No fewer than 4 times I have gone on the South Beach Diet, Dr. Agotston's carb reduced, low fat diet program that involves a two week induction period of no carbs, low fat; a longer weight loss phase with limited complex carbs and low fat, then a maintenance stage where you ride the line, going back and forth amongst the first two phases as needed. Through the attempts, I've lost 36, 23, 26 and 22 pounds, but gained them back each time. The diet worked for me initially each time because it was very drastic and limiting. Each time however I jumped off the wagon into a pile of Nachos, a tub of ice cream or a keg of beer.
The last attempt began in January of this year, when I dropped 22 lbs by the Super Bowl, "paused" the diet to celebrate my beloved Green Bay Packers victory....and well, I've been celebrating ever since. I have never tried to change my diet one meal at a time and I'm wondering if it will be effective. I have had similar experiences with the other improvements that I have outlined for myself. Every time I have tried to change, I've tried a drastic measure (cutting out TV completely, going on an austerity budget, etc). Will it work if I make subtle changes daily?
I started the path today - opting for Pesto Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic rather than Lasagna or Spaghetti Parm, loading up on vegetables for lunch, teaching the kids to play soccer with the back yard while the phone sat on the kitchen table. I guess only time will tell.
Tomorrow's post will hold baseline readings of a sort, that I can gauge improvement in. These are rather abstract goals, so I might have to get creative. I'm open to suggestions how I might quantify the progress of these improvements. The goals again are:
1. Become healthier
2. Be a better Daddy
3. Spend less time in front of a screen
4. Consume less, Save more
5. Keep work at work and home at home
To close out the post - a little inspirational music from Pantera - great music to exercise to!
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