Getting my Mind Right: What Now?

by Fatherofeight | More from this Blogger

22 Feb 2007 08:27 AM

I am officially in diet limbo. I have been wondering if I have lost enough weight and whether I should stop dieting and start the weight maintenance phase. The first few days of that did not go well. I gained six pounds immediately, so I have dieted it off and am back at 192.

I got out the book that contains my written goals; they were not exactly as I remembered them. The goals were to weigh less than 220 by the middle of October, 2006. I actually weighed 202. Here is the goal that I forgot about; to have a "possible" goal of less than 190 by the middle of October, 2007. I weigh 192 now. Finally, I set an "ideal" goal of "about" 175, keeping my weight between 170 and 180 forever.

The ideal goal is the weight that all of the prevalent weight charts say that I should weigh if I am 5'10" and have a large frame. For a number of reasons, I am wondering if the ideal goal is attainable. As hard as I have been dieting, it is now very difficult to lose more weight. I have developed muscle from swimming which may account for some of the extra weight.

My doctor and my wife have commented that I look gaunt. My doctor is my conscience and my voice of reason; my wife is the only person on the planet that I want to please with my looks. I went into a GNC store to buy an over-the-counter "fat burner" which my doctor recommended. This lady, who makes her living selling supplements to people, looked at me and suggested that I had lost enough weight.

I do know that I have failed miserably in the past when I tried to maintain an ideal weight by "eating sensibly". My doctor tells me that he eats a very small breakfast and lunch and a reasonable, but satisfying dinner. I may try that.

Twenty-five years ago, I dieted to a reasonable weight and kept it off for a few years by running six miles a day. The problem was that I didn't learn to eat right; I just learned how hard I had to work to maintain my weight and my "preferred eating habits".

This time I need to maintain a proper diet because my general health is at issue. I do not want to do what I did this week; eat a few days and then diet it back off for a few days. My exercise level is really good; I just need to find an eating plan that will last for the next 25-30 years.

Stay tuned on Thursday mornings.

Ed Paul is a Families.com Adoption blogger. Read his blogs here.

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Lisa P (24013) 23 Feb 2007 08:26 AM

Thanks so much for sharing, Ed! Checking our progress against our goals with a mind to long term maintenance is so important!

Fatherofeight (2475) 23 Feb 2007 10:39 AM

Thanks, Lisa, I guess my years in the corporate world trained me to set goals and measure the progress. And you are so right, long term maintenance is THE thing now.

PATTI (580) 26 Feb 2007 12:25 PM

Dear Ed, I pray for you daily to keep on track with your goals. I certainly know how hard it is to maintain a realistic weight. Keep us informed. PATTI

Fatherofeight (2475) 26 Feb 2007 02:50 PM

Boy do I need prayer for that, we know that you are really working on your weight also. Thanks so much.