Unlike this bear barreling out of his den following a deep winter’s sleep..skinny as a rail and hungry as a ..well..a bear, I have emerged from hibernation this spring even fatter than when I ducked into my man cave after last fall’s final round of golf only to poke my head out long enough to fulfill occasional obligations.
It’s become an annual ritual for me; being unable to stand the site of my own reflection, to vow to do something about it. Over the decades I’ve tried about every diet out there with varying degrees of success, only to slip back into old habits and pack the lard back on; crushing my self confidence a little more with each failure. Now, I’m a reasonably intelligent guy (maybe not, I just had to use spell check on the word intelligent) and am absolutely aware that the only lasting solution to my problem of achieving and maintaining weight loss is to change the lifestyle that led me down this long sad path in the first place to the town of obesity where I have lived since childhood. Sure, it’s easy for you strong willed people or those with the metabolism of hummingbirds to dish out advice to us fatties about simply eating less and exercising more and..bingo, problem solved.
But I maintain that some of us were genetically predisposed to be fat and our battle to lose is never ending and not the same as those who need to shed a few pounds gained while grazing the buffets aboard ship on that Caribbean cruise. But lose I must and here’s this Spring’s plan of attack which comes from an actual Doctor recently featured on Public Television no less so it must be more factual than faddish. At least that’s going to be my approach. His name is Dr. Michael Mosley a British journalist and physician who set an ambitious goal for himself to become healthier and lose weight. Here’s the kicker that got my attention, he wanted to make as few changes as possible to his lifestyle! And HE DID IT.
Dr. Michael Mosley at final weigh-in.
In working toward these goals, Dr. Mosely rediscovered the old idea of fasting as part of a program that still allows him to enjoy his favorite foods. Huh..doesn’t that sound good?
You can read more about it here or just Google his name and you can watch the entire TV program in which, by fasting two days a week, he managed to drop over ten pounds a month. There’s nothing much more to it than that.
I started this morning and will let you know how things go along the way. I know that I can make myself go without food for a day at a time…it’s the fear of being perpetually hungry that kills my willpower and will to live. My friend, John Mogen, has been fasting one day a week for over thirty years. It began as a spiritual experience to literally practice what the Bible preaches to fast and pray. I’m afraid my motivation is not quite so lofty but I have spent a lot of time in fervent prayer seeking divine guidance to rid His temple..my body..of all this abundant flab which threatens not only my lifestyle but life itself. I’m sure He has more important things on His plate (pardon the pun) than my food intake but, I seem to recall some preacher’s message about no request being too small. I’ve got a long way to go so I’m going to try fasting three days a week instead of two and not to gorge on eating days. If nothing else, my gut and guts probably deserve a rest.
Whoa..I just heard a growling noise and looked down to see if our granddog, Brandy, who we’ve been dog sitting, needed to go out then realized she went home yesterday and that grrrring sound was coming from my ample abdomen. Now, I’ve got to turn off the Food Network on TV and stop browsing Facebook since most of my friends have decided that this is the day to post pictures of all their favorite recipes.
This may not be so easy after all.
15 Responses
Good luck, as you can see by looking at me I have the same problems. I am resolving to get started this spring and see what happens. I have lost right at or over 50 pounds 5 times. I have just enough time to try it once more.
Doug, this is so cool. I’m sitting at Sanford waiting for Tim to come back from a colonoscopy. His nurse was just telling us about benefits of fasting and had seen Dr. Moseley on public television. Then, I was prompted to check your blog as I just saw your spot on Kelo announcing your Hawaiin vacation with Holday Vacations. Does this mean 2 vacations for you and Linda? We really wanted to continue our Holiday tradition with you and Linda, but we had already visited Alaska; we are planning on going to Italy in September with a group from Texas- Holiday Vacations, of course. Now I am a bit bummed- Hawaii would have worked for us! Praying that your weight loss intention works for you; you are an intelligent guy and you CAN do it! Six months to sport that new speedo!
You are just so kind, Laurel. Yup..two trips this year. We do realize how lucky we are and do so enjoy having you and Dr. Tim travel with us and envy your upcoming tour to Italy.
Fingers crossed on the diet. I’m glad to hear another source tout the benefits of fasting.
Linda and I send our very best to you and Tim.
Now, on the days that you’re not fasting, it would be wise to commit to a seafood course for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Of course, I’m talking lutefisk in the morning, lutefisk in the evening, lutefisk at supper time….You can’t have no mashed potatoes (Dan Quayle spelling), some string beans will do just fine. Sing it again, just like the McGuire Sisters. After some lutefisk down the old gullet, it’s time for a 30 minute brisk walk. O.k. it doesn’t have to be brisk. Think of it as a contemplative stroll, weighing in, (so to speak) on concepts such as creatio de nihilo, justification by faith, and why would mankind prefer green jello over red? Bring lots of ice water with just a teensy splash of whiskey, so that you can wear off extra poundage by complaining about lousy bartender schools these days. Then, when you’re back at home, safe and sound and just a skooch slimmer, turn on the tv and watch chick shows like “The View”, or “The Talk”. You’ll be shaking so hard for each hour program, that you’ll lose at least 2 lbs a day. Good luck with this fasting…..I may have to try it too…..Sandi, do we have any ice cream??!!
IT IS NOT THE AMOUNT YOU EAT, IT IS WHAT YOU EAT. AND A MILE WALK A DAY NEVER HURTS. KEEP IT SIMPLE .
Hi Doug. I am A Vet. And I live Here in Aberdeen. I would like to go with you to Hawaii but, when you do not have money to go around I have to stay home, It sounds like you have so much fun when you go on all your Vacations. I have not gone on no vacations in a long long time. I read all you storys when you post them. It makes me happy that you can go and tells us how you are do there. Will I hope you can stay on your diet, so you can look good when you go Hawaii this fall.
I feel your pain Doug. I too started a diet yesterday morning, one of many starts I might add. I am going to try the fasting 2x a week and see what happens. We can support each other through this battle of the bulge. I have been battling my weight since high school and sadly it has won every battle. I am determined to change my lifestyle and lose this weight. I know what you are up against. Good luck Doug, I am with you and wish you all the best.
Check out what Montel Williams has to say about diets. He was on Rachael Ray yesterday & gave a demo on how he has fought MS for many years through proper diet. Most of his food is in liquid form & healthy. I’m not sure I could stick with the fasting OR the liquid diet though! Good luck….if I could get my husband to go on it with me, maybe we’d have a chance, but watching him eat delicious food while I was starving isn’t going to fly!
Doug, I am diabetic and have high triglicerides. (sp) What helps me the most is FIBER and eating my bigger meals at breakfast and lunch – lite snack in the evening. I eat old fashioned oatmeal in the am, try to get lots of fiber at noon. I try to skip supper altogether, but sometimes need a snack. Get hunger pains? Try handful of walnuts. You will be surprised how they kill the “pain” for a small amount of calories. I, too, had too many projects this winter that required too much sitting, so I am with you all the way. Have some heavy duty yardwork and landscaping coming up, so that will help burn the calories for me. Maybe us bloggers can give support to each other.
You can do it, Doug! I’ll be your biggest cheerleader. Stand six-foot four and weigh 245. Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip (well, maybe not so narrow). Used to sing that Jimmy Dean song quite often.
For those Rock and Roll fans, hope to see you at the SD Rock and Roll Music Association’s Induction Concert this Saturday!
Get the May issue of Golf Digest if you haven’t seen it. No! Not for the cover. The article by Butch Harmon. Should be all the motivation you need. Good Luck! Fore left.
Hi Doug,
If the fasting thing doesn’t work out so good for you – let me know. I have been on a lifestyle change since Sept. and have lost 53 lbs. I follow the low glycemic food plan and the hardest part of the program is the detox week where you eat only vegetables and fruit. You are right though it has to be a lifestyle change and not a “diet”. I go to Springdale so if you ever want more information, let me know. I wish you the very best from someone who has been overweight my entire life. I am now at a weight range that I haven’t been at since the early 80’s. Hang in there, it can be done – just do it the healthy way.
Bert
Do what I do. Whenever I pass a full-length mirror, especially in a state of undress…or South Dakota or Minnesota…I just pretend I’m watching Peter Griffin on Family Guy and start laughing. Beats the hell out of fasting. Maybe instead of a full fast you can do it half-fast.
I actually fast close to two days a week on the installment plan. I never eat when I’m asleep.
I had much success with low carb — then we moved, so I got extra busy and didn’t wean off in the proper way. I’ve gained back about 15 lbs in 6 months but I’m going back on the diet soon. My feet and gut felt so good and I want that feeling again. 4 cups of approved vegs per day, 8 oz protein per day, their vitamins, 2 quarts water, etc. This time I’m going to incorporate the “mason jar” method: Set 5 or 6 quart jars on the counter, then fill each with 2 cups approved vegs, then add all the leafy lettuce or spinach that fits. Put the cap on the store in the refrig. When it’s time to eat, dump out a jar and add approved dressing. There are zero calorie dressings available and I transfer them to a squirt bottle so I can watch the amount better. I bought a single serving dressing container at the kitchen store and I carry it plus a container of vegetables (to add to my salad) when we go out to eat. Maybe we should pick out a day of the week and give a report on here. We all gotta hold each other accountable, right ?