In previous blog posts I have mentioned the need and desire to lose some weight. I thank those of you who have seen me for withholding you comments.  I have halfheartedly dieted for the past year or so; actually I guess I have done that since about 1972.

I think it is quite common and acceptable to gain 7 pounds in the winter and lose 5 in the summer.  That only becomes a problem if it happens for maybe twenty consecutive years; I’ll do the math for you, that is a net gain of forty pounds.  I exceeded that a little, in a recent three-year period, my net gain was about eight per year.

About four or five months ago I admitted the halfhearted stuff wasn’t working.  I wasn’t gaining but I wasn’t losing; it was time to get serious. Did I ever mention I am a little bit hardheaded?

From my days in the business world I thought I should establish some goals and consider some milestones.  I did a little Google research and found that goofy chart; obviously created by some anorexic experts.  That thing said I needed to lose about sixty pounds or suddenly become about 6’9”.  I have no desire to do either of those things.

I set my own goals. I broke them into two categories long term and short term.  The short-term goal is simple.  Weigh less today than I did yesterday; it doesn’t always happen but, it does keep the pressure on.

I know the experts say I should weigh weekly.  That doesn’t work for me; there are too many false positives and false negatives. I have weighed every morning for many years.  I don’t know how much my shirt or socks or shoes weigh, I just know how much I weigh. That may be too much information.

I broke the long-term goals into three sub categories: “Realistic”, “Optimistic” and “It is OK to Dream”. The OK to Dream goal is 20 pounds more than what that silly chart says a 6’1” guy of medium build should weigh.

I didn’t set firm milestones; I think failure to meet the early ones has caused me to abandon diets in the past.

I’ll do a little more math: Realistic, lose 20, Optimistic, lose 30, and dream about losing 40.  I didn’t want to do this but the starting point was about 235 on a good day, and I still don’t know how much the shoes and stuff weigh.

Boy, I have talked the talk; I guess it is time to walk the walk.

There are many ways to lose weight and different things work for different people.  I decided to go old school this time.  I would change my eating habits and get more exercise.

I established three basic food groups; those groups are:

The things I really like.  Foods in this group are not to be eaten; not even in moderation.

The things I can tolerate.  It is OK to eat this stuff in extreme moderation.

The stuff I can’t stand.  There are no restrictions.

Yes, I exaggerated a little; but not much.

Burgers and fries or a good chicken fried steak have always been my “go to” meal.  I have had 5 burgers since I started this deal and two of those were on the turnpike; nothing else was available.  I think I only had fries with three of them.  If your Sonic stock is floundering, I could be the responsible.

I understand Blue Bell Ice Cream has formed a committee to find a reason for the decreased demand for their Homemade Vanilla product.  I think I have the answer.  I picked up the ice cream habit when Sharyl was sick; it was a tough one to break.

I have replaced the burgers with chicken and fish; grilled, not battered and fried the way I like it.  I think chicken may soon be a candidate for the endangered species list. Steamed squash, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. has replaced that in a cheese sauce or the battered and fried variety.

I am getting tempted to stop by Sonic for a burger on my way to Homeland for a half-gallon of that Homemade Vanilla ice cream.

Some of you probably remember the two pics I put on Facebook; one with some ice cream, the other with a big chicken fried steak and cream gravy.  I have an explanation for both.  The ice cream was part of a graduation party for my favorite grand daughter; I only had a couple bites.  The chicken fried steak; it just seemed like the thing to do at the time.  I ate the whole thing.

I am getting more exercise.  Some of it is because of changes to my daily routine, I am doing more yard work and I get out and about a little more.

About the time I started this thing an old friend and I were visiting; he is an old friend not only because he is old (not as old as me, but old) also because we have been friends for a very long time.  Old people conversations typically include diet and exercise.

He has access to a small workout facility, so we decided to give it a try.  We haven’t inflicted a lot of wear and tear on the equipment but it has become a part of our routine.  We enjoy the conversation; we both have a long way to go but there is improvement.

The first day we were there I had been on the treadmill for an extended period, probably 7 or 8 minutes.  This thing is a much better piece of equipment than the one Sharyl and I had in our home; she used the heck out of it.  This one has all the bells and whistles; it has a button to activate the “cool down” cycle; I pushed that button and the darn thing almost threw me off the back with the sudden increase in speed.

I admit have become somewhat obsessed with this weight loss thing and I understand how that obsession can be a problem for some people.  I don’t think I need to worry because my obsession for burgers and fries or chicken fried steak and cream gravy far exceeds my obsession to lose weight.

Today I met my Realistic goal.  I tipped the scale at two one five 215 pounds; I have lost 20 pounds and I am excited.  I think I am going to relax a little and figure out how to maintain the 215.  However the Optimistic goal can now be relabeled as Realistic.  The other one; it is still OK to dream.

I may not weigh tomorrow.  I enjoyed a Father’s Day dinner with my family today. My two favorite fathers were there.  I’m talking about the guys my grand kids call dad; both of them are great guys and great dads.  You girls done good!

I’m sorry this one got a little long.  Please keep me in your prayers.

Thanks for running down the road with me.

Good Night and God Bless.

Dave