Happy and Healthy New Year 2014 from Toronto Canada.
Single Male, 69 (short pause)… sorry, every time I mention that number it causes my heart to stop a minute as I don’t know where the time went but then I realize that’s just a number on my driver’s license and not my “mental” age which is considerably younger.
I’ve been on a “diet” since birth (10.2 lbs) – and believe me, my mother (rest her soul) NEVER let me forget it and what she went through to bring me into this world.
“Don’t forget – I brought you in and I can take you out!” hmmm, oh the guilt !
Growing up I got clothes in the “stout” section for boys; the “BIG” section for young men; the “Executive” section for men. Amazing how the adjectives all meant the same – you’re overweight or fat. And when I was called “fat-ass” I took it in stride because I couldn’t see it anyway – but what the heck, sitting on it all day long just made it spread out a bit.
Today (well, a week ago) I was just a bit heavier than what I graduated in high school way back in 1962 .. (Then 200 lbs (90.7kg) – a week ago, 222 lbs (100.7).
I’ve been on every conceivable diet you can imagine – from the “Grapefruit Diet” thru the “Cabbage Diet” (that made the house smell .. well, different), the “Drinking Diet” (that was wonderful to say the least, but a little expensive), “South Beach Diet” (I didn’t want to follow the “rules”, I just wanted to go to South Beach! I’ve been on Weight Watchers so many times, the company has me on their list as one of their favourites – I think I get a gold key the next time I join; however I concede that this should never again happen since I was introduced to 5:2.
While on a cruise in December, I met this wonderful couple from Wales. As we chatted the woman mentioned that she was on a “diet” and that day was a fast day. I laughed saying that “You are taking a cruise and fasting ??” – That, to me, was just wrong. She said that there was this new diet from the UK and that she fasted 2 days out of 7 and that not only did she lose weight (to me she didn’t need to), but she mentioned that she had more energy. She also said it was easy in that she could eat whatever she wanted on the 5 days and it wasn’t a total fast for 2 days, but that she could eat about 400 calories for the day – and have breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hmmmmm, something’s not right here. I asked her if she wouldn’t mind giving me the link to the information which she emailed me when she got home to Wales.
As an anal-rentative person, I check out the link, the references, the sub-links, their references (I didn’t want to get into another “diet” which could .. nay – WOULD – be another failure).
Dr. Michael’s story and theory seemed totally logical.
So, as a Christmas present to myself, I downloaded the Kindle book from Amazon – and ordered the book and cookbook from Amazon as well. I read the book in one day and said = “I can do this!”
I got online and into the forums and viola – I’m chatting with a couple of people who have struggled and have found this new lifetyle simple and rewarding. (Just what I wanted to hear). Great support from people all over the world who can understand… that’s a point… they understand.
People here on the forums, don’t judge. They don’t criticize. They don’t punish.
They understand! They offer support! They mother! They offer advice.
So, it’s been one week and I’ve logged everything I’ve eaten daily – and watched the sugars, carbs and fat – but have NOT SACRIFICED anything (I think). I feel full and yet those feast days, I’ve looked and are well below the target required for the day – even my cookie and chocolate. On my fast days – I don’t feel deprived of anything and still at the end of the day – just about meet the 600 calories allowed.
I’m very pleased with losing 3.2 lbs in week one. Very pleased. My sugar level has dropped, my blood pressure has dropped, and I’ve dropped (somewhere) 3.2 lbs.
I am not exhaustively tired in the afternoons and have not had to have a power-nap.
I know, from personal experience, that for men the first few weeks there is a usual drop of weight more than woman experience; however, I know that this will ultimately be reduced to a more reasonable level. I am of the opinion though that this time I’ll lose the weight I want to achieve – which is 185 lbs (84kg) and my timeline is December 31, 2014 (one year away).
I thank all of you (particularly those who have written and given me support and advice) for being here to help those who struggle with weight and health related problems due to weight – as you are the “guardian angels” who become the mentors.
I, too, hope to dwell among your ranks.
I look forward to making more headlines in the weeks/months to come.
JimmyJca
HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR.
6:25 pm
1 Jan 14