Plateaued! Weight Loss Update

I have been stuck in the 280's for three weeks now.  I hit a low 284 and have been basically hovering right there.  It's not a lot of fun to be sure, and it is certainly frustrating.   However, I know what I have to do to break through it.  I need to simply start doing the things I was doing when I was losing several pounds a week.  The plan is simple--the execution of the plan--not so much.

When I started my journey, I know I wanted a plan I could live with.  This  means my plan had to be something simple, because I am a simple guy and I like "simple".  I developed some simple guidelines for my journey.  First, I would give up the obvious bad stuff like sweets, sugared pop, and cakes.  Second, I would give up bread and really limit my pasta.  This of coarse sounds simple, but was not easy for a bread/pasta addict like myself.  Third, I would incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet.   Finally, I reasoned I would eat many of the remaining foods, just with smaller portions.   I made a rule of just having one bowl or one plate for a meal-- no going back for seconds.  I think by and large I have been pretty successful in the first three areas.  However, I think know the portion sizes have been slightly creeping up.  My one plate rule did not allow for a plate piled up with food three feet high!!!  I knew this, but either consciously or unconsciously didn't adhere to my plan.

Maybe I got off track with the holidays.  Perhaps I could blame it on the nasty weather.  Regardless,  of why I am off pace, I know I am off pace, but am officially getting back on track and back in the game.  How about you?  Are you doing anything to perk up your weight loss game?

I like to wind up on a positive note and with a smile.  So here is a video I made when I was starting my journey.  I try to show just how tiny portions look to the eyes of this fat guy.  I have 30 weight loss related videos you might like to check out on my channel at http://blip.tv/virtualpaul

Weight Loss - It Takes Guts

It does take guts.  I mean this whole internet weight loss thing.  If you are one of us that writes a blog or shoots videos for YouTube, you know what I'm talking about.  Yesterday, I was talking to a close friend that is starting along their weight loss journey.  They were ready to talk about everything diet related but absolutely didn't want to say where they were at weight wise- not even talk about a specific number for a goal.  At first, I thought they were joking, but they were not going to get into specifics.  Well that is fine and I wish them all the luck in the world, but without some form of accountability, I think your chances of sticking to this are pretty slim.  To me, being so secretive seems so strange when one is used to the stark sharing that is everywhere in our weight loss community.  In fact, they couldn't believe I make videos and talk about my weight and the struggles of losing it.  Well yeah, it does take guts, and at first it was very uncomfortable especially for me because I have always been so shy.  However, now, I wouldn't want to try to do this journey without the help and accountability I get from all of you.  So, if you are out there blogging day after day, or making videos week after week about your weight, chin up and hold your head high and be proud because it does take guts and I am rooting for you all the way!!!

BTW, anyone like Kielbasa and Sauerkraut??

Weight Loss Update - Ups and Downs

I'm starting to realize there will indeed be ups and down along this weight loss journey.  Sometimes seemingly without rhyme or reason.  My Sunday weight in after Thanksgiving showed a gain of two pounds for the week.  I thought this seemed high as I had really tried to watch portions on Thanksgiving and didn't think I had went crazy.  Hey, this was the first year I didn't make stuffing!! (As an aside, the no stuffing was per a request from my wife who is trying to lose also.  For the record, I love stuffing and think I could have ate some and been alright.  I honored her request but really missed having stuffing.  I think she needs to work on her willpower and let those of us who have some willpower enjoy our stuffing on Thanksgiving.  She doesn't read this blog so I can say that LOL!!)  So back to the story at hand, they say you can't argue with the scale and it is what it is.  A two pound gain when I had tried to hard didn't seem quite right, but I decided to keep on forging ahead regardless. (You can see it here I'm not happy about the gain.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhKaZeV7rtI     Well by mid-week I got on the scale to see I had reversed the two pounds and also lost two additional pounds. (YAY!!!)   While   we all love happy endings to our stories, I wanted to wait until my next weight in to be sure before I declared it for a fact.  So, I am thrilled to report that for whatever reason I have in fact lost the two I gained and an additional two which brings me to my lowest since starting my journey.  For anyone who is curious I started 9/11/11 at 311 and 12 weeks later I am 288 so a loss of 23 pounds.  Compared to those that are dieting hard like juice fasting etc. this is a tiny loss.  However, for me who is simply eating the same as always minus bread and less pasta, and just eating smaller portions, this is a big victory in my book.  I am happy with the results and plan to keep on going!!!  Here is my happier mid week video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi0KomAFrxE   I suppose the only way I can reconcile this is that it was water weight due to eating salty foods over Thanksgiving.  I hope you all are doing well!!  I hope to make it around to read all of your blogs soon.