Mar 8th, 2010 - A.Y.C.E Ö. Membership notification:

AYCE used to be a favorite part of my weekend rituals, heck who am I kidding, it was an experience I would indulge in every chance and opportunity I had.  It was a rite of weekly passage on the same order of some people going shopping for shoes, going to a movie or going out to play a round golf.  If friends came into town, ìI know of this great AYCE we can go toî.  If family came to visit, it was always, ìhey I just found out about this new AYCE we can check out.î   I kid with my younger brother that his SUV has all of the AYCEís in Metro Atlanta pre-programmed.  His response was we are going to have to go to this place in MACON, I hear they have a fantastic AYCE.  In a nutshell I was an AYCE junkie.  No matter what the theme, American, Chinese, Mexican, even frequent one in Buckhead that features meat.   Someone told me that there is another color or the disc they place on the table and I was surprised to hear that ìgreenî was not the only option. Oh yeah, they have a sprinkling of salads on the side.  For those who are reading and have not caught on, AYCE stands for All You Can Eat.  There I said it ñ if it was A.Y.C.E. it was for ME.

In the last month, things have changed; I was in a conversation just the other day and during the conversation, I realized that I have not been to an A.Y.C.E. establishment for the entire month. In short I have not been to an AYCE since I began my journey on February 3.  And for me I must say this is some sort of gastronomical feat.  For me, the buffet experience was in the travel plans at least once per week and to ìrealizeî I have not graced the presence of one in over 30 days is a major milestone.  As I go through this process, I think I am going to get me some sort of pendant that marks milestones on this journey like some other recovery programs.  A few weeks ago, someone recommended we stop an AYCE, but I was the voice suggesting we go somewhere else, did not want to succumb to the temptation. Not sure if I can go in without over doing it, so we went somewhere else. 

I will continue to press towards the journey of healthy eating and healthy living, one day I will make pit into some of my old AYCE stops but it will not be on a regular rotation and I will stop eating long before the waiter gets tired of bringing.  Until then, I will make different dining out choices.  Simply becauseÖ I HAVE A CHOICE!

In closing we did have an interesting side bar conversation, I was informed that the restaurant we had considered could not be termed a ìbuffetî since they brought the food to your tableÖAll You Can Eat , is different from a Buffet?...

Who Knew


 

Mar 1st, 2010 - Day 27 of 90  - Things I have learned….

Motion is the key, I cannot say that I am ready to run a marathon, heck I am still sad that I finally got a number for the big race on Peachtree last year and then did not show up.  But I have been moving; my initial goal was modest at best - do a little more than I had been doing in the past! As I see more and more results I have upped the ante!  Others are starting to notice the body re-shaping and adding unsolicited positive comments. The more I hear the goals are becoming more aggressive.  I still will continue to “ramp” up the pace.  In the past on this journey I would head out those first two weeks running/working-out like a mad man.   By day 15, I would call a truce: it went something like this, Body if you stop hurting; I promise will stop working you out.  

So it went like that for many years.  But now I am at Day 27 and I have made it over the mental hump.  I have registered for my first walk/run event for the cause of Lupus.  My personal goal is to make at least five entries per year around the city [taking recommendations for events].  As for now though, it will be more Walk than run… My doctor and the local geological society (wait for it) recommends no running. 

Experienced a personal milestone this past week.  As I was getting dressed, I was pulling on my belt and made it to the last hole and I still needed to go tighter.  So for this week, I am walking around with a belt on that is only for professional appearances. Soon will have to change my theme song to “pants falling down”. I will go out and make a historic purchase on next weekend, this will be the first time I buy a belt that is (a.) not worn to shreds (b.) a few sizes smaller.  (Yes I am smiling as I type)

Last entry, went to the gym with the Health’e trim sponsored personal trainers this past Saturday, I must say there is nothing worse than a polite Drill Sergeant.  I was pushed beyond what I have been doing on my own and I needed the extra motivation.  I recall my old strength coach always telling us that once we began to workout, we would activate our muscle memory…. I am sad to report that I think my Muscles have Amnesia
I am sure though if I continue to push they will recall and eventually respond. 
Things I learned:

• Keeping up with a guy 17 years my senior can be murder on a tread mille and he was a Tech fan – thanks for the motivation
• I used to bench over 450 lbs, now that’s my next target weight lose goal.
• I used to run a 4.5 forty, it took me 11.2 sec to cross the street, I hate those timers on the cross walks
• I used to run 1.5 miles in 12 mins. running around the gym to warm up is a BEAST
• There is no shame in not adding weight on the leg curl, ham strings STILL cramping
• All in all I learned, that the old saying is true: PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY- I will press on see you next Saturday SARG
• Last but not least I have a choice.
  
  
   

Feb 22nd, 2010 - I Have A Choice …

The week went by like a blur; it is hard to believe that another week has passed.  All in all I think I had a good week.  I had myself a private pity party about mid-week.  I began to try to get down on myself for allowing my situation to get so out of hand.  It was a realization that for the past several years I have been my own worst enemy.  I tried to pin point the exact time/date that I chose not to be more health conscience and concerned about my personal well being but I could not put a finger on it. 
 I was able to take a critical look at some of the missed opportunities I have had in my life based on my weight.  As I look back, I am certain that some things would have been different in my life if I would have had a more positive self image. 

Throughout this week I guess that is the one thing that I have really focused on is the image I have of SELF.  I have come to realize that I am a person of great warmth and compassion for others but I have neglected myself for far too long in the process of comforting others and making them feel at ease.  I guess that is the problem with being a nurturer, you tend to focus too much on outward people and problems and leave your own inner peace abandoned.  So the net effect of the week is that I have decided to be more about me.  More focused on getting my mental health in line with the renewed focus on my physical health.  As I continue on this journey, I think I have come to the reality that the reason some people struggle with weight is because there is something in our lives that we refuse to let go of, and the weight is just a physical manifestation of trying to maintain or hold onto that thought or image.  As I go through this cleansing process and shedding all of the excess weight [internal and external]. I have decided that I am also going to begin to shed the “woulda, coulda, shouda thoughts in life.  I am in the process of resetting the button on the way I think about myself and the interactions with others. Besides, as I really think about it, is one hour to totally oneself too much each day to be a better you?… I have a choice

 

Feb 15th, 2010 - No Shrimp Left Behind…. A funny thing happened to me the other day.  I was out enjoying a meal and as I came to the end, I realized that there were additional shrimp on my plate and I was full!  For the non eaters out there, this would not be a problem, however if you were ever a member of the clean plate club you have already discerned my dilemma.  For starters, if you are not a member of the CPC, you don’t know that there is a secret and time honored code, if you ever come to the point that you are full at a meal, you MUST find a way to “finish off’ any meat product (seafood included).  
Vegetables no problem, but meat….problem.  I determined that I would not take a to-go box (not sure when I will be hungry again!) Wow I have not thought that in years.
Long story short, I am in the process of relinquishing my clean plate club card, I have had several meals over the past week that have failed to qualify... I am getting used to leaving food behind and in the process unnecessary additional calories.

Jeremiah 1 –Valentine Candy 0… I thought the weekend would be a challenge, in the past I have really enjoyed myself too much indulging on Valentine candy.  As I type and reflect, I can say that I have not had one sweet tart heart, one chocolate covered cherry or even one Cadbury Egg... guilty, I usually kick-off the Easter Festivities with a few eggs for Valentines. 

The energy levels are still very high and I am able to accomplish more at work and even engaging in meaningful activities when I get home.  I think now the most important thing that is happening to me is that I am starting to re-set the internal mental clock that has been raging for so many years.  I have begun to eat when my body tells me too and not when my mind hits one of the pre-determined milestone TIMES … (breakfast/lunch/dinner/) and by doing this, I am also becoming more conscience in my food selections and quantity. 

It has been 13 days and I am starting to notice a difference in the way some of my clothes fit – looser.  How I feel when getting up in the morning – more energy and alert. And the over all drive and desire to continue down the road to self improvement.  

As I watched my on-air video on you tube, listened to what I was saying and my motivating mantra was born… I Have A Choice 

 

Feb 8th, 2010:  The first week went very well for me. I have to admit, was more than a little shocked to hear my “official” weight.  I knew I was carrying a load, but this is crazy.  I have been on the program for 6 days now and I am starting to see early results.  I know that is has been less than a week, but I have to say that my energy level is up, and that I am able to focus and concentrate more. One of the things that I am experiencing that I was not told of was that I have been getting more rest at night, or at least I am more alert in the AM upon rising.  I used to sit on the side of the bed at 5:00am and it would take a while before I get moving, but over the last several days I have sat up and stood up all in one motion.  And from there my day is ON. 

I have to admit; I had some reservations about the product initially, so the first week I decided to follow the directions I was provided, but not really change my physical routine beyond what I had begun before taking the challenge.  To my surprise, the product works- I have seen a noticeable difference in the way my shirts and pants are already starting to fit.  I am not hungry and I did something I have not done in a long time...  Did not go for seconds!  

I am also now mindful of the fact: “What I eat has consequences.” And to everyone that has called or reached me on Facebook to share your support, Thank You and I will keep at it.

All in all the first week was great for me, 6lbs down and now I begin to up the workout routine.

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