Day 7 - The Biggest Loser

Last night was the biggest loser. This is one of my favorite shows to watch and is a source of motivation for me. It is really one of the only shows I watch on tv (we don't get cable) and is the only realty show I can stand. I was glad the way that the previous ended thought I have to admit it got hard to watch once Vicky and Heba and Ed were all part of the final 4.

That being said this season looks like it will be a good one. Of course it is still way to early to really know alot about the contestants but I am rooting for the orange team, the white team, and the gray team and the purple team. They all had members that stuck out to me for one reason or another.

I did not really like the twist of sending one person from each team home for 30 days it really took away from the excitement of the players dropping tremendous amounts of weight. Their initial success was over shadowed by the difficult decisions the teams would have to make. It is one twist I hope the show does not opt to repeat.

I guess we will see how the show goes. I look forward to watching how these people change over the next couple of months.

TODAY'S STATS

Calories: 2398
Weight: 260 lbs
Mood: Feeling good and staying on track.
Total Weight Lost: 6 lbs since 1/1/09

Day 6 - Pizza Day

Today the people in my office decided to order pizza for lunch. I LOVE pizza. However, due to my new lifestyle, and to prove to myself that I could, I decided not to participate. This was hard to but I did it.

Also, today is the first day since I started that I did not loose weight. The honeymoon is over now and it is going to be an uphill battle the rest of they way but I am looking forward to the journey.

TODAY'S STATS

Calories: 2767
Weight: 259.5 lbs
Mood: Feeling good.
Total Weight Loss: 5.5 lbs since 1/1//09

Day 5 - Back to work

Today I started out the day with a good workout but I should have taken more food to the office. Overall not much else to say.

TODAY'S STATS

Calories: 2370
Weight: 258.5 lbs
Mood: Still enthusiastic
Total Weight Loss: 6.5 lbs since 1/1/09

Day 4 - Cauliflower

As part of my new lifestyle I am trying to eat more veggies. I actually like veggies, however, as a family we have gotten into a rut eating them. As a result I am trying to find new and exciting ways to eat them. One of my christmas presents was "The Biggest Loser Cookbook." There are several interesting looking recipies in here but the one I decided to try first was for Cauliflower. It can be found on page 130.

It was of delicious. The only change I made was I used regular Parmesian instead of low fat but that is a very minor change.


Parmesian Roasted Cauliflower
Makes 1 serving














1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) cauliflower florets
2 teaspoons grated reduced-fat Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Salt, to taste
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 425°F. In a medium bowl, combine the cauliflower, cheese, parsley, garlic powder, and pepper. Season with salt. Toss to mix. Drizzle on the oil and toss again. Transfer the mixture to a small nonstick baking dish.

Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, tossing once, or until lightly browned and crisp-tender. Serve immediately.

Nutrition at a Glance Per serving: 104 calories, 4 g protein, 11 g carbohydrates, 6 g fat (less than 1 g saturated), 5 mg cholesterol, 4 g fiber, 121 mg sodium


TODAY'S STATS:

Calories: 2753
Weight: 259 lbs
Mood: Feeling a bit hungry.
Total Weight Lost: 6 lbs since 1/1/09

Day 3 - The Weekend

It is my first weekend on my new eating plan and so far it has been good. Weekends are typically harder than workdays because there is more food available. Despite that fact, I was able to keep to my plan. This weekend my wife and I went to the grocery store to stock up on healtier foods so I am set for this next week of healty living.

TODAY'S STATS:

Calories: 2392
Weight: 260.5 lbs
Mood: Feeling good about staying on track.
Total Weight Lost: 4.5 lbs since 1/1/09

Day 2 - Milestones

A major part of setting successful long term goals is being able to break them up into smaller goals. So in that light I am setting some milestones that I would like to reach as well as establishing the rewards I will grant myself when I reach them. There will be a mix of short term and long term milestones as well as different types such as lbs lost, body fat %, and physical activity.


MILESTONES:

• Lose 10lbs - Reward: Buy new Orson Scott Card book Ender in Exile
• Reduce body fat % by 5% - Reward: Buy portable DVD player or a new Zune MP3 player
• Reduce weight by 10% (26.5 lbs) - Reward: UNDECIDED
• Reach Goal Weight of 220lbs - Reward: Buy a new high end home entertainment system
• Reach Goal Body Fat % of 18% - Reward: UNDECIDED

These are just my starter milestones. I will add more throughout the year as I think of them. Also I will add rewards as things that motivate me come up. I am trying to stay away from food oriented rewards for obvious reasons.


TODAY'S STATS:

Calories: 2382
Weight: 263
Mood: Glad to have had another successful day.
Total Weight Lost: 2 lbs since 1/1/09

Day 1 - Time to face the music

Well it is day one of my new lifestyle and I have to say that it is so far so good. It was pretty easy to stick to the plan of counting calories and limiting my food intake to 2400 calories. I even got to eat out at Red Lobster and did not go over. (One more biscuit would have done it though) Since it is my first day I am posting my beginning stats.


BEGINNING STATS:

Weight: 265lbs

Body Fat %: 30.4%

Measurements:
Chest 47 3/4 inches
Waist 45 3/4 inches
Hips 42 3/4 inches
Thigh 24 1/8 inches
Bicep 15 inches

This is the most I have ever weighed and it is a result of eating a lot of fast food for lunches and over stuffing myself each day. I have been feeling pretty bad with all the junk I have eaten so I am looking forward to having more energy and feeling better because I am making better choices.


TODAY'S STATS:

Calories: 2190
Weight: 265 lbs
Mood: Looking forward to change
Total Weight Lost: 0 lbs since 1/1/08