Bo's Diet to Go Journal

I'm off of DTG but still trying to maintain.

2010-08-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

Since parting ways with DTG a few months ago I've managed to only re-gain about 10 pounds. I'm not proud of this but as we all know if we're left to our devices we tend to go back to the way we were eating before. You suddenly crave all the "good things" you missed out on while dieting. Somehow they creep back into your life. I've started my walking program again and being that it's August in the deep south I've been sweating all the time. Including indoor and outdoor activities. Just thought I'd give a quick update for those that care and wish you al the best in your weight loss endeavors. Sincerely, Bo.

My son and I while on vacation a few weeks ago.

In remembrance of my Father.

2010-04-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked the 14th year of the passing of my father. I remember it clearly as I was enjoying a crawfish boil at a friends house north of Lake Pontchartrain. My wife and I were on our way back when I noticed my I'd missed several calls on my cell phone. By the time I got to my house and played the messages on my answering machine I knew something terrible had happened. They were very vague but urged me to get to the hospital immediately. I had a Corvette back then and needless to say I made it there in no time flat but it was of course, too late.

My father actually expired at his home with my mom looking on. He hadn't been feeling well that morning so my mom made him a roast beef sandwich thinking it would perk him up a bit. She recalls his color changed and in mid bite he fell forward in his plate. The paramedics came and she watched as they performed heroic actions to revive him but she knew it was too late and he was gone. By the time I got to see him at the hospital he still had the intubation tube still in his throat. I hugged his rather large belly, kissed him on the cheek and said my goodbyes.

I tell this story because my dad was only 59 years old when he passed. As a teen he was athletic, good looking (in a Richard Gere sort of way) but had already picked up several bad habits as most children growing up in the fifties did. He began smoking cigarettes at an early age and his taste for alcohol was increasing as his job demanded more of his social life. While I was growing up I recall him coming home late many nights after a large dinner with potential clients and always an after dinner drink or three. It's weird that my dad rarely if ever drank at home; he was the definition of a social drinker. We always had a well stocked bar for parities at our house but I never saw him drink more than a beer or two occasionally after boiling crawfish or doing some yard work.

I now have a beautiful son who will be 8 years old in October. I too embraced the unhealthy lifestyle at a relatively early age. I played lots of sports coming up but after being hurt in a football game I decided not to play any longer. By then I'd learned how to play the drums fairly well and was playing on Bourbon Street and around the French Quarter regularly by the age of 17. I would frequently have my dad to pal around with on those nights. Sometimes he would call me late on a school night to have me come down and meet him at a club where a famous jazz musician was playing. Sometimes I'd sit in with the band, too. My weight slowly crept up after college and save for a few periods of weight loss I've always been in the 240lbs plus range.

If you've read any of my previous posts you know that I was paid to lose weight on several of the really popular diet programs. As with most of you, once you stop the plan the weight comes back on with a vengeance and usually more than before. I've had my struggles with the Diet To Go plan as well. Sometimes you get bored with the food; sometimes you just want to eat something that doesn't come wrapped in plastic in a small black tray. I've been able to stick with the program pretty well save for an occasional carb pig out here and there. I've learned to jump right back on it and keep plugging along. Believe you can do it and you will succeed. I find that with each passing year I miss my father more and more. Now more than ever I feel his presence but really wish I had him to guide me through what has been a pretty rough year. If you read this all the way through and your parents are still alive; call them and tell them how much you love them.

As a post script, I found out yesterday that my 72 year old mother, while on spring break in Destin Florida with my 5o year old sister and 22 year old niece all came back with TATTOOS! My niece I can understand, she's in the age group that does that. My sister who was the 2009 Louisiana teach of the year, I never thought would get one but my mom was the shocker. I'm happy for her though. I'm just happy she is still with us all...tattoo or not.

Hey, I'm just a few short pounds from my goal.

2010-04-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

Well folks, I don't want to say my life was simpler when I was fatter but it sure seems that way. Maybe when I didn't care so much about myself; I didn't care so much about anything else either. My mom has made a few trips in and out of the hospital as has my father in law. Add to that, my wife had her knee surgery last week but is recovering nicely. For me, I've been trudging through my diet and trying to get some exercise as well. I bought a used BowFlex and am determined not to let it become a large clothes rack as the person I bought from was using it for. Unfortunately my treadmill (which I loved) is in Mississippi and the BowFlex is here in Louisiana so I don't get to use them both at the same time. Hopefully I can sell the New Orleans home and combine my gear...then I'll have to find time to use them being that the commute is about 3 hours round trip or more depending on traffic.

All that aside, I was able to take off a few more pounds. I must also admit I cheated on Diet to Go. I have been feeling stuck and had plateaued at around 220 or so...couldn't get the scale to move so I felt I needed something to jump start my routine again. I'm not going to mention the plan but if you've ever come across one of those "Swedish Ski Team" diets, it's very similar. It's only for 4 days and I've done it twice now...I figured I could do anything for four days. It's hard but like any diet; if you stick to it they all work.

I'm back on my delicious DTG food now and have a new appreciation for the flavors that I once became bored with. It's not surprising after being on the program for almost 15 months now. The convenience is well worth the price for me because of my job and travel involved. My wife can feed my son and not have to worry about me. For those continuing to find the holy grail of diets I'll save you some time...there isn't one. It's the one that works for you and your lifestyle. Diet To Go has fit in the best. I'm happy to see they are changing a few of their low fat and veggie meals. I would love to make some recommendations on the low carb plan for them as there are many meals that are very good but others that could use some help.

I see I have some new followers and I really want to know how you're enjoying the plan. Feel free to reach out to me on Facebook by adding me as your friend. Simply put DTG in your request so I know who you are. You'll find me as Bo Boots Walker. I can help you with preparation as well as hunger do's and dont's, tricks and tips. Hit me up and good luck! Bo

What a crazy month!

2010-03-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a while since I've blogged but with the Saints winning the Superbowl (still can't believe I can say that) Mardi Gras and a quick motorcycle trip to Texas Hill Country it's been a challenge. I'm happy to report that I didn't just go crazy eating everything in sight because of any of the above mentioned things to celebrate but I did allow myself some leeway.

We had a Superbowl party at the house with friends and neighbors. It was a great time and the Super-Nachos were just as goo. I had mine with wheat chips but the rest is all good on the low carb side...ground meat, cheese, salsa, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc. A few glasses of red wine to cap it off and the celebration was complete. This town went wild and the parade on the following Tuesday brought this town to it's knees.

I had some friends come in town for Mardi Gras and did enjoy a couple of nights out with them. Fried food at it's best at Deanies Seafood and some crawfish at a friends "welcome back to the neighborhood" party. They were devastated during Katrina and just got back to their old neighborhood. The boil was spectacular!

While on my trip west was trying at best. My riding partner was having troubles with his bike so we didn't get as much curvy road time as we'd have liked but it was nice to just get out for a few days. It's difficult to eat low carb on the road and even more difficult while in Texas. Tex-Mex is the everywhere and rice, beans and tortillas are standard fare. Even more problematic is the fact that we stayed in a little German town called Fredericksburg. The morning hotel breakfast was all German pastries and juices. Even the chain hotels offer little in the way of protein as carbohydrates are much cheaper to put out to their guests. I was able to grab a few hard boiled eggs and a sausage patty every now and then.

There was no way to travel with my DTG meals as packing space is at a premium on a motorcycle. Refrigeration without carrying an ice chest (which I do during summer trips) was not an option either. I simply went online and cancelled that weeks shipment having it pick up the week I returned. Having been on the program for over a year now I am wondering if I can get this last 20 pounds off. This happens to me a lot; after taking off 40 pounds or so I feel better physically and look a bit better so contentment sets in and I begin to slide a bit. I really don't want this to happen and I'm beginning to search for other ways to knock down that final 20 pounds.

DTG has been key in my weight loss and jump started the process for me. At some point in time I will have to begin buying and cooking food for myself. The convenience of DTG has been overwhelmingly positive with my busy schedule and the fact that my travel time has increased considerably. I'm going to buckle down for a few more weeks and really make an effort to get these last few pounds off. I plan on bringing my treadmill back to LA so I can use it on the mornings I sleep there. I'll keep ya posted.

Diet to Go still surprises me.

2010-02-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

OK, after a year on Diet to Go I think I know the menu pretty well and there would be very few food surprises at this point but I had to blog about tonight's meal. The beef short rib just blew my mind...again. I certainly have my favorites and yes, there are some that are a miss for me but the beef short rib in bordelaise sauce is just a really good dish. Here's why; yes, the beef is tender. It's a delicious little riblet swimming in a rich and creamy bordelaise and the whole thing sits in a pool of celery puree.

Whoa whoa whoa...before you start going off on what you think puree's may or may not be, let me tell you that a couple of my other favorite dishes are also accompanied by puree's. I Love the cauliflower puree that comes with the whole half-chicken and the catfish with wasabi pea puree is just terrific. Let me tell you that if someone would make celery puree for me every day I wouldn't eat mashed potato's ever again...it's that good. The celery puree is thickened with a little corn starch and heavy cream (yep, on the low carb diet, heavy cream is acceptable). I would prefer it a bit thicker but I move all the vegetable medley of green beans and peppers right into the mixture and eat the whole thing that way with a slight sprinkle of garlic powder and a few grinds of fresh cracked pepper.

This meal with my obligatory glass of cheap red wine was enough to pull me away from everything I have to do (remember, the Saints are in the Superbowl) just to blog a few lines. I'm on a diet, remember. It's called Diet to Go...and it works. Trust the food; someone else has figured out how it all works so you can lose weight. If you've tried it on your own and tried every other "miracle" diet up to this point then you have nothing to lose but the weight with Diet to Go. Order it online or call the 800 number. The people there will do everything they can to help you succeed. Granted, YOU still have to do the work but for mindless weight loss while eating very tasty food you can't go wrong with DTG!!!

Now, I have until Saturday night to mount and wire the surround sound for my new HDTV to watch the Saints beat the Colts in the Superbowl on Sunday. My menu includes Super Nachos (more on that later) and Crawfish, hot dogs and burgers...all of which are allowed on my 2 days off from DTG so enjoy the game and the menu!!!

Saints going to Superbowl...I must be dreaming.

2010-01-26T16:28:00.000-08:00

I don't have enough time to tell you of my entire relationship with the Saints football team so here's just a few highlights and low lights. My family moved here in 1974...before the Superdome was open. When it did in 1975 my first game was against the Houston Oilers (a team I supported since we moved from Houston just months prior). We (Saints) lost I believe by the score of 13 to 7. It didn't get much better after that. Our team was hapless, had coaching and player issues for years. If I heard it was a "rebuilding year" once I heard it a thousand times. Fact was they made some very odd personnel choices throughout the years...most of whom went on to great things after leaving the organization.

My dad had 5 season tickets for as long as I can remember. Throughout college, if he had extras he'd give them to me. Knowing they were going to lose I'd do a drive by at the dome and sell them for beer money that week. As my broadcast career took off I was forced to follow them and I recall some very exciting games and good times in those seats. I also remember boycotting them for 2 years because the Atlanta Falcons beat us twice one year with a pair of hail Mary's to win the game on the last play. Suckers!

I recall if we played a team that hadn't won a game yet we would always hand them their first win. Or if there was a record to be set on the other team it would happen while they were playing us. I was in Pro-Player Stadium one year (yes, the same place the Superbowl is being played in Miami) and Dan Marino tossed his 300th TD or something. You could always count on the Saints to give that kind of thing up. I vowed to travel to at least one away game per year a few years back. Charlotte was a kick and their stadium was brand new at the time. San Fransisco had its charm...we actually won that game; I cried and ate dungeoness crab. Chicago was interesting. It was October of 1999 and the last season the Bears would play in Soldier field. I was mere weeks away from having my second back surgery so I was furiously "numbing" my pain and becoming quite a pain in the ass to the home fans. We were winning 14 nothing with 2 minutes to go. We all lit Cuban cigars and cursed their fans until they scored two TD's and a field goal to win it in regulation. Since that day I don't celebrate until I see all zero's on the time clock.

I guess my biggest memory would have to be September 28th 1992. I was working at a radio station that was connected to the Superdome. I'd planned on going to the game right after my shift but would have to meet my friends and (soon to be) wife. They stopped by on their way to the dome and waved at me in the "fishbowl." I told them I'd be there shortly. I had a couple beers on the walk over to catch up with the gang...they tailgated and started a bit earlier than I did. A few more dome-foams later we were in position to win the game. We had the ball inside the 20 and Bobby Hebert (the Cajun Cannon) rares back and lets one fly into the end zone. My seats were on the first row of that end zone and I couldn't see so I jumped up assuming we scored a touchdown but instead found myself falling over the rail of the terrace (highest level) and into the Lodge (directly below me). I woke up bleeding on a large black man who saved my life; or at least kept me from hitting the seats below at terminal velocity. I was badly bruised, fat lip, few abrasions but none the worse for wear. I signed the paperwork on my house the next day fully medicated so that closing was much less painful than this last one. Now when I go to games I tie off but I figured I'm good from 30 feet or so.

My saints went 13-0 then dropped a big game to the Cowboys who were on a huge comeback and almost made it through the playoffs. The next loss to Tampa because of a missed field goal was heartbreaking and I feared the wheels had come off. They decided to rest their starters for the final Carolina game so we finished the season with home field advantage and were 13-3. We demolished the Cardinals and had several really nice breaks against the Vikings before our kicker redeemed himself in OT to kick the game winner. We're off to the Superbowl with Americas team. I'm hoping this magical season continues with a win because this town deserves a little something after suffering through the bags-on-head years with the "Aints."

If you're team didn't make it, rot for the Saints cause I feel I have some skin in this game...literally! Who Dat!

It's coming up on my one year anniversary!

2010-01-22T08:22:00.000-08:00

All I can say is Thank you Diet to Go as Bo Walker has lost 40 pounds in one year while on the program. That may not rattle any cages given the gastric bypass mentality of today but doing it the slow easy way has proven to work better than the quick and hard on your body way. Case in point is I likely would have given up after 6 months or so and began eating my way back up to an even higher weight than before. I know this because I've done it so many times in the past. I'm proud to say that I stuck to a diet program for an entire year and even though I haven't met my goal of losing 60 pounds I'm happy that during an immensely stressful period of change and flux I was able to stay very close to my meal plan and succeed.

Traveling between two states pretty regularly doesn't leave me with the time I would like to have devoted to keeping up with this blog. I'm posting when I have time and including pictures when I get a chance to take them. I promise to include some shots of me in the poses I was using earlier in my weekly posts. My body has made some amazing transformations over the last year. My only wish is that I had more time for exercise. When I was walking every morning I felt better than ever and could feel myself getting stronger and more muscle definition not only in my legs but in my belly too. I look at pictures of me before my surgery (and I may be misusing the term) but I looked "cut." At least as cut as a fat guy can look. Because I had to shelf the exercise for several weeks after the surgery and have since moved my treadmill to Mississippi, I haven't had the time to walk. Something I need to fix as drinking water and exercise are the keys to consistent weight loss and regulating your sugars.

As mentioned in a previous blog post, my blood work numbers have never been in range but this last battery of tests confirmed that I was on the right track. ALL of my tests turned out to be in range. Some could be better but you know how the data kicks out the number to the right if it's out of range? I didn't have a sing number over there and that's huge!

Diet to go is not cheap but consider it an investment in yourself! You're worth it. As I wait for my work partner to have his gastric bypass I wonder how he will do without being able to have a loving relationship with food. Dieting is different from quitting smoking or drinking or whatever. The difference is you HAVE to eat. It's what you choose to put in your mouth and how much of it you decide to portion that will determine how you will fair with any diet. They all work but you must count something; carbs, calories, protein, sugar, etc. Any plan will work too but you must make the commitment to stick to it. I've tried most of the popular diet programs on the market today and some of the fringe ones too. Diet to go mixes a solid meal plan with great support and that is what makes it successful. If you are truly interested in losing weight and keeping it off log on to www.diettogo.com and look around. I'm positive there is a meal plan that works for you. The low carb worked for me because of my sugar issues and I've come back from the brink after hitting almost 260 a year ago. Good luck and thanks again Diet To Go!

It's been weeks without my DTG food...I hope I at least maintained.

2009-12-30T18:41:00.000-08:00

OK, so Christmas was a blast with my entire family there. We do a non traditional meal of Italian food. It was delicious too. Rigatoni with meatballs and Italian sausage, garlic bread and spumoni ice cream for desert. Granted, I indulged and did make a few batches of cookies with the boy to leave out for Santa but I tried hard to not over-eat. I'm still living in two different states and the scale is only in one so I can't verify my weight today but plan to post right after the new year to get a baseline of where I am.

I'm still recovering from some scheduled surgery I had December 7th. Unfortunately it's taken it's toll on my activity level. I really need to re-dedicate myself to a walking program and get back on track with my DTG meal plan. I thought I would begin receiving my meals again this Thursday but by some mixup there won't be a delivery. I'm hoping for a shipment next Thursday for sure. I figure I still have 20 pounds to go to reach my goal. I wanted to try and hit that by my 1 year anniversary date of January 27th (I think) but expecting 5 pounds per week at this point is a bit unrealistic. I'll begin knocking away at it again in the new year and give my best wishes to those of you considering weight loss as a resolution. You have to start somewhere and it's easier if you have help. Diet To Go has been my friend throughout this process so why not give it a try for 2010. Good luck and the best to you all in the New Year!!

I made it past Thanksgiving without gaining a pound!

2009-12-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

Whew, I must confess; I was sweating the Thanksgiving holidays for a number of reasons one of which was my weight loss goals. I'm happy to say I enjoyed myself immensely, ate and drank with my family and had no measurable gains because of it. I'm not sure how that happened but I'm thankful for it. We hosted the entire family at our new home in MS and all went very well. My sister in law Pam came in from NC and did almost all of the cooking. The side dishes were delectable and the turkey and ham came out great! (First time I've brined a turkey)

I was able to stop my shipment for that week and will resume this week. It's easily done online or with a simple phone call. I will need to stop my shipments next week and resume the week after that as well because I will be taking some time off for some scheduled surgery. I'll be OK but need about 2 weeks for recovery. I plan on having those that take care of me heat and serve my DTG meals so I can stick with the program and make it easier on them. For those looking to take off a few pounds as part of your New Year Resolutions I highly recommend the Diet To Go meal plan over anything else I've ever tried. Whether you're looking to drop 20 or 200 I believe embracing the DTG philosophy will get it done. Trust me, you'll become bored with the other plans out there very quickly as the food is not fresh and it repeats too often. With 5 different weeks of meals you are ready for week one again after finishing week 5.

I started in February of 2009 and plan to stick to this plan until at least Feb 2010 to lose my final 20 pounds. If I am able to reach my goal of losing 60 pounds it will have taken me 1 year. I feel an average of 5 pounds a month is reasonable and my chances of keeping it off are better than if I'd taken it off in 6-8 months. I have ALWAYS put it all right back on when losing it that fast. I hope you all had a great holiday and were able to stick to your goals throughout the festivities but if not, don't beat yourself up over it just get back on the plan and keep losing. It has been working for me and I hope to get the remaining 20 off by February and reach my goal of being under 200 pounds for the first time in....I can't remember when.

I'm hangin in there like a hair in a bisquit.

2009-11-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, as I continue to push forward with the move, we're getting things done and I'm trying to adhere to my meal plan. It sure has been tough though. Being in 2 places several days a week makes it difficult to keep up with the food. Having the Saints undefeated at 8-0 for the first time ever is something to celebrate as well. If it weren't for the fact that there is the threat of hurricane Ida in the gulf right now I'd think Hell was about to freeze over. Oh, and it was my birthday Saturday. I had some wonderful friends drive in from North Carolina just to help me move...and of course celebrate with me. There was plenty to eat and drink with lots to do but I'm happy to say we got (most of) it done and then some.

I'm still hovering around the 40 pound mark and I'm satisfied with that considering all that has occurred to derail me. I have a large goal of losing 10 more pounds in the next 4 weeks and I think I can manage that if I get back on the meal plan with no late-night driving and eating. As long as I was able to close the refrigerator door by 6:30pm or so and not open it again till morning I was fine. Driving to MS puts me at the house late so I'm eating later and later AND I'm around my sons snacks as well. Lots of temptation in the new house but I'm happier being there with my family.

I see DTG has returned (if only partially) to their "new" packaging. I still received some "vacu-packed meals in this shipment but the majority had the plastic just over the top opening and the label placed on that instead of on the bottom. The food is still very good, the plan is convenient and easy to follow; much like any diet though...you must commit to it. DTG has been a great tool to jump start my weight loss and I'm proof that it works if you work it. Good luck with your weight loss and check us both out on Facebook as DTG has a site or search me as; Bo Boots Walker. BTW, that's my son and me at his birthday party a week on 11-1-09.

A little perspective...new and old.

2009-10-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

OK, so I started Diet to Go in late January at a whopping 258 and change. Below are my first pictures of that glorious day.

I hoped there would be relief from the way I was feeling and the way I looked. Fast forward a few months where I'd lost at least 20 pounds or so. I'm sure I used these same photos in a previous blog if I wanted to find out the exact number.

Fast forward to today...a little over 8 months down the road. I'm 219 and down almost 40 pounds. I look and feel so much better and have somehow weathered the storm (so far) with all that has happened in my life these past few months without falling off the wagon. I look better, I feel better and I'm happier for it. Start your transformation today. If you've tried all the other diets and failed why not try DTG and succeed.

wow, what a month.

2009-10-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a little over a month since we bought the new house and it wasn't until last weekend that we actually feel that we live there. It was only a week ago that the tilers finished and we were able to move furniture into the house. The tile and paint looks great but there is so much to do and so much travel involved I feel a bit overwhelmed by it all. Add to that; my mom went in the hospital again on Friday after slipping at home. She had an angiogram week before last and wasn't feeling well after being in the hospital a few days. I'm holding steady at 222 and that's still 38 pounds.

On a positive note, my food has arrived safe and sound since Diet to Go changed their packaging. The food is still awesome but I'm green beaned out. I love the proteins but and bored by the veggies sometimes. If they would send me the whole, half-chicken every night I would love it. As always, I have my favorites but it would behoove me to spend a bit more time on the phone or online tailoring the meal plan to my preference. I fully intend on sticking with the plan through the first of the year...I'm budgeted for it but with the holidays coming I may take a few weeks off. For the first time in my 46 years on the planet I plan on hosting Thanksgiving at my house. I hope it doesn't end up like Chevy Chases' Christmas Vacation but I'm really looking forward to it.

I've been derilict in my duties to post

2009-09-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hello all, since my last post a lot has happened. We did close on the new house and since then it's been a whirlwind of activity both in travel and contractors. Since my son is enrolled in 1st grade in MS, he and my wife have been staying over there so I've been traveling to see them several nights a week and on the weekend. We have also had painters and now the tile people in the house since the beginning of September. Dealing with all of this from a distance comes with its own set of difficulties and has turned my stomach, on occasion, into a churn.

I've found it tough at times to stick to the DTG program during these past few weeks allowing myself to eat out (probably more than I should) and eat some things I shouldn't have at all. Even though I've slipped a bit I have only fluctuated a couple pounds and as of this morning was 223. I will spend another weekend in MS probably painting and cutting the grass if the weather permits. There is a lot to be done before we can move in so I'm going to take it one day at a time and will try my best to keep on the straight and narrow. In the mean time, here are a few photos of the tile work being done...enjoy and have a great weekend.

I'm sure I've said this before but the food on Diet To Go is freakin' awesome!

2009-08-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

Just got back after a harrowing weekend with the family in MS. Yes, we closed on the new house on Monday and without regaling you with the details it was one of the most bizarre closings I've ever been involved with. OK, I'm currently trying to get the paint and tile done before we officially move in over there so this too has been trying. Lots of quotes, lots of prices, several levels of competency and English. Needless to say it has been a real distraction to my diet plan but I 'm proud to say that "trauma trim" has allowed me to drop down to 221 pounds...without really trying, honestly. I'm ashamed and guilty for some of the things I've eaten during the 2 of 7 days that I eat on my own but the activity and possibly my food choices have allowed me to continue to lose weight. 258 minus 221 makes it 37 pounds that I've lost.

I'll tell you the reason for the title of my post. Just when I think I'm getting tired of the food at DTG I revisit something that I haven't had in a while and am wow'd by it. Tonight it was the stuffed flounder. Damn, I've paid for worse flounder in a restaurant before. This dish is expertly seasoned and if you heat it properly the flounder is moist and flaky with a delicious seafood stuffing, pesto cauliflower and let's face it; I'm a bit tired of the green beans but they to were crisp and delicious with a mild sprinkling of cheese. Thank you DTG for keeping me on track during these very distracting days. It's good to know that I don't have to worry about a meal plan each night after all of this.

Also, I hear from the big cheese at DTG that they are buying a huge shrink wrap machine that better protects the integrity of the packages when they are shipped. as you know I've had a few problems with my deliveries but I've been assured that it is all behind us now and my food will arrive fresh and safe. have a great week and as things slow down a bit I promise to post a bit more. I removed flooring, tack strips and painted today...the longer it takes these guys to get back to me on these projects the more I just do myself...there is a certain amount of satisfaction that comes as well. Have a great week!!

I've been distracted by more than just my diet.

2009-08-16T17:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday night and after a pretty god weekend I think I should throw up a blog. Friday night was the Saints pre-season opener at the Dome. It wasn't a great showing but they did win. The mantra for the evening being; what do you want, it's pre-season. I was able to enjoy the game with some red wine and even stuck to my program at dinner later that night. Forgoing the bread and as many other carbs that night as I could, I was able to enjoy a delicious chicken and andouille gumbo (without rice) plus a delicious roast duck...no desert. Saturday, I wasn't as strict and I did allow myself a few "off the plan items."

Today was better as steak and eggs was a great eye opener and tonight's DTG offering of Italian Meatballs with a mouth watering artichoke and black olive side dish. 7 months on the plan and I'm still amazed by the food. As we move forward on the purchase of a second home in MS, it's become more complicated to concentrate on job performance, fixing up my current home, dealing with the pressures of financing the second home plus having my wife and child living, working and going to school in another state. I'm lucky if I get to see them once during the week and the 2 days on the weekend but it means several hours of drive time any way you slice it.

The good part is that I haven't allowed myself to put back on several pounds. I'm sticking to the plan as well as can be expected but I have found that I'm slipping a bit more than usual. I was given some really good news last week that I can't share here but lets say that it's in my best interest to continue losing weight as this will be a great reward in the end. The prize will come in early December so I really want to have at least 10 more pounds off by then...maybe more. I've got to stay on that tread mill and really stick to the program though.

Sorry for not posting more often but again, time has been a real issue...more to come. I promise.

I think they finally got it right!

2009-08-06T16:33:00.000-07:00

OK, so I may have been pouting a bit and I have been pretty busy as of late but I think DTG may have the right packaging now. I know it may seem that I'm harping on the delivery issue a bit but this is an expensive program and it's imperative that these meals arrive on time and in consumable condition. Last Thursday my shipment was completely destroyed...the worst yet. The inside contents were visible and I didn't know when this when the breakage occurred since there was no documentation and the UPS man simply dropped it off and left! They pissed me off too. I called UPS and filed a claim but no one ever contacted me after that...no one! I contacted DTG and they were mortified because this has happened to me several times now. I'm glad that they took some responsibility in this as well because I feel the package must be "road worthy" before the monkeys at UPS get a chance to wreck it. Simply sending an unprotected Styrofoam ice chest is NOT sufficient.

I'm happy to report that this week my ice chest arrived INSIDE of a standard card board box and the contents were still frozen and intact. Look, this meal plan has helped me lose a total of 35 pounds now and I'm astonished by that because the food is gourmet. This isn't some nuke & puke Jenny Craig or God forbid the dog food Nutri System passes off as food. It's real food, cooked fresh, flash frozen and delivered to my door. For those lucky enough to pick theirs up, there is no freezing involved as I have noted that some meals don't lend themselves well to the travel and reheating process. I look forward to getting back on track because my biggest worry was that I just went to 5 days a week instead of 7, leaving me with 2 big decision days or several meals on my own. I tossed last weeks shipment because I didn't know what condition it was in therefore I was on my own for entire week! I'm not ready to be let off the leash just yet! Much like my buddy Steve, we are recovering food addicts and can't be left to our own devices without much more counseling and behavior changes.

I managed to gain 2 pounds this past week all because I missed my food arrived compromised and I was left to my own devices. Bad me, yes. I'm back on the treadmill and can't wait to have my meals waiting for me so my decisions are made. I have way too much going on right now so taking my nutritional needs out of the equation will free me up to figure out how I'm going to pay for this new house...oh yeah, We will likely close this month! It's been 17 years since I've had to deal with this dog and pony show and even back then I don't recall it being this stressful...maybe because I signed all my life away while on pain pills after falling 30 feet in the Superdome. Now that's a story for another time. I promise I'll share but I've got to get to the Home Depot and buy some paint and supplies as "this old house" will soon be on the market!

A few more steps but the stress is mounting.

2009-07-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

Well, if all goes well, I won't have to stay in an apartment when I travel to MS any longer. We have a contract on the house with the garage mahal but there are a few hoops to jump through first; home inspection, appraisal, insurance, etc. If all goes well we could take possession sometime in August. I'll keep you posted.

So, how is this messing with my diet. As you know, I've dropped down to 3 meals, 5 days a week instead of a full 7. It allows me to eat out a bit or with my family. It also leaves me on my own to make healthy decisions which can be difficult. I don't mind telling you I still crave carbs and not having that DTG meal in front of you to heat and eat my mind begins to wander towards them. The stress of re-mortgaging my life isn't helping matters and I have a history of stress eating, too. I'm staying active...as active as I can with a job that confines me to a chair but my treadmill is still calling me each morning and the honey-do list of house repairs will keep me busy for weeks as we prepare to sell our existing home.

I don't want to say my focus for weight loss has deminished but with so many things on the plate in front of me I feel I could derail. The compliments and the way I feel are carying me right now but as the vison gets blurred a bit some things move to the peripheral. As I focus on doing the deal on this house and preparing my home for sale I hope my weight loss goals don't end up there.

Apartment life sucks!

2009-07-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

The transition from New Orleans to Mississippi is a slow process but we are making gradual progress. No sooner that we secure an apartment for my wife and son to live in while he begins first grade than we actually find a house to make an offer on. It couldn't happen soon enough for me. I've been in my home for 17 years and have forgotten how bad apartment life can be; dogs barking, paper thin walls, etc. It's all a bit much for me so finding a house has just moved up the priority list for me. Granted, I don't live there full time...neither does my wife, yet but even staying there a couple nights on the weekends while we look at homes is enough to turn me off. The woman that lives above us has two little yappy dogs that will bark at anything. Couple that with her obvious size 12 concrete shoes that she walks in and the fact that she gets up for work at 1:30am and you've got a recipe for a very unhappy tenant--ME! We do have an offer in on a really nice home with what I'm calling a "garage-mahal" in the back. Keep your fingers crossed

that they accept our offer so we can move!

Diet wise I'm doing well. I'm keeping up with my exercise and sticking to the meal plan as best I can. As previously mentioned, I went to 5 days a week, down from 7 so I'm providing a few meals on my own. As long as I can stick to the low/no carb regimen, I think I'll be OK. I'm at 222.5 or so and hoping I can drop into the teens very soon. I feel better than I've felt in a long time and it's all due to the weight loss, eating plan and exercise. Unfortunately when we let these things slide we end back up where we started; tens of pounds overweight, eating poorly and not exercising. Then we can't seem to figure out why we feel so bad. Hmmmmm

Stumbling through another week...

2009-07-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm stuck at 224...not that it's a bad thing but I'd like to hit the teens before the end of July! I knocked my meal program back to 5 days a week/3 meals per day because it seems like I have a backlog of extra meals. With the recent holiday and an extra shipment while I was on vacation, for some reason I have several leftover meals. I'm trying to get my wife to eat them and I hate throwing them away...I pay for them, ya know. Invariably I end up eating a breakfast or two off program and a couple of lunches or dinners so 5 days should be plenty to fill out the week.

My last shipment was completely destroyed by UPS. I mean I barely got it home before the whole box just fell apart. I don't know what they did to it but I hope no more arrive like that. I called DTG and explained what happened. Even though they have no control over what UPS does with their packages they were kind enough to ship my next set of meals for free! Great customer service.

I've been pretty stressed out lately with the move (we got an apartment in MS over the fourth) and looking for a house to buy, plus keeping up this one in LA. Having a structured meal plan like DTG has kept me from going off the deep end and stress eating. Knowing that there is food available for me to eat and that I'm not left to my own devices has really help me to maintain these last few weeks. I'm back on the treadmill, after being sick last week...just wasn't up to it. I really want to get into the two hundred and teens. With a little luck and some hard work I will get there and maybe my offer on a house in MS has been accepted...cross your fingers for both.

The move and the 4th was a success but I'm paying for it now.

2009-07-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

I hate being sick. I've been feeling this coming on for several days now but somehow was able to shrug it off. This is my second day of missed work. It all began Saturday June the 28th as I drove to Florida with my son. He had the sniffles but I didn't think much of it. He would spend an entire week with his "poppa" and I would turn right around to Louisiana dragging a 20 foot trailer to move my wife to Mississippi fourth of July weekend. In preparation for the move we kicked up all kind of dust and even got some furniture from an elderly couple (with cats) from across the street. I believe my sinuses began to pay from that point on. It has also been very dry with record breaking heat.

The move went fairly well and we were able to spend the rest of the 4th of July weekend enjoying the festivities with my wife's family and community friends. Sunday we headed east and stayed the night at her new apartment in MS, son in tow. She had to go to work early so my son and I kept the Gulf coast on our left for most of the ride home. My intent was to drop him off at daycare and head to work sometime before noon. As the ride home wore on I began to feel increasingly worse and warned my assistant that I may not come in at all. Just before I was ready to bring him to camp I decided to take his (and my) temperature. They were both over 101. We were going no where...the same was true this morning as we were both over 100 and I felt worse today than yesterday.

Now to the weight loss. Let's back up to Sunday June 29th. My wife and I packed the majority of the furniture headed to MS on that day. She has been working in the Biloxi area since Set. 2007 and commuting from New Orleans almost daily. That night we decided to go to Ruth Chris Steakhouse for dinner since our son was with his grandfather...for the next week! We went with a plan and I'm proud to say that we were able to stick to it. Once nice bottle of red wine (2003 Lancaster estates) we'd split the lettuce wedge and broccoli au gratin but each have our own steak...no desert, no appetisers, nothing but what we ordered and it was awesome!

I received my food shipment on Thursday and am happy to report that it arrived in much better shape than previous shipments. The food was stacked properly and still had ice crystals between the packaging so I know it was still frozen. I had Friday off so that morning we got up early and drove the trailer to MS and had it unpacked (with help) within 30 minutes. I was able to stick to the program pretty well throughout the weekend and even walked Saturday and Sunday morning on the point. I was able to enjoy some boiled shrimp, roasted pork and sausage from the feast but managed to avoid all of the sweets except a few slices of ice cold watermelon. I'm down to 224 now so that's 34 pounds. I missed walking Monday and today but am hoping I feel well enough tomorrow to get back on the plan. Well, time for lunch and some more medicine.

It’s amazing what exercise can do and how it makes you feel.

2009-06-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

I am loving my new treadmill as it is the “new girl” in my life. You guys know how that is, right? You get something new in your life and you pay a lot of attention to it. Unfortunately the attraction usually wanes and it soon becomes insignificant. Well, for now anyway, the treadmill is high on the list of things to do each day. My new Ipod Shuffle should be in today and the sports specific headphones I ordered too. Walking each morning for 30 or more minutes has not only kicked my weight loss into high gear but I feel so much better all day. I’m convinced it’s the exercise.

I won’t bore you (or waste the time to find any) with the scientific research supporting all of the claims and benefits of exercise but in my case, it’s true. I have lost 33 pounds now and that’s a full 5 months in to the DTG program; an average of 6.6 pounds per month! Not too shabby. I hope to continue each day with my treadmill in the hopes that I can shed the LB’s. so pray I don’t fall out of love with my new girlfriend.

I was having some shipping issues after returning from vacation. I didn’t contact Diet To Go right away thinking it may just be a glitch with their packaging and packing. As previously stated, some of the food was unlabeled and it was mostly thawed by the time it got to me. Granted, we’ve had record breaking heat these past few weeks so I don’t expect the shipments to be rock hard when I unpack them but because they were stacking the meals on their sides before shipping the liquid would run out of the packaging and into the plastic over-wrap as the food thawed. I was not pleased. I decided to send an email to DTG about this condition and was happy to receive a positive reply. For the most part, DTG didn’t know what was happening with their “ship” customers because their clients rarely said anything or simply stopped receiving their shipments without comment.

As a side bar, my sister used to be married to the most famous chef in America...yes, Emeril. When they opened their first restaurant together there was much trial and error. It was funny when people would come up to my sister and tell of their experiences while dining at their restaurant…some good, some bad. She would listen intently to whatever problem they encountered and usually followed up with the question: “did you tell anyone at the restaurant about this.” Sheepishly, most would just say no and that they didn’t think it was a big deal. My sister would explain that if “we” don’t know this is happening, how can we correct it? The lesson I learned was if something is unsatisfactory you must say something. Not only so it can be made right for you but the other party needs to know that something is wrong as well.

With that said, I was happy to know that my email went to the “big cheese” at DTG and was promptly addressed. He oversaw the packaging personally to make sure that no mistakes were made and that the food being shipped would arrive the way it was intended. DTG tells me that they ship a sample package to themselves to their California location for inspection but didn’t notice what I was experiencing. Either way, I’m happy with their response and their restitution. Customer service is what sets any company apart from the rest these days and it’s appreciated now more than ever with this economy. Everybody wants to make sure they get what they pay for. I am still amazed by the food and am ecstatic that I am still losing weight eating this good. I’m 27 pounds from reaching my goal of being under 200 pounds. At 6.6 pounds per month that’s just 4 more months. I’m giving myself a new challenge in the hopes that by my birthday on November 7th of this year, I will be under 200 pounds!! Wish me luck and if you’re looking to increase your losses, start walking 30 minutes a day. I feel better and I know it’s helping me lose more weight.

Woke up way too early, couldn't go back to sleep.

2009-06-20T03:03:00.000-07:00

Well it's just after 5am and while the rest of the family sleeps I'm typing away at the computer. I didn't post a loss this week but I did increase my activity. I'll chalk the no-loss up to "building muscle mass." I don't know if it's true but I'll fool myself into thinking that anyway. I was able to exercise on the treadmill M,T,W, and F. I cut the grass in near 100 degree heat so I will count that as exercise too. I'm planning on taking a walk this morning as well but will likely take Fathers Day off. I'm really liking the treadmill. I hop on with my IPoD and a cup of coffee and walk for about 35-40 minutes. It's a bit over a mile and a half by the time I've cooled down but I figure that's pretty good for just getting back into it. I've always been the type that sets unrealistic exercise goals therefore I never achieve them. I come out of the box great but the fervor wanes and I end up ditching it. I'm hoping that by walking 30 or more minutes in the morning before I get my son (and myself) off that it's just enough to keep me interested and enough exercise to lose some weight.

I'm still loving the DTG food. As I've said before, the low carb plan works for me. I'm still a bit disappointed in the packaging but I'm told by the folks at DTG that it too will change. They have been including a re-freezable gel pack in with the food. I'm not sure what it's for or if they've abandoned the dry ice all together but my meals are not as rock hard frozen as they've been in the past. Add to this the fact that whoever is packing the meals lays the trays on their side so now as the meal thaws it all slides to one side and the liquid leaks out of the tray and into the plastic vacu-sealed bag. I've received a combination of the vacu-sealed bag containers and the newer type where the plastic is just heat sealed over the top of the container. Some of the food this go around didn't even have labels on them. If I had my preference, I'd choose plastic sealed with the label on top so you can tell whats in it without having to turn it over and mess up the meal inside. I'll keep you posted as to whether or not Diet to Go calls me for for my packaging advice. LOL.

Happy Fathers Day! Bo

Pictures of my trip out west are available.

2009-06-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

You can view them at my Facebook page. Follow this link.

Also, anyone interested in buying a motorcycle can see all the photos here.

Jeez...has it been over a week since I posted.

2009-06-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Last week was a bear as my co-worker was on vacation. Yes, he had to do all my duties while I was gone too. I was pretty busy but I did have a productive week. Here are a few details. I bought a treadmill Thursday evening!!! My delightful, elderly neighbor paid over 3 grand for this pro-gear treadmill several years ago. I was able to pick it up (literally and figuratively) for $600. It was like wrestling an alligator to get it out of her house and across the street but I made it. No way I was going to walk on the thing that night but I did do 25 minutes on it Friday morning and posted another one pound loss so I'm at 227 and a total of 31 pounds!

I did a few home improvement projects over the weekend and even snuck in a bike ride. I saw some coffee-house improv Saturday night with a friend and enjoyed his company and some spirits. Sunday was a lazy day but not without it's drama. My wife's brand new car got side swiped while sitting on the street in front of my house in broad daylight. The car didn't stop but left a couple of parts behind so with some investigating, I'm hoping to find out the type of car and maybe even find it parked around the neighborhood. Sad and upsetting all at the same time.

I did 30 minutes on the treadmill to start my day this morning and I'm hoping I can start each morning this same way. Even my son is patting my belly and encouraging me to keep it up. With the new exercise routine and my DTG food I'm poised to knock off another 10 or so as soon as possible. I spent most of my downtime yesterday going through my closet as my double-extra-huge shirts just swamp me and I've easily dropped from 44's to loose 40's now so those pants and shorts have been put away. I'm hoping I have my "skinny" shorts and shirts tucked away somewhere because the closet and drawers are quite empty without the fat clothes in them.

Now is the time I really need to focus because this is the time I usually begin to slip back into old habits. It's been almost 5 months that I've been on the program and I know if I start to loosen the leash I will quickly back slide and be kicking myself for doing it. I think bringing on the exercise at this point in my weight loss was the right thing to do as it injects something new into my routine and will hopefully keep me focused and on track. Congrats to those who are also doing well on the program and for those who still think they can eat off the plan you need to re-focus and realize what you came to Diet to Go for. You wanted help and someone or something to guide you. You took the first step now trust the program and follow it to a tee...the weight will come off. There are too many success stories to think otherwise. You CAN do this and you have all the tools you need. It's much like a smoker though; they won't quit until they are truly ready to give it up. You have made that decision and accepted the help so stop thinking you can control it and give in to the program. It will take you there soon enough. Stick with it and good luck.

What a wonderful weekend.

2009-06-07T18:04:00.000-07:00

This was my first weekend back home since I left for vacation. It was nice to spend Friday night at home with the family. We all got to see watch a movie and share time together. I spent most of Saturday unpacking and washing clothes. I promised my son we would go to the theater...we all did and saw UP! Really enjoyed it, too. I was even able to work in a home improvement project by replacing the screen in our storm door. I just finished a Flat Iron steak with asparagus, onions and spinach and am settling in for the evening.

I looked at a treadmill today. There is a sweet old couple that lives across the street from us that are getting to the point where they can no longer use the stairs in their home. She explained yesterday that they were considering moving their sitting room from the upstairs to the first floor but they need to get rid of some stuff to do it. In addition to some furniture there is a wonderful Life Fitness T3 treadmill that has been barely used. I know she paid over $3000 for it several years ago and I'm thinking of bringing it in to my home now so I can walk in the morning. I wouldn't mind walking outside in the morning before work but I can't leave my son alone in the house just yet...he's only 6.

I must admit I ate some carbs this weekend that weren't on the plan. I don't know how it will impact my weight loss next week but I expect to just hit it hard and get back on the plan. It was a few stone ground crackers with some cheese. I also had a wheat tortilla with the hamburger patty from DTG. I may have even had a piece of chocolate, too. Whoops. Again, I'm not going to beat myself up over it...just jump back on the wagon tomorrow. While on the subject of food, I was confused by my most recent shipment. It appears they have either gone back to the old packaging as ALL of my meals were fully vacu-sealed instead of (what I thought was) the new method of just sealing plastic over the top of the container. Maybe they changed their mind about the newer packaging. Given a preferrence, I like the peal off lids rather than having to cut open the bag which tends to load with liquid and spills sometimes.

Thanks to all who gave words of encouragement as I find it better to know that there are others on the program. I have tried to leave comments on some of your blogs sites but for some reason I can't post. Don't know why. Please check me out on Facebook; search for Bo Boots Walker if you have an account. If not, create one and connect with tons of friends, colleagues and people of like minded interests. Diet To Go has a site filled with fans and don't forget to blog on their site as well. Now, how much should I give that nice old lady for the treadmill...

Back to the grind.

2009-06-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe it's only been 2 days back at work. I don't know why but it appears to take a really long time to knock out an 8 hour day. I miss vacation already. Anyway, it's back to business as usual now as I will receive my normal Thursday shipment and plan to get back to hitting it hard. I really want to drop another 10 pounds over the next 5 weeks so exercise will become a very important factor. I need to force myself to get out during the day so I can get some movement. Sitting in my chair all day does nothing for my metabolism or will to live. I would like to add some home exercise as well. I am planning on either getting up earlier to do my "slide" exercise thing or take a walk in the evening with the family after it cools down a bit. I'm sure the DTG food will do it's part...I just need to do mine. Here are a couple of pictures from my trip; as I get more I'll post them too. Above is a self portrait at the Devils Backbone in Utah...below, a picture of the bad-ass bikes that took us there. I may post some video as well but will need to edit it some so it's not too long.

Back safe and sound...and 2 pounds down!!!!

2009-06-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

That’s right; I stepped on the scale this morning and was 228! I was really surprised to see that I was able follow the rules of the low carb plan and come back lighter than when I left. I think the key for me was not eating any starches…no buns on the burgers, no fries, crackers, beans, pasta, corn, etc. I ate salads with protein on top as often as I could and some days lived on beef jerky and protein bars for lunch as we were in the canyons of Utah and no place for take-out! I allowed myself 2 glasses of red wine each evening and I think I had one beer with dinner but only because they didn’t serve wine.

My riding partner and I had some problems along the way that may have added to my stress. That in itself would have been a trigger to begin eating like a mad man but instead it empowered me to try and overcome those old behaviors. Unfortunately I don’t think we’ll be riding together anymore and doubt we’ll remain as close of friends as we have been over the last 10 years but our traveling habits are just too different and unfortunately irreconcilable. As for pictures; I shot most of them with his camera and the video I shot was saved to his computer. If I can get him to send me a disc I’ll post some for all to see.

Prior to leaving on May 22nd, I used the DTG website and called the 800 number to cancel my shipments for a couple of weeks. Somehow, I still received a shipment on the 21st so I had my wife freeze everything until I got back so I had food ready when I returned on Monday. The shipments are to resume this week so I anticipate getting my ice chest of goodness on Thursday. I’ve noticed something different about the packaging though. The good news is DTG has gone to a heat shrinking process to close the meal containers instead of the vacuum packed variety of old. The clear plastic is just over the top of the open compartment and doesn’t encapsulate the entire package. I find it easy to just poke a few holes in the top and microwave as usual rather than having to cut open the package. In some cases, once the food thawed it was easier to spill over the lip of the container only to be caught inside the plastic wrapper…causes quite a mess. This way is cleaner and keeps the food separated if in different compartments of the tray. One problem though. I would prefer they put the label on TOP of the container rather than on the bottom. Again, once thawed, you have to either turn the meal over to figure out what it is or raise it over your head to read the label. Looking through the clear plastic doesn’t do much good because they tend to fog up once the condensation settles on it in the freezer. I have also had several meals come with NO label whatsoever. It’s a mystery until all others have been identified using the meal plan sheets.

I would like to offer one more suggestion. It would be great if the meals were color coded in some way. When I go to unpack my weekly shipment they have been in an ice chest for 4 days. The dry ice is gone and most of the meals are still very frozen but I try to get them in the refrigerator or freezer as fast as I can. I have a spare “fridge” outside under the patio so it’s anywhere from 80-95 degrees out there so I don’t like leaving the doors open for too long as I sort out the food. I use the top shelf of the fridge for breakfast, middle shelf for lunch and bottom for dinner…same in the freezer. (there isn’t usually much more than an extra gallon of milk and some cold waters so I have the room.) By using a colored dot system or label it would be easy for me to separate the meals quickly without having to hold each one over my head to determine what it is and where it goes. It’s a little think but would be greatly appreciated. I also have to bring my breakfasts and lunches to work with me once a week so it would speed that process as well as I’m standing outside packing a plastic bag to go.

I’m thankful for the Diet to Go program and what it has allowed me to do. I’m hoping to reach my goal within the next 6 months and keep it off or good this time. As my fellow DTG’er Steve shared Oprah’s words of wisdom in his own blog; “losing weight is easy, keeping it off is hard.” One need only look to the cover of this week’s People magazine to see Kirsty Ally has gained 85 pounds again after being the spokesperson for Jenny Craig. We’ve all done it…me, twice on NS alone. Jenny twice, too. Work the program and it will work for you but don’t forget to learn something along the way. One of the biggest problems is we rely on these programs to shepherd us to skinny-land but once separated from the flock we run amok and go back to our old familiar ways. Know what you’re putting in your body and what it does to fuel it each day so when you no longer need the helping hand of guidance you can fend for yourself once on your own. I’m still loving the food and now better understand why DTG sends the food that they do after being aloud to “go it alone” for several days. Good luck and keep doing what you’re doing…it DOES payoff!!!

Finally have a chance to post...ON VACATION!!!

2009-05-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

OK, here's the down and dirty on what's going on with me. I left last Friday for my annual trip out west. I ate breakfast and lunch on the DTG plan before leaving but had to snack and eat on the road. I was smart enough to boil some eggs before leaving so I had that available along with some almonds, beef jerky, protein bars and even some pork rinds. Our first stop was for dinner just outside of Shreveport. It was a diner with a buffet. I normally avoid a buffet but it had fresh vegetables and some fish, chicken and fruit...so that's what I had.

We spent the night in Longview, TX and awoke to a free breakfast. They actually had something other than dry cereal and honey buns so I had 3 little egg patties along with some sausage. For lunch we stopped at Cracker Barrel so I ordered the BBQ pork with cole slaw. Dinner was a Rib eye with roasted vegetables and a salad. I really trying to avoid all carbs so no dinner rolls, crackers, potatoes, etc.

Sunday morning we were in Albuquerque, NM and I'd saved a piece of steak from the nite before to have with my morning eggs...which I did, 3 hard boiled. Lunch was quick in Farmington, NM as we had many more miles to go so we stopped into the KFC for their new grilled chicken plates. No dinner roll or potatoes, just chicken ad cole slaw. Keep in mind that as I grew hungry along the way I had the snacks mentioned above to munch on and I was drinking plenty of water. We pulled into Mexican Hat, Utah around 3pm and got our gear ready for our first ride. A quick run down Comb Ridge and Butler wash and we were both exhausted and ready for dinner. There is a really cool place called the Swingin Steak and yes, they actually swing your steak over an open flame. The meal comes with a salad and pinto beans with a huge piece of Texas style toast...I just had the steak and salad along with an ice cold beer!

Memorial Monday we woke to beautiful blue skies along the San Juan River so we took a walk to start the morning. A short hike along the ridge of the San Juan River was exhilarating to say the least. We also took the opportunity to fire off a few rounds from our weapons as no one was around in this desolate area. Scrambled eggs and bacon topped off the morning. We are on the bikes for most of the day so we lunched on protein bars, hard boiled eggs and cheese sticks. It filled the belly as we traveled to Hanksville, UT. It's a pretty small town so food choices are limited but we actually found a place where we hadn't eaten before. I enjoyed a nicely grilled chicken breast with delicious green beans and a salad vowing to come back Tuesday night for a steak.

The short walk to "Blondie's" for breakfast got our blood moving. I ordered 3 scrambled eggs with cheese and 2 sausage patties along with a fruit cup...it look refreshing and it was. We rode hard all day in the Temple Mountain region north of Hanksville and just outside Goblins State Park. We lived off of beef jerky and protein bars so by the time we made it back for dinner we were ravenous for a well prepared steak. Our little restaurant didn't disappoint! The rib eye was cooked to perfection with a side of green beans and a salad. Delicious!

My goal here is to enjoy my vacation and not come back from this trip, like so many others, at east 5 pounds heavier. (I want to just maintain what I've lost; which by the way is 28 pounds. I was 230 the Thursday before we left.)I think that because I haven't been eating anything fried, I feel so much better out here. I haven't suffered with the altitude sickness as in past years nor have I felt zapped of my energy. I truly believe that what I'm eating is having a profound effect on the way I feel and the way I'm performing on my rides. It's amazing. I may not get a chance to blog again but I'm thinking about you guys. More later and lots of good pics!

I've got good news and GREAT news!!

2009-05-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Let's start with the good news. I lost a pound this week bringing my total to 26 pounds! It was a rough week because I was a bit depressed that the scale didn't move last week but I'll take the pound and see if I can post a big loss for next week getting closer to my goal of 30 pounds before vacation. I find with the low carb plan the weight loss comes in spurts. Unfortunately, a lot of times the weight lost is dependant upon how well your bowels moved that week. I've mentioned before that for some reason all that protein tends to bind.

Now the great news; I went to the doctor for a checkup on Tuesday and of course she noticed I have lost weight but more importantly my blood work was remarkable. I won't go into too much detail but I can tell you my triglyceride levels have plummeted considerably. I'm still outside of the normal range but being in the 300's is leaps and bounds better than when the number was so high they could calculate some of my cholesterol numbers. I was once at 1059!!! My A1C level has dropped down into range and my glucose levels have dropped from 138 into the 120's. This morning my own stick came up 99! It's the first time I've been out of the triple digits since I don't know when.

My doc was so impressed with the results that DTG has given me she asked for some information from them that she can give to interested patients. I'm walking talking living proof that this program can and has lowered my blood sugars while losing weight. It's another shining endorsement for the DTG program, I feel. I've noticed some new followers of this blog that are new to the DTG program. I hope you are encouraged by these results because chances are you too are dealing with the same issues I am. Diabetes is rough and I want to avoid becoming an inject able diabetic like the plague!

I'm hoping to pick my exercise up a bit more. The elevator is a ghost to me...I haven't taken an elevator ride in over two months now as the dozen or so trips up and down three flights of stairs has gotten easier. It's not an organized program but it's all I have right now until I can find a way to shake my schedule loose and exercise. I feel so much better these days and look forward to losing even more. I'm wearing clothes that still have the dry cleaners tags on them from the last time I fit into them...it's like a new wardrobe! The comments from people that know me all say they notice a difference and to keep it up. We have free concerts every Wednesday in Lafayette square. I ran into several people that knew me and they all commented on the weight I've lost...some were encouraged by it too. Stick with the plan; the plan will work for you.

Happy Mothers Day!

2009-05-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

First, let me catch you up on where I stand. Last Thursday I did weigh in but couldn't post a loss...no gain but no loss so I didn't Bog that day. I have been extremely busy trying to prepare for my trip on the 22nd. It has taken most of my weekends and several days during the week to get ready but I've been able to stick to my meal plan pretty well. I've decided I'm not going to try and travel with my food and luckily, DTG doesn't seem to mind if you stop and restart so I plan of putting my order on "pause" for the week I'll be gone and resume it when I get back. It should be easily accomplished through the Internet or with a simple phone call. DTG's customer service is very good unlike some of the other diet plans out there.

Now, to mothers day. I'm fortunate that I still have my mom. As mentioned, I lost my dad better than a dozen years ago. We all miss him and I'm sure we will talk about him often today. I am cooking a late lunch for my mom, her friend, my sister and of course my wife and son. The menu is certainly something I could eat with a few exceptions but I plan on heating my DTG meal and eating with them. Grilled chicken, cheesy vegetables (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower) with a garden salad and some garlic bread is the fare for them. It just so happens that I too will be having chicken.

My initial fascination with green beans for breakfast is waning as it's just not that appetizing that early in the morning but for the most part I am really enjoying the low carb meals. I still get surprised by the variety and flavors put in that little tub. Last night's salmon and vegetables was delicious. The pot roast was fantastic as was the prime rib. I also want to say hi to some of my new followers who have decided to blog along with starting their DTG plan. I think it's a great way to chronicle your experience and will help keep you honest in the long run. Please remember to turn your comments on so we can respond to your postings and good luck. It's an amazing journey and it's well worth it.

Happy Moms Day.

Made it through the weekend pretty well.

2009-05-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

Friday after work I went to my buddy's house to work on our motorcycles as we get ready for our trip. I brought my DTG food with me and ate with his family...flatiron steak with asparagus was pretty darn good!

We had an early rise Saturday morning to get to Mississippi and meet with the Realtor. We saw almost 20 houses in about 6 hours. We stopped for lunch at (almost) world famous BBQ joint "The Shed." I would have loved to have had a big sloppy pulled pork BBQ sandwich but opted for just the brisket meat and some coleslaw. It was terrific, too. We were home in enough time for me to have DTG but I couldn't have been more proud that I made some good decisions at lunch that afternoon.

Sunday was another early day for me as it was back to the grind...literally. We were working on the trailer getting it ready to roll so we were welding and grinding and cutting and bolting and painting. It was hard work in the warm sun but I kept hydrated and believe I only ate 2 meals on Sunday.

I had a talk with my rather large co-worker today about the low carb plan. I believe it would benefit him as well because it CAN be easy to lose weight IF you follow the rules. He's on insulin among other things to control his sugars. I hope I can convince him that losing some weight and controlling his sugars could add years to his life. If you too are dealing with poor health because your weight I can't recommend Diet To Go enough. The food is great tasting and they send you everything you need to assure success. I get new lab work tomorrow and I'll have the results when I see my doctor next Monday. I really hoping to see some positive results this go around.

So much to be thankful for...so much.

2009-04-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I feel I've hit a milestone in my quest for health and fitness. I've lost a total of almost 25 pounds as this morning I was 233.4 pounds. I feel better, I look better and I have people commenting more frequently now. I'm also wearing smaller clothes. I have several reasons to be thankful. One is that my company laid off almost 1000 more employees on Tuesday bringing to total to almost 3000 in the last three months...I'm thankful I have a job. I'm also thankful for my family. It was my wife's birthday yesterday and my son and I baked a cake for her simply enjoying each others company. Oddly, I didn't feel the need to reward myself with a slice but I hear it is wonderful. I am also thankful for Diet To Go. Here is why.

I want to talk specifically about the food in a bit but even my wife commented that I have never been so satisfied while on other programs. Honestly; tonight's meal of chicken wings and drumettes with a delicious blue cheese dipping sauce plus this fabulous artichoke heart and ham salad was incredibly satisfying. I mean, I felt like I was eating some good old fashion comfort food and my wife said I don't remember you licking your fingers on Nutri System or any other diet for that fact. The light bulb went off in my head...she was right and the fact that the meals are so good and so close to what I could fix myself or order in any restaurant made me believe that I can make it. I've eaten some incredibly tasty and satisfying meals over the last several weeks and I don't recall having that satisfying feeling AND losing weight at the same time.

I had a beef short rib with bordelaise sauce and celery puree that you'd swear was mashed potato's. The bordelaise was as good as I've had in any five star restaurant and I've eaten in a few. The Wasabi Catfish and Oriental Pea Puree with Stir Fry Veggies was another surprise. It was flavorful and moist and the "food designers" at DTG have put together combinations that I would never have come up with. I am really enjoying the new menu's!

I'm also thankful for the new packaging. I feel DTG is listening to me when I comment on something that just isn't quite right. Last week I wrote an email to Rachel at DTG warning of the potential hazard that the dry ice causes on their packaging. It appears that when the dry ice back is placed directly on the food after its packed it makes (a part of) the container brittle and it can shatter into the food. I came accross a couple of pieces last week and was thankful I didn't choke on it. It appears they have headed the warning because this week the dry ice bag was on the bottom (instead of on top) and the food was in a large foil-looking bag with packaging pillows on top and then sealed. They even have a new way of sealing the meals! Instead of just vacu-sealing them in a bag with the label on the bottom (which makes it awkward to figure out what's in it without turning it over---if thawed, it makes a mess) they now simply heat seal a clear plastic cover over the top of the container and the label has been moved to the top which makes it easy to see the food and read the label. Bravo!

So, I know it's not Thanksgiving but I have a lot to be thankful for. Enjoy these fine photos of a much thinner, healthier and better feeling man.

For comparison, below is my first photo at 258.

Great weekend...great weekend.

2009-04-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

With everything that is happening in NO this weekend it's no wonder the masses had a good weekend. The weather was pretty good and opening weekend of Jazz Fest was a success...as usual. I have my sister-in-law in town for the Fest so we are were all pretty busy. I got up early and went to work on my dirt bike rebuilding the carb...and it actually ran when i put it back together. Then, my wife decided on a new vehicle so we went and purchased that. I'd forgotten how exhausting the "back room" can be but we made it through.

After a Starbucks and omelet with sausage breakfast I loaded up the bikes and Trikkes in my truck before we had to return the rental car and then went to the Lakefront for a family outing. It was quite windy but I managed to ride a few miles before we packed it in. I'm counting this as exercise...of course. I came home and was motivated to install a bicycle hanger that I'd bought years ago. It's one of those deals where you can hoist the bike up and out of the way with the pull of a string. I then ran my generator (a must if you want to keep it healthy for hurricane season) and pressure washed some brick on the north side of my house...I'm counting that as exercise to, right.

Lets get down to the food. Again, I am really impressed with low carb menus. They are increasingly flavorful and filling. Tonight's whitefish and wasabi (not really wasabi but mashed peas with some heat) was really good. I really enjoyed the beef patty with cheese on top and vegetables, too. I'm hoping for another good week and another good loss so hang in there and I promise, barring emergency, I will post some new pictures...have a great week.

3 pounds this week!!!

2009-04-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

I really wish I had more time to blog but with my wife's car breaking down and a fun-filled work week I've been really busy. The problem is I, I am really excited about the meal low carb plan and want to share my thoughts with you. I mean, I'll eat something really delicious and should follow my instinct to post a blog but something always jumps in the way. Granted, I haven't been using the toaster over very often (that came in so handily on the low fat plan) but there are a few things that are just killer when put under the broiler. Like the half-chicken...seriously, that was a meal one night; a half chicken with the skin on! I microwaved the meal to get it warm and finished it off under the broiler to crisp up the skin...crunchy good and of course full of flavor.

The beef short rib(s) in creamy mushroom sauce was only missing a couple of things...a couple more of those tender-tasty ribs. WOW! Breakfast has been wonderful. It's usually some form of eggs; fried, quiche, omelet, etc. and then some form of meat (and vegetable) sausage link, patty or bacon. I hit it with a few dashes of hot sauce and man, that's some good eatin'...even the pork chop! The baked chicken stuffed with goat cheese was a crowd pleaser as well.

If I can avoid the sweet stuff and munch on some raw veggies, beef jerky, hard boiled eggs or cheese sticks when I feel snackish I'll be just fine. I don't miss the bread...yet, and I've somehow been able to avoid the "sweets-fest" at night enjoyed by my wife and kid. Have I mentioned that my sugars have been almost 30-40 points down from the low fat plan. I've been amazed that I've had a couple of readings in the "one-oh somethings" instead of 140-150 and beyond. And yes, I lost 3 pounds this week bringing me to a total of 23 pounds.

I promise to post some pictures as soon as I can because others are starting to really notice but this weekend will be pretty busy as I'm working to get my motorcycle together for my upcoming trip out west and we have to pick up our NEW car this weekend as well. Not to mention that my sister-in-law is in town for opening weekend of the NO Jazz and Heritage Festival. Oh, and the Zurich classic (for you Golf fans) is also in town. I'm really motivated to have 30 pounds off of me by the time I leave for vacation next month! Thanks DTG.

Wow, what a crazy week.

2009-04-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I was really excited to post a nice blog Thursday with my new weight (Yes, I made the 20 pound loss mark) including some new photos and details about the low carb plan but unfortunately my wife's car broke down on the road again. She was just outside of Mobile, AL and began to overheat again. It was actually Tuesday afternoon. By Wednesday they had a new water pump (since we already replaced the radiator and thermostat the week before) and installed it but it still overheated. The shop she had it towed to in Florida began to think the last shop didn't replace the thermostat but simply said they did so they pulled the thermostat again, put another one in and took it for a long test drive on Thursday. Long story short, it overheated again and of course blew the head gasket so I grabbed my kid, threw a few clothes in a bag for the both of us and headed to Florida right after work to rescue her. Friday we left early to get back for a half day of work and school for myself and my boy. Being that the car is ten years old and blown head gasket is terminal so we're looking for a new car. We picked up a rental for the week so we're cool for now.

OK, that was a long way to go to tell you I actually traveled with my DTG food and was able to avoid stress eating by bringing my pre-packaged meals. They're convenient, tasty and have helped me lose 20 pounds. I'm really enjoying the flavors too. I'm not used to eating tons of veggies for breakfast...or with every meal but if you eat nothing but the protein you may have some er um...troubles in the bathroom. I promise some pictures this week but let me just say that I found a couple of meals that weren't to my liking. Unfortunately the salmon makes the lost again...my wife loved it though. For some reason I just don't think it packs well. It's belief that it probably comes to Diet To Go frozen. It's then thawed, seasoned and cooked. In my case it's flash frozen for shipment and the I thaw it and cook it again. I love salmon! My wife and I found a spectacular way to cook the frozen kind you can get from Sams Club or Costco. You wrap it in cling wrap with a pat of butter and whatever seasoning you desire and cook for only about a minute...no more than two per piece. It comes out medium rare and cleanup couldn't be easier; just remove from the wrap onto a plate, drain the juices off with it and throw away the cling wrap. There's just something about the way it turns out that I find unappealing. Oddly, my wife loved it so to each his own.

I was really looking forward to the prime rib tonight but was a bit disappointed with the cut of beef. It was rather fatty and a bit sinewy which made it difficult to chew. The sauce and veggies were great and the flavor of the beef was wonderful but if a better cut of prime was used it would be perfect. With that said, everything else I've eaten on this new low carb plan has been delicious. I really enjoyed the chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese. Breakfasts are really good too with lots of gooey cheese, ham bacon or sausage and terrific salsas and sauces. If your currently on the low carb I hope you're enjoying it like me. If you're doing the low fat and and looking for something to change it up I highly suggest the low carb. Now, I have a friend that has been busting his but to lose weight and he HAS been successful (35 pounds) but I can promise you he hasn't enjoyed his meal plan half as much as mine. I'll detail out slightly similar approach in my next blog. Now wish me luck finding my wife a new car. Luckily with my years in radio, I've crossed paths with several different dealerships and won't have any trouble getting a good deal.

Yes, I lost another pound...details to come.

2009-04-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

This IS the stimulus plan for me.

2009-04-14T18:10:00.000-07:00

As you have all read in previous posts, I really enjoyed the low fat meal plan from DTG but the Low Carb menu is the plan for me. I have noticed a real difference in the way I feel just from the 5 days I've been on it. I am less hungry because the protein fills me up and I find my energy level has really increased. I've followed the Atkins/Sugarbusters/South Beach plan before...years ago before going to Cancun on vacation. I dropped 15 or so pounds real quick. I wouldn't say I was ripped in a swimsuit but I felt less fat knowing I had lost a few before stripping down by the pool. What I'm realizing now is this is how I will need to eat for the rest of my life. My blood sugars have dropped from the 140's and 150's to the 120's. I get new blood work next month and can't wait to see what my fasting A1C readings will be.

The food is really well seasoned. I'm learning to love green beans with every meal including breakfast...OK, love may be a bit strong. But, to quote any chef in America today; "fat is flavor" and let's just say this diet has plenty of flavor. I love having bacon...even on things I wouldn't think need bacon. Cheese is abundant as are the different spices used in this meal plan...as opposed to the low fat variety. I am looking forward to what comes next as everything I've eaten so far; green beans and broccoli included have been really good. The breakfast Quiche had a chubby little sausage with is and lunch was a delightful chicken breast with bacon, pesto sauce and veggies seasoned to perfection. Tonight's stuffed flounder was much better than I expected it would be with a small fillet of flounder stuffed with a well seasoned mixture of other kinds of seafood...with the requisite green beans and cauliflower.

I'd be feeling a whole lot better if I didn't have to write a very large check to our commander in chief to blow on stimulus packages...so I didn't. I wrote a very large check to myself...rather my financial advisor. I made the maximum contribution to my IRA and reduced my tax liability considerably so for those of you last minute filers looking for a break consider paying yourself instead of the government and feel better about your retirement years as they are approaching faster day by day. Happy Tax day...

OMG...the Low Carb meals are THAT good!

2009-04-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

It seems I’ve been writing this Blog entry in my head since Friday morning but finally have a chance to put it down and post it. Because I had a few Low Fat entrees left from previous shipments I decided to start the Low Carb plan on Friday morning. From the moment I put those tasty little full fat sausages in my mouth I knew I was going really enjoy this plan. Don’t get me wrong, the low fat program has plenty of flavor but when you haven’t had fat for a couple of months it tastes really good. The western omelet (that included those 2 tasty sausages) was delightfully cheesy and had ham bell peppers and the right amount of western seasoning. I recall licking my fingers…seriously. I’m happy to see that breakfast is repeated several times in the meal plan.

Lunch was a large 6-8 inch piece of Andouille sausage with a zucchini and squash mix that once seasoned with some Cajun spices had me wishing for rice to pour the liquid over. For those that don’t know what Andouille sausage is, it’s mostly pork but ground with lots of Cajun spices and seasonings. The best comes from the heart of Cajun country around Lafayette, La. But this truly wasn’t bad at all.

I left work early for the Easter weekend and went to my Father in laws house in the panhandle of Florida. We all got a chance to visit and then settled in for dinner. The enjoyed a stuffed chicken and I was blown away by the Grilled Pork Chop with Green Peppercorn Sauce and Garlic Cauliflower Puree Green Beans & Roasted Peppers. The pork was really tender and I loved the peppercorn sauce. The cauliflower puree was just like having mashed potato’s so it didn’t feel like I was missing the carbs. They all had desert…none for me, I was satisfied.

Saturday morning was another surprise the Scrambled Egg Breakfast Egg Patties, Canadian Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Spinach, and Cauliflower was just what I needed because I knew it would be a long time before lunch. It was delicious and filling and got me through to our family style (Easter) lunch. My in laws have several hundred acres of property and I like to go and shoot when I get the chance. Having emptied most of the ammo I brought through several different guns we headed back for lunch.

It was hotdogs and hamburgers for them but I sat down to the Beef Short Ribs with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Kale & Red Pepper Broccoli Florets. The rib was tender and juicy with a flavorful sauce…I even ate the kale. Really good but I did supplement my lunch with a hamburger patty…no bread or other fixings. I hope that meal returns to the menu several times as well.

Dinner was the Lemon Herb Chicken Cheesy Broccoli with Bacon Green Beans. I absolutely want whatever seasoning they put on the chicken. I’ve used lemon pepper seasonings for years but this had some crushed red pepper in it and when I tell you it was spicy, believe me it was. The green beans soaked up all the extraneous spices and tasted just like a spiced green bean you’d put in a bloody Mary. Again, really delicious!

Sunday morning’s Vegetable Quiche, Sausage Patty & Spinach was a great start before we got on the road to head back. Unfortunately my son and I needed a pack of “wheat-n-cheese” crackers to hold us over until we got to “Grammy’s” house for Easter dinner. I brought in my Spicy Salmon & Spinach Salad with Bacon Round &Marinated Vegetable Blend. I ate the chunks of salmon and bacon but still had a piece of spiral sliced ham and a small yam to feel like I was part of the family. My sister brought several different kinds of cheese to munch on as well so that kept me satisfied too. I wasn’t even hungry for dinner even though my mom sent home some pasta salad…never touched it.

I think me and the low carb menu are going to work out just fine. I noticed that growing up, after a big bowl of pasta, we all would fight for what we termed “the digestion couch.” First one there would fall out and likely fall asleep after a big family gathering like this. I find that eating the large portions of protein has the opposite effect on me and I’m energized by the meal. I have to put my trust back into Diet To Go that they know what they’re doing because food that tastes this good shouldn’t be called diet.

Another Milestone while on Diet To Go!!!

2009-04-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to make this post since the moment I stepped off the scale this morning but have finally gotten the time to write it down. I'M UNDER 240 POUNDS!!! As of this morning I weigh 239 and feel like I've accomplished something. I was going to wait to pound the drum until I lost a full 20 pounds but It's in my sight and I'm hoping by next week I post up a 20.

For some reason this has been a very stressful week of work and I apologize for not posting more often but I've been mentally spent each evening and just didn't have the energy to blog. Today I feel I have something to say. Not only about my weight loss but I start the low carb diet tomorrow and it's Easter weekend and I'm traveling so...

I unloaded my low carb meals today in an ice chest that actually survived the trip intact. I can tell the DTG packers that strapping that box of extra calories to the top is what is ruining the integrity of the chest. If you're getting your meals and the chest is being crushed; ditch the extra calorie box and save some calories and likely your ice chest. The food looks great and I can't wait to dig in. Full discretion's to come as I go through each week.

I'm sitting in front of a table full of chocolate right now and yes, I'm tempted...not tempted enough to reach for a piece but I can't lie; the Reece's PB cups are calling me. My young son has had Easter activities all week so there has been candy around every day. We will be spending time this weekend at my father in laws house on the water. I fully intend to pack my food and stick closely to the meal plan but I'm not going to beat myself over a few indiscretions. I'm hoping for more seafood, actually.

I wish you all a happy Easter/Passover and will take the weekend off from blogging to be with my family...we'll talk again then.

This by far is my favorite time of year.

2009-04-05T19:24:00.000-07:00

Spring has definitely sprung here in Louisiana as the weather has been really nice. Out temps were in the 70's to 80's yet tonight we will hit near freezing temps on the north shore of lake Pontchartrain tonight so it may be a chilly ride in for me on the motorcycle. Why the bike? well, last week my wife's car failed her while during her daily commute to Biloxi, Ms. The radiator failed and left her on the side of the road around 5am in a less than desirable stretch of I-10. We got her to the repair shop but it took until Friday to get a radiator and make the repair. She drove it over the weekend and it seemed fine but overheated on her just a few street from the house so back to the shop it goes, she takes my vehicle and I'm on the bike...not so bad but it may be a bit chilly because Mondays highs will only reach around 60 degrees.

I met a couple friends out at an old Haunt Friday evening for a couple of "oat sodas" and some good conversation. You guys would have been proud that I excused myself shortly before 8pm, leaving the others to "do as they may." By the time I got home my wife and one of my sons schoolmates mother were sitting in the driveway enjoying the cool night air and having a glass of wine. They picked up some fresh boiled seafood and had just finished off the crawfish but offered me the dozen or so boiled shrimp that were left. Yes, they were fantastically boiled, spicy and went down great with a crisp Chardonnay. I let that be my dinner and went to bed not long after because I was planning on meeting my drinking buddies tomorrow morning to prepare the trailer we are taking out west in May for our annual trek through the deserts and mountains of Utah and beyond.

I didn't spring right out of bed but was making my coffee by 7am hoping to have breakfast and meet the crew by 9am. I called about 15 till nine and it was clear that I was the prudent one last night. These grown men had hurt them self with several pitchers of beer and were paying for it. I gave them an hour reprieve hoping they could recuperate by then. Wit a few parts from the Lowes, we fired up the plasma cutter and split a 1/2 inch piece 4x4 solid steel to make a welding table. I must say the plasma cutter is damn impressive by any standards. It uses compressed air shot through a very small hole in a "gun" that is is electrified to the voltage of lighting. That piece of 1/2 inch plate could be cut with steady hand at an inch every 2 seconds. Smaller gauge steel and aluminum could be were stripped at an amazing 100 inches per minute...you do the math. I got a change to weld, grind and drill all in the same day making it a very manly day indeed.

I left the house fully prepared to bring my smoked turkey sandwich and side bean salad but walked out without it so we decided on the Whole Foods mart for lunch. They had some pre- made turkey sandwiches with lettuce, tomato and turkey on whole wheat so i picked up a bag of Terra chip (luv those things) and a bottled water and hoped that would suffice. By dinner I was amazingly hungry from the days work and enjoyed the Ravioli but being that I'm not a huge mushroom fan couldn't appreciate the large slices of Portobello in the red sauce. Really good though.

Starbucks Sumatra kick started my day thanks to my wife making the run. I swallowed my handful of daily meds with it and had a banana for breakfast. I busted out the turkey sandwich that I left home yesterday and ate it instead...had a few Terra chips leftover from yesterday too...how bad could they be for you, right. They come packed along with the DTG meals sometimes. I took a short n=bike ride out to the lakefront on my way to dropping a pair of festival tickets off to my 21 year old nephew. I intended to walk around the festival before the concert started but because my wife's car had to go back to the shop we wanted to get it over there so they could get right on it in the morning.

Tonight was one of my favorite meals from week two. It's a delightful blend of scallops, shrimp, fish and broth that is so good the only thing I could think would make it better is if it were served over rice with a delicious crust or two of our local french bread...it does come with a roll and stick of string cheese and pudding but if I could have a gumbo sized bowl of that with the bread I wouldn't need anything else. We'll see what next week brings with the car drama and Easter Sunday. I'm planning a little getaway with the family to Florida for some fun in the sun...and maybe a few Easter egg hunts for the boy. Have a great week and thanks to all of you who take the time to comment and suggest things...anything is helpful, of course.

didn't lose but didn't gain.

2009-04-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe I haven't been as diligent with my diet plan this week but I needed a little break. I'm sure the crawfish on Sunday started it all but for some reason I was ravenous at work this week. That usually isn't the case but for some reason I wanted to snack. Nothing bad; I didn't binge or anything but I'm sure I "munched" on a few things at work and at home that kept me at my status quo. Last week I was at 240.4 I weighed this evening and I was 241 on the nose...that's nothing more than a good BM for me so I'm calling it even.

I'm still pondering changing to the low carb Diet To Go Plan. Even eliminating the extra calorie packs of yogurt, jams and jellies, juices and extra bread, my sugars have been higher than normal since starting DTG. My morning readings are 140--160 or so and by lunch (given what I may have had for breakfast) can rise closer to 200. No one will be happy with that...doctor or myself. I realize the low carb is meat and fat heavy but I'm on a good cholesterol statin and I recently had a stress test and heart scan and things looked fine. I'm more worried about putting my sugars back in line than severe blockage due to cholesterol. I'm a firm believer that everybody has a set of "body norms." My cholesterol has always teetered around the same number ever since I began checking it several years ago as have my triglycerides. I also believe that some "bodies" are comfortable at a certain weight even if considered unhealthy by the medical community. Sure this goes against conventional thought and I'm certainly not advocating that you stay at 400 pounds because "your body told you to." I am saying that there are several factors that determine a healthy weight for certain individuals including blood type, body type and diet.

I have always been able to lose weight on any diet...sticking to it is the key. There always came a time though when I needed to get over a hump or plateau where you had to consume way less calories that the diet plan called for...you had to go to bed hungry. It got to the point to where if my stomach wasn't growling all the time I didn't feel I was losing any weight. That can certainly lead to an eating disorder and likely has. It's like athletes who actually begin to enjoy the pain. Believe me, I was never in any real danger because I could ALWAYS go right back to pleasuring myself with food. (many bulimics and anorexics can't draw that line) I'm hoping to do things different this time but feel I might "react" better to the low carb diet plan at DTG. I've done well on Atkins and Sugar Busters before but if I'm being honest a lot of the dishes in the low fat meals are vegetable based and many don't appeal to me...I'm a meat eater; always have been.

I'm planning of making the call tonight so by next Thursday I'll have a new set of menus and food. I'll keep you posted on how I like that plan, too. Also, I want to share with you guys that of the 7 shipments that came in the "ice chest" version and not the cardboard box and insulated panels, only one arrived in good enough shape to be used again and not completely destroyed. The food never spoiled or none of the meals were unusable but I love how on the DTG site it says you get a free ice chest with the delivered food...no ya don't.

Crawfish...the Lobster of Louisiana!

2009-03-29T18:08:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...Diet to go doesn't have a crawfish dish (yet) so yes, I ate off the plan but there was no avoiding it this weekend. The Home and Garden show was in the Superdome this weekend...has nothing to do with crawfish but i stuck to the program Saturday. But, the Louisiana crawfish festival was this weekend (actually Thursday through Sunday) in St. Bernard Parish. This area was devastated by Katrina and under at least a dozen feet of water for days on end. The fact that it has recovered and still has it's festival is a miracle. No, I didn't eat crawfish there either but our company picnic was this weekend north of Denham Springs, La. and there was a couple hundred pounds boiled there and I definitely ate some mudbugs after a long 100 mile motorcycle ride.

The weather was gorgeous after several days of torrential rains and thunderstorms. Clear blue skies, breezy and temps in the 70's all day. Now, for those of you that don't get the whole "suck the head and pinch the tail" thing, let me explain it to you. We basically eat crawfish until they're out of season or until you're absolutely sick of them...whichever comes first. Being that it's late March I'm surprised that I've only had 2 occasions to enjoy them...and enjoy them I did. I'm hoping my caloric intake for the day stayed under 1800 calories by skipping dinner and just having the crawfish (and a couple of oat sodas) for lunch and skipping dinner. I'll let you know next week if it worked out for me. Luv dem crawfish now.

18 and counting!

2009-03-26T16:11:00.001-07:00

It's coming off! What a great way to start the morning; I stepped on the scale and it surprised me with a 240.4 pound reading. I knew I would have a loss but almost 2 full pounds was really cool to see today. I'm going to hit it hard this coming week and hope to be in the 230's by next Thursday. It's a great feeling too. For those of you that have been on the fence about DTG, you too could be 18 pounds lighter by now. Make the call or log on but don't wait any longer...swimsuit will be here before you know it...

I've figured out the secret to Diet to Go...for me anyway.

2009-03-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

Here's why I think the DTG plan works for me. There isn't any guess work. I always know what I'm having and everything is provided. See, left to my own devices, I tend to make a lot of impulsive and unhealthy choices. With DTG, I know there is always something right there for me. It takes very little prep work and within minutes I have something tasty and healthy to eat. I love the fact that everything has been weighed, measured, calculated, etc. This way I don't feel guilty about eating the angelfood cake, chocolate mousse or pudding. I can always reach for a juicy navel orange or fresh apple. It's remarkable that even though my food travels several hundred miles to get to me the fruit ends up in better shape than if I brought it home from the local grocery. I feel like Oprah; this meal plan is like having your own personal Bob Greene (I think that's his name) selecting and preparing your meals for you. OK, I do the actual heating and eating but it couldn't be simpler. I hear rumors that DTG is rolling out a completly new website too so log on, select your meal plan and get busy eating well and losing weight with great tasting, real food.

Just a quickie cuz I'm tird and it's late

2009-03-24T21:49:00.000-07:00

I'll have you know that when I mentioned I ate at O'henry's with my son several blogs ago, we were asked to color the place mat while waiting. If it was good enough, we would be entered into a drawing to win a free entree'. He won! They called the other day and told him he won so I will probably take him back there to eat this week being that he did so well on his report card today. It's just Hudson and I this week since mommy is on convention in Reno. I'm sticking to the plan and hope I can resist ordering up a big fat juicy burger again and just have a salad or grilled fish. Thanks for the wonderful comments being left from followers. I wish I had all your email addresses so I could reply quickly to your posts. If you trust enough to leave it with me I promise to write back.

Hornets win by 12!!!

2009-03-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

For not being a basketball fan my son and I had a great time last night at the Hornets vs. Grizzlies in the Arena. Of course he came home with a jersey and basketball; he’s a fan now! Three good seats fell into my lap at the last minute so me, a good friend and my son took our place in the crowd and had a wonderful time. He shared Nachos with my friend and had cotton candy…I didn’t have a single chip this time but I did indulge in a few adult beverages while there. What a great night.

Have I mentioned how much I really like the food in week 5? This morning’s breakfast pie was delicious right out of the toaster oven as was the Tuscan boats. These savory filled potato skins are perfect with a few grinds of pepper but I really love the side dish of whole grains and cranberries. It has a wonderful flavor and is filling when washed down with the smoothie. Tonight’s dinner of Turkey Salisbury with green beans and mashed potato’s is good old fashioned comfort food.

I’m counting the hoops my son and I shot with his new official Hornets basketball and cutting the grass as exercise as I have yet to start my Powerslide program. Shortly after I started DTG, I had an MRI of my left knee. It showed I have a Plica Band issue that causes my knee to become inflamed and is quite painful. Since the Powerslide requires a lateral motion I have yet to feel comfortable with my knee to attempt a long session. My wife will be out of town all next week so I’m going to roll it out and leave it out (she hates the house junked up, right) in the hopes that I will use it. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. If the weather is as nice as it was today I think I’ll take another bike ride.

Hey, I'm down another pound!

2009-03-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report that I've lost a total of 16 pounds! I have to say that I am used to taking the weight off a bit faster than this but I know it was NEVER healthy. I have to remind myself that it took a while to put it all on so it will take some time to take it back off. I leave to go out west at the end of May and I would love to be 30 pounds lighter by that time. Unfortunately the math is not in my favor unless I can get myself moving a bit more. I also am thinking about cutting back to the 1200 calorie plan...maybe even going lo-carb.

My doctors have been worried about the cholesterol numbers in the lo-carb plan but I've been battling my sugars and am borderline diabetic. Unfortunately my sugar readings have been higher since starting the DTG plan. I blame it on all of the "extras" that make Diet To Go so good. The delicious jams and specialty cream cheeses plus applebutter and yogurt. The plan is obviously calorie based and carefully put together with overall calories in mind. The lo-carb plan will have less sugar because that's the basis for most high protien plans like Sugarbusters, Atkins, South Beach, etc. Sugar, refined or enriched flours are bad; wheat and meat is good. Now, where DTG's traditional low fat plan may let sugars go; lo-carb diets tend to throw fat counts out the window but it's the right fats that count. Regardles, once you hit ketosis, the weight tends to fall off. It may be good for losing weight but it's unrealistic to think you can maintain that type of food regimine for very long so people go back to the comfort of their pastas, breads and sugars. I'll give it some thought...we'll have to see.

Another bright spot for my day was that I got to spend the early evening taking a ride with my son. He's just getting old enough to where he stays on the bike well. I would love to take him on some on my long distance trips but he's still pretty young. He'll do just fine though and I can't wait to take another spin with him. And yes, the photographer (his mother) is horrified that he rides with me. What a dude!

It's St. Pats Day...I promise, no jokes about Patio Furniture.

2009-03-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

Well Happy St. Patrick's Day and may the luck of the Irish be with you. Most years I would find myself by around noon at a place called Parasols in the Irish Channel of New Orleans enjoying a large mug of green beer and a shot or two of good ole Jameson Irish Whiskey. I'd see friends that I hadn't seen since probably last year while watching the masses dressed in green flow by. The great thing about a place like Parasols is that they not only do a great business during St. Pats but serve a great Po-boy year round. After enjoying the festivities it's likely I would poke my head inside Parasols for a plate of corned beef and cabbage or a delicious hot-sausage po-boy. That was then, this is now.

Now that I average about 10 hours a day at the plant, I find it less likely to want to do anything after work but come home and see my family. It's much safer for me to do so now that I'm on the Diet to Go plan. I know I have to come home to eat my dinner and by 5:30, 6:00pm I'm ready to eat! You want to know why so many people are overweight in New Orleans? It's because we never get a chance to slow down. No need to take you through the entire year month by month but since I've started DTG I've suffered through Twelfth Night and King Cake season, Mardi Gras, Valentines Day, The Irish/Italian parades of last weekend, St. Patrick's Day, not to mention fresh seafood and it's abundance during Lent. Let's see, Easter is coming in April. Jazz Fest the last weekend of April and the first weekend in May along with Memorial day BBQ's and my vacation out west.

The weather during the winter and spring is the only thing that makes the summer months bearable. Because it's so nice right now it's festival season and we have a festival for everything; Crawfish, crab, shrimp, frog, boat, sweet potato, strawberry...there are pages of them and all with good food, music and drink. I fear I may have to leave this state to get healthy. I'm happy that my meals are prepared for me so I know what I should be eating but it's times like these that I wish I was one of those people who has the metabolism to eat what they want. BTW, I'd forgotten how good the black bean soup and delicious pretzel was and the burrito with beans is awesome too. Erin go Brau...

I was a bad boy but boy, what a great weekend.

2009-03-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

OK, I told myself that Saturday was going to be my day to enjoy myself guilt free. I did. I had my DTG breakfast of a crab apple muffin and yogurt but when the seafood was spilled out on the table at that 6 year olds' birthday party I knew there was no way to resist it. Hot spicy crawfish and shrimp with boiled garlic, potato's, sausage and cold beer is more than any coon ass can resist so yes, I gave in to the temptation and enjoyed it all...except for the potato's...in an attempt to watch the carbs, ya know. We all had a great time. When we got home it was time to get ready for Supercross in the Superdome!!!!!

My son and I really enjoyed the show and yes I indulged in everything it had to offer. I fed my son a personal size pizza of which I ate one small piece myself and had a beer to wash it down. He had never had Nachos either so we shared a small tub of melted processed cheese food and chips (I added a few jalapenos)and we both had a great time getting home exhausted around 10:30pm. I got a chance to sit up with my wife and talk a bit so we shared a glass of wine too. It was a really good Saturday and I don't plan on beating myself up over it because I got right back on the plan Sunday morning so here's to a great weekend and hopefully a good week...with some exercise thrown in. Check out the motocross daredevils from the show.

Forgive my shaky camerawork...I used my cell phone.

"one less pound to drag around."

2009-03-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

Well I’m down a full 15 pounds now and can feel it in the way my clothes are fitting. My FBP’s (Fat Boy Pants) are fitting more loosely now and I can see a difference in my face. Yes, FBP’s…it a term coined by my old partner while on the radio. Her husband began putting on some pounds and she mentioned that he had to go to Sears and but some FBP’s. Now I’d never heard it put that way but I knew exactly what he was getting and the angst he felt having to buy them. I would always sell or get rid of all my “fat” clothes when I lost weight thinking I’ll never let myself get that big again only to have to buy an even larger waist size than before. It’s crippling having to check out with a new pair of FBP’s because you’ve told yourself that you’ll never do it again. I felt shame and was embarrassed. You know, kind of like when you’re buying feminine products for your wife or condoms or a nudie magazine…”I’ll have this pack of chick-lets, a pocket comb and the latest issue of ‘Big Ones’ please.” You know like the counter help doesn’t think it’s for you…”hmmmm, fat boy pants, flip-flops and sunglasses; he must be buying these for his chubby cousin so they can go to the beach.” Yeah, right. I’m hoping to get back into my “skinny pants.” Don’t you all have a pair of those? You know, that one pair that you looked really good in and keep telling yourself you are going to wear again. Trust me, by the time you get back in them those Jordache jeans will be back in style again.

Hey, my food shipment arrived on time and without damage today. It was packed even better than the week before where just the lid got crushed. This time they took a piece of card board and placed it over the top as before but this time kept it a bit long and bent it over the sides about 4 inches as well. No damage!! You’ll also be happy to know that my trash compactor is running like new again after a week on the fritz. I got my parts in and changed out the gear myself. I figure I saved at least a hundred bucks on a service call for repair. I know, you’ll all sleep better tonight knowing my trash compactor is back smashing trash. I’ve got a full weekend. The Audubon Zoo has a Dinosaur exhibit and the media preview is Friday night. I had a cool band come in to cut a commercial for their gig at the Howlin Wolf later that night. I think I’ll check them out. Saturday, my wife and I are planning on attending one of my sons friends birthday party…they are serving crawfish and yes, I’m planning on having some. Later that night is Super cross in the Superdome!!!!! All the top riders roosting at an indoor arena. Sunday I plan on taking my dirt bike to my friend and riding partner Kirk’s house as we prepare for our annual ride out west in May. We are bringing a third person with us so we need to plan out how to pack the bikes and all our gear on the trailer and in the truck. Might be tight but we are starting early in case we have to make any other arrangements. Have a great weekend!

I'm trying any way I can to work in some exercise.

2009-03-11T18:04:00.001-07:00

As most of you may know, I work in radio and have done so for over 25 years now. When I was on the air, most people thought Disc Jockeys just sat around with our feet up on the console, smoked dope, answered the phone and every now and then keyed the microphone and blabbered on about something. The truth is, as a morning show host, it's a bit more hectic than that but I have to be honest with you; I got in to radio because there is very little math, you work in an air-conditioned environment (because of all the hot equipment) and there is no heavy lifting. Let's face it working in radio breeds couch potato's and now that I sit at a desk all day it's even more difficult to try and get some movement throughout the day. I am forcing myself to get up and move around a bit more and when I can, I slip out and take a walk. Today, I walked all the way up to Convention Center Boulevard from the station and came back down Andrew W Higgins to Lee Circle and to the station. It took me about 30 minutes to complete my walk so I figure it was around two miles in length. I also play a game with the elevator. If I need to go upstairs I see if the elevator is on the first floor. If not, I take the stairs to the desired floor instead of waiting on the elevator. Same thing when I'm ready to go back down. If the elevator is waiting there with the door open, I jump on. If not, I take the stairs down. It's not much but It's more than what I would have been doing...waiting for the elevator to come and taking it every time.

Food wise I've been pretty good. Morning breakfasts are uneventful but filling whether it be a simple bagel, cream cheese and yogurt or a muffin; It's usually enough to carry me through to lunch. There is always enough food for lunch and usually something that I can save for later in the afternoon when the tummy begins to growl. Desert, a piece of fruit...whatever. Dinner is great because I never have to worry what's for dinner...there is always something just waiting to be nuked or toasted. Tomorrow is weigh-in and I hope my food arrives on time and is not delayed for any reason. I'll post up tomorrow with some pictures and hopefully another week with a loss.

I know, we look like pro's right?

2009-03-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I survived the weekend without hurting myself too bad. Saturday’s motorcycle ride on the trails of Mississippi went well and was as enjoyable as any other time as we had beautiful weather and the spills weren’t too serious. We all fall…it’s just a matter of what and how you hit when you go down. I’ll live. I brought my DTG sandwich out there and ate it like before. The only thing I did differently was instead of stopping for breakfast I boiled some eggs and brought an apple to eat in the truck on the way out. It gave me plenty of protein and energy to ride and make it to lunch.

I was dog tired and with the time change it felt good to sleep in. After my morning Starbucks, I had to get to work on fixing my trash compactor. It’s just over one year old and the PLASTIC gear that drives it broke. I looked at the local home improvement stores but figured they wouldn’t stock it…I ordered it online. With 3 day shipping (since it broke last Wednesday and there is still garbage in the hopper) and the pasts it was about $40 I didn’t want to spend but had to. I know what I’ll be doing Thursday evening.

My son asked me a few days back if he could play Tennis. I think he must have seen a small boy playing at the courts right around the corner from our home. While we were out parts hunting we went to the local sporting goods store and $100 later we had rackets, balls, headbands and new shoes…it’s not really a sport if it doesn’t require special footwear, right? I know, I was bitching about the 40 bucks I spent to repair the trash masher but come on; if I could have picked it up at the sporting goods store I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. It’s not unusual for me to drop a Benjamin in there at every visit.

I certainly didn’t want to wait for a court and then have someone else wait on me as I struggle through swatting at balls with my son who’s never before even touched a racket so I opted to find someplace where we could freely hit the ball with no pressure of being hurried or judge for our poor skills. I tell you all of this because even after being sore from Saturday’s ride, I still managed to run down errant balls so I’m counting this as EXERCISE! I’ve been having some trouble getting started on my Powerslide. I was sick when it arrived and just didn’t have the energy to effectively muster a work out and I have yet to find a good place in the house to put it because I don’t want to have to pack it up every day either. Excuses yes, but I’m hoping my son will push me to want to play tennis with him a couple nights a week too.

Today was a typical Monday and no real surprises meal wise at work. I love the blueberry pancakes; a substitution for something with artichokes as I recall and the roast turkey sandwich for lunch...toasted nicely with a piece of Swiss cheese. When I got home, I saw my wife stopped for boiled shrimp…how could I not peel a couple as an appetizer. I know they’re not part of the meal plan but I’m a southern boy…It’s SHRIMP! I’m already preparing myself for a crawfish boil this weekend. I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist those delicious mudbugs and maybe a bottle of cold suds. I’m only human, right?

Just in the nick of time!!!

2009-03-06T20:20:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to report my food arrived today! I checked the tracking list and saw that the shipment took an extended stay in Roanoke Va. due to bad weather early in it's trip. I was scared to open it for fear of what I might find and the possibility of exposing it to the warm environs of my office if it was still all frozen. I had a leftover yogurt for breakfast but needed to open the box to pull something out for lunch. Much to my pleasure, everything was still pretty well frozen.

If I haven't explained how the food comes to me previously, my first shipments came in a cardboard box with insulated panels and a piece of dry ice (which is all gone by the time I receive the package). It would have a small box attached to the outside with very strong plastic straps. It was big and a bit unwieldy but it always made it and everything was intact and frozen solid. A couple of weeks ago I began receiving a Styrofoam ice chest with the same small box of fruit and extras (that round out the 1600 calorie meal plan) and the straps. The first carton shipped like that was destroyed (with pictures in a previous post) but the food was still frozen and the food intact. I thought maybe something happened to the big cardboard box and they delivered what was left. The next week, same thing and same condition. This week the box was a day late getting to me (not DTG's fault...they control a lot of things but not the weather) it was shipped on time but needed to rest is Roanoke. When I got it home tonight I noticed a difference in the Styrofoam ice chest. It was a bit beefier and they used a piece of cardboard on the top of the lid before strapping the box of condiments etc to the top...my suggestion BTW. I'm glad to know they are listening. The lid was damaged a bit but not smashed into the contents of the chest like the 2 previous shipments. Much better but still not getting to me without issue.

Today brought me back five weeks when I had my first lunch at the office. I had (and shared) the big bowl of Shrimp and Mango Bisque. It came complete with a little Pita bread, a jicama salad and of course...Chocolate Pudding!!! Look, anything that DTG sends for desert is delicious. I only wish each meal had a little something sweet to finish off with but again...that's why I'm in the shape I'm in now. I have made one complete revolution through the five week menu and am almost 15 pounds lighter for it.

Tomorrow I'm going riding in the Desoto forest at one of our favorite trails called Bethel. I'm gearing up for my annual trip out west through the deserts and mountains of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. I'm taking the Memorial week for my trek so I'm still undecided as to how I'm going to handle my food. I do know one thing though. With about 2 months left to go I'm hoping to be thirty or so pounds lighter as I make the ride this year. I've got photos dating back 10 years of my adventures out west. One year we went all the way to Yellowstone National Park. It was 6800 miles in just 12 days and we were wiped out on our return. Linking several 600 mile days together is exhausting and rewarding all at the same time. Distance riding is my marathon now and I'm thankful my wife understands...whole nother story.

I got some good news and some bad news...bad news first.

2009-03-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

Well, I figured it would happen at some point but I didn’t think it would be today. I waited and waited for my shipment to arrive at work today and unfortunately it never came. At first I thought maybe the ice chest finally burst since the last two shipments arrived pretty well battered. I even asked the ladies at the front desk a couple of times if the UPS man had come by. He had but didn’t leave anything for me. I guess it’s a good thing I ate out last night with my son because it left me with a spare dinner which, by the way, was pretty good. It was a porcine mushroom stuffed chicken breast with a wild rice pilaf and some veggies. By now, you all know how I feel about mushrooms but I have to say the combination was quite tasty with a few shakes of hot sauce and a couple of dashes of Molly McButter on the vegetables. I must have missed a dinner roll from a dinner during the week so I sopped it all up with that.

Now for the good news; I lost another pound this week! I went from 245 to 244 bringing my total to 14 pounds in just 5 weeks. That’s an average of almost 3 pounds per week. Looking at the big picture, I’m pleased with that. I think about how long it took me to pack on 14 pounds to get from 244 to 258; I’m sure it took longer than 5 weeks so taking it off in 5 weeks puts it in perspective for me. Do I wish it was more? You bet! Can I make it come off faster…I’m sure. Do I know how to make it come off faster…of course; exercise! I didn’t tell you in yesterday’s blog that I took a walk around lunchtime. I needed to go to the bank and there is a branch about a mile or so up beautiful and historic St. Charles Avenue so I decided to hoof it from my office located just down from Lee Circle. The round trip only took about 40 minutes. I figure I can still rip off at least a 15 minute mile and I was in the bank less than 5 minutes so 35 minutes of walking is probably a little over 2 miles. Not bad for not having trained in quite some time.

In 1996 I was walking closer to 6, 8 and ten miles a day as I was training for a marathon in Alaska. I found I could walk forever at about 10 to 12 minute miles. I was working up to marathon pace when my father passed away unexpectedly in April of a massive heart attack…he was only 59. I still made the trip and completed a half marathon but my training really fell off after the passing of my father. I was unmotivated and began to question my own mortality. My wife and I had been married for almost 5 years and living life doing whatever we wanted. Shortly after my fathers passing we began trying to have a child. After almost six years, in 2002 we were blessed with our son Hudson. He is truly a gift and a real reason to live. I’ve explained why daddy is on a diet and why he checks his sugar every morning and he is committed to helping me…it’s really cute and he keeps me in line. Sorry no pictures tonight. We’re having company and lets face it…I don’t look much different from last week! Looking forward to riding motorcycles again this weekend so let’s hope my food arrives tomorrow or I’ll be forced to deal with making my own food decisions all weekend. I’m not ready for that yet so come on UPS!!!!

I ate at a real restaurant for the first time tonight!

2009-03-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

I feel successful in my very first outing and only full meal off of the DTG plan. Tonight, my wife was out of town so when I picked up my young son Hudson from kindergarten we decided to go out to eat. His school uses a smiley face system to gauge conduct and so far this week he has 3 green smiley faces. I felt he needed a reward so we went out to the local O’Henry’s restaurant. It's one of those places where you can throw the peanut shells on the floor and nobody yells at you so Hudson loves it. I stuck to the plan as best I could and ordered from the Lite Side Menu of grilled chicken breast, broccoli and a small salad with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette. My son had a cheeseburger and fries…more along the lines of what I would have order in the past. They grill a pretty good burger…piled high with lots of shredded cheddar and a mound of well seasoned French fries. You be glad to know I didn’t pilfer even one fry! He finished his coloring (also supplied by the restaurant) and we walked across the parking lot to the Baskin and Robbins Ice Cream Store. I ordered him a scoop of chocolate in a sugar cone and watched in delight as only a six year old can revel in such a treat. Again, not even a single lick for me. So after a bit of Guitar Hero III, I’d say it was a pretty successful night for all involved.

I’ve missed a couple of days posting but want to catch you up on what I’ve been eating so here we go! Today’s lunch of Hummus with Pita, string cheese and a fruit cup was a perfect change-up to lunch and worked out really well with the toaster oven. If you haven’t heard me say it enough by now, buy a cheap Wal-Mart toaster oven because some of the dishes are better heated with it rather than the micro. I crisped up the pita and re-seasoned the hummus to my liking and it was really good. Another tip I’ve given is saving a few of the side dishes for a later time. Often, for breakfast, if there is a yogurt or piece of fruit that accompanies the bagel, scone or muffin, I will save that for later and have it as a snack when the belly starts to rumble. Most diets are recommending 5 or 6 small meals a day over 3 larger ones. Doing this really helps me not only get through the day by spacing out the times that I eat but in most cases, cutting a few extra calories by forgetting or not needing to eat it. I have also decided to try and keep my sugars better in line by leaving off the marmalades, apple butter or sweet spread and skipping the juices too. By including them I find it really spikes my pre-lunch glucose check.

I’ve had a couple of really good dinners, too. The Cioppino seafood medley was a delicious mixture of shrimp, small scallops and a few pieces of whole fish in a delicious broth that at first I didn’t think Id like but could easily eat that a couple of times a week…and that’s not because it comes with the ever popular, lick the container clean, chocolate pudding! Honestly, the seafood was that good. I also really enjoyed the Vegetable Ravioli. Being that I’m not a mushroom fan I wasn’t fond of the ratatouille but it was easily pushed to the side. Oh, and did I mention there was chocolate mousse with this meal…another crowd pleaser. Tomorrow will complete my fifth week on the program which means I will have tasted all 5 menus. I made a few substitutions along the way but for the most part there were very few meals that I just flat out didn’t like or wouldn’t eat. And, I can honestly say I have enjoyed this meal plan better that any other I’ve been on in the past. It works for me because it’s easy to follow and there is very little needed from the store. I’ll talk more about how it’s affected my family, being that I don’t partake in the groceries that they are eating but that’s a blog for another day. It’s a weigh day for me tomorrow and another shipment arrives…I’ll let ya know how I did.

Must every week begin with Monday?

2009-03-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

Mondays can really be a bear sometimes. It wasn't that it was so much stressful but just longer than I'd hoped it would be. Happy to be home and done with it. I must have missed a breakfast while I was sick last week so I ate the Parfait and Granola for breakfast today. I really must rethink cornbread muffins for breakfast because I really do enjoy when I get them. It's a nice compliment to whatever breakfast is. Lunch was a ham and cheese sandwich with some kind of mushroom salad and peach pudding. I popped the sandwich in my toaster oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese and enjoyed the ham and cheese goodness of the sandwich but just couldn't get past the sweetness of the pre-grilled bread it was on. It's the same bread used for French Toast and has something sweet about it that wasn't sitting well with the savory ham and cheese. Hungry; I ate it but would have preferred a simple rye or sour dough bread. Not being a fan of mushrooms, I quickly pitched that but enjoyed the fruit pudding...almost cobbleresque. Tonight's meal of Red Fish and Creamy Polenta was very good. It came with a side of broccoli, breadsicks and angel food cake. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to eat the cake now and put this day to bed. I think I've had all the Monday I can stand for one day.

Hey, I got a compliment too!

2009-02-28T17:44:00.000-08:00

It's been said that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. I wouldn't say I'm skinny just yet but I am noticing changes in my body and apparently other may be too. I spent most of the afternoon with a friend and colleague. I told him about my Diet To Go adventures and he admitted that he could see some changes since the last time we'd seen each other. My wife has commented too. It feels good to know you're on the right path and that small pat on the head can be just enough to keep you going when you may feel like cheating.

The food the last couple of days has been pretty good. I was able to combine two lunches to make one that I enjoyed very much. I must have missed a couple of meals being sick so I had a leftover Turkey burger on Multi grain roll plus the Mirkin burger. I ate the Mirkin burger (basically a bunch of grains held together by a moist stuffing) and pitched the roll. I heated the Turkey burger and MG bun, added the cheese, salsa cup and ate that too. I wasn't crazy about the sesame noodle thing but the melon medly was just right. The Italian Chicken and cous cous with green beans was really good. It included a large flat of focaccia bread; I cut it in half. I was surprised again by breakfast as the Omelet Pomodoro was very tastly. I eggs once warmed were moist and fluffy and the spinich and cheese sauce was creamy and delicious. Totally great with the morning Star Bucks. I brought my lunch to a friends house so I didn't get to prepare it the way I would like to have. I just microwaved the Meatloaf sub insyead of using the toaster oven. Hosed down with BBQ sauce; it was good. The creamy corn and peas salad didn't do it for me but the strawberries were sweet and delicious. I love the way DTG does Mexican and the burrito is no different. Creamy refried beans, spicy rice and fajita veggies with a large stuffed buritto. It came complete with a dollup of sour cream and a nice pico de gallo. Really love the carb dishes!!!

2009-02-26T16:37:00.000-08:00

According to my new scale I’ve lost a total of 13 pounds. Not too bad for a month, right? As I start my fifth week, my box arrived again pretty well crushed. None of the food was totally thawed or damaged but the carton was broken and a bit unsettling to look at. It’s precious cargo after all. I feel if the packaging department would put a single sheet of cardboard on top of the insulated chest before strapping on the box of food extras the chest would remain intact. Just a thought.

Breakfast was better than I expected as I’ve mentioned, eggs rarely come out very good once they’ve been frozen but the omelet and a half was moist, not rubbery and delightfully seasoned with a ratatouille sauce and a few small spears of asparagus. Lunch was even better with my new toaster oven. I put the Turkey Ham Salad sandwich open faced under the broiler for a few minutes and the Pretzel Roll crisped right up. I put the small cup of Lentil chili right on the sandwich and hit it with a couple of shots of hot sauce. I don’t know whether I was really hungry but the combination of flavors was irresistible. I saved the little package of string cheese for an afternoon snack. When I got home I quickly unpacked my food shipment and took out a few meals for later in the week. Tonight’s entrée of baked salmon with stuffed baked potato and baby carrots tasted much better than it smelled. I recall a couple of weeks ago when the Herbed baked salmon smelled very fishy and was unappetizing to the point that I couldn’t eat it. As I micro waved tonight’s salmon dish I smelled the same strong fishy aroma but was happy to report that the entire meal was awesome! The salmon was perfectly seasoned with a real buttery finish. The stuffed baked potato was delicate and creamy and included he skin…my favorite part. I love the sweet little baby carrots too. It finished with a sweet little pineapple crisp. Again, a really solid and flavorful meal that makes it hard to believe that I’m trying to lose weight here. It’s a good thing the scale doesn’t lie because I’ve lost 13 pound over the last 4 weeks and I can’t say I’ve done anything unusually difficult to drop that weight. I have to keep telling myself it’s a marathon and not a sprint. I need to slow down and let the meal plan do its thing. Thank you DTG for getting me started in such a big way!

Even four weeks in...the DTG food still surprises me.

2009-02-25T16:12:00.000-08:00

Noodle Kugel...not sure what it is but I'm pretty sure there is pasta in it and you know how I feel about pasta. Interesting for breakfast but pretty good for a quick start breakfast. Now, the thing about the diet to go food is that just when you think you're not going to like something there is something in the meal that is so delicious it makes you wish there were five more of them. Case in point; tonight's turkey chili with cheddar cheese, pasta salad and a savory corn bread muffin. Chili can be a very personal thing. Some like it with beans, some not, hot, mild or 3 mile island...the heat differentials can be take it to a whole new category all on its own. I enjoyed the chili, it had beans and a fair amount of meat plus was spicy enough to satisfy. I added the tablespoon of shredded cheddar for a gooey concoction that was really good. Now, to that little cornbread muffin. Damn, that little biscuit just set the whole dish off for me. The combination of that sweet little cornbread muffin and the heat of the chili was simply delightful. I only wish there were about 5 of them...delicious!

I may have mentioned this in a previous blog but one of the best ways to heat some of the DTG food is definitely with a toaster oven. I was able to get out Monday and hit the Wal-Mart as I needed a new scale so I decided to pick up a toaster oven for the office as well. Always use the oven with anything that says "melt" in the title. The Chicken Alfredo Melt and Tuna melts come out crisp and delicious as does the chicken pizza. I have never been a big "melt" fan but they are growing on me and I believe they are much tastier when put in the toaster oven. Now, back to the scale. I had a Thinner brand scale. Unfortunately there is no way to change the "lifetime" battery on your own so it's mandetory that you send it back to the manufacturer to replace. Last time they simply sent me a new scale all together. Needing to weigh in at least once a week to chart my progress sending it off was not an option so I purchased a new one! It is accurate to the 10th of a pound and even tells me my hydration level although I can't seem to get it much above 48%. They say 55% is ideal for a guy my size.

Well, tomorrow is weigh in day and my new box of food arrives so I can't wait to be surprised by some other tasty treat that is sure to satisfy me. I'm hoping for a big number again this week. Wish me luck.

When will this end?

2009-02-23T13:17:00.001-08:00

I feel like I’m back from the dead. Just when I thought I was over this sickness I ended up at Emergency care Sunday morning as my throat felt like I’d been swallowing knives all day Saturday. After a 2 hour wait I was diagnosed with Strep Throat, given the obligatory shot in each cheek and sent on my way with 3 new prescriptions. Thankfully I’m feeling much better today. The good news is I stuck to my meal plan…for the most part but I did sneak in a few 60 calorie fruit popsicles because it made my throat feel soooo much better.

I’ve had several meals since we last spoke so I’ll catch you up quickly on what I’ve had and what I think about it. Friday morning’s breakfast of eggs quesadilla potato cake and citrus cup was very good. I thought I was the king of cheesy eggs in my household but this dish gives it a run for the money. I really enjoyed the tomato basil soup and the comments made about its aroma from my co-workers. I’d heard so much about the Lobster Ravioli that I skipped a day ahead and had it Friday night. Everything that was said is true…a truly delicious meal of 4 differently stuffed Ravioli served in a lemon herb sauce and a side of mixed vegetables. Very good…I could easily have eaten a dozen more. Still feeling bad as my Strep was really starting to kick in Saturday morning, I decided to have the Blueberry Pancakes and maple syrup with Turkey sausage. Again, I had to share with my son; he loves pancakes and these are very good. The Hungarian Turkey with basmati rice was uneventful but seemed to have too many carrots in the dish. As I recall, it had sliced and roasted carrots in the dish itself and more baby carrots in the bean salad. By this point I wasn’t feeling very well so it was easy to give up on this dish quite easily. Dinner was the Chicken Stroganoff with Bow Tie Pasta with Broccoli & Carrots; a meal I really enjoyed. I only wish they wouldn’t use the same grilled chicken patties as where used in a couple other dishes I’ve had now. They aren’t really grilled but have painted on grill marks that give it a smokey or grilled flavored. The sauce of the stroganoff is so good it doesn’t need to compete with this artificial flavoring on the chicken. I really enjoyed this meal not only because of the pasta (love any kind) but because this northern style staple is something we don’t eat a lot of down here.

Sunday morning brought a really swollen neck that burned like fire so I decided to see a professional since I was clearly not getting better. By the time I got home it was early afternoon and I was starved. I quickly ate the mango cranberry muffin with orange marmalade and yogurt smoothie while I preheated the toaster oven for the chicken Alfredo melt. After a few minutes in the toaster oven these chicken Alfredo melts were crispy, perfect and delicious! I dispatched with this generous portion in no time flat. I think Donna may be right in her blog when she says that this mixture could easily be used to make a really good pasta dish as well. I ate the apple later in the day as a snack. I’ll preface my comments on dinner with this; I was raised by a short little Italian woman so I grew up on really good Italian food. That said, the Italian Meatball and fettuccini in a Pomodoro Sauce with Carrot Coins and sugar snap peas while filling was not what I’d call Italian at all. The meatball I’m sure was really turkey and not beef and the Pomodoro sauce had more of a BBQ quality to it rather than a good red “gravy” as they say here in the south. The tomato paste became overpowering and bitter. It was a miss for me but needing something in my stomach for the 6 Amoxicillin per day and highly toxic cough syrup I’ve been taking; I ate it up.

Monday is called Lundi Gras around this time. It’s the Monday before Mardi Gras…all from the French days of the week. Feeling better from all the drugs I had a simple breakfast of Cinnamon Bagel and cream cheese and yogurt just so I could get my boy off to daycare. He’s off all this week…unfortunately my wife and I aren’t. I was able to swap out with one of my co-workers as I anticipated a very low day today. I’ll give him a day of his choosing off in the future. It will give me another day to recuperate. Not expecting to like the Curry Chicken Salad I chose it with much trepidation. I was happy to be proven wrong as it had just the right amount if Indian spices to keep it interesting and delicious. Served with melba toast and a small fruit cup of mandarin oranges it was light, refreshing and very good. We’re laying low tonight; I’m not gonna push m y luck with this illness. It has caught everybody I know including some friends that came from California. Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday so I’m sure I will go out and revel with the rest of the crazies but I will try to keep with the plan and hopefully heal on this day of excess.

What happened to my box?

2009-02-19T17:31:00.000-08:00

I thought me and the UPS man we gonna throw down today. I got my DTG shipment and the carton was crushed. You know not to get between a fat man and his food and the UPS man was public enemy number one this morning. Lets back up a bit. This is only my fourth delivery as I begin my fourth week of the program. My weekly shipments showed up at my office in a large cardboard box with plastic strapping holding it all together. Once inside there is a small box with some of the additions to the standard meal plan. With that removed there is a large sheet of Styrofoam that covers the frozen food below which has Styrofoam panels on all four sides and the bottom. Basically it’s a well insulated ice chest inside of a really sturdy box. Today’s shipment looked like the outside cardboard box had been removed and it was just the Styrofoam ice chest with the small box taped to the top. I asked the UPS man what happened to the box. He said that is all he had…no box.

I quickly gave a call to DTG to find out what happened and was told that the sturdy cardboard box with strapping was just temporary so they could try a new packing system. She said that people complained that the big box was unruly and difficult to handle so they decided to go back to the old packing method of just a Styrofoam ice chest with the straps and box taped to the top. I told her it was a bad move as mine was crushed and so badly beat up that I feared my food was spoiled or possibly missing items. Luckily for me, that was not the case but I did make an extra trip home to unpack my shipment incase the chest had lost its thermal properties by being crushed. To my delight, everything was still well frozen. Given the option, I’d prefer the sturdy box method with a bit better packing but as long as I can continue getting my DTG food somehow, I’ll take it!

I’ve hit my first milestone and after 3 weeks, I’ve lost 10 pounds!!! Here’s the best part; I don’t feel like I’ve been on a diet. I’ve just been eating really good food and now I’m 10 pound lighter for it. It feels good to get that first 10 gone. That’s one sixth of my goal of losing 65 pounds. I think if I wasn’t dealing with a cough and cold right now I’d feel really good. My body has responded to eating food that is not only good tasting but good for you. As I’ve said before, I could eat pasta everyday but I know

where that leads.

This morning’s breakfast of French toast was really good. It came complete with fruit flavored syrup that wet it just enough. Lunch was a Tomato melt over with a delicious little spice cake for desert. Tonight’s offering of Salmon and cous cous I enjoyed much more that the previous salmon dish. It was moist, tasty and came with a generous serving of mixed vegetables. I made a quick cocktail sauce of ketchup and horseradish and lapped it right up.

Besides the little scare with my container being crushed today I’m reveling in my 10 pound weight loss. Now, if I can get through this weekend without straying from the program too badly I’ll be OK. This weekend is huge in New Orleans as it’s the last weekend before Mardi Gras. The “Super-Krewes” roll this weekend and into Fat Tuesday. Like Bacchus, Endymion, Orpheus, Rex, Zulu and more. It is truly the greatest free show on earth and can only be rivaled by possibly Carnival in Rio. If you ever get the chance, leave your inhibitions at home and bring your party hat for several days of good times. It includes eating at drinking to excess before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. By the looks of me you’d think I’ve been on a three year Mardi Gras bender. We’ll see how I do this next week. If I remember to shoot some pictures, I’ll post them. Happy Mardi Gras Ya’ll!

Tuscan Boats and Brunswick Stew?

2009-02-18T17:56:00.000-08:00

After a couple of sick days off of work I returned today to find that I was missed but no real concern for my well being…just back to the grind. Anyway, I’d like to recap a few of the meals I had over the past few days. Over all I really have enjoyed the breakfasts. I began the day with a Cranberry oat scone, skipped the orange marmalade cup and drank the orange juice. It was just enough and I’m trying to drive my sugars down so skipping the marmalade was good for my sugar and it really didn’t need it. I drank the smoothie before going out around lunchtime just to hold me over until I could get back for the Tuscan Boats and this quirky little nutty wheat berry salad. Now the Tuscan boats are basically potato skins served with all the same stuff on them as if you ordered them at a bar; nice and cheesy, too. The real surprise was the little salad. It had all kinds of whole grains, nuts and seeds and just wet enough with an Asian inspired sauce to keep you spooning it in. It’s just a small cup but it was plenty. I really enjoyed it and what it did for my digestive system. WOW! I have a feeling that Brunswick Stew is a northern dish but it was another one of those surprisingly good meals for me. It had lots of vegetables (including okra) with chicken and a thick white cream style sauce. By itself it would have been very satisfying but there was also a corn and lentil loaf that tied it all together for me. I’m really enjoying the variety of the Diet to Go meals.

This mornings breakfast was a Greek Style Burrito with Chicken Sausage and fajita veggies. I loved the Burrito. The wheat tortilla was filled with scrambled eggs and feta cheese for that greek flavor but there was a disconnect with the sausage patty. For some reason I find the sausage patties come pre-flavored with some kind of sweetening ingredient on them. I don’t know whether it’s like a maple syrup flavoring but for me, if I’m eating sweet like pancakes, French toast or waffles I’m OK with the “morning meat” to have some sweetness to it, like hickory maple bacon or something. If the entrée is savory, the entire dish should be savory for me. I still ate it but if the sausage patty was spicy like a Jimmy Dean patty it would have been great! Lunch was a massive serving of Michigan Turkey Salad…so much in fact, I couldn’t eat it all. It was made of cubed turkey in a mayonnaise type mixture and served with a Dakota Roll. I micro waved the roll for about 20 seconds until it was heated through and deliciously doughy again. Real good but again a really large serving. Dinner was weird for me; blackened turkey loin with carrot chipotle puree and asparagus risotto. There was plenty of turkey, too much in fact, but it was seasoned strangely for me. The seasoning on the turkey and the chipotle carrots just didn’t go together well for me. The asparagus risotto on the other hand was rich, creamy and perfectly cooked. If you’ve ever tried to cook risotto yourself, you would appreciate how perfectly this was done. This meal came with a side of mixed vegetables so I ate mostly the veggies and the risotto. Really good risotto!

I bought another piece of exercise gear and it arrived today. It’s called a Powerslide and I’m hoping I love it enough to stick to some kind of routine with it. I’ve bought hundreds of dollars of exercise gear over the years only to garage sale or end up giving them away. I really only liked one piece of pro gear you’d find in a gym. It’s called a Versa Climber. It mimicked the mountain climbing motion using both hands and feet. I noticed no one used it because it is really hard. Once I got past a certain stage, it was something I really enjoyed. I’ve had rowers, cycles, treadmills, the Chuck Norris thing but from Nordic Track, and yes, a Nordic Track (skier thing). I decided on the Powerslide because I’ve never had one, always wanted one and it has no moving parts and doesn’t take up too much space. I’ll let you know how I do. I tried it tonight before dinner but didn’t last very long…it’s pretty hard too. I know I have to add some form of physical activity to this meal program so here it is. Remember I only lost 1 pound last week…I’m feeling a big number this week. Tune in tomorrow and find out!!! Wish me luck.

Ughhhh, I hate being sick!

2009-02-16T18:07:00.000-08:00

I made it to the doctor today for another shot in the A** and some new antibiotics. Lets hope the cruds will go away quickly. Because my appetite hasn't been good, I didn't eat last nights Chili until lunch this afternoon. It had large chunks of vegetables along with lots of beans and a zesty sauce. It comes complete with shredded mozzarella cheese a dollop of sour cream and a delicious cornbread "biscuit." Now, in the south we make our cornbread in a cast iron skillet and include jalapeno's and creamed corn but this deck-of-cards sized piece of cornbread was exactly what this meal needed. I ate it all.

Unfortunately after receiving my shot and taking my meds, I wasn't really hungry for the curried shrimp. I heated it and gave it a few bites but just wasn't interested in finishing it...shame because I was looking forward to that dish. Maybe my appetite will be better tomorrow.

My appetite isn’t what it once was but that could be that I am sick.

2009-02-15T12:05:00.000-08:00

I felt this coming on by late Thursday evening. I’d just gotten over a huge bout of bronchitis just a few weeks ago…then my family got sick; first my boy, then my wife and then me! As much as I would have liked to turn to comfort food I stuck to my meal program and I’m feeling I’ll be rewarded for it. For Christmas, I was given a couple of gift cards to Ruth’s Chris Steak house. I contemplated taking my wife out for Valentines but bless her heart, she too wanted me to stick to my plan as well. Ruth’s (Fertel) and I go way back. I actually had the pleasure of meeting her before she passed away. Ruth paved the way and set the standard of how high end chain restaurants grow and prosper. My father always had a Ruth’s credit card. He would give it to me when I began dating and it summarily impressed all of my female dining companions. I tend to order the same meal when I go but have never been disappointed by any meal I’ve had there. I’ve often said I go expecting to get a bad meal but never have. I was saddened that Katrina took the original restaurant on Broad Street from us. They move their headquarters to Florida but kept their Metairie location and have just opened up at Harrah’s downtown in New Orleans. More deals were cut in the original broad street location than there are grains of rice in a huge bowl of gumbo as many politicians, judges and lawyers ate there on a regular basis. If those old oak walls could talk…too bad we’ll never know. It was destroyed shortly after Katrina.

Back to the meal plan! I’m on the week 5 menu though only in my third week of dieting. So far besides the Salmon everything else has been very tasty. The waffles with peaches were delectable and the Reuben sandwich was good despite me not liking mushrooms and artichokes so I eliminated it and ate the rest. The Grilled chicken parmesan was cheesy and filling. Saturday morning I decided to skip down to the Whole grain pancakes with a delicious strawberry maple syrup and medallions of turkey sausage. I still wasn’t feeling well and it gave me an opportunity to actually cook and enjoy my meal while at home. The veggie Philly sub was pretty good. There was so much of the vegetable mixture that I ended up making it open face on both pieces of the wheat bun. It comes complete with shredded Mozzarella cheese, too. I enjoyed dinner as well. I’m growing fond of the Turkey substitutions for beef although after professing my love earlier to an establishment that serves incredible seared cow, I don’t think I could cut it out completely. The Salisbury (turkey) steak in mashed potatoes with green beans was just what I needed while feeling a bit under the weather. Now, Sunday morning’s breakfast of egg and broccoli pie (basically quiche) was really good. It is a single serving of eggs and broccoli served in about a six inch diameter pastry shell that was flaky and delicious. I wish there were two of them!

It’s Mardi Gras season so the wife and kid are at the parades while I sit at home trying to clear my lungs of excess gunk. I’m looking forward to feeling better soon and to today’s lunch of turkey cutlet sub and chugwater chili for dinner.

It's official...I finally caught what my family had.

2009-02-13T19:12:00.000-08:00

Sore throat, head full of snot, itchy eyes and lethargic. I had a pretty good day today considering I went to lunch with someone and didn't have anything but a cup of hot tea. I'll post more tomorrow afternoon when I'm (hopefully) feeling better. Nite Nite.
Bo

I'm still not 32 sticks of butter!

2009-02-12T21:01:00.000-08:00

I know I should be happy that it was a loss but after a really trying afternoon at the “plant” I was hoping to come home and post up a good number. Yes, I’ve lost seven pounds and am proud of that but this morning I weighed “nekked” before getting in the shoulder and I was under 250lbs. By the time I got home from work and put my “weigh-in” clothes on I was 251lbs. It’s still a pound lost from last week but I would have preferred a nine pound total loss over seven any day. Oh well, I haven’t felt starved and the food I’ve been eating from Diet To Go is really good so I’ll stop feeling sorry for myself and pick up where I left off tomorrow.

Today’s breakfast was uneventful; a simple bagel with cream cheese and raspberry preserves. Honestly, I don’t mind this for breakfast as I don’t have a ton of time and this gets me to work quickly and gives my pills some company in my stomach. I also enjoyed the Wahoo burger with tarter sauce. I sprinkled it generously with hot sauce and it went down like a champ. Now, I owe fellow DTG’r Steve an apology. He began to talk about how fishy the Salmon dish smelled and tasted on his blog and I responded with the fact that I eat a lot of seafood and have welcomed it on the meal plan. Steve, you’re right; it’s simply not good dish and it’s one I will substitute for something else. When I opened it it did have a rather strong fish smell and once I cooked it I couldn’t eat it. The carrots and jicima were just out of place and the dry rice and peas under the strangely seasoned salmon was just something I too couldn’t get through. Don’t get me wrong, I love Salmon. I’ve had it flown in fresh from Alaska (it helps to have a friend that lives there. He would send me Dungeness and Alaskan King Crab, too) and always had the vacu-packed salmon from Sams Warehouse in my freezer. I found at least a half dozen different ways to prepare it and it was always good. Maybe this version doesn’t travel well or it’s just not a very well thought out dish. It doesn’t change my mind one bit about DTG because I know had I chosen NS or JC I’d be hating life after two weeks of their crap. Trust me, I know. I just received my third week of food and can’t wait to see how it all tastes so stay tuned or to learn more, join the DTG Facebook page or mine to learn more about me, my friends and this wonderful way to lose weight.

I just like eatin the food and the way I feel. Diet?

2009-02-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

You’ve missed me, right? Meant to post yesterday…just ran out of time; much like tonight. With my 2 week weigh in looming for tomorrow evening I want to get in what I’ve had to eat before the new box-o-grub arrives tomorrow. Tuesday we welcomed back an employee that had been out following some scheduled surgery and no one missed her more than me. She was detrimental to helping me get my work out on time so in addition to a couple of very stressful weeks figuring out new processes after a big layoff, I didn’t have my go-to-girl to keep our work organized and timely. Everyone was so happy to see her come back that a small lunch gathering was thrown in her honor. It’s not the first time we’ve had catered events…usually Mexican fair from the local Chevy’s Tex-Mex chain. You know fajitas, chips and salsa, beans, rice, etc. I’ll have you know I marched in there with my Turkey Pastrami on Rye and citrus fruit cup and didn’t touch as much as a chip or dip of guacamole.

When this menu comes around again I will make an adjustment to this meal. It comes with a sandwich and a half…I’m sure I would likely have made 2 on my own so that was cool. I will toast the two whole slices of bread and apply the Dijon mustard. I will then remove the turkey pastrami from the half sandwich and put it on the two toasted slices and pitch the rye from the half sandwich. The meat from the sandwich and a half makes one sandwich just about right. Other than that, it was delicious! That night’s dinner was what I would have had for lunch: Chicken Fajitas! It came with a guacamole quesadilla with a side of the tastiest refried beans and some fresh made salsa with just the right amount of cilantro…I don’t like too much. Oh, there were baby carrots in there too. I’m not sure how they tie into the meal but I’m always happy for the roughage.

Wednesday morning’s breakfast was a dense wedge of what is called a homemade cinnamon Power Bar. I heated it slightly, had it with my morning coffee and felt full and satisfied saving the yogurt and orange juice for an afternoon snack. I totally dug the Black bean Soup! It was well seasoned with rough cut onions, green and red bell peppers and a delightful southwest blend of fresh herbs and spices. Hearty and filling. It came with a sidecar of creamy vegetable salad and a hermetically sealed package of string cheese. Now, I’m going to write the Diet to Go people and convince them that there should be 2 soft pretzels instead of just one. Once micro waved to just soft, it had me thinking back to all the wonderful things I could put on it like a spicy brown mustard. Really good.

I arrived home to a 6 year old who was finally feeling better after a cough and fever kept him home 2 days last week and 2 this week. A couple of days with your grandmother can always make you feel better. I was tired and hungry from a long day and settled down to a generous portion of stir fry chicken with oriental vegetables and brown rice. If it hadn’t come packaged from DTG I would have thought my wife ordered take out. I went through a phase for a year or so when I wok fried everything. You name it, I stir fried it. Tonight’s Asian offering was as good as anything I ever produced and rivaled some of the dishes I have had from take-out. From the moment I unpacked it I could smell the nuance of sesame oil and some form of peanuts…oil, paste I don’t know what but that’s what the palate tasted. Also there was a healthy sprinkling of Chinese red pepper so if you don’t like spicy this may not be for you. I loved it! With a couple of dashes of low sodium soy, I was in heaven. Again I wondered about the portion size but I have faith the DTG gurus have it all figured out. I weigh in tomorrow so check in to see the progress and as always you can learn more about me on my Facebook page. Tonight’s entry was a Bucket List complete with lots of pictures of me doing what I love the most. Check it out in the New Orleans Network under Bo Boots Walker. Nite.

Changing habits changes lives.

2009-02-09T18:24:00.000-08:00

I've always found comfort in food. It is always there for you whether you're using it to celebrate or drown your sorrows. I've used food as my drug of choice my whole life and in doing so have had the typical "addicts" life. Moments of "sobriety" followed by outlandish binges only to be followed by shame and guilt. Why am I sharing this? Some of your behaviors may mirror mine but I'm here to tell you that structure, for me anyway, is the key. I had an unusually stressful Monday and one I'm hoping not to repeat anytime soon. Under normal circumstances I would have definitely wanted to get out of the office for lunch. Something delicious, with that full-of-fat-flavor. My pick today would have been Voodoo BBQ on St Charles Avenue. I like the Graveyard Platter. You get to pick two meats (brisquit, jerk chicken, sausage, etc) and two sides (mac-n-cheese, greens, corn pudding-don't ask, it's killer, etc) It's an amazing meal.... smothered with their famous mojo-sauce and a large tea or beer. Instead I ate my turkey sandwich from Diet To Go and stayed calm. I'm sure I would have reached into my botton file cabinet for some kind of snack. I'd keep peanut butter crackers, oat bars, nuts, nips or cookies too. Not today, I ate my apple instead...and pleanty of water. Knowing I had something already in the waiting for lunch kept me from making an irrational decision. It's what I like most about DTG...it's there for you with great tasting meals and good sized portions. I'm feeling better and feeling better about my decsions too.

I've never been the kind of guy to order eggs florentine at a restaurant but I have to say the DTG version was really good. The spinich is served with still-fluffy scrambled eggs, a side of honey smoked turkey sausage and 6 spears of asparagus. I sprinkled a little cajun seasoning on the eggs and enjoyed. Dinner was proof that there are some things that you just can't do with turkey. Although it was a good attempt at meatloaf there are some things that should use meat, good old fashioned red meat...cow! Maybe if it had been napped with some sort of good old fashioned ketchup or a red sauce it would be more appealing to the eye and taste buds but I hit it with some hot sauce and wolfed it down with a full serving of green beans and creamy sweet potato's. If you're on the fence about DTG just pull the trigger; you'll be glad you did. I can promise you you'll be happier than if you order the much more publicized programs. I'll never do that again. Ever. Feel free to join me on Facebook to learn more about me and my friends. Just send me a message with DTG in the subject line and I'll accept you.

Another great day of riding.

2009-02-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

It was another blue sky day in Mississippi and a great day for riding. I got up early this morning so I could have some coffee and not rush to get my bike on the trailer when my riding buddy came to pick me up. I carefully packed the strawberry banana muffin with Vanilla cream cheese, apple and my lunch of Chicken salad on Kaiser with a side salad and citrus fruit cup. I threw a couple individually wrapped things of string cheese in as well because I would likely need the extra protein…and I did. I ate the muffin in the truck on the way to the trail head and had the sandwich for lunch. I ate the cheese and apple as well. I saved the fruit cup for when I was finished riding and I’m really glad I did. It was warm today…in the mid seventies so I sweat more than usual. The fruit cup had orange and grapefruit wedges with large chunks of pineapple too. It was refreshing and gave me the energy to load up the bikes and head home. Dinner was good too. I micro waved the tomato veggie pie and cous cous just the way it was packaged for 3:30 minutes. I took Steve’s wife’s advice and just mixed the whole thing together to moisten the cous cous. Pretty tasty and very filling. I still continue to wonder if this is too much food. It was a really large portion. I have to keep telling myself that Diet toGo knows what they are doing and as long as I stick to the plan I will lose weight. It just seems as if I always eaten less food when on any diet and always had the feeling that I was hungry or wouldn’t make it to the next meal without “picking.” It’s just not that way with DTG…and I couldn’t be happier about it. Have a great week guys and enjoy these fine photos.

Have I mentioned I love this Diet?

2009-02-07T20:50:00.000-08:00

I don't think I've ever had a Tuna Melt before today but I now know how I should be heating some items...in a toaster oven. Had I tried to microwave these 3 melts it would have been soggy. I used the toaster oven and the wheat puff pastry was crisp and the cheese on top of the tuna was perfectly melted and had some browning on it. Really tasty as was the peach crisp. I have to give cudos to the Creole Chicken dish too. I micro'd that and added a few dashes of hot sauce and it was perfect. A hearty creole sauce with rough cut bell pepper and onion, shredded chicken and basmati rice. Obviously I've eaten my share of shrimp, chicken or sausage "creole" and this ranked right up there. One suggestion for DTG, you could easily take some of that same shrimp that came on yesterdays salad and put it in the dish instead of the chicken and it would be great. Just a thought...going to bed now. Gonna ride tomorrow and I'm packing my food!

TGIF! and I mean it!

2009-02-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

I won’t bore you with the mundane details of how my day was but Fridays are generally busy because we are preparing for the next three days (Saturday, Sunday and Monday). That’s a lot of commercials! I totally enjoyed my DTG breakfast though. Delicious and moist pancakes rolled up with a delicious mixture of cinnamon apples. It came with a side of turkey sausage medallions and sugar free syrup. Filling, and quite tasty. I should have saved that one for a weekend when I could have enjoyed it with my family. Sure, it looks like there is a lot of granola, yogurt, bagels, fruit and the like for breakfast but if I’m being honest, I don’t have time to “savor” breakfast or lunch while at work so it may as well be something I can pick up and put down a lot. I don’t mid it, really. I like saving the hot breakfasts for the weekend where I can sit down and enjoy them.

With that said, I’ve got to look at my food list a bit better (and maybe Diet to Go too) because I unpacked my food and took out three days to thaw in the fridge. Well just a few hours in the fridge was not enough to thaw the Shrimp and Pasta Salad so I had to heat it. Now, it came with a small cup of some dynamite cocktail sauce and again, being from the south I’ve had lots of cocktail from the plain ketchup and horseradish to any variation with fresh ingredients and this stuff was good! Too bad I had to dip warm rubbery shrimp into it once I heated it. I liked the flavor of the zucchini , pasta and carrot sticks…not all bad warm but this is one dish that I’m sure should be thawed fully and served chilled, not heated. If it were later in the week (for us mail order guys) it would be perfect.

I still contend that for new customers some additional paperwork could be included to help us get started. I know DTG is trying to be environmentally conscious but when my meals come in a cardboard box with 6 pieces of Styrofoam in it, a few extra sheets of paper wouldn’t hurt…just until we’ve completed the initial 5 weeks of food. After that, kill it. Now before you say it’s all online, let me defend my position by saying I stare at not one but two computer screens all day long and fumbling around on a website looking for info is not for me. That’s not to say the site is bad I simply don’t want to have to fire up the computer when I’m looking for the best way to heat a particular item. I’m making notes on the menus I printed on the best way to heat and eat these meals so I’m not guessing at it next time around. I would love to see info from DTG or from customers that have been using this system for a while on the best way to serve these delicious meals especially after they have been frozen. The first week I took everything out and let it thaw over a week’s time. This week I took three days out to thaw and left the rest in the freezer. Next week I plan on looking over the food more carefully and determining what can stay frozen and be heated like a “Lean Cuisine” and what needs time to thaw properly in the fridge for a few days before cooking or consuming.

Dinner was good and unlike Steve, I enjoy the seafood. I haven’t noticed the fishy flavor or smell that he has but maybe freezing it helps cure that, I don’t know. Regardless, if DTG can learn to boil crawfish, or broil oysters I will stay on this “diet” for the rest of my life. If DTG is listening and you want a few pointers on how to boil the mudbugs and ship em, I can certainly help you there. Up to now, I haven’t eaten off of the meal plan (Of great consequence. No binging or eating King Cake) but I can tell you the crawfish are good sized this year and I definitely plan on eating a few. Nutritionally they are a bit high in cholesterol and salty but not too bad for you. Much like eating shrimp! I love me some seafood so bring it on DTG. Tonight’s Whitefish Parmesan with those sweet little baby carrots were right on time. Firm white fish settled in a zesty red sauce with gooey cheese…I sopped it up with their little multi grain roll.

Challenges for the weekend: my six year old son Hudson has been sick for the last 2 days which means momma had to stay home with him while I went to work so she’ll need a break tomorrow. If he feels well enough I’ll take him to see his grandmother across the lake. If the wife gives the OK, I will ride again in MS on Sunday. A few new riders will join the group which is always fun and makes for great competition. We’ll see if my skills are what to what they were last week. Food wise, breakfast at the house both days. I can bring my lunch with me while visiting and to the trails…much like last week. No beer but I am rewarding myself after a stressful week of being shorthanded (several out sick and one on medical leave; comes back Tuesday) with 2 glasses of red wine. A pungent and bold Merlot from Stags Leap Vineyards (2003). Still digging the diet and hope some of you are motivated to hop on board. Don’t lose hope, lose weight!

It's not 32 sticks of butter but it's close.

2009-02-05T19:55:00.000-08:00

For those anonymous readers you'll notice there are a few "followers" of this blog. I too am following them as they write about their weight loss experience using Diet To Go. Donna and Steve are a week ahead of me food wise because mine comes through the mail. Lucky for me, I get a review of the food I will soon be eating. More importantly I get to see how they are fairing with their weight loss as well. I loved how Steve put it into perspective when he lost 8 pounds the first week. He related it to 32 sticks of butter. Now think about that. If you had 32 actual sticks of butter stacked up and sitting on the counter; what would you think if you were no longer carrying that around with you each day. Steve could just have easily used a gallon of milk for perspective being that (depending on the type; whole, 2%, etc) it weight around 8 pounds. What if each morning before you grabbed your briefcase or purse you put a gallon of milk in it and drug that around with you...we'll that's what we're all doing. Unfortunately with about 60 pounds to lose that means I grab several gallons of milk each morning and haul it around. Can't wait to empty the jugs soon.

Well, my unofficial weight in (my bathroom scale) says I'm 252 after just a week on DTG. That's six pounds down from where I started. I'm happy with that loss and can only hope to keep it up. My new box of food arrived today so I sent an email to a co-worker who I know is doing NS. I asked that he come down and see what I get in a week. He was floored when I told him that all he needed to buy was a gallon of milk a week because DTG sends you everything else you need including fruit, bread sticks, condiments, etc. Now, he's made significant progress since September of last year but has most of the same complaints as most that I've read. Customer service is awful and they lost his shipment for three weeks somewhere...he went back to eating his own food again. Says he has maintained but I was proud to turn him on to the program. No time to detail my food tastings today but suffice it to say the morning Pizza was delicious, the turkey burger delightful and tonight's shrimp fettuccine was just grand. I loved it all.

I may have some competition for my food.

2009-02-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

I'm getting plenty of food by the way. At no time do I feel hungry or begin obsessing over when the next meal will be. Yesterdays offering of a cornbread muffin and cream cheese/orange marmalade was filling enough for me to save the yogurt and orange for a late afternoon snack. Lunch was good too as the Chicken Philly Sub with peppers and honey mustard mayo was perfect with a bit of heat added...temperature and spice. The peach pudding tastes more like cobbler and the portion size makes me wonder if I'm having too many calories. Now, I didn't get around to eating dinner until well after 8pm. Since joining Face Book earlier in the afternoon I have connected with several old college buddies and a few others in my industry that I hadn't heard from in a while. I finished up a 90 minute phone call as an old radio friend and I caught up and nuked my Turkey Picadillo with Brown Rice Pilaf and apricot glazed asparagus. I sat down to enjoy this feast (again, a larger portion than I thought) with my son as he watched TV. I finished the still firm asparagus and was down to the last few spoonfuls of the "picadillo" (was kinda like chili...well seasoned at that) when my 6 year old son Hudson crawled up in my lap and asked me what I was eating. I told him "my special food" that was healthy for me..."do you want a bite?" He asked; "is it healthy for me too?" Of course, I said and I fed him a spoonful. So buddy, how is it? "Tremendous!" he exclaimed. Wow, I said, tremendous...where did you learn a big word like that? "TV", of course..."you can learn a lot from it, daddy." Don't I know it. We shared the rest of the meal a spoonful at a time until it was gone...good meal...better moment.

This morning started with another satisfying muffin and condiment. I was a bit apprehensive about lunch though. How well does a grilled cheese sandwich travel? should I microwave it...toaster oven? With no toaster oven I microwaved it and the lentil chilli to temperature and was happy to find that the bread stood up to the cheese. You get a sandwich and a half on what looks like french toast...or at least the bread they use for the french toast. Regardless, it was as cheesy and delicious as anything I've "grilled. The few mouthfuls of Lentil Chilli were delightfully tasty and just enough. Now, a word of warning! If you are going to use Diet to Go as your meal provider, do yourself a favor and SAVE A GLASS OF MILK WHEN THEY SEND YOU A BROWNIE! Now, some of you may think this is overkill and some may not heed the warning I've given but if you take one bite of that delicious, moist and chocolaty brownie without a glass of milk handy you'll think back to the warning i've given and think; "he was right!" I'm surprised at the amount of guilt I have built up over the years while dieting. You know, when you taste something good and think; "I shouldn't be having this." I need to let go and remember that DTG has my back and wouldn't be sending this stuff if A) it wasn't good for me and B) I couldn't lose weight comsuming it. Save the brownie for a time when you can sit down with that cold glass of milk and enjoy every sticky morsel. I hated having to inhale it at while at work. That won't happen again. OH, I found someone here at work that is having his Nutri System delivered here...saw the box today. I can't wait to show him what I get when my box arrives tomorrow! I'll convert him...it's just a matter of time. Hey, feel free to join me on FaceBook, too.

OK, I may have a new favorite meal!

2009-02-02T16:31:00.000-08:00

I was confused by the Bistro Chicken Salad with Sesame Bread sticks...it says "salad", do I eat it cold? It's a healthy sized portion of sliced chicken with tortellini style pasta in a pesto sauce. I tried it cold adding the ubiquitous hot sauce and pepper to the meal. I got about half way through it and thought, this might be better heated...it was. It really brought out the flavor of the tortellini and the sauce. Maybe I've missed it online but again, I wish the packaging was more clear on whether it should be heated or eaten cold...I'm choosing hot on this one. It was delicious!

Now, to dinner...my new favorite meal may be the BBQ chicken (and sauce) Anise roasted potato's, baked beans, green beans (and almonds). Again, I was surprised by the portion size: 2-small chicken breasts, several quartered potato's with a delightful seasoning, hearty spoonful of beans and some crisp green beans (mine didn't have any almonds on it). I remember seeing a barbecue sauce packet when I unloaded my first shipment but forgot to grab it with my meal tonight. Honestly, I don't think it needed it at all. The chicken was flavored nicely and I'm sitting here very satisfied. Recap of favorites so far: Mac and cheese and the BBQ chicken.

With last nights bout with stomach issue "behind" me, I need to mention how much better I'm feeling. Although my blood sugars aren't where I'd like them they are noticeably lower. I just think that with my body processing the right kind of foods I'm feeling more energetic...mentally and physically. Oh, I received my shipping notice for next weeks food...should be here by Thursday.

...and something may have disliked me!

2009-02-02T10:54:00.000-08:00

Wow, how about that Superbowl; just what I had hoped for, a competitive game! I'm counting cleaning my filthy motorcycle as exercise, by the way. It was caked in mud and grime and took me almost 2 hours to clean it...with a pressure washer. Now, anyone who knows me will tell you I'm not a stickler for cleaning bikes. Polishing chrome is the reason I got away from riding cruiser style bikes. I wash my motorcycles twice a year whether they need it or not. It needed it and it got it; shouldn't have to wash that one until about July or so now. Kidding of course. I pulled out my generator and ran it for 10 or 15 minutes too. If you live in hurricane country you have to have a generator and you have to keep it in good running order for when you need it. It only takes losing everything you have in your refrigerator(s) one time and you'll invest in a generator. I also bought a small window unit so I can keep at least one room icy cold during the peak summer hurricane months. When the last two came through (Ike and Gustov) I stayed home to protect my property while my family evacuated. Generator...gooood.

As I settled in to watch all the pregame stuff I TIVO'd and had a lunch of Chicken Pesto Sub & Swiss on Wheat roll with Chicken & Spinach side salad, Melon Mix and chocolate pudding. It was after 3pm by the time I got around to fixing this and it seemed like enough food to satisfy my hunger after burning all those calories earlier. I toasted the bread and heated the chicken breast and cheese; slathered the pesto aioli on it and enjoyed it. The chickpea & spinach...not so much but I ate it. It was mostly a texture issue for me. After thawing, the spinach was soggy and it just was something I didn't enjoy. The melon mix was very good...sweet honeydew, cantaloupe and grapes, very tasty. The Chocolate pudding...good as always and curbs the sweet tooth. I saved it and ate it after dinner.

For dinner I heated and eated (I know) the Vegetarian Spaghetti pie and cauliflower. I'm not sure what makes it "pie" but it tasted like Ragu over pasta with lots of Mozzarella cheese. I hit it with a few grinds of pepper and it, along with the sweet tasting cauliflower, went down just fine. Unfortunately, something was not happy with the party in my tummy. I can't pin anything directly on the food but my stomach began to gurgle and I spent the remainder of the evening on and off of the porcelain throne. Thank God for TIVO...didn't miss a minute of the game or commercial...not that this years batch were worth watching. (Bud horses? Who cares!) I finally took some of the "pink stuff" and drifted off to sleep. Now, I've heard that beginning new diets can cause gastric distress...I know it happened to me with NS and JC. I'm not sure if the food had anything to do with this; maybe caught a quick stomach bug or something because I still felt bad this morning.

I think I ate the Wild Cherry Muffin...maybe it was the Mountain Berry Muffin. I wish I'd been given a bit more information in my first shipment since those items aren't labeled. I was pretty sure it wasn't the Raisin Bran muffin or the cornbread muffin...color gave those away. There is only one item I found missing and it's the Strawberry Preserves. I'll go back and search the refrigerator for that...could have just been me in a hurry trying to get my food together and my kid out the door. You'll notice I have been skipping around on the menu...I hope that's aloud and there is not some scientific formula of each days food that interacts to help you lose weight. If it were up to me, I'd have the mac and cheese every night but I'm guessing that's why there are nutritionists on staff at Diet to Go...pasta every night can't be good for you. I should know that by now!

I finally found something I don't like.

2009-02-01T09:03:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a great day. I’ve been an avid motorcyclist since I was 10 years old; that’s when my father bought me my first motorcycle…much to the dismay of my mother. “He’s gonna kill himself on that thing!” My father assured her he would fix the situation tomorrow. My mom thinking the bike was going back to wherever he bought it was floored when instead; he came home with one for himself. That was my dad.

The day was beautiful with temps in the mid 60’s and clear blue skies. Oddly when we arrived at the trail head we were shocked to see we were the only ones out there. Being that we have to drive from New Orleans to just north of Biloxi, Mississippi to ride, we’re rarely the first ones there but we had this 14 mile trail loop to ourselves the entire day. Thankfully we all rode well and no one was hurt when they fell…notice I said “they” I didn’t take a spill the entire day. That’s not typical, mind you but I was having a really good day of riding. I intended to rise early and eat the omelet and artichokes Saturday morning but by the time I was ready to leave I simply wasn’t hungry and didn’t want to force myself to eat. I grabbed the turkey sandwich and an orange and hit the road.

I picked up my riding partner Kirk and let him know that we should plan on stopping for breakfast as we usually do but I was planning on ordering healthier. We both had 2 poached eggs; ham and a slice of wheat toast…NO hash browns, biscuits or grits, just a glass of 2% milk. We picked up Kirks son along the way and headed to the trail site. After the first “lap” we broke for lunch. They brought sandwich meat and bread to make their sandwiches and I opened mine. I poured off some of the excess liquid from the “mushroom” salad and put that right on the multi-grain bun. I added the mayonnaise packet and enjoyed the fine tasting meal. Of course I regaled my riding partners of the Diet to Go program as I cut up the orange…they were both equally impressed with the plan. Kirk’s son is a bachelor and commented that he wouldn’t have to buy any food from the grocery if he did that. I told him that they ship it all except for the milk which is odd that they don’t because I’ve had milk from a half pint carton since school lunch. Maybe the extra 7 pounds or so raises the shipping cost too much…I don’t know.

Well, I’ve finally found something I didn’t really care for. No, it wasn’t last night’s dinner of macaroni and cheese with broccoli and carrots. That was AWESOME! I feed my own kid worse Mac-n-cheese. The container it comes in has two sections; one larger than the other. I would have thought the serving of vegetables would be in the large side…they must have made a mistake because the macaroni and cheese was a very large portion. Granted I have no problem eating an entire box by myself in the past but the meal was tasty and filling…good comfort food for sure. I decided to eat the omelet and artichokes Sunday morning. Sorry, I just couldn’t do the artichokes. For those that love them I’m sure you’d be quite happy but for me I can only handle a couple in a salad not an entire serving. The omelet was good with fresh peppers, onions and cheese but by the time it was micro waved to the desired temperature the excess liquid pooled in the bottom and simply wasn’t as appetizing as I would have liked. I don’t think any measure of hot sauce or Cajun seasonings would have saved this one for me. To be fair, no other diet plan gets eggs right. Most are powdered and not worth eating. At least DTG has cooked them for you and it looks like a real omelet. I hear I can call or email DTG and ask that I not be sent that again and it will never arrive in my shipments so I’ll get to check out the substitution process this week and let you know.

As far as the Superbowl goes I don’t really have a horse in this race so I’m hoping the game is good and not a blowout…something worth watching, ya know. I’ll TIVO it to skip the boring parts or rerun a good commercial but I’m happy my wife nixed the idea of having friends over for a party. I have a better chance of sticking to the plan this way. Regardless, I think Pittsburg wins their sixth championship although I’d like to see Kurt and the Cardinals win their first. Keep in mind, the Saints have only won 5 playoff games in their franchise history so I’m rooting for the underdog…hope, right?

I'm so happy I didn't order the Nutri Sytem...really happy.

2009-01-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

OK, I’ve only had 4 complete meals since starting the Diet to Go meal plan (I’ve stopped calling it a diet because It’s hard to believe that eating this food will make you lose weight) but what I’ve eaten has been very flavorful and filling. After last nights healthy portion of Orange Roughy and cous cous I had a really good nights sleep. Now, I can’t really give for the snooze to starting Diet to Go but maybe the fact that I wasn’t over-full and my body didn’t have to digest a huge meal helped me wake fully rested. Little did I know I would totally need it…

Fridays are generally busy for the simple fact that as production director of seven radio stations and seven streams we have to make sure that we have all of the commercials ready for the following 3 days; Saturday, Sunday and Monday (since it officially starts at midnight Sunday night and the workday doesn’t start until about 8am Monday morning). Everything must be taken care of before we leave Friday night and I had to produce an unusually large number of commercials. I left the house with a bagel, cream cheese, apple juice and banana crème pie yogurt as my breakfast and the shrimp bisque, jichama salad, chocolate mousse, small seasoned pita and V-8 for lunch. I plan on bringing a toaster to work for the bagel and pita but otherwise, breakfast was just enough to calm my huge handful of pills and a cup of coffee.

I spend most days working through lunch which is usually Ramen Cup-o-Noodles or a microwave sandwich. Breakfast took me all the way past noon and I was excited to try what was in the quart tub. Living in New Orleans I’ve eaten my share of seafood bisque but the only thing this was missing was a few shots of hot sauce (which I put on everything) and some jumbo shrimp. It’s all pureed pretty fine but it had good consistency and flavor. Really good portion too. I occasionally dunked the pita in the bisque and really enjoyed the jichama salad although I thought it would be better as a Superbowl dish served with nacho chips. I would have added finely sliced jalapeños for the right balance of sweet (mandarin oranges) and heat. The purple onion lets everyone know you’ve opened the container but damn it was good.

I saved a bit of the banana crème pie yogurt and the chocolate mousse for a mid afternoon snack. I usually get “snackish” around 3:30pm and have a drawer full of 90 cal oat bars or some peanut butter crackers. I was happy to reach back into my little fridge and retrieve that sweet treat…I mixed them together and enjoyed the goodness. It really helped to get me to around 6pm when I left. Because I am riding my motorcycle in Mississippi tomorrow I left the “clean up” work to my assistant and came home to load my bike on the trailer and pack my gear for the trails. I wasn’t starving but I managed to make it till 7:30pm before I stopped to heat my dinner.

The corn and baked potato didn’t reheat as well as I would have liked but I think because the potato was really baked and the corn par boiled it made them both a bit soggy upon reheating but the sour cream and chives made the potato taste good. I was tempted to slather the small ear of corn in butter but instead opted for a little salt and pepper. The Tamale Pie made with ground turkey was again very flavorful and tasted fresh made once micro waved…I added nothing. I keep saying that if all I have to do is just eat the food I’m being sent to lose weight, I’m in! I keep wondering where the “diet” part is because all the food I’ve eaten so far has been properly seasoned and proportionate to what I should eating…not what I think I should be eating. I’m sure the freshly packed meals have some advantage over the frozen and shipped ones but so far they seem to have traveled well.

Challenges for this weekend: riding with my buddies used to consist of stopping off for breakfast at Waffle House (greasy eggs, hash browns, bacon, toast and grits---I’m from the south…we have to have grits). On the way to the trails we would stop at Blimpies and pick up a $5 sub. We’d ride till noon, eat half the sub, ride some more and eat the other half. Once home; that’s when the beer drinking would start. Reliving the days events over a cold beer or three, four five was always the best part of the day. That usually led to grilled burgers, steaks or worse so tomorrow I plan on eating my Fajita Omelet with seasoned artichokes before I leave the house and bringing my Roast Turkey sandwich with me in the truck. I burn a lot of calories riding so I am bringing an orange with me as well. My buds have decided the beer drinking has to stop as well so I’m hoping I can make it back to the house and nuke up my spaghetti pie for dinner. I don’t even want to talk about Superbowl Sunday…I’ll let you know how I do!

The food is here...THE FOOD IS HERE!!!!!

2009-01-29T18:42:00.000-08:00

I feel like Steve Martin in the movie The Jerk when the phone books arrived. I had to restrain myself from running around like that because I was at work. I opened the box just to check it all out and was fascinated by the packaging. There was a small box on top that contained some fresh fruit and condiments. Below a large Styrofoam sheet was the rest of my booty. The food was nicely packaged and still well frozen. I haven’t had a chance to go through it all but instead just placed everything in the beer…er uh, spare refrigerator until I could sort it all out.

So here’s how I figure I can show my progress each week. I’ll put the date and weight on a piece of paper and take a front and side shot. Yeah, I’m pretty proud of these two pics. I’m using my home scale and weighing in the clothes you see on me. 258…geez, and I used to think 220 was outrageous. I’d kill to wiggle my nose and have 38 pounds gone but I gotta tell ya; if all I have to do is eat the food being sent to me each week to get there, I’m in!

My first meal was fabulous! I downloaded the menus from the Diet To Go website. I just printed them all and saved the PDF for future reference if needed. I searched to find the Orange Roughy with coos coos and vegetables. Being from Louisiana I’ve caught and eaten a ton of catfish, redfish and trout but I have no idea what a roughy looks like. I know it tastes pretty good though. White, flakey and very moist it sucks up the seasoning and went great with the side dishes. Of course I sprinkled some Cajun spices on it but when I finished I was not only surprised by the large portion but didn’t feel the anxiety of wondering if this would be enough for me. It was. Oh, I finally realized that the food labels are on the BOTTOM of the dish...no more guessing.

I’ll get a better look at things over the weekend but I feel this diet is going to be better than anything I’ve done in the past. It’s not even close to any of the popular packaged food programs…a few dollars more but definitely worth it. Not feeling good about these pictures but hopefully in a few short weeks I’ll look and feel a lot better.

You can never go back but man, I'd like to.

2009-01-27T18:07:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I began weeding through a box of old photographs. I don't know what made me do it...maybe the upcoming diet. Regardless, I found myself pulling out the "skinny" pictures of myself and realized I had kind of a photographic essay of my weight losses...and gains.

The picture on the right was taken right after I lost a bunch of weight on my own using what I like to call trauma trim. In a previous post I detail my unfortunate breakup with a young woman who ran off to Miami with the local morning man on the radio. She was his "news chick" at the time so obviously they were spending more time together than we were. I found a bunch of old pictures of her as well...no need to post those here, I guess. The woman seated to my left is now my wife but this picture was taken New Years eve of 1988 shortly after we began dating. We rang in 1989 with her sister and a friend of mine...also standing with a tie. I still see my sister in law quite a bit. Him; not so much. You gotta admit, that guy in that car...pretty hot! Granted, the car didn't come along until later but in the mean time I managed to beef back up while working at a station in Biloxi, Ms. Nutri System came knocking and knocked a good 38 pounds back off of me.

The photo on the left is me sitting on the sea wall in Biloxi do a "call-in" back to the station. I used to walk that sea wall at the crack of noon daily. See, I was the 7-midnight jock known as "Wildman Walker." It was my job to tuck the kiddies in each night and then go find trouble. I did pretty well doing both with a 30 plus share in the ratings and probably 30 plus nightclubs to visit. The picture on the right was after Jenny Craig. At the time I was training for a marathon in Alaska called the Mayors Midnight Marathon. You see, during the summer solstice in AK. it's daylight around the clock. Unfortunately I lost my father to a massive heart attack in April of 1996 so my motivation left me to train. I still completed the half and it was a glorious 13 mile walk/run but I managed to put back the weight withing a year of his death. You'd think I would have learned something from a man who dies at 59 years of age with all of the problems I'm developing now. I miss him terribly still.

Above is when I did Nutri System #2 around 1990. As you can see I did lose the weight but I looked awful. I lost a lot of muscle with it because I was cheating the diet. I should have settled for less than stellar results over a longer period of time but I felt like I was being pressed to deliver so I figured out how to follow the diet most days, cheat a few and then starve or worse before the weigh in. The photo on the left was taken at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. That's space Shuttle STS 50 on the launch pad behind me. I got thrown off the air for reasons I won't disclose here so instead of staying home whimpering a buddy asked me if I wanted to go see the shuttle lift off...are you kidding me, of course. It's still a memory that raises the hair on my arms to this day. very cool. I'm skinny though, right?

Above is around the same time, maybe 1991. This was an event at the local mall for a CD and poster signing with the girls from Wilson Philips. That's me mugging with Wendy, Chynna and the one that was forever referred to as "the fat one" Carnie Wilson. As most of you know, Carnie, like Oprah, Rikki Lake and most of us lost a bunch of weight and then gained it all back. I think she has since had a kid and lost it but Oprah is now over 200...even with a nutritionist and personal trainer. Just goes to show you, money don't buy skinny...

The detailed info on my delivery email says my food won't get here till Thursday. I find it hard to believe that a 30 pound box mailed in Va. takes 3 plus days to reach its destination but it appears to be on tour stopping in every town in Virginia before landing in Knoxville, TN at 3pm today. That better be one very insulated box this food comes in or it is frozen solid like a rock before its shipped...details and maybe more pictures to come.

I have UPS anxiety!

2009-01-26T18:09:00.000-08:00

I'd be willing to bet that others have this condition too. Usually I get UPS anxiety when I've ordered some motorcycle parts or accessories and am waiting for them to get here but today I received my tracking information from my very first box of food from Diet to Go. Admittedly, it's not a new jacket or performance part for my scoot but it is just as exciting for me and a bit scary. Why scary? Well it means another lifestyle change and some handle it better than others do. It's a disruption of ones routine really. No more downing a couple of sugar filled breakfast bars at work for breakfast. No more Ramen noodles or fried catfish for lunch. I'll finally know exactly what I'll be having when I get home for dinner. In a way, it's a relief. I could use the structure because MY way obviously wasn't working. I'm putting a lot of faith in this diet;fortunately it has a track record of success. I'm hoping I have what it takes to handle the new routine.

I'm getting closer to the big reveal.

2009-01-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

With my order in the pipeline at Diet To Go I'm thinking hard on how best to document my transition from chubby hubby to slim Jim...except my name is Bo. Any way, I promise to spare you all the bare belly shots. Frankly, I scare myself with my shirt off so I don't feel the need to subject anyone else to it but I do want to find a way to show my bulk in the beginning and any progress as I shed those excess pounds. I took the family to the big car show in the Superdome today and asked my wife to shoot a few full length shots of me using the show cars as a backdrop. When I got home and looked them over a few things became clear; my wife is still an awful photographer and I still hate to see myself in photographs. Ask any fat person and they will tell you the same thing. There may be a handful of pictures that they actually think are good but for the most part we avoid them like the plague.

I've decided to set up a static shot in the same area of my home so I can get repeatable succes when shooting a picture of myself. I plan on using a tripod and autotimer to shoot some before, during and after shots to show my progress. This way I won't bother anyone to help me and I can be assured that I get the same photograph each and every time. I think once a week should suffice to see any changes. I think getting a full set of measurements plus my starting weight and updating them once every couple of weeks should be just fine as well. (I'll take any suggestions, too) I'm just figuring out these blog functions; uploading photos, hyperlinks and the like but I'll post what I can when I have it and am really anxious for my first box to arrive...and yes, that is the Mach 5 behind me!

Maybe there is a better way!

2009-01-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

Google displayed the usual suspects when it comes to prepared diet foods. As I scrolled a bit further down the list I noticed several comments being made about Nutri System...after all, it was the plan I was going to choose so it caught my eye. I began reading some of the really negative posts on this site that seemed dedicated to reaming NS. As I read post after post of people droning on about the food and the horrible customer service I started to rethink this option. Remember, both times I was on NS I was treated like royalty because I was the face or "voice" as it were that was telling others how great it was. If I signed up online and gave them my credit card for "auto ship" and got mailed a box of food I didn't like, would I then be just like these others trying to straighten things out via their 800 number? I started to get a really bad feeling and figured there must be something else out there with a better reputation and certainly better food.

I wish I could remember what site I stumbled upon (maybe I'll list it if I find it again) but it was a very honest ranking of the diet plans currently available. I read through most of them until the reviews started to reach below what I felt my standard was after ruling out NS. It was funny, because Diet To Go kept showing up in the multitude of criteria they had disseminated. I mean everything from customer service to meal plans to food taste and overall value. It was difficult to escape Diet To Go...so I went.

I figured it would be like most sites where they want to get all the demographic information they can from you for free before divulging anything about their plan. Most sites wanted you to "sign up or log in" and then they would have someone contact you...buh-bye! I was very surprised that I was able to find out the cost of a basic meal plan within a couple of clicks. I liked the fact that they had several meal plans and several options for quantity, too. You weren't forced to order all three meals for all seven days. Hmmmm, I'm liking this. I also liked the fact that the food was REAL! The way I saw it, for what I would be shelling out for Nutri System's "add water or microwave dog food" I could be eating REAL FOOD for a few dollars more. I dug deeper.

I looked at the nutritional information and the calorie plan options. This all began making sense to me but I wanted to know how the whole thing really worked. There must be a catch, right? They'll pull the old switcheroo because I'm mail order. Oh, did I mention that if you live in DC, Philly or San Fransisco you can pick up the fresh made food? But I bet when they mail it to you they sneak the nuke-n-puke stuff in there and I'm trapped again. I'll bet I'll spend hours on line with a customer service rep that will deny I even placed an order. This will be like trying to ship back the unused nasty tasting powered mix...I'll end up just throwing it away. I know, I'll test their customer service by emailing them. If I don't hear from them in a couple of days I'll have my answer.

Right away I got a response from them. Sure, it was your standard "we received your request and will get back to you within 24 hours" or if I couldn't wait that long there was an 800 number I could call. No way, I'm sticking to my guns. I want to see if someone really is going to get back with me. Before noon the next day I had another lady in my life; a sweet gal named Kai, the sales manager at DTG. In her email she states she tried to call but was unable to reach me at the number I provided...cuz I'm stupid and screwed it up as I would later find out. Anyway, Kai and I (hah, rhymes) had a pleasant talk and explained that there was no "switcheroo" with mail order. The REAL food is frozen (just like you would if you cooked something and put it immediately into the freezer) and shipped within a day in a insulated carton directly to my door. She suggested taking a few meals out to thaw in the fridge and putting the rest in your freezer. I'm in!

Through Kai, I was able to speak with a couple of other really nice ladies at DTG to make sure I was getting the right meal plan for my specific condition(s). Yes, being a fatty-in-your-forty's can cause some very predictable health problems. Come on, say them with me; hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol and triglyceride issues. Granted, it's not all my fault but I've always said "you can't pick your parents" right? I spoke with my doctor about DTG and she was thrilled. She even logged onto the website during my visit to check it out nutritionally. Of course I still left with a new prescription but she was happy that I was ready to deal with my weight and convinced (as am I) that most of these problems can be defeated by diet and yes, the dreaded E-word: EXERCISE. More on that later. I'm happy to announce I've placed my order and expect to see a big box of healing show up at my door next week. I'll keep ya posted every step of the way.

Once again with feeling...better yet, with taste!

2009-01-21T12:47:00.000-08:00

"Hello, my name is Bo and I'm a compulsive dieter." Hello Bo! OK, it's not that I enjoy dieting per se but that I find myself gaining and losing the same 50 pounds for the last 30 years. I began watching my mother diet as a child. Remember Ayds? The little cubes of chocolate-tasting candy that somehow was supposed to help you lose weight? I recall there always being a box in the fridge and me pilfering them when she wasn't looking. It's not hard to see why they are no longer around with that name.

As a child of 11 or 12 I began to put on weight; PB&J's 2 at a time! I figured sports would help me control my weight but I soon found out that weight control was part of playing sports. I wrestled in 9th grade and can remember wanting to get down to 185lbs so I didn't have to wrestle the "hulks" in the unlimited group. The veterans taught me all the tricks, too. Laxatives, sweating in garbage bags, saunas and the ever popular "spitting off weight." Disgusting but effective. By High school I stayed pretty fit for football but after an injury sidelined me the weight came right back. I started college a bit chubby but quickly learned that attracting females is a job best left to the skinny...so I joined a band instead! Playing music has always been enjoyable to me and it certainly did get the attention of a few females; one who broke my heart by running off to Miami with a fellow DJ after we'd been together for 6 years. This time instead of using food to comfort me, I used it correctly and lost weight on my own through good nutrition and portion control.

I managed to attract a new job, a new girl (who eventually became my wife) and that same 40 pounds or so that I'd lost. By now, my radio career was taking off and I was approached by Nutri System to do radio endorsements for them; I did and lost a good bit of weight... and then the job. It wasn't long before the 40 pounds I'd worked so hard to get off, got back on. New station, new opportunity to lose weight; again with Nutri System( #2.) By now I was so familiar with the diet I'd learned how to cheat it and still show results on weigh-in day. I lost the weight again but looked and felt really bad because of the way I was doing it. Another station change and again I was approached to lose the weight I put on from losing it badly and eating anything I wanted...blah blah blah, excuses, whatever. That's when I met a new girl; her name was Jenny.

Jenny Craig was the most beautiful and sexy thing I'd ever seen. New and clean weight loss centers with dietitians that dressed in white lab coats armed with cassettes to listen to while you walked for exercise! Man, this had to be the best way to lose weight, right? Oh, it worked but soon I plateaued, Jenny and I broke up...the romance was gone. You'd think I was done using weight loss programs and would simply apply all the nutritional information I'd gathered over the years and begin to eat sensibly...oh no, I wasn't done yet. I tried a powdered drink mix with some sort of revolutionary ingredient guaranteed to make me lose weight or my money back. Tasted awful and would have cost me more to send it back than just throw it away. How about the west coast; that's where all the beautiful people are, right? Well, when LA Weight Loss came to town I tried them too. Unfortunately I still lived in La. and the food in New Orleans is just too good. I worked with a tried and true weight loss master for a while. This guy has gotten professional athletes into shape he can certainly help me, right? He did. Heck, I was even a chapter in one of his books. I was provided a personal trainer, nutritionist, supplements, medical specialists who did stress and V02Max tests along with blood work. Heck, I trained for and completed a half marathon in Alaska! Man, I wish those people gave a crap about me know...the book was a best seller though.

Little did I know there would be another woman in my life. Her name was Katrina and it devastated the lives of many Gulf Coast residents. Throw another job change, an Emmy nomination and becoming the morning drive host on the new FM Talk Station and here comes that 40 or so pounds... again. When 2008 began I was let go from the morning show but was called back to take on the task of production director. It means I handle the production of commercials on the seven radio stations and seven streams that we have. I figured the seperation anxiety would be worse than it has been but come to find out the stress of a daily broadcast was slowly killing me too. I'm enjoying my work more but getting less activity as a desk jockey instead of a disc jockey. Over the last year I have managed to eat my way back to the highest I've ever been; 263 pounds! At 5' 10" my BMI is closing in on 40. I knew I had to do something.

As the holidays rolled around our family decided to do Kris Kringle. You know, you draw names and are supposed to only buy for that one individual. there were a few rules that went along with it like a certain dollar amount and only so many items, etc. My sister decided to make up a one-sheet that we could fill in things we wanted as to help your KK buy for you. I only put one thing on mine and that was a "starter supply" of Nutri System. I figured I've done it before I can do it again. Christmas came and my KK gave me cash and told me to buy my own damn Nutri System. I took my family to Memphis for New Year and traveled by train for the first time. we had a ball but I didn't order the meal plan just yet. I figured I'd do it right when I got home...no rush as I'll drop this weight in no time just like before A couple of weeks passed and I finally decided I was going to do it so I got online but just before I went to the NS website I decided to Google "diets with prepared meals." Oh man, was I sure happy I did that!