Weight Loss and Gain: My Latest Journey

It’s fun to blog about weight today because I’ve dropped 45 pounds this year, most of it in the past four months. There have been other days when writing about weight gain and loss would not be nearly so much fun. A few of you know what I’m talking about.

I’ve been trying not to be “that guy” who thinks about and talks about his diet 24/7, but two factors work against that:

1. When you are on a strict diet, the regimen is almost by definition an obsessive undertaking; and
2. When you lose a lot of weight, people notice, say nice things, and ask a lot of questions.

I truly admire those disciplined – or metabolically blessed – few who maintain a very trim, healthy, and consistent weight year in and year out. I’ve not been that person.

Right after college, I put on a quick 30 pounds – I worked full-time, kept crazy hours, and completely stopped all exercise. After seeing a picture of myself – I closed my eyes when I walked past a mirror – I got back out on the tennis court, but more importantly, learned to work out both anabolically and aerobically.

In my early thirties I hit my college weight again (a little lower than my senior year), much of that due to becoming a biking fanatic and getting rid of most breads and sugars from my diet.

In my late thirties and early forties I put weight on but worked with some guys that were really into weight lifting, so I actually had some muscle (that showed) for the first time in my life. I mixed the lifting with racquetball, basically ate whatever I wanted, and stayed in good shape.

Something happened in my late forties that changed all that. Yes, I got a few years older. But even bigger for me – literally – my hips decided they had enough. It felt like it happened overnight, but I was no longer able to do court sports – even walking was painful. I was diagnosed with bone-on-bone osteopathic arthritis. Over a five year period I had four major surgeries – a microfracture surgery on each hip to try to keep “original equipment” as long as possible and then two hip replacements when that didn’t work. Oh, and I put on 35 pounds. I have been in and out of diets and got back on the bike during my 50s but between pain, procedures, and a big appetite, I’ve been heavier than I’m comfortable with.

Two weeks ago I got under 200 for the first time in a decade. This morning the scale said 195. I would like to lose 10 more pounds. I’ve been able to drop one blood pressure med and my doctor thinks that ten more pounds might eliminate the other.

So why write this now? I think putting my weight loss out there adds some personal accountability. (I don’t want to have to write about how I put on 35 pounds next year.) I’m also hoping my weight loss encourages someone else who has been on the same roller coaster as I have to believe and try again. (Note: That last remark is intended only for those that feel dissatisfied about their weight. I don’t care if you are heavier than the “chart” says you should be if you don’t!) And, yes, of course, I’m bragging a little.

For those who want to know what my diet has been, I’m not recommending it because it probably isn’t the smartest or healthiest way to lose weight. (My doctor yelled at me and then laughed and said, “do whatever works for you.”) Based on the simple personal observation that “incrementalism” hasn’t worked for me, I’ve gone white-knuckle, hardcore calorie counting:

• 1000 to 1200 calories a day for four months – no desserts or other sugars;
• work out as much as I can on that caloric intake – most I’ve ridden my bike is 36 miles during this period – and I confess, without much caloric energy, a lot of my workouts at the Y have been pretty mediocre;
• drink a gallon of “miracle” water every day – slice up a grapefruit, a cucumber, and an orange – drop the slices in the pitcher along with a mint stalk. (I am so sick of drinking this!)

I don’t know if that water mix does anything, but various reports claim the ingredients create a fat burner and detox cocktail. At least coincidentally, I’ve lost a lot of weight drinking it.

For the next stage of my weight-loss-gain journey, my goal is to get  under 190 pounds and then get tested to find out what my ideal daily caloric range should be and keep the weight off. I’d love to be one of those disciplined few that maintain a consistent and healthy weight.

Send me a note or leave a comment if you have ideas on keeping the pounds off!