My weight loss regime inspires me to cook!

I've been having some early success since I started my new diet and exercise regimen. For about a week now I've been losing two pounds a day. I'm now weighing in at 382 pounds! If I keep this up I'll be down to about 350 by the time I head back to Philly for a long weekend next month. The last time I flew - to Acapulco in August - I was at my heaviest; I was lucky to squeeze into that American Airlines seat (they are the widest of the domestic carriers, I've found). And I was fortunate that the flight attendant supplied me with a seat belt extender. This time I believe I, and the person sitting in the middle seat beside me, will be much more comfortable.

Anyway, as the title of this blog states, my new diet and exercise regime has inspired me to get back into the kitchen and cook. I've been reading cookbooks and watching cooking shows for inspiration, including 1,001 Low-Fat Vegetarian Recipes (Agate Publishing) and Rachel Ray 30-Minute Meals. My step-mother has also been a good how-to resource. So tonight, I was ready to wing it. Here is what I came up with:

Tomato, Chick Pea and 7-Grain Stew

Ingredients

extra virgin olive oil, 4 to 5 tablespoons
garlic, 4 cloves
onion, ½, chopped
cumin, ¾ tablespoon cumin
sweet Paprika, ¾ tablespoon sweet paprika
cinnamon, ½ tablespoon
vegetable stock, non-fat, 3 cups
stewed tomatoes, two 17 oz. cans
chick peas, 1 large can
Kashi 7-Grain Pilaf, cooked, 2 cups
plain non-fat yogurt, 1 or 2 tablespoons per serving, depending on taste

Preparation

1. In a large sauce pan, prepare the Kashi 7-Grain Pilaf per instructions (use 1 cup dry grains)
2. In a covered stock pot, sauté garlic and onion for 10 minutes
3. Add cumin, sweet paprika and cinnamon (stir for 1 minute)
4. Add chick peas, stewed tomatoes and vegetable stock
5. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes
6. Add prepared Kashi 7-Grain Pilaf
7. Simmer for 20 minutes
8. Serve in a soup bowl with a dollop of non-fat yogurt


Try it...I think you'll like it!

The First Official Weigh-In: Surprise source of motivation

I finally got the WeighMax W-op440 scale I ordered from Raven Scales Online, a seller on eBay, last week. I had to order a special scale since the last time I weighed myself a couple of months ago it registered at more than 400 pounds, and even the heavy-duty kind you can find at most retail stores only go up to 300 or 350 at the most.

I was excited about weighing in, because I've been implementing healthier foods into my diet slowly but surely. But during the past month I hadn't really kept myself from eating out, and I was still snacking on Snickers and Reese Cups at least a couple of times per week, so I thought I might be at the same weight and perhaps even more (which is why I pessimistically ordered a 440 max scale instead of being optimistic and buying the 400-pound model).

Anyway, the last week and a half of sticking to an extremely healthy diet (even during the holidays), and walking and biking (although in limited amounts), must have paid off. My weight is now down to 388 pounds! This may not seem like something to celebrate, but it is certainly something to motivate me to keep up what I've been doing and add even more exercise to the equation.

In related news, a friend of mine is getting rid of a BowFlex home gym he bought in 2006 and has never used, and he's offered it to me for free as long as I haul it away. I hope to be going over there tonight or tomorrow to get it. I'm hoping I'll enjoy the workouts at home, cuz that'll save me lots of cash on joining a gym.

Until next time...thanks for reading!

Supplements (and you!) are supporting my success

I've been doing a lot of experimenting with my diet since my last post four days ago. I've started cooking a lot more, and I'm pleased to say I have only eaten out once - on Christmas eve. The fast food joints have called to me on a couple of occasions, but I've been able to abstain.

Part of my success can be attributed to the supplements I've been taking. I've been taking a GNC Mega Men Performance and Vitality Vitapak (with a multivitamin, fish oil, whole oat powder, an amino acid and a couple of other "manly" nutrients), and I've been starting off each morning with a smoothie made from 1/2 cup of skim milk, 1/2 cup of plain low fat yogurt, a few blackberries and a scoop of low fat whey protein (100% Gold Standard Whey from Optimum Nutrition). Also, I'm taking WellBetX's PGX, which is a soluble fiber complex and sugar blocker, to help me control crashes and cravings, and to help suppress my appetite a bit. It took some searching, but I found this product at The Vitamin Shoppe.

With the help of these supplements, I've been able stick to the diet guidelines I posted in my last post. Unfortunately, because of the weather, I haven't been able to stick to my plan of biking daily to prepare for my new commute. So instead of biking to the train tomorrow, I'm going to drive to the train station in Albuquerque and then walk to my office from my stop in Santa Fe (about 3/4 mile each way). This may not seem like much, but for me it's more than I'm accustomed to, so I think it'll make a difference.

I want to thank everyone for reading my blog and for sending me your emails of encouragement. This is a daunting undertaking. If anyone reading this can relate with my battle of the bulge please let me know and share your struggles, too, so maybe we can gain strength from each other. Please sign up for an account if you don't have one so you can subscribe or follow the blog. Thanks!