Magic pills and lube jobs

In the news today is the news of the approval of the new “fat” pill. The FDA's joint Nonprescription Drugs and Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 11 to 3 to recommend that the regulatory body OK Orlistat 60 mg capsules for over-the-counter use in the U.S. Too bad some of the side effects include oily stools (yuch!) and other unpleasantries. Apparently as soon as you stop taking the pill, the weight loss stops.

I remember taking Fen-fen for awhile back in the 90s until researchers found out it had some nasty side effects. I wonder what we’ll hear about this one down the road?

I think I’ll just stick to the old tried and true method of cutting calories, keeping a food diary and exercise. With that said, my weight loss is going just wack. I weigh every day, because it keeps me motivated, but man, it’s amazing how much it fluctuates. It is taking me forever to lose it seems, but I think that’s because I’m losing on average a pound of week. On Friday I was down to 301. Yesterday it was 307 and this morning it was 306.

So, here’s to sticking to my food plan and hoping that the plateaus will start fading a little faster. I think I’ll just pass on the lube job.

Cat boxes and high fives

I just got back from a men's retreat that I went to with my friend, Von. Nothing there really on the low fat or low calorie side of things, still I did well with my food choices and portions. Way to go Randy [cue slow motion camera as I high five myself]!

It's funny where inspiration can hit you. One of my least favorite jobs in the world has to be cleaning out cat's boxes. I cleaned the boxes (yes, boxes...we have 4 cats) the other day, and as I picked up a 20 pound jug of cat sand I thought to myself, "you know, over the last 3 years, I have lost the equivalent weight of two of these cat sand containers. And they were heavy! I can't imagine carrying around that kind of weight...but I did.

As of Friday, I was 1 and a half pounds away from being under 300 pounds (again). It will be good to get back to weight lifting and being able to have control over the food I eat again after this last retreat. I look at recent photos of myself, but I don't seem to have changed much at all, but I know I'm losing the pounds somewhere.

Tighten Up (the old seatbelt, baby!)

Went down to Texas for the Christmas holidays to visit the kids. Oh boy. Airplane time. Seat belt extension time? Imagine my relief when I got the seat belt on without any problems. Even had a half inch or so to go!

Weight has been coming off unbelievably slow. I'm lifting weights 3 days a week, but no cardio for now. Wife wants to walk after work. It's kind of hard with all the danged old Oregon rain and cold, but I guess I'll give it a whirl.

Christmas goodies were kept at bay. For some reason I retained a lot of water while I was in the Lone Star State. I weighed when I got home and I was back up to 312. Gadzooks! Apparently it's water weight, as it has been dropping every day back to my pre-Christmas level. I did give in to some County Line ribs while I was there. These are the best ribs in the world and the BBQ sauce is out of this world!

I'm eating "Healthy Choice" meals for lunch now. Predictable calories and not bad taste and not bad on the wallet.

Onward through the fog.