This was the day, I was waiting for. Not because it is my Birthday, but because it is the day I set, 10 months ago, to weigh in at 200lbs. I declared a victory when my digital scale read 200.8lbs. this morning. Even though I was short of my goal by a mere 12.8 ounces, my total weight loss was 58 pounds in the 10 months that I have been Vegetarian and serious about fitness. If I got a haircut, I probably would lose more than 12.8 oz., so I celebrate my achievement. I also updated my Real Age Test . If you haven't taken the test, its a thought provoking series of questions about the way you live your life and how your choices impact your overall health. The analyis of your answers are converted into a Biological Age. 10 monthis ago, my Biological Age was measured at 77.2 yrs compared to my calendar age of 57 yrs. Today, as a result of Re-Engineering my life my Biological Age tested at 57 yrs old, on my 58th Birthdayl!!! I AM GETTING YOUNGER!!! Not really, I am just getting healthier.
Although it hasn't been easy, ATTITUDE is everything. I continue to visualize how I want to feel and what I want to look like by December 31. I will continue keep contact with like-minded people who inspire me. I now have 25 more pounds to lose. Nourishing myself with whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables along with regular exercise has now become a way of life that has afforded me improved health, energy, confidence and vitality.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Healthy Living and Friends Along the Way
Three Days till my Intermediate Goal Date. I want to weigh in at 200lbs. or less on September 16. I have managed, executed and adjusted my plan as necessary and will not weigh myself until that day. After that, I set my sights on a weigh in of 175lbs. by December 31, and bring the new year in with a MILESTONE! This time, unlike all the previous weight loss programs, I will maintain all the healthy living habits I have acquired along the way, and never revert back to a life of obesity. With smart food choices and daily exercise, it can be done. With commitment and vision, you will realize improved health and vitality no matter when you start. I hope I can inspire one person to take the journey.
There is another ingredient that has supported my success along my Healthy Living journey. And that is the friendship and connections I have made on Twitter. It all started with keyword searches. My goal was to learn as much as I could from those who acquired top results from eating healthy and exercise. I first found the Green Smoothie Challenge. Like most people, it took me awhile to get past the "Greens" , but I was determined to change my life and was inspired by all those who believed in the value of Leafy Greens. After following the recipes for weeks, I allowed myself to experiment and my creativity flowed allowing me to come up with the most delicious drinks imaginable. After two weeks, I was hooked and rarely a day goes by that I don't have, at least, one Green Smoothie. Then @DrOz had a profound effect on the way I make choices in my daily life. I took his knowledge and teachings and incorporated much of it into my daily life.
I am currently following hundreds of Healthy Living, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Exercise minded Tweeps. I have been inspired by each of their posts at some level. Following them daily keeps me motivated and focused. And sharing ideas and thoughts regularly integrates me into a community of like minded people of all ages and walks of life. If you are starting out on your Healthy Living Journey, I recommend you follow a few of my Tweeps who have meant allot to me along the way. From these and other great people I have connected with, I have acquired an array of incredibly delicious recipes, great exercise habits, positive focused mind and a renewed commitment to my health. @hriacobacci, @healthyeveryday, @sleeplessinsimi, @ericasara, @Joel_Luks, @ForDGRedial, @SmoothieDrinker, @singerinkitchen, @icanhazcoffee, @14monthsto50. They are all on their own journeys and I marvel at their dedication. Thank you to all of you.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Drastic Changes
I made a necessary Drastic Change in my relationship with food in November, 2009 after gaining back nearly all the 70lbs. I lost in 2007. At some point in October, 2009, I watched Dr. Oz. on TV, I felt inspired to take another hard look at my relationship with food. I took the Real Age Test and tested at 77.2 yrs old; hardly something to get excited about when my chronological age was 57.
I read YOU: On a Diet - Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen's Guide to Losing Weight. The book really got me motivated to learn as much as I could about Diet and Nutrition. I immersed myself in books and articles on nutrition; steering clear of any book or article about "Dieting". In order for me to succeed in conquering obesity and maintaining a healthy weight, I finally accepted the fact that I needed to make a change in my relationship with food.
It was becoming clear to me that a diet consisting of Whole Grains, Fruits and Vegetables was the most healthy and healing lifestyle to consider. Around the same time I was researching Diet and Nutrition, I opened a Twitter account. Being a Twitter novice, I began searching keywords like healthy living, vegetarian, vegan, diet and exercise. I read hundreds of Tweets, which lead me to countless links on benefits of Plant Based Diet and Exercise. On November 16, 2009 I weighed in at 258lbs. On that day I made a commitment to make the Drastic Change. I made the commitment to start eating for nourishment and no longer solely for comfort. I also committed to regular exercise. Suffering with Osteoarthritis in my left ankle, I needed to consider only low-impact work so I decided to start with stationary bike and Elliptical work. I would make a plan, set realistic incremental goals, work the plan, visualize desired results, succeed and reward myself.
Today, I weighed in at 207lbs; a 51 pound weight loss since I turned Vegetarian. I took the Real Age Test again and scored 57.6yrs old; ironically my actual biological age. Drastic Changes rewarded me with significant positive results. I treated myself to some new clothes at sizes that were much easier to find. No more "Big and Tall" store for me. My next goal is 200lbs. on my birthday, September 16. My target weight is 175lbs. by the last day of 2010. Just for fun, I plan to take the Real Age Test on December 31, 2010 and hopefully score younger than my actual biological age.
I read YOU: On a Diet - Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen's Guide to Losing Weight. The book really got me motivated to learn as much as I could about Diet and Nutrition. I immersed myself in books and articles on nutrition; steering clear of any book or article about "Dieting". In order for me to succeed in conquering obesity and maintaining a healthy weight, I finally accepted the fact that I needed to make a change in my relationship with food.
It was becoming clear to me that a diet consisting of Whole Grains, Fruits and Vegetables was the most healthy and healing lifestyle to consider. Around the same time I was researching Diet and Nutrition, I opened a Twitter account. Being a Twitter novice, I began searching keywords like healthy living, vegetarian, vegan, diet and exercise. I read hundreds of Tweets, which lead me to countless links on benefits of Plant Based Diet and Exercise. On November 16, 2009 I weighed in at 258lbs. On that day I made a commitment to make the Drastic Change. I made the commitment to start eating for nourishment and no longer solely for comfort. I also committed to regular exercise. Suffering with Osteoarthritis in my left ankle, I needed to consider only low-impact work so I decided to start with stationary bike and Elliptical work. I would make a plan, set realistic incremental goals, work the plan, visualize desired results, succeed and reward myself.
Today, I weighed in at 207lbs; a 51 pound weight loss since I turned Vegetarian. I took the Real Age Test again and scored 57.6yrs old; ironically my actual biological age. Drastic Changes rewarded me with significant positive results. I treated myself to some new clothes at sizes that were much easier to find. No more "Big and Tall" store for me. My next goal is 200lbs. on my birthday, September 16. My target weight is 175lbs. by the last day of 2010. Just for fun, I plan to take the Real Age Test on December 31, 2010 and hopefully score younger than my actual biological age.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Diets Do Work
Merriam-Webster defines diet as a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed b : habitual nourishment c : the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason d : a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight diet
Every Diet has an exhausting list of diets totally 401 ranging from The Cabbage Soup Diet to The Zone Diet. Most all Diets are, in fact, very effective when their scientific guidelines are followed. Diets are designed to reduce caloric intake, creating a deficit, helping you to lose weight. Its a simple effective formula. Eat less calories than you burn each day and lose body mass. Add exercise, burn more calories, lose more weight.
I have been on many of these diets and all were effective in helping me lose weight, however, I was never effective in maintaining it. Early in 2007, I was labeled "Morbidly Obese" by my doctor; a real boost to my self esteem. My blood pressure was at an all time high, my Gerd was active on a daily basis, and I was "pre-diabetic". My Doctor and I had a serious talk about my "emotional eating" and he advised me that if I didn't make serious changes in my life soon, I would suffer some serious consequences in the years to come. He asked me if I wanted Gastric Bypass Surgery. I thought he was kidding, but, to my surprise, he wasn't. I left his office knowing I had to make some serious decisions about my health.
A few months later, with his referral, I embarked on a physicians supervised, liquid shake diet. which effectively helped me lose nearly 70 lbs. in 6 months consuming nothing but shakes. My "Morbid Obesity" diagnosis was on the turnaround and all my Lab markers significantly reversed into the Normal range, my Gerd disappeared, and my blood pressure medication was cut in half as I approached the normal range.
I did it!! Success!!! I was on my way to improved health. NOT!!! Diets don't fail. People fail, by not committing to making permanent and drastic changes in our relationship with food and activity (exercise). You see, in 2007, I reached my goal, stopped the shakes and within the next 18 months, promptly gained all 70 lbs. back, plus a few, The Diet worked, but there was no lifestyle change. I never committed to a new and permanent relationship with food. I only committed to weight loss goal. I was back to all my bad habits.
One thing I did learn from the liquid shake diet was the power of Detox. Consuming a well balanced and nourishing shake, 3 times a day, without any toxic prepared and chemically enriched foods, I experienced an increased energy level and vitality like I hadn't felt in years. I began to realize that by eliminating certain foods from my daily intake, I felt better.
Over the next two years, I continued to struggle without discipline in my weight control. I became a victim of the economy and lost my Executive position as a Human Resources Director with a company that failed to survive the economy. I was now a Fifty Something, Fat Guy, looking for an Executive position in one of the worst economic times of my life. My 30 year professional career had come to a halt and I was now facing the harsh realities of seeking employment and maintaining my self esteem while holding a pretty weak poker hand.
It was time to make some drastic changes. It was time to adjust my sails to the winds, It was time to Re-Engineer my Life....
More to come........................
Every Diet has an exhausting list of diets totally 401 ranging from The Cabbage Soup Diet to The Zone Diet. Most all Diets are, in fact, very effective when their scientific guidelines are followed. Diets are designed to reduce caloric intake, creating a deficit, helping you to lose weight. Its a simple effective formula. Eat less calories than you burn each day and lose body mass. Add exercise, burn more calories, lose more weight.
I have been on many of these diets and all were effective in helping me lose weight, however, I was never effective in maintaining it. Early in 2007, I was labeled "Morbidly Obese" by my doctor; a real boost to my self esteem. My blood pressure was at an all time high, my Gerd was active on a daily basis, and I was "pre-diabetic". My Doctor and I had a serious talk about my "emotional eating" and he advised me that if I didn't make serious changes in my life soon, I would suffer some serious consequences in the years to come. He asked me if I wanted Gastric Bypass Surgery. I thought he was kidding, but, to my surprise, he wasn't. I left his office knowing I had to make some serious decisions about my health.
A few months later, with his referral, I embarked on a physicians supervised, liquid shake diet. which effectively helped me lose nearly 70 lbs. in 6 months consuming nothing but shakes. My "Morbid Obesity" diagnosis was on the turnaround and all my Lab markers significantly reversed into the Normal range, my Gerd disappeared, and my blood pressure medication was cut in half as I approached the normal range.
I did it!! Success!!! I was on my way to improved health. NOT!!! Diets don't fail. People fail, by not committing to making permanent and drastic changes in our relationship with food and activity (exercise). You see, in 2007, I reached my goal, stopped the shakes and within the next 18 months, promptly gained all 70 lbs. back, plus a few, The Diet worked, but there was no lifestyle change. I never committed to a new and permanent relationship with food. I only committed to weight loss goal. I was back to all my bad habits.
One thing I did learn from the liquid shake diet was the power of Detox. Consuming a well balanced and nourishing shake, 3 times a day, without any toxic prepared and chemically enriched foods, I experienced an increased energy level and vitality like I hadn't felt in years. I began to realize that by eliminating certain foods from my daily intake, I felt better.
Over the next two years, I continued to struggle without discipline in my weight control. I became a victim of the economy and lost my Executive position as a Human Resources Director with a company that failed to survive the economy. I was now a Fifty Something, Fat Guy, looking for an Executive position in one of the worst economic times of my life. My 30 year professional career had come to a halt and I was now facing the harsh realities of seeking employment and maintaining my self esteem while holding a pretty weak poker hand.
It was time to make some drastic changes. It was time to adjust my sails to the winds, It was time to Re-Engineer my Life....
More to come........................
Friday, August 6, 2010
My Very First Blog Post Ever!!
Today, I decided to stop being intimidated and dive right in and start Blogging. I read countless Healthy Living and Food Blogs and have many Twitter friends who inspire me as I change the processes, decisions, behaviors in the way I live my life. In Posts to come, I will share with you my lifelong battle with Obesity and dieting and how, when and why I decided to Re-Engineer my Life. I will also share recipes of tasty dishes I have created or modified from my flesh eating days.
Please be patient with me as I am a "Virgin" Blogger. I have spent months wanting to share my journey but didn't know how and where to start. If I can inspire one person, I will consider my Blog a success.
Please don't be shy about giving me suggestions on how I can improve anything about my Blog.
Please be patient with me as I am a "Virgin" Blogger. I have spent months wanting to share my journey but didn't know how and where to start. If I can inspire one person, I will consider my Blog a success.
Please don't be shy about giving me suggestions on how I can improve anything about my Blog.
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