Since I made a commitment to the world (what was I thinking?) to follow through with this lifestyle & wellness program, here is an update on my progress.
It has been about 3 weeks since my first progress report and 5 weeks since I started. I have lost 18 pounds including 13 pounds of FAT (yuck!). On the not so positive side, I have lost about 2.5 pounds of muscle mass, so I need to work on reversing that trend, as muscle consumes calories even at rest. Also important is water % which has risen 2.5% from the start.
I think it is worth noting that we were on vacation in Florida for 12 days of the last 3 weeks. In the past, I would have used this opportunity to forget about the diet and "run amok" (a term we use in our family for eating whatever we feel like). This time, I had a plan and Linda to help me make it happen. She packed the shake powder in plastic bags and we took our smoothie machine to make them. I did go off the wagon a couple times in restaurants, but was able to "stay the course" overall. Bike rides and walks on the beach provided the exercise I needed.
I am 10 pounds from the goal I set to reach after 90 days and I have not reached the halfway point. Since it is not a good idea to lose too much too fast, I may make some minor adjustments. However, if, strike that WHEN I reach my goal I will set a new one.
It is an oversight that I have not mentioned all the associated health benefits that I hope to realize from these changes, besides feeling better and having more energy. I have been taking blood pressure and anti-cholesterol meds for over 30 years. I would like to get off these altogether. Statins (for cholesterol reduction) in particular have come under heavy fire in recent years. Additionally, I started using a CPAP to avoid sleep apnea (which, left untreated, can kill you) about 15 years ago. So I go to bed looking like a deep sea diver and sounding like Darth Vader (just ask my grandkids). I have a realistic chance to leave that behind as well.
I went into this hoping to put a dent in my cognitive/memory problems. So far, I have not seen improvement but hope that will change over time.
I think it is worth noting that we were on vacation in Florida for 12 days of the last 3 weeks. In the past, I would have used this opportunity to forget about the diet and "run amok" (a term we use in our family for eating whatever we feel like). This time, I had a plan and Linda to help me make it happen. She packed the shake powder in plastic bags and we took our smoothie machine to make them. I did go off the wagon a couple times in restaurants, but was able to "stay the course" overall. Bike rides and walks on the beach provided the exercise I needed.
I am 10 pounds from the goal I set to reach after 90 days and I have not reached the halfway point. Since it is not a good idea to lose too much too fast, I may make some minor adjustments. However, if, strike that WHEN I reach my goal I will set a new one.
It is an oversight that I have not mentioned all the associated health benefits that I hope to realize from these changes, besides feeling better and having more energy. I have been taking blood pressure and anti-cholesterol meds for over 30 years. I would like to get off these altogether. Statins (for cholesterol reduction) in particular have come under heavy fire in recent years. Additionally, I started using a CPAP to avoid sleep apnea (which, left untreated, can kill you) about 15 years ago. So I go to bed looking like a deep sea diver and sounding like Darth Vader (just ask my grandkids). I have a realistic chance to leave that behind as well.
I went into this hoping to put a dent in my cognitive/memory problems. So far, I have not seen improvement but hope that will change over time.
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