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??

Juicing - Jumping on the Bandwagon

I'm jumping on the bandwagon-sort of.  You see we bought a juicer yesterday.  There have been people in the YouTube weight loss community that have gotten huge weight losses by juicing.  There are guys that have lost over 100 pounds at a rate of one pound a day.  However, in order to post such huge losses, they have been on juice-only fasts.  Now, I really like the taste of the juice, but I can honestly say I do not have the willpower to go on a juice only fast for much more than a day LOL.  In addition, I don't think that would be a good plan for me long term either.  Even if I could stay on the fast (which there is no way I could) I am afraid once I quit the fast, the weight would creep back on.  I am much more comfortable and confident in the smaller portions and lifestyle change method that I have adopted.  The reality is though, I think juicing for a meal several times throughout the week, is something that will aide and not hinder me while on this journey.  In addition, I can see a lot of good in the fact of getting nutrients from the juice of fruits and vegetables I would never ordinarily be eating.  So far all I can say is that the machine is very easy to use and it does a good job.  I plan to use it for a few days and will let you know how it goes.  Anyways, have you ever tried a juicer?  I would love to hear of your experience with it.  Is juicing something you would consider?  Maybe you know of someone that has tried juicing.  Maybe you think it is plain stupid.  Whatever the case let me know what you think.  I really value your input!!!

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.