December 30, 2011: Post 354 (Day 363)

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        199.8 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    198 .8 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:        +  1.0 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011. Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

I really didn't see that pound gain coming. I was so busy today, I ended up skipping breakfast and eating a late lunch. Then, I was out late and ending up having a third meal as a post-midnight snack. Tomorrow's measurement day closes out the year, and my end-of-year goal weight of 200 pounds may be in jeopardy. Stay tuned to find out. 

Daily Comment

Today (well, tonight) was my New Year's Eve celebration. I went to a party and two clubs to see friends. Tomorrow is going to be a "quiet" cheat day and New Year's Eve. There is dark chocolate and Jameson's tomorrow. No matter how I end 2011, I will start 2012 over 200 pounds. And be happy about it.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch

Rotisserie chicken salad (with celery, onion and home-made mayonnaise), black beans, cabbage with carrots, and Spring Mix greens. 

Dinner

Chicken sausage with feta cheese and spinach with Dal Tadka (lentil curry) and broccoli.

Snack
I went to a party (late) and had a few handfuls of peanuts and some ham. When I got home, I had smoked turkey and carrots.

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   30 oz,   Water: 148+ oz.

Decenber 29, 2011: Post 353 (Day 362)

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        198.8 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    200.8 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:        -  2.0 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011. Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Well, finishing up with a bang. Two days left in the year (I started on Day 0, so the year ends at 364) and I'm below weight goal I set for myself. To keep it so, I may have to go 'light' on cheat day. We'll see. 

Daily Comment

This was the last day of work for the year. Whew! Pretty good year.

Food Log

Breakfast

Dal Tadka (lentil curry), spinach and eggs.

Lunch

Smoked turkey, red kidney beans, Spring Mix greens and balsamic vinaigrette.

Dinner

Rotisserie chicken and cole slaw with red kidney beans. Not shown: Baby carrots and home-made mayonnaise. 

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   42 oz,   Water: 136+ oz.

December 28, 2011: Post 352 (Day 361) - Fast Day

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        200.8 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    201.2 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:        -  0.4 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011. Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

As expected, my weight is a little lower today, and I expect it to be under 200 tomorrow (after the 24 hour fast that ended at 6pm today).

Daily Comment

I was going to play bass at the open mic at Shifty's tonight, but we got the first snow, it got cold, and I decided to stay in, safe and warm, and not risk the icy roads. Tomorrow I will play at Mac's, and that will do it for me for 2011 - next musical playing will be on January 1, at Rooter's. It has been a good year for me in a lot of ways, but if it hadn't been a good year for playing - which it definitely was - I wouldn't be looking back on it so fondly.

This is the first year I can remember spending New Year's Eve alone. It is a choice, and it is a revocable one. Mood and weather will decide, but I'm rather looking forward to staying in.

Food Log

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner

Roast turkey with Spring Mix greens, red cabbage, black beans and balsamic vinaigrette. Not shown: Baby carrots and home-made mayonnaise.

Snack

Chocolate protein shake, with 36g protein in whey protein powder, chocolate, cinnamon and stevia/inulin.

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   22 oz,   Water: 144+ oz.

December 27, 2011: Post 351 (Day 360)

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        201.2 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    200.2 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:        +  1.0 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011. Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

This is an expected gain, and not too bad. After today's standard/regular eating, I expect tomorrow to be the same or a little down. And tomorrow is a 24-hour fast day - no eating until 6:30pm.

Daily Comment

This is a tough week at work- short as it is, it is busy due to many people taking the last 4 working days of the year off.

Food Log

Breakfast

Chocolate egg cream protein shake: Vanilla whey protein powder (w/36g of whey protein) plus cocoa, an egg, almond milk, an extra 5g of BCAAs, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch

Tuna salad with Spring Mix greens, red cabbage and black beans.

Dinner

Grass-fed beef  with peas and Dal Tadka (lentil curry).

Snack

Baby carrots and celery with home-made mayonnaise.

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   22 oz,   Water: 144+ oz.

December 26, 2011: Post 350 (Day 359)

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        200.2 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    204.0 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:        -  3.8 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011. Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

One more fast, one more cheat day this year. Yesterday's fast undid the work of the previous cheat day. Woo-hoo!


I slept in today, long past breakfast-time. So my fast lasted almost 36 hours instead of 24, but I was never hungry... until I ate.

Daily Comment

I am sometimes amazed at my ability to relax. I have no idea where it comes from. My parents were never 'laid back' types. Yesterday I read about a prescription to allow yourself to be bored. Do nothing. See how long the boredom lasts. For me, never long. I don't need much in the way of distraction and stimulation. I go straight to 'turn off the brain'.


I wonder if it is because I meditate? Or because I'm incredibly lazy?

Food Log

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Eggs with spinach, peppers, onions and red kidney beans, with a side of bacon.

Dinner

Grass-fed beef burger with salsa and a salad of spring mix greens, red cabbage, red kidney beans and balsamic vinaigrette..

Snack

Baby carrots and celery with home-made mayonnaise.

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   32 oz,   Water: 112+ oz.

December 25, 2011: Post 349 (Day 358) - Fast Day

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        204.0 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    201.4 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:        +  3.6 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011. Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Really packed it on with all the fat and carbs yesterday. Oh, well, today's fast should take care of a bit of that. No food until tomorrow, to accomplish my (at least) 24 hour fast.

Daily Comment

Moving abroad is daunting, and I have two major challenges: Downsizing my possessions and narrowing down my choices. The latter is the least pressing, the former the most difficult aspect. 

Food Log

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Skipped.

Dinner

Skipped. 

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   32 oz,   Water: 104+ oz.

December 24, 2011: Post 348 (Day 357) - Measurement Day, Cheat Day

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        201.4 lbs
Yesterday's Weight:    201.0 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         + 0.4 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011.Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

                  Last week     This week     Gain/Loss

  Weight:     198.8  lbs    201.4  lbs    + 2.6  lbs
  Chest:       39.25 "       39.25 "      - 0.00 in
  Waist:       37.25 "       37.25 "      - 0.00 "
  Hips:        37.50 "       37.50 "      - 0.00 "
  Total in:   114.00 "      114.00 "      - 0.00 "
  % Body Fat:  16.9  %       16.9  %      - 0.0  %

This is a chart of my weekly weight since 10/1/2011.

This is a weekly chart of inches lost (sum of chest, waist, hips) since 10/1/2011. 

Two days with off-plan eating has stalled the weight loss. This is my next-to-last cheat day of the year, this next week should easily land me at my goal weight of 200 pounds or less on December 31.

Daily Commentary

Christmas Eve. While I have never been a Christian myself, I have helped other people celebrate Christmas and done it sincerely. This year, nothing. Well, almost. I did bring some of my rarely-played basses to a friend's acoustic gig. Got all dressed up. That's it.

Not celebrating Christmas feels alright with me. I wish everybody happy holidays, and I am sincere, and accept and thank others for the same wishes, but that feels just a little false, because I celebrate nothing at this time of year except the Solstice, the longest night. My New Year's Eve may go the same way this year. Alone-ness, without feeling lonely, is a good thing to me.

Food Log

Breakfast
Ezekiel Golden Flax sprouted grain cereal with almond milk. Havarti cheese and whole grain crackers. Coffee

Lunch

Whole wheat bowties with peas (and a little spinach) and Stilton cheese.

Dinner

Buffalo chicken pizza and (lots of) Christmas cookies.


Liquid Intake

    Coffee:  40 oz,   Water:  112+ oz. and a shot of Jameson's.

December 23, 2011: Post 347 (Day 356)

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        201.0 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    201.0 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:        -  0.0 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011. Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

No damage (or progress) from yesterday's concentrated-calorie-consumption-with-too-many-carbs.  I guess that's a good thing, if somewhat trivial.


I have found that having off-plan food around to tempt you, especially in the 'No Preparation Needed' category, leads inexorably to fails. Thanks to a wonderful Christmas gift, that is my current situation. I have cheese, crackers and almonds in the house. I love almonds and cheese, and the almonds have tempted me to a fail two days in a row (2 bags in the gift basket). Tomorrow's cheat day will clean house of the cheese and crackers.

Daily Comment

I think it surprises many people that nuts are not in my diet plan (cheese, too). Both nuts and cheese are out for a few reasons: Nuts have a great nutrient profile, but are too high in carbs and are extremely calorie-dense. And portion control is difficult (especially with salty types). 

Cheese is out because: a) it is a 'white' food (even when it isn't actually white); b) it does not have a good nutritional profile - its calcium content being its prime attribute; c) It is typically too salty. d) it has the wrong kind of protein (mostly casein, the good whey protein is mostly washed out in the process of making cheese); it does not have 'good' fat - but it does have a lot of fat; e) it is calorie- but not nutritionally- dense.


Now, I loves me some nuts and cheeses (I really, really like cheese) but it isn't good for me to eat these, so they are relegated to cheat day.

Food Log

Breakfast

Chocolate egg cream protein shake: Vanilla whey protein powder (w/36g of whey protein) plus cocoa, an egg, almond milk, an extra 5g of BCAAs, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch

Smoked turkey, Spring Mix greens, black beans and cole slaw mix with balsamic vinaigrette. Not shown: cole slaw.

Snack

Olive oil and sea-salt flavored almonds.

Dinner

No pic: Venison pepperoni and a salad of Spring Mix greens, black beans and cole slaw mix with balsamic vinaigrette. 

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   32 oz,   Water: 128+ oz.

December 22, 2011: Post 346 (Day 355) - Fast Day

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        201.0 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    201.4 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:        -  0.4 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011. Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

I'm happy with the way I'm eating, happy with how I feel right now. I'm not sure what else I could ask for. 


I am ending my experiment with PAGG. The results? Inconclusive. I will still take green tea and garlic supplementation, but the policosanol and ALA are gone.

I did my 24-hour fast today, but it didn't quite get out to 24 hours - at hour 23, I was hungry, and I spotted a bag of almonds given as a gift. The ensuing off-plan fail probably undid any weight loss progress I had made with the fast - it took me all of 15 minutes to consume 800 calories. That's the problem with nuts, and why I no longer keep any around. Worse, I was hungry a short time later.


This is why one of the fundamental rules of weight-loss is, "Do not have off-plan foods in the house."

Daily Comment

Feeling mostly recovered from yesterday morning's cold symptoms, the only relic is a bit of a runny nose. Hopefully, I'm out of the woods on that one.  And on to the next topic: Weird weather. 

I live in Syracuse, which gets the most snow of any city in the US or something. By this time last year, we had 6 feet. Admittedly, that was the all-time December snowfall record, but this year we've had nothing. Nothing so far. I have seen a dusting from the night before on a couple of mornings, but it was very light.

In general, I don't mind the snow here, it is only inconvenient when it is actually snowing at a time when I have to be driving.

The rest of the time, since a) these people know how to clear snow away, and b) I get my recreation mostly indoors, I don't care.

Food Log

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Skipped.

Snack

Chili and lime flavored almonds.

Dinner

Cauliflower, Dal Tadka (lentil curry) and venison pepperoni.

Snack

Celery and home-made mayonnaise.

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   32 oz,   Water: 124+ oz.

December 21, 2011: Post 345 (Day 354)

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

Today's Weight:        201.4 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    201.8 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:        -  0.4 lbs

Daily weight from October 1, 2011. Note: November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Daily weight from January 1, 2011. Note: January 1-5 and November 4-13 weights are estimated.

Baby-step gains are all right with me. 


Today's fast was postponed to tomorrow, as I had someone I was going to lunch with.


I woke up with a headache, a stuffed- and runny nose, a bit of a sore throat, and very tired. So I took a sick day from work. I skipped breakfast for more bed rest, then met my friend Al for a 'Holiday lunch.' He gifted me with an overwhelmingly expensive bottle of Jameson's 18yo Reserve. And some truly incredible edible treats. Wow.

Daily Comment

When I got home from lunch, I found I'd lost my phone. It had been in my coat pocket, and that is always dangerous, because I'm tall and when I sit, it puts pockets at an angle which frequently empties their contents. I frequently am picking up coins (and sometimes my phone) from my car floor when I drive.


So I knew exactly where it should be, and I called my friend Al, who had picked me up/dropped me off for lunch. But he couldn't find it. I scrambled back to the restaurant (not too far away). No dice.


I called Al back, and got real specific about where he should look.


That was good news. The phone is now right back where it should be. 


Saint Al saves my bacon again. He is like my guardian angel.


And he gave me an awesome bottle of Jameson's. Wow. And home-made venison pepperoni. Wow. 

Food Log

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch
At Ruby Tuesday's, I had 2 pieces of 'Buffalo Chicken' and 2 plates of salad at the salad bar. The salads consisted of spinach, romaine, green peppers, broccoli, baby lima beans, ham, hard boiled egg, mushrooms, tomatoes between the two plates, and oil and balsamic dressing on one and blue cheese on the other.

Snack

Home-made venison pepperoni (I couldn't wait!).

Dinner

Chicken sausage with feta cheese and spinach and a salad of Spring Mix greens and red kidney beans with vinaigrette.

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   12 oz,   Water: 98+ oz.