkey soup (with the fat removed from the stock).

I just ordered a new pair of shoes online. They should arrive within a week. They aren't necessarily the best, but they'll at least be the right size. :)

I'll go ahead and weigh-in and bust out a tape measure tomorrow and see what I've got to work with.

Oh, and I went and played disc golf today. That means a mile of walking, a bit of jogging, and a bit more exercise on top of that. I even got some pointers to improve my game. :hurray:
 
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