Happy Anniversary

This, I must say, is a first. I’m celebrating one year into this current diet. Technically, the anniversary is tomorrow. However, given that diets always start on Mondays, week-wise, it’s today.

And I had to ponder that for a while. Yes. This really is a first. Despite the fact that I’ve been doing this for 7027 days now, this is the first time a single, particular plan has lasted for an entire year. The old record topped out around nine months or so.

“Wow! How did you do it, Charlie?!” Yes, I can hear you asking the question already. Those who’ve been around the whole time might remember it all started with this little gal and my all-time high blood sugar reading of 161. At that point I decided to cut out high glycemic foods. And I did for a while. (Never mind the fact that just this afternoon I ate bunches of chips, cookies, and various other snacks of the sugar and/or flour variety. I’ve far from got this thing licked.)

But what’s different this time around is that an afternoon of chips, cookies, and sugar and flour doesn’t completely throw me off the wagon. The next day I’m typically fine again, and back on track. On my previous eighty-seven diets, one bad afternoon would mean months of undoing it all, followed by even more months of trying to get back where I started.

“Wow! How do you do it, Charlie?!” Not a clue. I have no idea why this time is different than any other time, with the sole exception that I’ve never been as old as I am now. Maybe something just finally ‘clicked’ for good. Of course, if I knew exactly what causes the switch to click like that, I’d bottle it and be a billionaire overnight. Unfortunately, it’s different for everyone. And, as I said, we’re never cured. Even Richard Simmons still struggles every single day. And he’s a professional.

Vacation Damage

Last week I promised I’d catch you all up on the vacay damage. Here’s a chart overlaying the week before vacation (red) followed by last week (blue):

I was a bit zoinked-out when I saw my weight begin with the dreaded Not One. But I can’t say I was surprised in the least bit. Thankfully it was just that one day. After that, though, the weight didn’t start coming off again like I thought it would.

The Big Picture

I was all prepared to whine and moan about it when two things hit me. First, it was a vacation. Big deal. Eat a little extra. Or, in my case, a lot extra. But the second thing that hit me was The Big Picture. What does the last year look like?

Week 52
Starting Weight 224.0
Current Weight 198.0
Change from Last Week -0.44
Lost So Far 26.0 lbs

Is it a world record? No. But it’s a heckuva lot better than gaining twenty six pounds in a year, which isn’t impossible. And though I’m “only” down 26 pounds in 52 weeks (half a pound a week!) I’m actually down 38 pounds since my all time high in January of 2007. So that’s something.

I think from here on out, I’ll only post a weigh-in update once a month. There’s plenty of other things to talk about beside food.

Like beer, for example. Mmmm… I think I’ll go get one right now. What’s a few extra calories anyway?



12 Responses to “Happy Anniversary”

She-Fit said
on
July 27, 2009 at 1:18 am

Yay for vacations and putting on some pounds. Honestly, I let myself enjoy a little bit more while on vacation and I think that is ok. I love your view of the big picture! It looks way better than the week to week 🙂

Biz said
on
July 27, 2009 at 10:12 am

Um, pretty sure a week at the lake = lots of food – Hannah was telling me how good the pork bbq was – mmmm, I needs me some pork bbq!

Happy Monday Chowlee!

Shelley B said
on
July 27, 2009 at 5:21 pm

I do like the idea of you posting a monthly summary. I try to weigh in only every couple of weeks or so, and oftentimes seeing other bloggers list their weight every single day intimidates me into hopping onto my scale more often than I should.

So in summary, I am intimidated by all the cool kids, I want to be a cool kid, you are a cool kid, and if you do this, then you validate me and of course everyone else will follow suit, due to your cool kid status!

Erm, I not too stalkerish, I hope?!?

Shelley B said
on
July 27, 2009 at 5:21 pm

Oh, and Happy Anniversary!!!

Sagan said
on
July 27, 2009 at 6:27 pm

Happy Anniversary! hehe.

Big picture really puts it into perspective, doesn’t it? I’ve gone up by about 4 pounds than usual and was having a hard time not stressing out about it until I gave my head a shake and had to tell myself to stop being so vain and that 4 pounds is still healthy. It’s ridiculous to get wound up over a minor bump in the road.

JohnGL said
on
July 28, 2009 at 7:42 am

That bottom graph needs some Line Rider action!

Happy Anniversary!

Quix said
on
July 28, 2009 at 4:18 pm

Happy anniversary! The year view puts it in a nice perspective. Find pictures of yourself a year ago and it will totally hammer it home that you’ve made progress…

And those 64 calorie beers are really not that bad, at least if you’re in the mood for beer flavored water…

Jenn@slim-shoppin said
on
July 29, 2009 at 10:42 am

I think that’s awesome Charlie!!

I think you said it best when you just keep going and don’t make it seem like if you splurge once in a while, then the flood gates come open and any food is fair game.

I’m proud of you…

And, as Quix said, I’ve tried the 64 calorie 1 point beer….ummm not so good!

Diane Fit to the Finish said
on
July 29, 2009 at 4:04 pm

It’s really good to focus on the trends, and not on the daily number. Sometimes, before I lost all my weight (150) I’d get so discouraged by the big picture that I’d have to go eat some ice cream!!

Good for you on your commitment to health and fitness!

    Charlie said
    on
    July 29, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    Or worse, celebrate a big weight loss by eating ice cream!

    150 pounds! Awesome!

Christine Medifast said
on
July 30, 2009 at 10:46 am

Wow! This is absolutely amazing. Even though you may have ate a few extra things you did amazing for the entire year and the progress is excellent. Keep up the great work.

tuscanystone said
on
August 3, 2009 at 6:27 am

Hey Charlie,

Apparently being consistent is the key to losing weight? So you’ve done brilliant!!

I’ve had the summer off and put on 10lbs!! Not so brilliant 🙁

Ah well, roll on Autumn (I go out less and therefore drink and eat less) so I can lose some poundage again………

Tusc 😀