The best part to this whole failing was I didn’t really eat a bad item as I probably should have.  I ended up eating a salad (which was delicious) instead of eating some fat, juicy bacon burger topped with all kinds of goodies.  No…I ate a salad.  So, maybe, just maybe, this whole challenge has really taught me to eat better.  I’d like to think so.  While I have lost the challenge to my friend Tim, I do plan on continuing not to eat out…call it a personal challenge.

Current weight loss is ~10 lbs.  It means that I’m loosing around ~2lbs a week…which is fine by me.

The day started cleanly enough. I made my coffee and sat down at my desk to read through emails. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted it…a delicious Anita’s Breakfast burrito gifted to me by my boss Tom. Without thinking I scooped it up, took it to the microwave and…….while carrying it back saw my friend who INSTANTLY reminded me (just by seeing him) that I was still in a bet. He said I had such a sad face when I realized I couldn’t eat it. Blah!

The day continued and I finally was able to get home. However, I was faced with a decision which such dire hunger pains in my stomach…break the bet and eat out, or, go home and make food. I normally would have just gone home to make food without thinking…but my hunger was just so great from the days events! Finally, as I was driving down the lane towards Chipotle (which makes an awesome (mostly healthy) naked burrito (no tortilla)) I made myself face both an moral and ethical decision. Do I go home….or do I eat out.

Luckily my mind prevailed and told me (yes, mind spoke to me) that I should just make my own naked burrito. I know, novel idea…but sometimes I just don’t think about that. I went to the grocery store….and not Chipotle.

Bought myself some cooked black beans (canned), pinto beans (canned), cheese, hot sauce, low-fat sour cream and some crunchy chips. When all was said and done it was a damn yummy meal that could give Chipotle a run for it’s money.

Maybe I should open Ward’potle….any takers?

It just goes to show me (possibly you) that someone who is so tuned to participating in social events (most likely including restaurants) can easily, almost, fall back into a lull…and not think about the actions of the moment. I’m glad I made the decision I did today.

Current weight loss is ~8lbs.

• A huge amount of energy last week from eating at home.
• A jump in my wanting to exercise outside (albeit not in the extreme temperatures of late in VA).
• A reduction in weight.  Lost ~4 lbs so far.  I plan to hit my goal of 220 by the end of the month.  200 is where I need to be per my body structure.

Now that the first week is over in the challenge, I feel pretty positive that I can make it all the way to August 31st.  As part of my reduction goals, I’ve also scheduled time to hit up the gym with my friends.  They routinely do two hour stints of working out.  I’m sure this will help.  Additionally, I’ve radically increased my fruit and vegetable consumption ratios.  I feel like I’m going to start sprouting grapes from my head!

Overall I can’t wait to see the results of these changes.  I think they’re going to be dramatic enough that I’ll shotgun my will and confidence to pursue other goals…such as running a race, or, finally gaining that physique I’ve always wanted.  Only time will tell.

Off to eat some fruit .

Crazy stuff!

My Mood:

Been feeling very good these past two days. Maybe it is the excitement of the challenge, or, the overall increase of healthy food in my lunches. Or, heck, maybe it’s the 64oz of water that I’ve consumed. Not sure what it is…but I do notice a change. I suspect, though, that over the next few days I will feel affected.

What I ate:

So far, I’ve had the following:

• Hot dogs with some mustard.
• 2oz of chips

The reason is I really want to make sure that I’m keeping a log of this test. If things don’t go well on it, I need to figure out why. Typically a week’s status will make it to the front page (not daily)…but I do plan on making daily updates.

My Mood:

Been feeling very good these past two days.  Maybe it is the excitement of the challenge, or, the overall increase of healthy food in my lunches.  Or, heck, maybe it’s the 64oz of water that I’ve consumed.  Not sure what it is…but I do notice a change.  I suspect, though, that over the next few days I will feel affected.

What I ate:

So far, I’ve had the following:

• Sandwich (slice of provolone, 1oz Lite Turkey, .7oz pepperoni, 1 tablespoon light mayo, pepper) on whole grain bread.
• Mustard for use on the sandwich.
• A Yoplait Yogurt
• An apple.
• 2oz. Light Sour Cream and Onion Chips.  Very light on the weight watcher points.
• Pretzel M&Ms. Gotta have a little fun .

What I shouldn’t have consumed:

I was in a hurry to leave the house today and decided to consume a Diet Pepsi.  I usually don’t consume much soda…

What I need to do, additionally:

I need to consume more vitamins.  Renee, I think, is also in the same boat.  We might head out tonight to buy some.

I came up with my own way to help rebuild the war chest and, at the same time, benefit myself (and Renee) personally. I’m not going to eat out at any restaurants for the month of July and August. This essentially includes any place that prepares the food for me. This does not, however, include pre-packaged food available at the grocery store. Eating out, for me unfortunately, has become too much of a ritual. I do it almost 3-4 times a week. While I’m not always paying for it…I shouldn’t be doing this as much as I have been!

So, with that, I’ve instituted this new challenge for myself. Think it can be done? Only time will tell, but I’m surely determined.

Tools I’m Using to meet this challenge:

1.   A strong will.

Food commercials are everywhere.  And, damnit, the food looks so tempting on the television.  Usually this leaves me hungry…but I must fight the temptation .

2.   Weight Watchers Online (www.weightwatchers.com).

Weight Watchers Online, honestly, has got to be one of the best tools I’ve ever used for tracking your intake during the day.  It really helps to bring into perspective caloric consumption, exercise completed, etc.  So far I’m really loving it.  There are options to attend meetings with weight watchers…but it does cost extra money.  I did do the meetings with Renee for a while but found that they really didn’t help me -or- make me feel more accountable for my food actions.  Really, what I feel, is that I should rely solely on myself for enforcing my eating habits.

3.   Support from my Wife and peers.

4.   A gram/ounces scale at home.

The other very important tool that I’ve been using is a scale at home.  Many times it can be tedious to count out a serving — it’s much easier to weigh it.

Many people would say, well you just need to get more sleep…you’re working yourself too hard. I didn’t want to believe it, but you know what, you’re right! Starting this past weekend I made myself (and it was hard to do) get at least 10+ hours of sleep on the weekend. I still got my stuff done, because I was still staying up late. But the biggest change overall is I’ve started to fall asleep at least near 11pm on the week nights. This afforded me at least 8 hours of sleep.

It’s almost mid week and I feel awesome. I don’t feel like everything is a blur and finally (finally!) I can think in a concise fashion. I predict in the next few weeks of this I’ll eventually return to my normal self. Maybe even play around with different sleep schedules.