Big-time achievement May 16, 2009
Posted by Mike Matthews in Stories.1 comment so far
It’s been a while since I’ve updated you on my diet. I guess it’s as good a time as any to let you know of my success. It seems Delaware’s Big Fat Losers may become a thing of the past. I really don’t update it much, as I’ve been focusing mostly on this blog.
Anyhow, just to update: In the first three months since I began my Weight Watchers journey, I’ve lost an astonishing 50.6 pounds! Yes! Yes! Yes! Let me repeat, because I think it’s so awesome: I’ve lost 50.6 pounds! In 12 weeks! There’s no stopping this (morbidly obese) locomotive! I started this battle at 349 pounds. Yes…349 pounds! I most recently weighed-in at an astonishing 298 pounds. This is, honestly, the lightest I’ve been in at least a decade and I feel great. Just being UNDER 300 pounds is the best feeling one can have.
Continuing my numbers crunch:
- I’ve lost, on average, about 4 pounds per week. My lowest one-week total was 2.2 pounds back in March. My highest one-week loss was 7.8 pounds, again in March.
- My BMI (body mass index) was a frighteningly high 44% when I started in February. In short, that means that my complete human body was nearly half fat!!! I’ve recently recalculated and my BMI is now 37%. That’s a decrease by 7 percentage points! A healthy BMI for a guy like me is between 20-25%. My goal is to get to, at the highest, 25% by Christmas. I think this is a goal I can definitely reach.
- I still haven’t gone new-clothes shopping. Doesn’t interest me at this point. I’m happy finding “in-between” clothes at this point. The shirts I wore three months ago are noticeably larger and my slacks are EMBARRASSINGLY bigger. I don’t know if my trick of poking additional holes in my belt will last much longer!
- When I started Weight Watchers, I was such a huge MF’er that I maxed-out on the program’s Points. I was entitled 44 Points a day, which is a ridiculous amount of food. Only once I got below 300 pounds did my Points FINALLY recalculate. I now get 43 Points per day. I will lose one Point as I decrease in decades (ie. go from 290s to 280s to 270s etc.)
- Exercise has certainly played a key role in this weight loss. Being underemployed has allowed me great flexibility in my work-out routine. When I first started, I was LITERALLY exercising seven days a week for at least two hours. Well, after doing some research, I found that exercising so many days for so many hours may not actually be healthy. So, I’ve cut back to about five days a week for at least two hours at a time. The weight is still melting away and I actually find the days I don’t go to the gym allow my muscles to relax and take a breather.
- Carrots! Carrots! Carrots! These have been my saving grace…100%. Lots of people don’t like raw carrots. I love them. I eat probably half-a-pound of those babies every day. They are so loaded with fiber and so low in calories that I actually think I BURN calories while eating them! The fiber keeps me gassy throughout the day, but who cares? Keeps me cleaned out!
- Breakfast: I was never much of a breakfast eater. I’ve found eating breakfast is now essential to getting me going for the day. I’m up by about 7 every morning and I either make a smoothie (about 4 Points), have some berries with cottage cheese (3 Points), or have a simple glass of grapefruit juice (2 Points) to get my day started.
- I try to make lunch my biggest meal so I won’t eat much at dinner. Eating late at night is no good for me. After a certain hour, I no longer burn calories.
- Kilroy’s original challenge to me was to lose 100 pounds by the end of August. Although this will be cutting it close, I do think this is an attainable goal. So, Kilroy…you’d better have Christine O’Donnell waiting at the finish line!
There you have it. Three months in and many successes to report. Let’s hope I can keep at it!
Mike’s Week 12 Weigh-In May 11, 2009
Posted by Mike Matthews in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
I lost another 3 pounds! 50.6 pounds in 12 weeks! I am totally on track to lose 100 pounds by Kilroy’s date of August 6. I can do this. I think this graphic from my Weight Watchers eTools says it best.
Mike’s Week 11 Weigh-In May 4, 2009
Posted by Mike Matthews in Uncategorized.3 comments
More good news this week as I weigh-in for the 11th time. I lost another 5.4 pounds and I am only 2.4 pounds away from my half-way mark — 50 pounds! If I do it, then it will be 50 pounds in just three months! I will definitely be on track to hit Kilroy’s goal of 100 pounds in six months; or, deadline August 6!
I’m really getting into a groove and realizing how my body is functioning. I step on the scale every morning and gauge just what I have to do that day to make sure I continue down this successful path. Exercising lots and not eating crap has changed my mood so much and I’m so please at this level of success. I didn’t think it would be possible to lose so much weight in such a quick amount of time. I guess the motivation of being underemployed — as well as having Kilroy on my ass — has been more than enough to help me see this through.
Thanks for all yoru kind words and support. I should hit UNDER 300 next week. On that day, I will be jumping for joy.
Mike’s Week 10 Weigh-In April 27, 2009
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Down another four pounds!!!
I feel great! Almost to 45 pounds total…and almost to 50 pounds! Remember, 100 pounds is my short term goal, so in just over two months, I’m nearly half-way there! I’m thrilled.
Week 9 Weigh-In April 20, 2009
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Three more pounds! Yay!
Mike’s Week 8 Weigh-In April 13, 2009
Posted by Mike Matthews in Weigh In.7 comments
Down another 5.2 pounds! Wow…that last two days of three-hour gym workouts put me over the top. I had been gunning for a five-pound weight loss so I could hit my 10% this week and I did it!!
After weighing in, we all treated ourselves to sushi at the new restaurant next door to Weight Watchers. Best meal I’ve had in weeks!!
In two months, I’ve lost 10% of my body weight. I started at 349 and I now weigh 313.8. Only 13.9 more pounds to go and I can say I’m FINALLY under 300 pounds! I will be so proud that day. You won’t be able to shut me up.
Weight Watchers has been amazing for me. As someone who’s dieted MANY times in the past and really failed, I realize all I was missing was a structure and framework. WW has provided that on so many levels. Not to mention I’m actually enjoying going to the meetings and acquainting myself with new friends.
Thanks for all your support. It means a lot.
Meal of the year April 9, 2009
Posted by Mike Matthews in Healthy Yummies, Recipes.1 comment so far
If you ever have the good fortune of being invited to my place for dinner (trust me, it’s SUUUCCCCHHHH an honor!), then you should request this meal. Unbelievable flavors going on here. I stunned myself when I finally sat down to enjoy this meal last night!
Picture doesn’t do it justice. Was in such a rush to eat this goodness, that I took it rather hastily.
Don’t know what to call this dish. I guess Grilled Chicken with Papaya-Pineapple Salsa will have to do.
Here’s the recipe:
Grilled Chicken
4 chicken breasts, pounded to about 1/2 inch thickness
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 TBSP olive oil
Juice of one lime (about 2 TBSP)
Place pounded chicken breasts in a plastic zip bag. In a small bowl, combine all the other ingredients and mix. Pour over chicken breasts in bag. Squeeze as much air out of bag before zipping up. Mush the mixture around in your hands so marinade is evenly distributed. Put in fridge for at least an hour, but no more than two. Because of the lime juice, it will actually start to “cook” the chicken and you don’t want it to marinate too long.
Papaya-Pineapple Salsa — this makes A TON of salsa. You’ll be eating it for days. Don’t worry…it’ll last a week in the fridge. If you don’t want quite so much, then cut back.
1 papaya, seeded and diced
1 pineapple, cored and diced
1 red pepper, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
2 15-oz. cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Juice of 2 limes
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a LARGE bowl. Stir until well mixed. Add plenty of salt and pepper to make sure it’s well seasoned.
Substitute: Don’t have/can’t find a papaya? Then try this with three mangoes diced small. Will be just as good — if not better. I actually prefer mango to papaya. Just so happened I had an about-ready-to-spoil papaya hanging around the house.
Cumin-Lime-Chili Yogurt
1 cup fat-free plain yogurt
Juice of half of a lime
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili paste (I use the Maesri brand that can be found in little containers in Asian markets)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Mix all in a bowl.
Serve salsa over 1/2 cup of brown rice. Serve yogurt sauce with the chicken. If you really want to try something, then in one serving bowl, do 1/2 cup of rice, 1 cup of salsa, 1 sliced chicken breast and two TBSP of the yogurt sauce. Mix it all together and you’ve got one of those all-in-one bowl meals. That’s what I did with the leftovers tonight! G-o-o-o-d!
Mike’s Weigh-In, Week 7 April 6, 2009
Posted by Mike Matthews in Weigh In.3 comments
Gonna keep this short, because dinner’s almost done! I lost 3.4 pounds last week. Which brings my total to — drumroll please — 30 pounds in seven weeks!!!
I now weigh 319 pounds. My next goal is to lose about five more next week so I can hit the coveted 10% mark. If I lose AT LEAST 3.3 pounds next week, then I will be ONE-THIRD of the way to my goal of 100 pounds. One-third of the way in eight weeks, or two months. I would then have four more months to hit Kilroy’s goal of having 100 pounds GONE by August 6.
More later. For now, I’m reveling in this weight loss and I feel so good.
Making good choices April 4, 2009
Posted by Mike Matthews in Eating Out.add a comment
I’ve been on this diet for seven weeks now. I’m down more than 25 pounds and I feel great. When I have started any diet in the past, I’ve figured it’s going to be terribly restrictive and not allow me to eat the things I really want to eat. Because of this, my perception was highly skewed and I would eventually fall off the wagon for good after only losing 5-10 pounds.
But this Weight Watchers program is working. Just this week I found myself in the position of having to eat out for dinner four nights. With my Points system firmly internalized by now, I was able to make smart choices with the foods I did choose. Combined with making sure I wasn’t “top-heavy” with my Points early in the day, I was able to have truly satisfying meals. I’m a dinner guy, so I’d rather eat a little less for breakfast and lunch and have a sizable dinner.
Just to illustrate, here’s what I had for dinner this week.
Monday: Out to dinner at Border Cafe. Started with about a dozen-and-a-half tortilla chips with a few tablespoons of guacamole as well as fresh salsa. For my entree, I enjoyed their delicious chimichurri steak, with a side of black beans and a bit of rice with salad. Total meal? About 26 points, but I had 37 leftover because I hadn’t eaten much earlier in the day. (It was weigh-in day and I tend to eat less early on.)
Tuesday: My cousin, who’s also doing Weight Watchers, has lost about 25 pounds in 12 weeks. Her goal is to get to 160 and she’s looking great. She was craving Indian food for dinner and was specifically in the mood for Chicken Tikka. We went to her favorite place, Star of India. I had 28 points left for the day. I enjoyed the Lamb Madras as well as a few slices of plain naan with raita. I calculated the meal to be about 24 points.
Wednesday: I prepared my new creation, Fusilli with Turkey and Peas.
Thursday: After a city council meeting, I went out with my new friend and activist Victoria, who recommended CW Harborside on the Wilmington Riverfront. The prices were a bit steep and many of the choices didn’t look too friendly to the 20 Points I had leftover for the day. I decided to keep it healthy and ordered a Caprese Salad, with delicious mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and argula with a light balsamic vinaigrette. I paired that with their shrimp cocktail with dipping sauces that included cocktail sauce, something sweet and Thai-influenced, and a course mustard remoulade. I calculated the meal to be about 15 Points.
Friday: My father invited me to dinner with him, my step-mother, and my step-mother’s father, who flew in from Florida earlier this week for a visit. We decided on Capers & Lemons in Hockessin, which was spectacularly busy last night. I had been saving up for this dinner and I had 28 Points. We ordered and split an anti-pasto platter with marinated mushrooms, chunks of Asiago cheese, prosciutto, and Kalamata olives marinated in citrus and fennel seed. Combined with a thin slice of bread with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, I allotted six points to my anti-pasto. I probably overshot that, but I wanted to be on the safe side. For dinner, I splurged. I ordered the braciole (rolled and braised beef) over the creamy polenta. It worked in my favor because the portions are rather small here. In estimating the amount of beef as well as the polenta and butter used to make it creamy, I estimated the dish had about 18 points. No dessert! My father and step-mother are doing this Points thing as well, with wonderful results. Dessert is the sacrifice when losing weight. I’m much more of a savory guy, anyway.
So eating out doesn’t have to be a challenge. Just be cognizant of what you’re eating and how much you’re eating and you’re definitely good to go!
Le diner est servi April 1, 2009
Posted by Mike Matthews in Healthy Yummies, Recipes.1 comment so far
Or, as the French say, “Dinner is served.” This is something I just whipped up with some ingredients I had in the house as well as a trip to the store for some protein. Buy one of those pre-roasted chickens or turkeys. Keeps things simple. To keep it healthy, buy one that’s just the breast meat. Most stores are doing this now instead of just selling the whole roaster.
This recipe is called Fusilli with Turkey and Peas. Totally improvised and totally delicious.
Click image to enlarge.
Ingredients:
1 medium onion, diced
2 red peppers, sliced into strips, strips sliced in half
1 TBSP minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
6 sun-dried tomatoes in their oil
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
1 TBSP tomato paste
1 28-oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1 pre-roasted turkey breast, shredded
1 package of frozen peas
1 lb. whole grain fusilli pasta
1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced into thin strips (word of the day: chiffonade)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
1. In a large saute pan, drizzle about two TBSP of oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes. Saute the peppers, onions, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes for about 10 minutes over medium-high heat or until veggies are tender and nicely browned. Add the salt and pepper.
2. Add dry red wine. Scrape up brown bits at the bottom. This is called “deglazing” the pan.
3. Add oregano and parsley. Add tomato paste. When tomato paste has dissolved, add can of crushed tomatoes. Simmer over low heat for 20-25 minutes. Taste sauce and test for seasoning. Add salt and pepper if needed.
4. Prepare fusilli according to package instructions. Salt your water and cook to al dente! When draining pasta, reserve about two cups of the starchy cooking liquid. Don’t forget this!!!
5. Add shredded turkey and frozen peas to the sauce. This sauce will be VERY thick. TOO thick. To thin it out, use 1 cup of the starchy cooking liquid from the pasta. Stir until sauce thins. Add more if necessary.
6. Add pasta and sauce in LARGE bowl. Top with shredded basil and Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
In total, a 2-cup serving of this deliciousness will cost you about 9 WW points. I know that’s a lot, but this is some good stuff. And, I’ve still got 25 points left today, so I’m due!
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