Sunday, July 12, 2009

Two Pound Dilemma

Last week I lost two pounds, and it appears that this week will be the same, maybe less. I have been a little depressed about it because I want to lose 6 pounds a week.

Today I purchased the South Beach Diet and Jillian Michael's new book on metabolism. I hope to gain some insight into what I should do.

I also emailed Tony "The Anti-Jared" Posnanski, and I was shocked that he responded in thirty minutes. If you haven't visited his blog, check it out. I'll put a link at the bottom of this post. But here's my message and his response:

My Message:

Hey Tony,

I'll be brief because I know you get a lot of mail: My current weight is 553, and last week I only lost 2 pounds. It appears I will lose the same this week. I really want to lose 6 pounds a week. Did you have weeks where you only lost a couple of pounds?

I saw in the food section of your blog about following WW core or South Beach phase 2. So, I've ordered the South Beach Diet book and also Jillian Michael's new book on metabolism.

As far as exercise goes, I am walking a mile at a time 3 times per week, swim half a mile 3 times a week, and work out 3 times a week. I just started the walking, and I'm starting to excuse the 2lb loss to muscle gain.

One final note: I am eating well, but I believe my salad dressings are starting to effect my weight loss in a bad way. Do you have any recommendations?

Thank You,

Stephen Vinson


His Response:

Here you go:

Yes, I lost like 6-12 pounds a week and then it went down. DO not get discouraged at all!!!!!!
All of the sudden you will lose more weight again! Only be concerned if you are gaining. A loss is a loss!

You exercise looks great! Once you feel like you can do more, do more. South beach was a great book. I am not a fan of jillian, she does not understand where we came from,

Here are some dressing tips:

I use balsamic vinegar, plain

Mustard and splenda for a honey mustard flavor

Ranch seasoning packet and water for Ranch

It is a little extreme, but well worth it

Tony


I think sometimes I just have to hear that what is happening to me is normal. I was relieved after reading his response. Thank you Tony.

B:
oatmeal + protein powder + strawberries + almonds

S1:
none

L:
2 seafood wraps (seafood salad + ww tortilla)
fat free cottage cheese + tomatoes

S2:
none

D:
2small slices of turkey meat loaf
salad + dressing

W:
1/2 gallon

Other Fluids:
coffee

E:
none

Visit Tony's blog at: http://theantijared.blogspot.com/

Bookmark and Share

9 comments:

  1. Tony's blog is awesome. He is amazing. How kind of him to email you so quickly with advice. AND, more importantly, good for you for seeking advice from someone who knows about the journey. It's hard to NOT get discouraged when you're doing everything right and then there is a small loss or no loss on the scale. Be okay with it knowing you're on the right path and doing what is right. You realy are doing a great job! Keep going....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad your doing good, I second Tony's a "lose is a lose"...I emailed him via facebok this week also and was shocked how fast he got back to me. I love that guy and trust him like a real life friend. Hope you see more lose this next week. Kepp up to good work and know we are cheering you on, one day at a time, one pound at a time!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I use two salad dressings - like 1 or 2 tablespoons of light thousand island (which is my favorite) or Newman's Own Light Olive Oil and Vinegar dressing. Balsamic vinegar has also shown up and what I've decided is that the vinegary dressings (and other acidic types of foods) help you feel more satisfied. Just my inclinations, no scientific backup.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stephen,

    Perhaps your calories are a little higher than they should be. You alluded to this when you mentioned the salad dressings.
    Get really strict with the calories, continue the workouts, and see where it puts you. You don't have to count calories forever---but try it super strict for a couple of weeks and see what happens.

    Just a thought,

    My best
    Sean

    ReplyDelete
  5. stephen, i understand your dressing dilemma. besides changing how i drink my coffee, salad was the hardest to change. i actually love salad, but ff dressing tastes like plastic to me! i hate eating a bowl of salad when the veggies are dry. just me. anyway, the balsamic vinegar is a good one. if its too plain, you can add chopped garlic and let it sit in the fridge. when i use dressing now, i make my own with a little less than a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil for the good fat and try to add more vinegar so that all my salad is wet. i use balsamic or red wine. i have also found adding a tablespoon of fat free grated parmesan topping (not the real thing, i mean the kraft kind. im not sure of the calories in the real thing, however, i read its strong so you dont need that much to taste). a tablespoon is only 15 cals, 130 mg of sodium and fat free. it gives my salad a kick. sorry so long, but im always looking for ways to make my salad awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  6. oh man, i forgot to say, dont let a 2 lb loss discourage your progress! this is a new life, not a contest. i think youre doing great and i think its evident in your writing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's really frustrating when you don't do as well as you have planned (I'd be delighted to lose 2 pounds a week, but I understand that personal goals are really important). Look at your previous losses - I'm sure you can emulate them. You've already lost 79 pounds (that's almost 40 kilos - amazing). Don't be discouraged. Your blog gives me inspiration, infact I decided to start my own blog after reading yours.

    I'm doing WW@home, I find it fits in best with my lifestyle & gives me a great range of food choices.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I 2nd and 3rd and 4th everyone above with "Don't get discouraged!!" You are doing so great. I'm with Tony on the exercise. If you can add even a half lap to your mile, you'll probably see a change. I love reading your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tony is a pretty great inspiration, however, those kind of losses aren't...well normal for lack of a better term. As for his opinion of Jillian, rumor is she was overweight when she was younger...so she just may know where we come from. I can't vouch for the book, but her Shreds kick ass.

    Please don't be discouraged with "only" a 2lbs loss! You've lost more weight in 5 mths than I have in 18!!! Keep in mind too, that when you make such an extreme change in diet that weight just flows in the beginning. I think you're doing an amazing job! Keep it up :)

    ReplyDelete