One Year Anniversary: Fat Camp

It is unbelievable to me that it has already been a year since the day I arrived at FC! It was 365 days ago that I got to drive into Durham with my sunroof open in February. Since I walked through the doors of Duke Diet & Fitness Center. Since I met some truly amazing people that I am still in contact with. Since I felt hopeful for the first time in a long time that I could change my life for the better.

In this year, a lot has happened. I lost my job, discovered some potential new skills, lived in Milwaukee for nine months, shot out of the gates and lost 60 pounds in 3.5 months, used my good-luck-charmness to help WI win the super bowl (shout out to my Packer-loving friends), met YC who is one of my favorite people, walked a couple 5K's (slowly), had entire weeks where I couldn't move major portions of my body due to weight lifting, stalled out and bounced around in the same 20 pounds for about 8 months, spent those same 8 months in constant battle with myself to get to the gym and eat right....the list could go on and on and on.

Some, including myself at times, feels like I should have done more. I should have exercised more. I should have lost more weight. I should be able to do more than I currently am able to. Should, should, should. Who the hell decides what "should" happen, anyway? Here is the truth: I have days where I am pissed at myself for not having lost more weight than I have. For having not accomplished more at the gym. For my butt still being the size that it is. I have, after all, nothing but time. What the hell else do I have to do?

Then I need to check myself a bit. Because you know what I didn't do? I didn't gain it all back, and then some. I didn't completely stop going to the gym for months at a time. I didn't give up. And all of those things are what I usually do. When it gets hard, or uncomfortable, I stop. I usually stick to my attempt at health for much less than a year.

So even though I haven't accomplished all I had envisioned for myself a year ago, I have done something pretty amazing for me. I have maintained a loss of 60 pounds. I go to the gym regularly, and I work hard while I'm there. And most importantly - I'm not ready to quit. I am just getting started.

I'm feeling re-energized. Winter is (hopefully) coming to an end. I'll be back home in a couple of weeks, surrounded by my friends and family, and I'll be using them to help keep me moving. It is almost baseball season. By the end of June, my ass will fit in one of those seats! I know it won't be easy. I know it is going to require a lot of work on my part. It is also going to require a more healthy diet than I have been using during most of this past year. But I know I can do it. And I appreciate all of you helping to keep me motivated. For helping me remember that this isn't easy, and I am not alone. I appreciate all of you for sticking with me for this past year. Let's make the next one even better!

It's about time I show Remus what a bitch I can be when I don't like someone. =)

Addiction (Part 2)

I finally got around to watching CBS News Sunday Morning from last weekend.  I had received an email from the DFC that said they would be showcased, so I set the DVR to tape it.  I have seen the video segment on the DFC program before, so I think this entire episode may have been a repeat.  It doesn't make the information any less pertinent.  The link above will take you to the site for this episode, which will allow you to read the stories, and look at videos from the hour and a half show called "Obesity: A Weighty Issue".

Dr. David Kessler did a segment on popular chain restaurants (Applebee's, Chili's, etc) and compared the food to drugs.  We have "hedonistic hot spots" (sounds dirty, right?!?) in our brains that start to crave the fat, salt and sugar they use to prepare these foods - similar to a drug addict craving their drug-of-choice.  The greatest part, you ask?  Dr. Kessler referred to the fat, salt and sugar used by these restaurants as the "axis of evil ingredients".  That is fantastic.  It really is the axis of evil!  And the axis of evil makes you want to eat more, therefore perpetuating the problem!  Not that I can really blame these restaurants - they prepare the food the way they do because the consumer (you, me, and every other lover of the axis of evil ingredients out there) demands it.  No one is going to go out and pay for food that is bland, or tastes like crap - not to mention that preparing nutritious food is probably much more expensive.  Any of you interested in opening a restaurant with low-sodium, low-fat, high-flavor foods?  I know it can be done - I had them at the DFC.  I think this type of restaurant would do very well!  Most chains have started offering lower-calorie options on their menu, but those items still typically have ridiculous volumes of sodium. 

There are a lot of startling numbers in this episode, but I thought the fact that most Americans get 1/4 of their meals from restaurants was a bit shocking.  I was doing more than that prior to FC, and was getting back to that during the month of June.  It was definitely time to shut that back down and get cooking for myself!