August 24

 Wow, a two week absence. Yeah, that's not good news on the progress towards the interim goal.

I had a bad week and a decent week, so they pretty much cancelled each other out. That leaves me where I was two weeks ago with eight pounds to lose, but now I have less time (12 days). The truth is that if it was just about making 220 pounds by 9/5, I could probably do it, but I know I'd be back above 220 in the days to follow.

I'll push ahead in the coming days and be okay with missing by a few pounds. I'm still looking at a pretty easy 200 by the end of the year, even with the holidays coming at the end of it. In related progress, I managed to fit into my skinny shorts. They're snug, but I haven't been able to wear them for several years.

On the exercise side of things, I did air up the tires on my bicycle and took a short ride last week.That's new work for the leg muscles! As weather cools towards fall, maybe I'll get back to regular walks and an occasional bike ride. It'll will be another hot one (mid 90s) in the Ozarks today.

Be well,

John

August 10

 It's been a few days since I've posted -- so much for daily accountability! I did continue with daily food logging (except for yesterday) and kept under (barely) my target every day. Yesterday was an okay day and I'm sure I was good on the calories. I was just lazy.

I had a couple of days of light to moderate activity, still nothing in the way of regular exercise. 

A Friday night high sodium meal (and leftovers on Saturday) had me a little concerned about fluid retention for this morning's weekly weigh-in. I upped the water intake a bit yesterday to help the flushing process. This morning's number was 228, so I'm still on track -- sort of. Eight pounds to lose in 26 days.

Be well, my friends!

John

August 6

Another typical day -- good on the intake, low on the output.
The midweek scale check looks good so I'm back on the right track. I just need to get my head back into the daily walking/exercise mode.

FYI - tequila & club soda is half the calories of a bottle of craft beer.

John

August 5

Good news!

I got 10,000 steps yesterday.

Yeah, I know. It's a small thing, but it's been a little while.

It's already too late in the day to get in an early morning walk (like I did yesterday), but it's cool enough that an afternoon walk is a possibility. I'm looking forward to another good diet day and continuing in my journey towards better health.

John

August 4

I spent a little bit of time on the weight machine yesterday -- nothing structured and not for very long; just something to stimulate a few muscles. I plan on doing more of that.

Diet was better than most days. With the exception of the chocolate chip cookie bar that I ended the day with, pretty much everything else was a healthy choice. 

One day at a time.

Move a little more.

Eat a little less.

Be well,

John

August 3

It's Monday and the first weekday of August. I make the first weekday distinction as a way to excuse not getting any exercise over the first two days of the month. Of course, that implies that I'll get started today ... and, perhaps I will.

I hesitate to continue to post daily since every day's post is pretty much like the day before. Such consistency is good for steady weight loss, but not so good for interesting writing. While I do well in keeping my daily calories within the weight loss limit, there isn't anything structured or particularly healthy about it. In the past week I've had spicy Italian sausages, peach pie, ice cream, milkshakes, milk chocolate candy bars, cookies, and potato chips -- non of which would be on a real health nut's diet. Moderation is working for me.

But -- the end result has been a fairly steady weight loss. Today's weigh-in was at 230 pounds, so 220 by Sept 5 is a pretty realistic goal. 

Be well,

John

PS I've been thinking about adding variety to our diet by trying one new recipe each week. It can be a main course, side dish, or dessert. It can be for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I will try to keep the new additions to the diet to reflect a more healthy type of eating. I'll let you know how that goes.

August 2

I ate well, healthy foods (mostly). On days that I eat an earlier breakfast (like yesterday) I have to watch total intake more closely.

I managed a couple of short walks, nothing to brag about but at least it was something.

Maybe today...

Maybe not.

Be well,

John

August 1

It's August!
July wasn't a great month on the journey towards better health. It wasn't really a bad month; more like a sit and pause kind of month. Overall I made a little progress, but I've definitely used the extra days I built into setting my next interim goal.

But that's okay. I'm on it, and I'm still at a point where a pretty normal weight loss rate will work.

Yesterday was a good diet day. I had good foods and in decent portions to feel satisfied throughout the day and was still able to enjoy a beer while BBQing and some peach cobbler and ice cream for dessert and come in below my daily calorie allotment.

When I consider what I am able to consume and still lose weight, it's easy to see how our typical American diets are way too large in size and way too full of poor quality calories. Our abundance of processed foods and the availability has led us to such poor eating habits. Changing the mindset surrounding food is quite the challenge for me.

It has been an unexpected perk of the current pandemic, but eating at home has helped in this journey toward better health. Preparing real food and in healthier portions has made the journey easier. I hope that we continue in this manner long after the effects of the pandemic pass and restaurant dining returns to normal.

I'm currently down almost 40 pounds from where I was at this time a year ago; -28 pounds from this past spring. I feel pretty good. After all, better health is the goal. Lower weight is just one of the indicators.

Be well, 

John