Man on a Diet: Vincent Tells All
Vincent sent us an email saying he loved the website and that he'd lost 49 pounds in weight since July 2000. We wrote back and said "Tell us about it!". This is the reply Vince sent.
THOUGHTS ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT - AND OTHER THINGS
Why Lose Weight??
Hmm, I seemed (and still seem) to be surrounded by very overweight people… so who cares whether you look like a Battleship??!! Enormous beer bellies and Huge Ladies encased in Leggings [who ever invented LEGGINGS should be shot!] were everywhere. I have walked behind some horrific sights. Sexy? You must be joking! The front view doesn't leave much to the imagination either...
Walking down the street bald and vastly overweight - certainly didn't make me look sexy either -- though I have friends who think that every woman fancies them because of the aforementioned! While I can't do anything about my Hair I *COULD* do something about my weight.....
Why Am I Overweight?
"YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT" Gosh - this statement sends shivers down my back...What am I eating to make me this large??!! Now let me see.......
Sugar [replaced now by sweeteners]
Sweets [avoided - especially Mars Bars]
Crisps [I could live on these]
Cakes [No More!]
Biscuits [No More!]
Pastries [No more]
Pies [No More]
Alcohol [No More]
**WHY ARE ALL THE THINGS I LIKE HIGH IN CALORIES??!!**
Still, I was determined to do something about it.. so I looked up the Height/Weight chart and discovered that I was a "mere" 60 lbs overweight and firmly placed in the "OBESE" department. What a shock that was !! So I had 60 lbs to lose... "sounds impossible" I thought [and started on the second Jaffa Cake...]
Well Let's Get Started Then!
Two pounds a week if you REALLY try the chart said.. Gosh.. a week's a long time... a really long time... that first week is the longest I can ever remember!! Looking at my watch every half an hour and counting down the hours till my "Meal" I didn't know it was possible to look forward to Ryvitas and fruit!!
At the end of the first week, I'd lost 3 lbs and most of my patience... but I started the second week not feeling QUITE as hungry as the week before.... And GUESS WHAT!! I had a great sense of achievement!! I wrote down the date and my EXACT weight in my Birthday Suit [easier than remembering what EXACTLY you were wearing last time!!] had a look at myself in a full length mirror [important visual check this.. you can see yourself getting smaller every week!] YES!! It's gets easier as the weeks get on... At the end of the first month I'd lost just over 15 lbs !!
Perseverance
I had to go to a Funeral. My dark blue FUNERAL/FORMAL suit that I could hardly get into last time - was now a comfortable fit!! Suddenly, clothes I had virtually given up as too small - now fitted.. and I felt great!!
My daily exercise routine.. [HUP! one two three, HUP! one too three.. Now start on the other eyelid] now had me out walking regularly... leaving the car alone [useful in the fuel shortage!] I found my house stairs [like the north face of the Eiger] much easier to get up... My knees and ankles don't ache any more!!
On my trip to the local Supermarket I picked up seven kilo bags of sugar... to see how much weight I had lost!! Just think, with my hands empty before, I was carrying those kilos around !! VISUAL RESULTS By the end of month two, I was picking up 13 kilo bags [had to use a basket to carry them all..]
The Gorgeous Lady on the Checkout asked had I not been well?? I looked thinner she said...... I'd run out of "eyes" on my belt.. I bought a "MEDIUM" size one.. and some new trousers because of all the folds of material at my waist from the old ones! I think I need a new suit - the one I have seems to be much too big :))
THREE MONTHS I can't believe it... it's the end of Month Three already!! I've lost 49 lbs!! I don't even bother trying to pick up those 20 Kilo Bags of Sugar!! Most of my time seems to be spent talking about diets - not at my instigation I might add!!
From extracting the Michael in the early days.. all my pals now are jealous and want to know my "secret" - there isn't one... but the following line in a book stuck with me "The excess of calories you take in after what your body needs for exercise and maintenance is STORED AS FAT" The body is like a squirrel - waste not, want not!
Conclusions
Crash Diets, Appetite Suppressants and other fads are only effective in the short term!! Aim to rework your lifestyle, eating and drinking habits and think LONG TERM...
Sadly, it's human nature to look down on Overweight People..assuming lack of control etc. Just have a look at the poor clothes choice available!! Join the in crowd :)
It'll do wonders for your Self Confidence as well and change your perspective completely in the process. I know - I was that man :))
Still bald - but not like the side of a House anymore!! Strangely, I don't feel the cold as much.. must be better [and faster] circulation I suppose??!! ------------- That's it for now - only 11 lbs to go to hit the 60Lbs! More to follow??
YOU ARE NOT ALONE :))
Why not send Vince an email and give him some feedback or encouragement- he doesn't think anyone reads what he writes! To send him an email just click on his name. Thanks!
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