Today I reached my long-term goal – 165 pounds, my "55" year old weight. Haven't seen that in 12 years (yes, a spry 67). I topped out at 188, a good deal of it paunch – the old pull-the-shirt-tail out to hide it kind. It seems like everyone has to find a perspective on losing weight that works for them. For me it's visualizing every pound being four sticks of butter spread out in the form of fat.
I love to eat, love it, so I began by giving up thirds (seconds, ha). For seconds I restrict myself to a plate full of veggies that are fixed in abundance. Of course certain foods are OFF the list (especially sodas) – not really good for one anyway. Exercise is easy: the dead-end street we live on is a steep uphill 1/8 of a mile. Every other day for a year now: I jog up / walk down just 8 times. Then 25 sit-ups (took a while to make them consecutive) and 25 knee pushups (will begin regulars soon). As I gradually lost weight I noticed man boobies left behind - so I added in some 5 pound weight exercises. Voia! Almost exactly one year later I am no longer ashamed to take off my shirt – and am once again purchasing 33 waist khakis. And along the way, every half pound felt like a major accomplishment deserving of self-congratulation because I saw it as shedding 2 very ugly sticks of butter! Once, when I was stuck without my iPid, I found myself chanting 92 sticks of butter to the tune of 99 bottle of beer – only "on my ass" instead of on the wall.
I didn't have to lose as much as some people, but maybe my "butter" trick will work for someone.