Day 170: Your Comments

So, sorry for the really long blog entry, I have had several comments this week that I wanted to work through.  The first is an amazing one in which Denise describes her accomplishment of going 80 days without Coke Zero and 10 days without sugar.  Denise, well done my friend.  To go 80 (what is it now, 87 or so) days without Coke Zero is an amazing accomplishment.  Don't worry, the next 90 days is much easier (I am on 170, which I honestly cannot believe).  I will admit, just yesterday I was going to the movies with my wife when I thought to myself, "I could really use a Coke right now."  Fortunately, my wife was around to nip that one in the bud.  It is true, periodically you may think, "I can have just one, right?"  Well, if you want my opinion, don't ever look back.  It is like abandoning an old friend, but it is like rooting for the Chicago Cubs:  you give them everything you've got, but what have they given you in return?  Nothing but sorrow.  Keep up the sugar free lifestyle, Denise.  It is hard, but it is so worth it!

Denise also gets the "Best Line of the Week" award for this one:  Each day is a victory for me."  Amen to that.  The truth is, with addiction, every day you are free is a victory.  In fact, there have been times in my life that even an hour on the lifestyle has been a victory.  

Scootergirl had a few comments too, mainly questions about the Live the Life program.  She asks (I'm paraphrasing):  Are you following a certain week of the program, or mixing and matching?  The answer to this is that I am taking my favorite meals and eating them.  If you have not gone through the entire program, I would strongly, strongly suggest doing the 12 weeks as outlined in the program.  The stricter you are to the menus, the better results you will get.  The beauty of this program is that it takes ALL the guesswork out.  Just do what they say, and you will be fine.  If you do decide to mix and match, just remember that there are larger meals and smaller meals (even if they have about the same amount of calories.  Don't just choose larger meals for your day.  If you have fish for lunch, you should follow that with a shake or with cottage cheese and fruit.

Scootergirls other two questions are whether I have bought more than one phase of Live the Life (there are multiple phases for sale) and how to roast broccoli.  At the time I did the program, there was only one phase of the Men's Live the Life diet.  I have not bought the new Men's Phase 2.  On the broccoli, I am planning to make it later this week.  So, I will give everyone the "recipe" with some instructions on how to make it (if you are lucky, maybe I'll even take some pictures).

Finally, "Anonymous" asked whether I am counting calories or not.  I explained this a little bit when Anonymous and I went to lunch the other day, but just so everyone knows, I am not really doing that.  I try to limit my meals to about 300 calories per meal.  I have six meals per day.  Sometimes I go way over this (like yesterday at Chick-fil-A).  Other times, I am low so I have to eat a few more calories.  The key is to be really consistent throughout the day to keep the metabolism revving.  When your body's metabolism crashes, so does your weight--at least, that is how it has been for me.

Thanks for a great week of support everyone, let's all think thin thoughts this week and see what happens!