I already feel a bunch better.

[Tobin S.]

I changed my diet a little over a week ago. I cut out the sugar, beef, beer, and most of the processed foods I'd been eating. I replaced them with a lot of fruits and veggies, and I also eat some chicken and pork prepared without breading. I may transition to a vegetarian diet at some point, but I'm not ready for that yet. However, just making the changes I have made has made me feel a lot better.

I have a lot more energy now. I used to have to take a nap every day for an hour to an hour and a half. I haven't done that since I started this, and I also don't need to sleep as much at night. I got up at 4 this morning without the alarm after 7 hours of sleep and went out and walked for a half hour. I felt alert and energetic all day.

I looked up how many calories a day it took to keep me at the weight I was at before I started this and it was around 4000...and I was still putting on weight so I was probably consuming more than that. I was in denial about it, but when I started to outgrow 52" waist pants it was kind of a wake up call.

I did not realize how much I was putting into my body. I was going around thinking that there must be something wrong with my thyroid or testosterone levels because it didn't seem to me like I was eating enough to be as big as I was. There's nothing wrong with me outside of my desire for rich food, and I think I know why I was eating so much of that.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That's really great, my dear Tobin!

Your body had a message for you, and you were listening!

I suspect rich foods are comforting to you, and these days you need comforting, what with the job disappointments and other setbacks. But there are other and healthier ways to get comfort...

Congrats!

BTW, your weight loss has inspired me, and I am now on a healthier path with some weight loss of my own to show for it. Thank you! I plan to sign in on Friday's weight loss thread.

[Tobin S.]

2. Excellent, Peggy!

I look forward to your post.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Thanks, Tobin!

Now that I've gone public, I have to keep it up!

[rurallib]

4. A great start can be exhilirating

remember when you do start getting hunger pangs, veggies and nuts are your friends. Walnuts and pecans really seem to quiet my desires.

Really looking forward to your posts on this!

[Tobin S.]

7. Thank you, rurallib.

I'm happy to post about this stuff and my weigh-ins and I'm glad that you enjoy the posts.

[roody]

5. I eat so much rich food because it tastes so darn good.

[Tobin S.]

8. There's that plus there is also an emotional impact for me.

[roody]

9. I am a foodaholic. I understand.

[underahedgerow]

6. 4000 calories a day is a lot! And think about the fact that as we age our metabolism

slows down at a steady pace. When you were younger 4000 calories would have maintained the weight of a hyperactive 20 year old body builder, but once you hit 30, it's all downhill for that metabolism. It drops by at least 5% per year after 30.

Portion control... each portion of meat, veg or carb should be no larger than your fist and should weigh no more than 100 grams. A digital kitchen scale is a real help in the kitchen so you can learn to visually identify the size of portions.


You're doing fantastic! You're going to be a lean mean machine in no time! Keep up the great work!