I Did IT. I Did It. I Lost The 20 Pounds I Was Told To Lose. Took Me 110 Days, i.e., 3 Months 3 Weeks.

…
..
.by Anura Guruge

A Few Related Posts:
>> ‘Fast Diet’ losing weight the right way — Mar. 29, 2013.
>> Will power, wrong way to lose weight — Jan. 28, 2013.
>> Ozeri Gen II digital bath scales with BMI — Feb. 14, 2013.
>> NH Maple weekend — Mar. 26, 2013.

It wasn’t hard per se. I never expected it to be hard. I am the past master of losing weight — when I set my mind to it, i.e., I have a chat with my best friend, ‘my brain’, and we agree that we together, working hand-in-hand, will achieve that goal.

Deanna picked up my blood work results on Tuesday, January 22, 2013. My blood sugar was ‘102‘ — I was now officially prediabetic, ‘100’ the cut-off. I had hovered at ’99’ for a number of years. Thought I was ‘only’ around 185 pounds I decided I was going to lose weight.

Saw my rake-thin cardiologist two days later, on January 24. Per their scales, fully dressed (for winter), I was 193 pounds. As soon as I got home I ordered a new, digital bathroom scales with automated, BIA-technology based BMI calculations. So, I ended up with the Ozeri Gen II (ZB011). I love it. That it shows your weights to the ‘tenths’ helps. You can really watch your weight fluctuate in terms of ounces. Per the Ozeri I weighed 189 pounds and  my BMI never was beyond the dreaded ’25’. I am now at ‘17‘ per the Ozeri – and this morning after my run, the Ozeri read, exactly: ‘169.0‘! 

I don’t know what my blood work is. I haven’t had it tested since. Yes, I lost the weight by eliminating carbs. But, that means I am eating more cheese and meats. The last time I did this, about 8 years ago, my blood work was the best ever. But I was younger.

So my cardiologist, Dr. Stephen Hanlon, of Catholic Medical (in Manchester, NH), a man of few words, tells me that I should lose 20 pounds. I was bit taken back. But, it was funny he did not tell me to in anyway change my exercise regime once he heard about my slogging up Prospect Mountain Hill and snow shoveling.

I thought I would lose the 20 pounds in 3 months. I am not that thrilled that it took me 3 weeks longer. But, the trip to Arizona set me back 10 days. Though I did NOT cheat, even once, my whole system was out of whack.

This was really a modified Atkins — and I am an Atkins devotee ever since Deanna steered me towards his approach c. 2005. As I told Dr. Hanlon it is impossible, today, to totally eliminate carbs from your diet. There are carbs even in most salad dressings – and no, I am not going to live on Balsamic Vinaigrette alone. I was also not going to sacrifice my daily, diluted (large) glass of red wine. Long time ago I worked out that there were two mandatory things, other than oxygen and food, I needed in order to function (and especially, to write): sex and red-wine. So the red wine was staying though what I now drink, other than very, very rare occasions (like once every month), is a ‘disgusting’ watery mix. Then there is oatmeal. Though I take both flaxseed and Metamucil, daily, I like my oatmeal. I like proper, celtic-style steel-cut oatmeal — and Deanna will make it for me, if I ask. But, the one thing I do cheat on, especially if when we are travelling is, McDonald’s oatmeal. I have liked it from the day it came out. Yes, I know it has a bunch of ‘unhealthy’ stuff, but if this is my ‘indulgence’ — you can do much worse.

So, that is it. I will continue on this diet for the foreseeable future. The chances are that I will lose a few more pounds. IF I get to 165 pounds, I will have to reevaluate matters. I don’t want to go much below that. My ribs start to show.

IF you want to lose weight my way, let me know. I will help you out. Yes, I am supposed to, per Deanna, write a book about my diet, and it is on the list.

Happy Mother’s Day.