February 29, 2012: Post 60, Day 60 - Fast Day

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Today's Weight:        200.4 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    200.0 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         + 0.4 lbs

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - first quarter.

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - year 2012.

A high-calorie but nutrient-dense day yesterday, and I came into today's fast in very good shape. I think I would be in better shape if not for yesterday's dietary indiscretion (fail!), but that is, as they say, water under the bridge. Even though I only made it to 22 hours, I expect this fast to set my hormones right.

Daily Comment

Some times getting started is so difficult. One example I am faced with every day is getting out of bed. I know I make it difficult for myself because I just don't want to do it. And it doesn't have a thing to do with any dread about the coming day (I don't dread my days) - it just has to do with the fact that I, like the helplessly depressed Brian Wilson of the 70s, like being in bed. I just don't want to get out of bed. Sue me. I know the answer to the problem, but just don't have the motivation to employ it.

But that's not what I was initially thinking of when this topic occurred to me. I was thinking of my new band (Big Talk) and how much difficulty we're having putting together our 1st rehearsal. Two weeks have gone by since we settled on a 'final' lineup (which meant finding a good drummer). People have schedules - most people (not me) have other people to coordinate with. I have tried to balance being part of the problem with some solutions. We're getting closer.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch

Skipped.



Snack 
Spring Mix greens, red cabbage and balsamic vinaigrette.



Dinner

Wild-caught salmon, onions, peppers, salmon and scrambled eggs.

Snack 

Vanilla protein shake (24g of whey protein) with almond milk, vanilla and stevia-inulin blend.

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   22 oz,   Water: 128+ oz

February 28, 2012: Post 59, Day 59

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Today's Weight:        200.0 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    199.8 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         + 0.2 lbs

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - first quarter.

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - year 2012.

I think we can all agree that today's weight is a 'push.' And, pretty good, too, when I think about the quantity of food that I ate yesterday. Today I had a small fail (a home-made iced sugar cookie). I am easily tempted, and in the face of someone's kindness, usually succumb.

Daily Comment

Some friends of mine are celebrating their 20th anniversary tomorrow. I don't wonder that I've never had such a relationship anniversary - I've never aspired to it. Although I made the commitment (twice), and was faithful to that commitment, I've really never seen my future that way. Maybe it comes from wishing my parents would divorce most of my life with them. But maybe not - my brother and sister both have successful long-term marriages. 

Food Log

Breakfast

Shaihi Rajma (red bean curry) with spinach and eggs. 

Lunch

Smoked turkey breast with Spring Mix greens, red cabbage and balsamic vinaigrette.

Snack 
Fail: 1 iced sugar cookie. Later, celery, baby carrots and home-made mayonnaise.

Dinner
Chocolate egg cream protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (w/48g of whey protein) plus an egg, cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Snack 
Celery, baby carrots and home-made mayonnaise.

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   32 oz,   Water: 128+ oz

February 27, 2012: Post 58, Day 58

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Today's Weight:        199.8 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    204.0 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         - 4.2 lbs

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - first quarter.

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - year 2012.

I don't know if it is right to celebrate such a big one-day weight loss when I didn't respond much to the big one-day-entirely-expected post-cheat weight gain that has now been erased.

Is my body finally sorting out this latest eating/lifestyle wrinkle - fasting - and beginning to react in expected ways like gaining weight after a binge, and losing weight after a fast? That doesn't seem like it should be so difficult, right? But historically, a weight drop has not accompanied fasting.

Daily Comment

Today I'm thinking about being exactly 3 years from the date I have set to retire. Three years. 

So far, most of the people who I've aired my plans to have been supportive (depending on which location is at the top of my list). Central and South American destinations have gotten the most negative responses - but only from some friends reminding me that years ago, I made a statement that I would never "live in a place where Spanish is the national language." Although that statement was made largely in ignorance of all the wonderful places that it included, it was honest at the time - I had had some significant turnoffs originating in Mexico, Colombia and Spain. Times change. 

All three of those places seem very attractive to me today (Colombia is actually in my top 5). Unlike almost all of my friends, there are no European locations - right now - on my top 5 list, and when most of my friends think about living overseas, they are typically only considering Europe, or occasionally, the Caribbean (no top 5 picks for me there, either). 

Southeast Asia (Chiang Mai, Thailand and Penang, Malaysia are number 1 and 2, respectively), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay: 3, 4 and 5) are the places that seem right to me now.


Three years. A lot will change. The biggest challenge is downsizing my possessions to make the move possible. The move, the travel - once I'm unencumbered, that's the easy part.

Food Log

Breakfast
Chocolate egg cream protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (w/36g of whey protein) plus an egg, cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch

Smoked turkey breast with Spring Mix greens, red cabbage and balsamic vinaigrette.

Snack 
Baby carrots.


Dinner

Grass-fed ground beef with chipotle sauce and red cabbage slaw. Side of cauliflower and peas in butter sauce.

Snack 
Chocolate protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (24g of whey protein) and cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).


Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   22 oz,   Water: 128+ oz

February 26, 2012: Post 57, Day 57 - Fast Day

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Today's Weight:        204.0 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    200.0 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         + 4.0 lbs

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - first quarter.

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - year 2012.

As expected, my weight has shot way up. Not to worry. It is on its way down, even as we 'speak'. I decided to go just shy of 24 hours on this fast, with a late-night protein shake.

Daily Comment

Once again, I find myself with nothing to say. It could happen.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch

Skipped.

Dinner
Skipped.

Break-Fast
Chocolate egg cream protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (w/48g of whey protein) plus an egg, cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   32+ oz,   Water: 112+ oz

February 25, 2012: Post 56, Day 56 - Measurement day, Cheat Day

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Today's Weight:        200.0 lbs
Yesterday's Weight:    199.0 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         + 1.0 lbs

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - first quarter.

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - year 2012.

                   Last week    This week     Gain/Loss

  Weight:     202.6  lbs   200.0  lbs    - 2.6  lbs
  Chest:       39.00 "      39.00 "      - 0.00 in
  Waist:       38.00 "      37.00 "      - 1.00 "
  Hips:        37.00 "      37.00 "      - 0.00 "
  Total in:   114.00 "     113.00 "      - 1.00 "
  % Body Fat:  16.9  %      16.9  %      - 0.0  %

This is a chart of my weekly weight since 12/31/2011.First quarter.

This is a weekly chart of measured total inches (sum of chest, waist, hips) since 12/31/2011. First quarter.

So, better. On all fronts. Ridiculous eating day. Lots and lots of food consumed, the last of which was eaten very late at night. I expect a big weight jump tomorrow (and also, that tomorrow's all-day fast will mitigate a lot of that gain).

Daily Commentary

Here's where attitude trumps... skill? talent? I don't know, something like that. There is a woman country singer, a very nice woman, in fact, who I have seen at jams and open mics for a few years now. I have occasionally backed her up. She is very popular. I think her voice and guitar playing are terrible. She once asked to play my bass in a song (while I was onstage with her) and I politely, with a smile, declined. But her attitude, her persistence, her personal charm... She communicates what she wants, rendering my low estimation of her performance irrelevant. Tonight, and last Thursday, when I backed her up, her joy and enthusiasm were quite obvious to me and the audience. Her flat singing and loose rhythm guitar work meant nothing to me or to those in the audience. We all heard with our hearts.

Food Log

Breakfast

Pink grapefruit (both halves eaten); onion, pepper and mozzarella cheese omelet; Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Golden Flax cereal with blueberries, whey protein powder (24g of protein), almond milk and stevia-inulin; black coffee.

Snack

Remember yesterday's fail? I had some more home-made coconut macaroons.



Lunch

Whole-wheat farfalle pasta (bowties) with peas and pomodoro sauce.

Dinner

A salad of Spring mix greens, red cabbage, baby carrots and balsamic vinaigrette.



Snack

Assorted donuts.


Liquid Intake

    Coffee:  30 oz, Water:  72+ oz.

February 24, 2012: Post 55, Day 55

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Today's Weight:        199.0 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    200.0 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         - 1.0 lbs

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - first quarter.

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - year 2012.

Now I am at my lowest weight of 2012. That's nice. Temporary though it may be, it would seem to vindicate my eating plan. 


Temporary for sure. My afternoon fail (some home-made coconut macaroons) may put the kibosh on my victory lap. Once again, undone by the generosity of coworkers.

Daily Comment

I am looking forward to the weekend. That is hardly news. There are bands to hear, and music to be played. But Friday's? So tired. Too tired...

Food Log

Breakfast
Chocolate egg cream protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (w/48g of whey protein) plus an egg, cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Snack

Spring Mix greens with red cabbage, baby carrots, and balsamic vinaigrette.


Lunch
Chocolate egg cream protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (w/48g of whey protein) plus an egg, cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Snack
Home-made coconut macaroons.

Snack
Baby carrots, celery, prosciutto.


Dinner

Grass-fed ground beef with cauliflower "faux" mashed potatoes. Not shown: Shahi Rajma (red kidney bean curry).

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   30 oz,   Water: 112+ oz

February 23, 2012: Post 54, Day 54

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Today's Weight:        200.0 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    201.6 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         - 1.6 lbs

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - first quarter.

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - year 2012.

200 pounds. That's a nice, round number to be at today. While this is normally the weight-gain phase of my week (2 days of 'normal' eating, then a cheat day), I hope to gain less by being a little higher-protein and lower-carb (extra shake, no beans), for the 'normal' days.

Daily Comment

I am having a moment of doubt re: My expatriate retirement plan. This may be because it is still so far away, yet the need to prepare seems like a huge task that must not wait. There are also doubts about whether I really will be able to afford to live the way I dream and visualize - the need I have for some modern comforts (a Western-style bathroom and kitchen, for instance) and access to organic food, in a place that otherwise offers many cultural and spiritual benefits (like Southeast Asia). Many places I read about may only be inexpensive if you 'go native' - which is something I am ready to do socially, but not environmentally.


At the same time, I believe that it is important to take steps toward your goal - so I have bought a course on selling photographs commercially. I love taking photographs and have for most of my life -if it works out that I can earn even a little bit more money in retirement, it will make a big difference to me.

Food Log

Breakfast
Chocolate egg cream protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (w/48g of whey protein) plus an egg, cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch
At Star North.

Mongolian Grill (shrimp, chicken, broccoli, onions, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, egg, hot and spicy sauce) , kimchi, fish in eggdrop soup, and a salad of lettuce, tomatoes, hard-boiled egg and ranch dressing.

Snack

Spring Mix greens, red cabbage, and balsamic vinaigrette.



Dinner

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

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   22 oz,   Water: 128+ oz

February 22, 2012: Post 53, Day 53 - Fast Day

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Today's Weight:        201.6 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    204.2 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         - 2.6 lbs

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - first quarter.

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - year 2012.

I am down big after a low-carb (not slow-carb) day of eating. Calories might have been down a little lower yesterday, but probably not by a whole lot. Today is, of course, a 24-hour fast; I won't be eating anything before dinner. With that, I fully expect my weight tomorrow to be back around 200 pounds.

Daily Comment

I saw a great TED talk about a doctor who, after 7 years of medical treatment, 'cured' herself of MS through diet. Very inspiring. The diet contains huge amounts of vegetables (including a bit of seaweed), some fruit, and grass-fed meat and organs, and wild-caught fish. Here's a link: Mind Your Mitochondria .


This may be the sanest diet plan ever.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner

Grass-fed beef on a bed of tequila-lime salsa with Spring Mix greens and red cabbage with balsamic vinaigrette.Not shown: Broccoli with butter and herbs.

Snack
Chocolate egg cream protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (w/36g of whey protein) plus an egg, cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   33 oz,   Water: 128+ oz

February 21, 2012: Post 52, Day 52

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Today's Weight:        204.2 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    202.6 lbs
Net Loss/Gain:         + 1.6 lbs

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - first quarter.

Daily weight from December 31, 2011 - year 2012.

Disappointingly, my weight is up today - I was hoping for a drop (although it is not unusual for my weight to be up the day after my post-fast 'normal' eating day. 

Anyway, to counter the recent gain, I'm going back to a low-carb, high-protein plan for the day, beginning with 2 shakes and a (bean-less) meal. I have never found anything that works better for weight loss than high-protein, low carb (that is, carbs from vegetables only).

Tomorrow is, of course, a fast day.

Daily Comment

Well, it's back to work after 3 days off. One of those days I had a great time, one I got really sick, one was just a bit of recuperation. Today, things are pretty much back to what passes for normal in my life, and I'm grateful, because 'normal' for me is a pretty happy place these days. 

Also, a shout-out to old homie Dan, for his comment last week, which I just answered. Thanks, Dan!

Food Log

Breakfast
Chocolate egg cream protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (w/48g of whey protein) plus an egg, cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch
Chocolate egg cream protein shake (vanilla whey protein powder (w/48g of whey protein) plus an egg, cocoa, almond milk, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Snack
Celery with home-made mayonnaise.

Dinner

Grass-fed beef on a bed of tequila-lime salsa with Spring Mix greens and red cabbage with balsamic vinaigrette. 

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   22 oz,   Water: 104+ oz.