Day 461 So This Is How It Feels To Really Move and A Cool Change

Day 461

So This Is How It Feels To Really Move and A Cool Change

Saturday morning came a little too quickly for me. I normally enjoy sleeping in on Saturday, but occasionally duty calls for an early rising on a Saturday---and today was one of those days. Still, at just after 8am, in comparison to when I get up during the week---I guess I did sleep in, but you know what I mean. I started the coffee and decided on steel cut oats for breakfast. It was a warm and wonderful way to start the morning!

I had a broadcast scheduled on location at a big shoe store in town at 11am, and I needed to travel to the studio to produce a couple of things and grab my broadcast information sheet. Even though I jumped out of bed at 8am, I was still rushed. I could never be this rushed before, at my heaviest. I didn't move like this back then. I couldn't. It's so hard to believe how horrible it had become and how it's taken this weight loss so far to really show me how bad it was. I guess when something is all you've ever known, it's hard to truly realize how bad it is until you have something to compare. I have that something now, and trust me, in comparison, it was really bad at 505.

The “wow” reactions happen so frequently these days that I hesitate to write about them all. I really enjoy them and I'll never get tired of that look from people, but seriously---I could almost have one to write about everyday. This morning it was the shoe store owner and his employees. I've bought shoes from this place for years---they all knew me at my heaviest, but I hadn't been in there for over a year---and the reaction was one of complete disbelief followed by sincerely happy congratulations and excitement. Then of course the questions “How have you done it? Slim-Fast?” I didn't go into my weight loss philosophy and why products like Slim-Fast are temporary weight loss tools at best. I've written pages about that stuff and all of the different ways people lose weight by doing the opposite of what they should for long term life changing results---but this wasn't the time to explain all of that stuff. I'm always tempted, but I didn't. I just replied, “No---just portion control, counting those calories, and exercise---and a bunch of mental exercises. It's 80% in our heads and 20% food and exercise.” That answer found agreement among the staff and the conversation was closed. We had shoes to sell! It was a nice broadcast indeed. And promptly at high noon---several pizzas were delivered for the shoppers to enjoy courtesy of Team Radio and Domino's Pizza.

Domino's has completely changed their original hand tossed pizza recipe, so I had to try a piece. In fact, I have a commercial for this change to produce this weekend---So I needed to try it, right? It's good, really good—-but for an old calorie counter like me, I'm not sure I'll be investing too many calories in this new style. I'll stick with the calorie friendly thin crust.

I base my food decisions on “calorie value.” I want the most bang for my calorie “buck,” and that pursuit has helped me many times make the better choice. It's simple really. Mustard instead of mayo, red sauce over alfredo, thin crust instead of thick...little tweaks can make a huge difference. I still eat what I like and occasionally that means Miracle Whip (better than mayo calorie wise—and taste wise in my opinion), or alfredo sauce, or in todays situation---a non-thin crust piece of pizza, but I'm always looking for ways to cut calories. Like that 395 Kentucky Grilled promotion. I explained how you can make it a 315 calorie meal instead with a couple of easy adjustments. A tweak here and a tweak there, and pretty soon you'll feel like you've consumed plenty but still have calories remaining for the day. It comes with experience, I will say that. I don't recommend someone just starting out to worry about all of these calorie cutting maneuvers. It must develop gradually and naturally. That's why I have always said “nothing is off limits.” The road to better choices must evolve from what we like. If it's unnatural and forced---then any results we get will become temporary. Just be calorie aware and count 'em up. When you only have 1500 to use daily, you 'll naturally figure out ways to get the most out of them! And the things you learn along the way about normal portions, wow---it's been a real education for me.

Some friends invited me out tonight for Karaoke. I got in a quick workout in the fitness room before getting ready and heading out. It wasn't the best workout—ten minutes on the elliptical and 1.5 miles on the treadmill, but it was a workout. Amber and Courtney had plans with their friends, so I accepted the invitation from my friends. Karaoke was a blast. I performed “Cool Change” from the Little River Band. It's one of my favorite songs from LRB and is so fitting for me these days. And it's within my vocal range, so it's easy for me to sing. I put some real emotion into that one, it was fun! I didn't drink at all. I did however allow myself a few diet Cokes adorned with maraschino cherries. I spent almost a hundred calories on those cherries---but they were worth it!

Thank you for reading and I look forward to the wonderful milestones ahead. The weight loss/current weight crossing point is coming soon. That'll be big! After many fantastic suggestions from readers, I still haven't decided what to call that rare weight loss feat. Maybe you too have an idea. It's the point where you've lost more weight than you currently weigh. What should we call that crossing point? Without calling it the “crossing point.” I think I wanted something that sounded a little more scientific. Like when Doc Brown spoke of breaking the “Space Time Continuum” in Back To The Future. Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated! And if you've already given me some, thank you, and keep 'em coming! Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean