Well weigh in is just a few days away. The weather has been very cooperative with plenty of good weather for walking. The diet had a rocky start but the last few days I have been passing on a lot of the foods that got me to the point that I needed to be a part of a weight loss program. Sunday before Memorial Day was one of our summer family get together. Each one of the families brings a favorite dish: cheesy potatoes, death by chocolate, brownies, chips and salsa,and a cornucopia of great tasting sides to go with the burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and smoked country ribs. 

  I always make smoked country ribs. At 7am the smoker was ready to go so 25 of the 50 lbs were placed on the racks and the annual rite of summer feasting was ready to start. During the next 6 hours I had a lot of time to think of the food that was going to be tempting me. I made up my mind that there would be other Memorial day reunions to taste the good foods that would be present. This Memorial day would be on the program.

  My wife made a huge tossed salad. We broght a bottle of light salad dressing to finish it off. The salad was one of the items that helped me stick to the program.

When I first arrived the traditional bottle of beer was replaced with a bottled water. My fingers passed over the chips, salsa, crackers and cheese for the veggie tray with a little hummus. The rest of the time I would snack on carrots and lots of bottled water. When dinner time came I passed up all the starchy foods had a large salad, a burger and some ribs. All washed down with more water. I passed the dessert tray with just a quick glance and forgot about it. I was able to do the diet in the midst of all the goodies known to man. I owe my success that day to the weigh in being so close. Some Divine intervention made the day much easier to stick with the plan. 

I hope all with do well with their weigh on Saturday. 

 

The week seemed to fly by. The walk to the park every day is a very rewarding way to get my 10000 steps in. The wind in your face, as well as the sun and an occasional rain drop certainly make it bearable.  There are always people that I wave to in the cars passing on the street. Some wave back some don't, some are busy with their cell phones. At least there aren't any texting while driving.

We are heading into the Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to thank a vet for his service every day, but especially on Memorial Day. Without them  a lot of the freedoms we have now we may not still have. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice will be in my prayers this weekend. 

    May 13    

    We just returned from a visit to my daughter in New York. I hoped for a good healthy visit. She has been following my progress and was ready to help me keep on track or better from the last week get back on the track. She had shrimp roll ups with fresh bean sprouts, cucumber and red pepper. We went to an Indian restaurant in town and had some good low calorie foods and for Mother's Day a great not low calorie prime rib with super low calorie Freekeh and salad. The wine didn't count! I even had a chance before dinner to get a mountain goat type walk up her streets. When we got back Monday night I couldn't wait to get back on the morning walk and continue the healthy start she gave us. Good luck to all.    

May 9    

       

 Well I'm back in the saddle again. The week after weigh in was not a stellar diet week. I was able to maintain the loss until my 3 days helping my brother move. It was the first long trip away since Florida. I was unable to do my morning walks and although I was able to keep some of the meals on plan there were more bagels with cream cheese for breakfast , burgers with blue cheese and monster French fries for dinner, sweet rolls for another breakfast and a couple of road burgers in between. Needless to say I missed the good feeling that you get when your efforts are displayed on the scale. I will get back on the program next week. Hope all kept up their end of the program. I hope that all the rest read this and understand that you may have a bad day or week but we can't relapse to our old ways.