Update 7 May, 2009

I am down to 207 but not being able to drop much recently. I had a flair-up with my back and have not been as aggressive with the exercise. Good news is the weight is not going up much and by staying on the program I am able to control the weight. I wish I could report that I had lost more but summer is coming and more outside opportunities for exercise should help.

24 March Update

This month has been a bit up and down in the weight department. Troy, my son and business associate, and I travelled together to work with PGA pro Ben Crane at the Honda Classic in beautiful Palm Beach Gardens Florida. We walked the entire golf round every day for 3 days and 9 holes for two others. Our thinking was that because we were walking so much that we did not have to count our calories and that we could eat anything we wanted and probably lose weight. We were wrong. When I weighed after coming home I had gained 3 pounds in one week and it has taken three weeks to get it off. Bummer!

So, we are just under 209 and this will not happen again. I have learned that you cannot reward yourself by over-eating. Walking does burn calories but prime rib puts them back on.

Weight Change Update 2.27.09

I am at 210, and dealing with the frustration that weight loss is not linear. The weight you lose is not a function of your caloric intake on a daily basis, if is a function of it over time. There are other factors that determine exactly what you weigh today. I weigh the same time every day, after exercise and a shower and I would like for the weight to go down every day but it just does not happen even if I stay under my intake goal. I should have lost 4 pounds since my last post and I have only lost 2 even though I have stayed under my daily goal and have not missed a day in exercise. That is frustrating but it is just part of the game. Good news is it is not going up so all is well.

Weight Change Update 1.31.09

I am at 212. After what seemed to be a struggle to get under 213 I was please to see it happen. I have been consistent with my exercise and calorie reporting and have taken down my Directive Affirmation because the 21 day period has expired. My new self-image seems to be consistent with the demands of the Directive Affirmation so I am satisfied that it has worked. I am eating fish instead of beef at restaurants when I can which is helping with the calories. I like fish. Good thing, huh?

Weight Change Update 1.23.09

We are at 213.5 and we have been up a bit since the last post due to my trip to Jacksonville, FL to speak to the PGA and now I am back on track. On that trip I had time to kill in the hotel and downed an entire can of almonds before I noticed that I had consumed over 800 calories in two days in the hotel just on these snacks. I will pay more attention next time. Gotta remember to read the calories.

I found that exercising on trips is a key. I have only missed one day on my cardio since Jan 1. I am proud of that. I am still on track even with the hiccup in Jacksonville but I need to continue to stay focused. I still cannot tell that I have lost any weight and the last few times on the scales left me searching for patience.

I am solid with my Directive Affirmations and in logging my calories.

Weight Change update 1.15.09

We are at 214. There is good news and bad news about this. First the bad news. I cannot tell that I am losing weight yet. You know, if you are carrying around about 70 extra pounds of useless weight dropping only 5 pounds just doesn't seem to make much of a difference. But here is the really good news; I have managed to exercise every day, I have not missed a day in recording my calories, I have read and rehearsed my Directive Affirmations every day and I have lost 10% of my goal of losing 50 pounds in about 15 days.

Weight change will not be permanent unless there is a change in a person's self-image. The self-image contains both habits and attitudes. Changing habits begins with changing behavior. Changing attitudes begins by changing priorities. I have begun to do both. My eating habits, recording habits and exercise habits have changed. Also, it is a huge priority now for me to drop this weight. I think about getting slim every time I read my Directive Affirmation. At present my self-image is still fragile and I need to stay disciplines to continue on this track. I appreciate so much the dozens of encouraging emails I have received on this effort.

Weight Change Update 1.12.09

Here is what as happened to me so far. First I began to track my food intake and discovered that much of what I like to eat is not going to survive a 1700 calorie a day limit. Nothing has to go completely but fast food and big portions are not going to get me under that total. So, how am I doing?

I have been on the program for 12 days and I have not missed a day of exercise. I am dripping wet after just 20 minutes on the elliptical I use at home. Guess I am really out of shape. I find that the first six minutes are uncomfortable but the rest of the time is doable and although not fun it is no problem for me.

I have managed to stay under 1700 calories every day except for last Saturday when Helen and I went out to eat at Ruth's Chris Steak House to celebrate our birthdays and that day I topped out at 1855. I should not gain too much from that day as several days before the intake was below 1600 in a row. The real test will be how I do in the long haul.

I weigh 216 today which is a loss of 3 pounds. The first 2 came off rather quickly with the last pound taking longer but I am satisfied that the program is doing what it is supposed to do.

See you soon.

Lanny