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Week 9: Climbing Back on the Diet Wagon

Posted: 03/20/2012 8:51 am

Inspired by the very public diets of Toronto's Ford brothers -- Mayor Rob and brother Doug -- a Huffpost contributor has decided to take up their Cut the Waist challenge, and shed 30 pounds by June 18. Our contributor will weigh-in at the beginning of every week (you can read his previous entries here and here) with his progress (including a photograph of his bathroom scales that morning). He would like to be less public, however, about his identity.

You start a diet, you do moderately well, and then you completely fall off the wagon at a bar mitzvah party. By the end of the evening you find yourself up on a moral's charge involving two underage slices of cake. Worse, a week later, you learn that that one night of debauchery has cost you an entire week's worth of weight loss. Then you come to find that the Ford brothers of Toronto, your inspiration for starting this parallel public weight loss challenge, have all but given up.

You might be thinking to yourself, "Weaklings! All of 'em!" Or you might be thinking, "Man, dieting is a lot harder than I thought." The person next to you might be thinking, "Why is that person next to me trying to read my thoughts?" But if you're like me, you're thinking one thing: Squirrel!

That's because I'm using my super powers of undiagnosed attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder to my advantage. Falling off the wagon at the bar mitzvah party? A vague memory. Am I going to mope around obsessing about gaining back a week's worth of weight loss (I'm at 234.7)? What's done is done. Instead, I'm going to do what I did the day after the party debacle: run another 10K.

I ran that day. Then I ran a few days after that. My trainer, Kickass, earned her namesake last Saturday by making me do step-ups starting with one foot on the ground and the other on the base of a kickboxing ring. Pulling on the ropes I hoisted myself up four feet and stood on both feet. Then one foot went down to the ground to start anew. Twenty reps on each foot, followed by a 20 push-up chaser. Rinse and repeat.

The next day I was, as Elvis Costello once wrote, stiff as hair lacquer. I walk like a bad John Wayne impersonation now but I like the constant reminder of having taken action. I flew to Philadelphia the next day and ran another 10K. In a few weeks I have been challenged to run up and down the famous "Exorcist steps" near Georgetown University in D.C. This challenge has been issued by a certain editor at Huffpost, who is expressing dismay with my progress thus far.

I'm now more determined than ever to get this weight thing licked. I'm doubling up on exercise and next I need to super-size my efforts of eating less food. My weight loss has been moderate thus far, a healthy steady decline that experts believe is the best for long term success, but I want more. (There is improvement in related areas though. My A1C is down 0.5 and Doc is pleased with my lipids. This does not go unreciprocated; my lipids are quite fond of him too.)

So let's talk about this effort to eat less. Oatmeal is a breakfast staple (the real stuff not mampy-pampy instant) that I don't want to give up. I can do better with other carbs. The first casualty will be Milton's whole-wheat bread. I can do without. Next up, I'm not eating enough vegetables and maybe too much fruit. Doubling up on veggies and dialing down to a few fruits a day sounds like a good idea.

Also, I can't seem to remember to chug the eight glasses of water. Strictly from a logistical point-of-view, the fat's gotta leave the body somehow and all that water will help provide the vehicle. I always read that decreasing coffee will help but that's just crazy talk. I'm determined, but not homeless guy at the off-ramp desperate.

Last week I solicited input from you, dear readers, and I got a lot of good advice about how to better plan ahead for a gala. Three repeating motifs to remember: 1) drink a lot of cold water prior, 2) avoid alcohol, and 3) learn to decouple the associations of pleasure from hanging out with friends versus the accompanying food and drink. Also, it was suggested that I wear bowling shoes.

So what can you suggest now, my support system, how to notch my diet up to the next level for more dramatic weight loss?

 
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01:58 PM on 03/24/2012
I was just wondering....you say you are married. Have you ever asked your wife to be your "diet buddy"? It sounds like you are doing this on your own (other than your once-a-week trainer). I have a feeling that if asked, she might be very receptive to joining you on your journey. You might have to ask in a more direct way, rather than the occasional, "do you want to meet me at the gym?".

I'm just sayin'....
09:26 AM on 03/22/2012
While the mampy-pampy instant stuff may not appeal to you, one advantage of instant oatmeal is that it comes conveniently packaged in single-serving portions. I can understand the comfort appeal of "your favourite breakfast," but I wonder why you mention it, since it's hardly a caloric death trap and great for your cholesterol. Are you sweetening it? Have you considered having a little less of your oatmeal and accompanying it with some fruit?

As for the water before a meal, don't expect any miracles there, hm? It doesn't exactly hang around your stomach for long. You'd be much better off with a salad before lunch and dinner. Doesn't have to be fancy. Your supermarket bag-o-greens will suffice. Alternatives to calorie rich dressings include slices of fruit (apples, pears, peaches and mandarin slices are my favourite) cottage cheese, hummus, salsa, and many varieties of vinaigrette (raspberry!) Don't like rabbit food? Ugh... Let me think about that one.

And how about that weather? Got a barbecue? Two words: Chicken souvlaki. The kind sold pre-skewered.
10:37 AM on 03/21/2012
Good Morning!! I have just started to follow your plight to shed some unwanted pounds. I too have been on the weight loss train for the past 4 weeks. I have lost 10 lbs since feb 19th. I knew that activity and calorie counting was what I needed to do to get me to my goal of losing 20 lbs by April 28. ( which happens to be the date that I leave for a 7 day Caribbean Cruise....this trip is my motivation...) however I must say that this has been the hardest thing I have ever done!!! But, with my goal in mind I am staying strong and not beating myself up if I have a day of indulgence. I have dusted off my Wii and pulled out my wii fit disc and am doing a free run for 30 min every morning. I am using the body media band that tracks my activity and my caloric intake for the day. I must say, logging my meals and counting calories are a definite help in keeping me accountable. I also have a weight loss buddy that I am accountable to. We weigh in every friday and encourage each other with praises and helpful tips. For me having a Motivational Goal, Increasing my activity, counting my calories, and a having a Buddy, has been my formula to success. Stay strong!!!
10:03 AM on 03/21/2012
I'm glad somebody already commented on Paleo, since that's what I was going to suggest.

My further suggestions:
1. Build muscle - it's the best way to burn fat and build strength! SO MUCH healthier than 'chronic cardio' (Google that term). Look into a Cross Fit gym... it's an awesome way to get healthy.
2. Ditch wheat and sugar. And because you're trying to lose weight, keep your fruit intake very minimal.

Good luck!
04:35 PM on 03/21/2012
Hi Grace,

Interestingly, my son is learning about how to build muscles in school (science fair is tonight!) so I'm learning more about it myself. The question is: do I suffer from chronic cardio?

I run 10K 2-3x a week. Plus I spend an hour each week with a trainer who works on muscle and core training. So...based on that flimsy fact finding, I would say I don't suffer from chronic cardio. If I ran 3-4x a time and that's all I did, i could buy this.

BUT -- two points for Paleo. I'll have to look into this more seriously.

Thanks,
TFD
11:14 AM on 03/22/2012
I'm sure you'll discover more on this as you further research, but you most likely are doing chronic cardio. The fact is that many people destroy their bodies by running long distances over and over. It puts a tremendous amount of stress on you and, quite honestly, is simply not necessary. Activities like hiking, biking (things that people do enjoy) are perfectly effective for fitness and weight loss. It may even be a good idea to incorporate something like sprinting or other High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).
09:27 AM on 03/21/2012
My suggestions to improve your weight loss (based only on week 9 report): your goal is artificial and possible to reach. However, if you backslide or hit a plateau (both common) and endanger your goal (lose 30 lb by Jun 18), you may despair and give up. Rather, concentrate on building in new good habits. You didn't get to be this weight in 21 weeks. You want to keep it off after 21 weeks. The key is lifestyle change (intake, exercise, awareness of eating patterns). Good luck!
03:28 PM on 03/21/2012
Hi Nancy,

Ah, the "lifestyle" word. Me, I prefer what you wrote one sentence earlier, to concentrate on building new good habits. I can dig that. I DO exercise, and I am trying to manage my intake. The awareness of eating patterns, admittedly, I'm a little rough on that one. I eat when I'm hungry. Does that do it? I didn't think so.

Thanks!
TFD
05:46 PM on 03/20/2012
My mom swears by eating fruit first thing in the morning. Apparentley fruit should only be eaten on an empty stomach, so that it doesn't mix with other food stuff and ferment. I, too, have gotten in the habit (and only eat fruit in the morning) and it seems to be a good thing (-:
05:42 PM on 03/22/2012
Hi there,

First off, I'm sorry your mom swears so much.

I hadn't even considered the mixture of food and fermentation. so much to think about! maybe i'll eat some fruit and then have oatmeal an hour later.

thanks!
TFD
12:47 PM on 03/20/2012
Paleo...
06:09 PM on 03/20/2012
Hi JCP,
did you do Paleo personally or do you know someone who was successful at it?

thanks,
TFD
10:01 AM on 03/21/2012
PALEO is truly the way to go. Hubby and I have been on it since January and I've lost weight (12lbs) but more importantly, we feel so healthy! I used to get migraines all the time, but haven't had one once.

Basically PALEO (there are varying versions of it) involves eating REAL food. No processed food. No grains at all (though some leave out only wheat and that's the biggest culprit), no sugar except for natural sugars such as those in fruit, or maple syrup and honey.

Eat food that's FOOD! Not refined! Not processed! No chemicals added!

I'm pretty excited about Paleo... hope more people catch on to it. If you're interested in reading more, start with www.marksdailyapple.com, www.undergroundwellness.com/ and www.balancedbites.com.

The Paleo community is generally very supportive, not dogmatic, flexible and open-minded.
11:23 AM on 03/22/2012
I think Grace has provided some good links to some paleo sites that might direct you towards the information you're looking for. Specifically, go here: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-101/#axzz1pr8wKoop. It should answer most of the questions you have. Don't waste your time (yet) on anything like forums until you've gone over information like this.

Personally, I have been paleo for about 2 years and wouldn't want to live any other way. I try to convince others to do the same

Perhaps a few bits of advice to keep in mind as you consider paleo, and diet in general.
1) Shop the perimeter of the grocery store, look for foods with 5 ingredients or less (and everything you can pronounce), and eat foods that, generally, are perishable.
2) Focus on fresh meats and vegetables.
3) Learn to listen to you body. I'm sure you've gotten this advice before, but you really are your own doctor. If something doesn't feel right, don't do it. If you're hungry, eat. If not, then don't.

Hope this kind of helps. If you do have any questions about paleo or my personal experience with it, ask away and I will answer honestly.
This comment has been removed.
11:14 AM on 03/20/2012
something i rarely hear people mention: the calories are not as important as going to bed with an empty stomach. eating in bed is my habit. a comfort to go to sleep without hunger. if one can learn to crave an empty stomach before sleeping (very easy) you may see the weight start to go down after day 5 once the body has decided you're serious. this is the ONLY thing that has triggered my body letting go of stored fat even when i have been eating low-calories, exercising, etc. just sayin.
02:31 PM on 03/21/2012
Thanks Jane. What a good idea. Because I have diabetes, and because sugar control throughout the night is tricky business, I'll have to approach this idea with caution. baby steps, to find that sweet spot (I sure have noticed while writing this blog how much food influences our language). Luckily I am prepared with just the right medicinal tool that allows me to dial in exactly what I need. The key will be to track, track, track.

Thanks for reading!
TFD
10:54 AM on 03/20/2012
Sounds like you're doing really well. We all have those days where we fall off the wagon. But it's good that you aren't beating yourself up over it.
Can I make a suggestion for a future event where there will be "bad" food? Eat something before hand.. Steam a TON of veggies, or eat a nice soup and salad before you go. That way you won't be that hungry, and it will be easier to avoid. Drink lots of water while you're there, and tell yourself it's ok to have a little treat! If you want to avoid eating all together, bring some kind of snack (in a pocket of a pair of pants/jacket, or hey, get a woman friend to stick it in her purse! Bring some nuts or a healthy bar to keep you going!!!

Sounds like you're on the right track though!

Ps. I'm so disappointed that the Ford brothers seem to have given up. I would have loved to have seen Rob succeed (and show people that yes, sometimes it's frustrating when you don't lose the weight you had hoped to.)

Keep on keeping on :)
04:17 PM on 03/21/2012
Hi PiP,

Thanks for the great suggestions. (and btw, I happen to wear a manpurse. Jack Bauer had one, so there. OK, his was a satchel full of weapons and mini-telescopes. But I think we got off topic here.)

Yup, your suggestions are all part of my new toolkit to be used for the next big food fest. Thanks.
TFD