Week 8 diet results

at 11/07/09 6:29PM
I lost another 2.4 lb this week to put me down to 223.6. This was a little more weight loss than normal because I started back exercising this week. I ran 3 times and did some heavy weight lifting at the Y on Fri. Hopefully with consistent exercise, I can keep losing an avg of 2 lb a week to get me to my goal of 200 lb.

I was thinking that hitting a weight loss goal is a lot like our goals in Christianity. 19 lost lb later, I am looking noticably skinnier and have had times when I've thought to myself, "I could be content at this weight." Just like with Christianity, we get to thinking, "I'm pretty moral. I attend services every week, I don't drink or cheat on my spouse. I'm definitely not like that publican over there." What I need to keep in mind is that there is a goal I need to meet in both respects and you have to keep pushing until you meet it. Mediocrity can be our worst enemy.

On a dieting note, remember that there is nothing wrong with splurging every so often, even when on a diet. There have been weeks when I have been veggies veggies veggies and Fri night comes and I think, "I'm going to eat a bowl of ice cream." When I do, it doesn't automatically lead to a 10 lb gain. Just be responsible. Sweets are made to be enjoyed every so often, as long as it's not a lot.

**Note: It's not ok to sin every now and then. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

~Ryan
  • lilgagurl
    Good point about not getting content in where we are spiritually. Even Paul said that he was still pressing onward.
    Keep up the good work! :)
    by lilgagurl at 11/08/09 4:00PM
  • cellophane
    everything in moderation, right?


    I'm totally kidding.
    by cellophane at 11/18/09 11:13AM
  • mrfrodo
    man! i bet you look like you did in that martial arts pic on facebook now.
    by mrfrodo at 02/17/10 12:08PM

Week 7 diet results

at 10/31/09 12:15PM
Week 7 diet results

Jennifer and I were on vacation the past week, which is why I couldn't weigh in and post my week 6 results. And being on vacation, you can imagaine how hard it is to stick to a diet. But after eating a lot of fish and doing a lot of walking on the beach, I'm proud to say that I've lost 0.6 lbs to put me at an even 226. At this rate, I'm probably not going to reach my goal of 200 by the end of the year, but starting this week I am going to start incorporating more cardio. I'm going to test my healing back with some light running around the neighborhood and see if I can get back up to running 10 or so miles a week.

To answer Laura's question, I definitely do not plan on eliminating meat from my diet. In fact, I eat meat with the diet I am on. The purpose of my diet is to eat mostly veggies, fruits, and whole grains with a little bit of meat throughout the day. By a little bit of meat, I don't mean going to Burger King and eating a whopper jr, but eating a 6 oz filet or sirloin, fish, or a piece of chicken preferably prepared at home or a restaurant that you trust. While in the Caribbean, I ate tons of tuna, conch, and dolphin and still managed to lose weight. Also, whenever you mix in tons of protein with some weight lifting, your body can properly process and distribute the nutrients rather than leaving it to waste or converting it to fat.

In conclusion, unless you eat veggies like a rabbit and can get your protein purely from it, eat some meat!

Thanks again for the encouragement.

~Ryan
  • lilgagurl
    For a brief second as I was reading what you ate in the Caribbean, I thought you meant you ate an actual dolphin and not a dolphin-fish, and I was going wait a minute... :)
    by lilgagurl at 10/31/09 9:01PM
  • cellophane
    interesting! I do think you're going about it in the healthiest way possible: slow weight loss is more likely to lead to permanent weight loss. Keep it up!
    by cellophane at 11/02/09 11:49AM

Week 5 diet results

at 10/17/09 3:08PM
Week 5 diet results

I lost another 0.4 lb this week to put me at 226.8. This was a tough week with the gospel meeting and all the good food available. I didn't really overeat, but I definitely didn't stick to my diet as I did previous weeks. But a loss is a loss and I'd be content with losing 0.4 lb every week if you want to know the truth. Next week should be better, but Jennifer and I are leaving to go on vacation Thursday and new challenges should present themselves.

I was asked whether or not I eat any grains with my diet. The answer is an unequivicol YES. I eat a package of plain whole grain oatmeal almost every morning, which is good to start the day with and is heavy in nutrients that every body needs. I also eat whole grain brown rice, which is packed with nutrients. White rice has the reputation for being good for you, but a lot of nutrients are lost in the conversion. The process that gives us brown rice only removes the outermost layer of the hull and is the least damaging to it's nutrional value. But the milling and polishing that changes brown rice to white rice destroys TONS of nutrients: 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. My opinion is stick to with brown rice over white rice, unless you're into rice merely for the energy it gives you cardio wise.

26.8 lb to go! Thanks again for all of your encouragement.

~Ryan
  • cellophane
    do you think you will permanently remove meat fromy our diet after you have reached your weight goal? cudos on your progress so far!
    by cellophane at 10/19/09 1:08PM

Week 4 diet results

at 10/10/09 1:19PM
Week 4 Diet Results

I dropped another 2.8 lb this week to put me at 227.2...total loss of 15.4 lb....not bad for 4 weeks. This week was a week of very little fat and tons and tons of fruit. Next week is our gospel meeting at Chelsea, and depending on how many meals I'm in on with the preacher, I need to stay disciplined.

Another little factoid for you guys needing encouragement on dieting. One of the reasons why we gain weight so much is because our diet consists of mostly meats and refined carbs and little vegatables/fruit. This causes our body to become nutrient deprived which sends the "I'm hungry" signal to our brain which, you guessed it, is followed up by more foods that are depleted of nutrients. I mention this because so many people will say, "I could never eat a diet of mostly fruits and vegetables." BUT, once you get past the first week or two, what you'll find is your body starts to adjust to finally getting all the nutrients it craves, and then those "I'm hungry" signals stop happening. Our bodies learn to become more satisfied with eating all the "right foods". I've been surprised at how satisfied I can be with daily meals consisting of the following:

Breakfast: 1 pack of whole wheat oat meal and 1 banana
Morning snack: 1 Grapefruit
Lunch: package of steam vegatables
Afternoon snack: 1 apple or raw veggies w/low fat veggie dip
Dinner: BIG salad with some grilled chicken on top and low fat dressing,

Try it and you'll see!

Thanks again for all the encouragement. 27.2 lb to go!

~Ryan
  • isaacgholman
    awesome! i completely agree with you about most of our food being depleted of nutrients. i know i don't eat enough fruits and vegetables, and i do get hungry a lot more. good advice, even for those of us who aren't dieting.
    by isaacgholman at 10/10/09 1:47PM
  • cellophane
    Bolthouse Farm smoothies are a-ma-zing! Oh, and V8: V-Fusion is really good, too. I'm still eating my meats (mostly chicken and pork, though) and drinking these yummie delights. Grantid, I'm getting more fruits than veggies, but I'm still getting some veggies. Way to go you for eating lots of veggies! keep it up!
    by cellophane at 10/12/09 11:30AM
  • lilgagurl
    I should eat more veggies and less bread. Are you allowed to eat any grains with the diet you are following?
    by lilgagurl at 10/12/09 3:04PM

week 3 diet results

at 10/03/09 2:28PM
Week 3 Diet Results

I dropped another 2 lbs this week to put me right at 230. That's 12.6 lbs lost in 3 weeks; 30 to go to reach my goal. The diet has gotten a lot easier. The few times I ate meat this week actually upset my stomach some so that is good.

Another dieting tip for those with mutual interest...grape fruit, grape fruit, and more grape fruit. One whole grape fruit will fill you up and keep you satisfied for 2 to 3 hrs. I ate one each day this week for a morning snack and wasn't hungry at lunch time. Give it a try, you won't regret it!

I'm excited about getting in the 220s again for the first time in about 3 years.

Thanks again for everyone's encouraging comments!

~Ryan
  • isaacgholman
    i'm proud of you, man! i'll have to come down and check out the "new you" sometime soon...haha!
    by isaacgholman at 10/03/09 7:04PM
  • lilgagurl
    I'm glad the diet is getting easier. I think getting started on something is always tough.
    by lilgagurl at 10/05/09 10:09AM
  • danielstephen
    grats mann -- making excellent progress! sounds like you're dropping the weight at the right rate
    by danielstephen at 10/06/09 8:22PM