Making Gains (or losses)

Now that we're moved into our new house and as settled as one can expect within the first two weeks, I'm happy to say that I can see a good change on the horizon. Let me explain.

When I began my weight loss program in December 2006, we were living in Iowa and most every night we had dinner as a family around the table. We would talk about things going on at work, at home and at school. Engaging our children in conversation. We were eating well balanced meals.

When we moved to South Carolina in 2007, we still ate as a family but we ended up eating with the boys around the coffee table and my wife and I sitting on the couch and loveseat. And we would have Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy on the TV. While the meals were balanced, I think I tended to pay less attention to my kids than I was when we lived in Iowa.

With the new house we are back to dinner at the table as a family. Saying grace before each meal and talking as a family. No TV on, no distractions.

I believe this style of family dinning will be good as I renew my focus to my weight loss. I think I will find it easier to have smaller portions and less per serving when serving in front of the family versus serving myself in the kitchen and carrying it to the living room.

I'm also going to be back to not drinking soft drinks. I've been drinking Coke Zero and diet Dr. Pepper. But no more.

While I was in the midst of losing 60+ pounds I was working more program much better than I have been lately. For those that are new to my weight loss blog, the program is as follows...

One protein shake (two scoops of Maximum Protein with 16 ounces of water) for breakfast, one protein shake for lunch, whatever we prepare for my family is what I will eat for dinner. I have a smaller portion than I would have eaten in the past, I drink milk or water and no seconds. I also don't snack (if I do, veggies and fruit). On the weekends I make my Saturday morning shake with milk instead of water and share with my kids. On Sundays, I eat a regular breakfast and lunch.

The above program helped my lose 60 pounds between December 2006 and October 2007. It was in October 2007 that I started maintaining and stopped losing.

I also step on the scale everyday. I weighed 262 this morning. I recently was as low at 258 one night last week. I find weighing everyday is the best way to keep weight down or in control. The scale is a great motivator.

I'm also going to be work on a new site...Diet Testimonials (dot com). It is already online as a parking site. It will one day be a site where people losing weight will be able to share their stories to their success. Kind of like a community for those that struggle with weight loss (or weight gain).