I'm 46, meaning that it's not uncommon for a gentleman of my age to put on a pound of fat each year after they turn thirty. That means I should be about 15 lbs. overweight, right? So how am I 35 lbs over? It's easy to say that's it's one of life's great mysteries but it is, indeed the result of too much beer, too much bad food and, well, too much fun.
So, to the wayback machine. We'll set the date for June 16th where I find myself, and my girlfriend, in the great city of Chicago. We're ensconced in a beautiful room at the Four Seasons. This is an amazing property; great spa, pool, restaurants and a commanding view from our window on the 45th floor. It also has a less endearing feature; a full-length, three way, ass-viewing mirror in the bathroom. This mirror generously allow you the full "locker room" view of your own posterior. Upon exiting the shower, after my super-fit girlfriend who, although 6 months pregnant, still looks like a super-model, I got my first glorious, high definition look at my ass-end.
I believe that there are a few parts of yourself that you should never see with your naked eye. Your lungs for example. This was one of those views. To be fair, I knew that I'd put on a few pounds but I had no inkling that I looked like this. I always thought that those lucky enough to view me from the rear thought that I was a "solid husk of a man, ready for anything". Now I realized the reality was that I looked a bit like a melting pear.
Upon our return home, I stepped on the scale.
201 lbs.
Not bad if you're 6' 5" but I'm the dyslexic version of that height; 5' 6". So, I made a vow to change things back. Sort of a wayback machine for the bod. I enquired around to a few friends, who had themselves emerged from the abyss, and the overwhelming consensus seemed to be "The South Beach Diet".
Now the SBD, as I'll call it, works in three phases. The first phase is the most restrictive, allowing you virtually no carbohydrates and eliminating all sugar and alcohol from your diet (that includes beer, Boyos). The logic behind this strategy is that our bodies are addicted to sugar and our glycemic processors are all out of whack. This phase kick-starts the body into burning your fat.
It seems easy but, having completed my first seven days (of fourteen), I can tell you that it's a challenge at times but, with a bit of organization, ridiculously easy. One thing I can guarantee is that it works. After six days, I did my Monday morning weigh-in and the results:
194 lbs.
That's seven pounds in six days. Not bad, eh? Now, the crazy part of all of this is that I felt creepily un-hungry. At no time did I feel any real hunger. Probably due to the fact that my self-cannibalizing body was noshing on my hi-test fat for energy. You will get cravings and I can't promise that you'll deal with them the way I did (distract yourself and they go away) but it does feel great to see the pounds coming off.
So, today is day 8 of the journey. I'm past the halfway point of Phase 1and feeling confident that I can see this thing through to the end and a goal weight of 165 lbs. Phase 2 introduces more carbs and looks to me to be a slightly more normal way to live although promising a slower weight loss.
For anyone starting this thing, here's my advice:
1- Go buy the right groceries to prepare for snacks and meals. The last thing you want is to have no options when you need them.
2- Get online and do a meal plan for one week, every meal. Pre-cook if necessary so you don't need to worry about time. This allows you to have great tasting food. It is extremely helpful to have tasty food when you're sacrificing so much.
3- This is the most important. Tell your partner, family and friends. Support is essential. Most people want to see their friends and family succeed at whatever they do. Get them on your side. Remember that you're probably doing what everybody wishes they could. Nobody can look down on that.
So that's blog No. 1....
Pop by once in a while and check in. I'll be updating on my progress and the challenges and successes I encounter along the way. I've got to knock of 35 lbs. or so. Expect me to be here for a while!
And the best of luck and love to everyone starting along a similar journey.
J
http://www.southbeachdiet.com/diet/
http://www.amazon.ca/South-Beach-Diet-Delicious-Doctor-Designed/dp/0312991193/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372171959&sr=1-3
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