May 3rd, 2010 - Wow what a ride:

As the final days approach I am not sure what to expect at the final weigh-in as far as who will walk away with the loot, but one thing I do know is that this has been a wonderful and successful experience for me.  I have lost some much needed weight, but more importantly I have gained some new friends and a new focus on life and the Art of Living it.  I have the philosophy that I no longer will LIVE to EAT, but now I will EAT so I can LIVE Longer.  I know it is an old saying but until you fully understand what it means it has no impact.  Over the past 90 days I realize that I can stop eating when I am full.  I no longer have to be a member of the clean plate club and each time I go out to dinner; it does not have to be a full 3 or 4 course meal or a buffet.  I have developed and will maintain healthy snacking habits – an apple or some grapes are just as good as that Grab Bag of chips. 

Also something I have learned during this time is that I tend to sleep better after a good day’s working out and a sensible meal plan throughout the day.  And more importantly I now understand what a sensible meal looks like.   I have logged more miles over the course of the past few months than I have over the past few years combined.  I must admit, I have not gotten back to the place where I can run, but I now understand that running is not a requirement to continue to lose weight, as long as you keep momentum for a sustained period of time, you are burning calories.  Another important thing I have learned during this time is that I cannot workout the way I used to at nineteen to twenty years old, NOR do I need too.  One of the challenges in the past I had was that I rush out and hit the weights too hard become too sore and stiff and then stop working out.  This time it has been a gradual and modest pace and the results have been fantastic.  I will pause now and continue to press on until sometime Thursday morning when we have the final weigh-in.  My guess is that I will weigh ….

PS - Regardless of the final results everyone, that took this opportunity seriously are winners.  We have learned new habits, supported a great cause (BBA) and found a product works in the form of Healtytrim.  – GAME ON



 

April 26th, 2010 - In the world of sports, business, and technology if a thought idea or performance radically changes the way the process is approached, from that point on it is considered to be a “Game Changer.”  As for the product I have used over the past 65+ days I have to add that moniker to Healthy Trim.  To say that this product has worked better than anything I have ever experienced would be an understatement.  I have used the product and followed the prescribed steps and the results have been outstanding. 

As I type this letter I am a former 498 pounder.  At my last weigh-in I was down 50 lbs and holding steady.  I have not been able to be as mobile as I would have liked due to what the doctors are now calling arthritis in my ankle, but I am still able to eat a sensible meal and maintain some mobility.  The product has allowed me to better adhere to portion control, because I am not hungry and the energy levels compel me to workout. 

I have tried other programs where the guidelines are drink this for breakfast and drink this for lunch then eat a sensible meal!  My contention was if I could eat a sensible meal, I would not be in need of your product, needless to say I did not find much success on that program.  With the HT, I can eat a sensible meal – initially because I was not hungry when it was time to eat.  NOW I am eating more sensibly because of the initial visible results and the measurable gains (*losses) on the scale.  Losing has a way of motivating a person – Trust me I was a member of a team that went from worst to First in the span of a few years. 

As the public portion of the BBA challenge comes to a close in less than 2 weeks, this has been a motivating experience and a Wake-Up call for me to take active control of the rest of my life.  I also plan to share with others that are on the journey what HT has allowed me to accomplish and what I think I will be able to accomplish with this product in the coming months.  My target is to get down another 125 pounds before Christmas. 



 

April 19th, 2010 - Coming into the home stretch…

As the days on the calendar continue to fall off, I am happy to report so have the  pounds.  This has been a trying month for me, at the start of the month I twisted an ankle and the pace in which I was progressing has slowed considerably.  However I am pleased to report that I have not fallen off of the wagon.  I have made the transition to a “lifestyle” approach on my eating habits.  What that means to me is thanks to the support of Healthy trim and the BBA, is that at each and every meal I stop to consider what’s in the dish and how will it impact me and my goals.  It is my plan to continue this approach long after May 6th and this is the initial phase of a journey that I must continue.  My overall goal is to successfully lose enough weight to begin a motivational program to assist others that are struggling with this crush of obesity.  My vision is to share my story on how a cause and a product provided me the spring board and external motivation to start the internal engine/athlete within to push towards success. 

During this process I think the biggest things I have done to change my fate and my fortunes is to take myself off of cruise control.  Before the BBA challenge, life had become something that happens to me, I guess that is the early forty passages on your way to the mid-life cross roads.   During the last 60 or so days I have come to the conclusion that life is to be seized lived and celebrated at every opportunity.  There is intensity in all of my everyday tasks, from the way I walk the dog to the walk into the grocery store.  I take each and every task with intent.  By being more proactive I am opening myself up to the endless possibilities life has to offer.  I must say, I am getting my vision back.  Life, watch out.  I have a choice – enjoy the movement


 

April 12th, 2010 - The Challenge of the Three C's :

In the past two weeks I have had to fight off the temptation facing me of the 3C's and I will call the Unhealthy Trinity of Food Dom.  During the first week in April I seriously sprained my ankle and I limited my ability to get out and be as active as I have grown accustom to being over the past two months.  As time passed I found ways to get in some cardio, but the ability to go out and be mobile was vary limited.  Begun to more closely examine my intake because I was not able to get out and move more I noticed the 3C's of eating tried to raise their ugly head. 

The first C- was of comfort - As I tried to throw myself my own private pity party, the one thing that tried to get invited to the gig was the old comfort foods I used to find to sooth the aches and pains away.  It was almost instinctively the way I began to gravitate towards certain foods.  Thankfully I was mindful of this act and began to "push away" from the foods that seem to be of great comfort but cause so many calories. 

The second foe I was faced with was the C- of companionship.  Over the past several days since I have been out of pocket I have not been able to walk the dog, thus spending time with my four legged friend and the friends and neighbors we pass daily on our journeys.  I noticed this enemy o Saturday at around 12:30 when I could see others walk past the front door and up the street, for a fleeting thought passed my way... how about making you some food.  Now this thought in and of itself is not a bad thought, we are hungry, we have to eat.  This thought presented after I had had a sensible breakfast and not hungry at all.  I was able to avid the pitfall and made it past this enemy.  In the past, I would have given in and regretted it later, so I count it as a success. 

Counsel appeared as the 3C's of this unhealthy trinity.  As I was going through some stretching routines trying to work some of the pain and stiffness out of the ankle so I can do some limited work, the Counsel of food tried to "reason" there is no need to try and push it, you will only make it worse.  In times past, this would have been enough for me to call it in for the day, but I pressed on.  I received a call from the Dr.'s office and there is no break the ankle just bad sprain with some old scare tissue tear, I was prescribed some pain killers (Will discuss that "C" at a later entry) and hobble along to continue to pursue my goal.  I am on track to achieve an excellent number at the end of the next three weeks so I will press on then take a little time to fully heal at the end of the Adventure. 

I have a Choice -- My "C"



 

April 5th, 2010 - the last 30 day stretch...

As we approach the final 30 days of the BBA Challenge I must truly say that the past 60 days have been an awakening for me as far as my dietary habits.  I would venture to say that I have NOT been on a diet, because I know that you cannot sustain a diet for any amount of time.  But with the support of the products from Healthe’ Trim, I have been able to create a lifestyle change.  I have been able to successfully and continually drop weight over the past 60 days at a sensible pace, however when looking at the overall number (30+) pounds it is incredible.  Over the years I have tried to lose weight and each and every time I was successful in dropping the first 10-15 pounds and then nothing.  I must say, this is new and uncharted territory.  I am enjoying the ride and the best thing about the entire transformation is that my energy levels have remained high and I have not had the hunger and withdrawal symptoms typically experienced when trying to cut weight in some “radical or extreme” manner.  The weight has been melting away and I must say, I am glad!  With the visible changes and the changes on the scale, the entire process serves as its own motivating tool.  I think that if the progress were not as marked as it is, I would have given up by now.  I am encouraged and motivated and will continue the process long after the deadline in the next 30 days I now know that I can do this. 

One side note: over the last week, I have been on IR- injured reserves- some sort of way I sprained my ankle, and have not been able to be as physically active, but I still managed to drop a few more lbs.  I went to the doctor on Friday the 2nd and he sent me to get x-rays.  At the typing of this entry, I am not sure what the results are, I am still in a little pain- the magic of tiny pills works wonders, but I should know the severity of the injury later on today.  Many years ago a coach told me I had to know the difference between pain and injury, once this problem did not clear up after 3 days of self treatment, I figured the pain was truly an injury, will keep everyone posted.



 

March 22nd, 2010 - Heel Toe Conundrum:

That is the place I currently find myself.  Over the past week or so, some the weight reduction has slowed.  Based on my extensive research of the situation I think I have located the culprit.  I would classify it as the riddle known as the “Heel Toe Conundrum”. 

The muscles are gaining recall, recovery and more resilience, no longer is the amnesia present.  Over the past week I have discovered that I am at the point in my workouts where changing up the distance I am walking or the form of exercise I have employed to lose the initial weight must take place.  To be sure, I am still active, I am still watching my caloric intake and I am still focused on the prize (significant weight loss to improve my health and impact BBA).  What I have noticed in the past week is that I am not as winded – check that – wiped out, when I walk the neighborhood, I can complete a workout routine I set in place for myself and still have reserve energy.  In a nut shell, it is time to change up the pace, intensity and duration of the workouts.  This is a good new chapter in my life, as I now can make the vow that I will not allow myself to slip/trip/fall back into the role of the couch spud I had become.  The pressing now becomes more exciting, I feel comfortable adding more forms of conditioning to my arsenal.  Not ready for the mountain climb, but I have a mountain bike that needs to be put on the road – Silver Comet trail destination next.  Not ready for marathon but waiting on my registration for another charity walk.  Not ready for the tennis courts, but I now play 5 five rounds on Wii … don’t laugh, the truth sets us free. 

All and all this has been a great week, I have reached new milestones and better yet I have accomplished a new Mindset.  At the outset of this journey, it was shared with me that a habit takes 21-28 days to break, that quite possibly is true but the life style shift takes a little longer.  

I HAVE A CHOICE

 

March 15th, 2010 - Mental Maneuvers:

I have discovered that the best way for me to change the way I eat is to change the way I think about the act of eating.  Before the start of this challenge I used to think of food as a reward. And as I look back on the recent past, the achievement did not have to be that significant.  Heck, growing up that is what was drilled into my head.  Having 8 brothers and sisters, (4&4) it was hard to try to get gifts for that many kids on every  occasion that caused for celebration.  Thinking back – made good grades, celebrate with food.  Won a sporting event, passed a course- celebrate with food.  Any Holiday minor or major – celebrate with food.  Heck, I can recall some Christmas Eves that felt like a family reunion, there was so much food and so many people.  Around the McClary house, food was the “centerpiece”(see food on the brain) at every event.  I can recall one of the best dinners I ever had.  My mom and I (just me! - that was rare for one of us to get one on one time with MOM) were leaving a play I had been a part of, not the lead character and not too many lines, but when we left we went to get pizza.  Celebration for a minor role but I nailed my lines.  You know I don’t blame my mom or anyone else; it was just a fact of life. 

As I go through this process I am making a concerted effort to make food a minimal part of major get-togethers.  With this new goal, I have begun to notice a very interesting trend, even as the results are becoming more 
obvious {heck at my size, a few pounds have to be shed to see a difference} –  weight reduction and the physical changes that my body are going through.  I am still called to task for “not eating all of my food” or “not trying an item someone made special”.  Talk about artful maneuvers; try telling your older sister that you are not having a slice or two of your favorite cake that she took all day to bake from scratch.  Or better yet, out with the guys and you order a 6 pack (WINGS not alcohol), and tell them that is all you are having.  On queue at least two to three of them will begin to reminisce about how the three of you used to order one-hundred wings and the person with the smallest stack of bones had to pay the tab.  And this was before wing eating competitions.  These are some of the challenges and obstacles that one will encounter when the decision is made to make a life change.  If the addiction were others (i.e. drugs, liquor, you name it) you could avoid going to those places.  But the habit I am kicking is all around me in abundance and in a lot of instances quite inexpensive. The challenges and temptations will continue to come from internal and external triggers.  I will press on!  I have a choice!

As I navigate through this journey, people will have to begin to understand how to handle me different – by the way “What’s up BIG MAN” is no compliment.


 

Mar 8th, 2010 - A.Y.C.E Ö. Membership notification:

AYCE used to be a favorite part of my weekend rituals, heck who am I kidding, it was an experience I would indulge in every chance and opportunity I had.  It was a rite of weekly passage on the same order of some people going shopping for shoes, going to a movie or going out to play a round golf.  If friends came into town, ìI know of this great AYCE we can go toî.  If family came to visit, it was always, ìhey I just found out about this new AYCE we can check out.î   I kid with my younger brother that his SUV has all of the AYCEís in Metro Atlanta pre-programmed.  His response was we are going to have to go to this place in MACON, I hear they have a fantastic AYCE.  In a nutshell I was an AYCE junkie.  No matter what the theme, American, Chinese, Mexican, even frequent one in Buckhead that features meat.   Someone told me that there is another color or the disc they place on the table and I was surprised to hear that ìgreenî was not the only option. Oh yeah, they have a sprinkling of salads on the side.  For those who are reading and have not caught on, AYCE stands for All You Can Eat.  There I said it ñ if it was A.Y.C.E. it was for ME.

In the last month, things have changed; I was in a conversation just the other day and during the conversation, I realized that I have not been to an A.Y.C.E. establishment for the entire month. In short I have not been to an AYCE since I began my journey on February 3.  And for me I must say this is some sort of gastronomical feat.  For me, the buffet experience was in the travel plans at least once per week and to ìrealizeî I have not graced the presence of one in over 30 days is a major milestone.  As I go through this process, I think I am going to get me some sort of pendant that marks milestones on this journey like some other recovery programs.  A few weeks ago, someone recommended we stop an AYCE, but I was the voice suggesting we go somewhere else, did not want to succumb to the temptation. Not sure if I can go in without over doing it, so we went somewhere else. 

I will continue to press towards the journey of healthy eating and healthy living, one day I will make pit into some of my old AYCE stops but it will not be on a regular rotation and I will stop eating long before the waiter gets tired of bringing.  Until then, I will make different dining out choices.  Simply becauseÖ I HAVE A CHOICE!

In closing we did have an interesting side bar conversation, I was informed that the restaurant we had considered could not be termed a ìbuffetî since they brought the food to your tableÖAll You Can Eat , is different from a Buffet?...

Who Knew


 

Mar 1st, 2010 - Day 27 of 90  - Things I have learned….

Motion is the key, I cannot say that I am ready to run a marathon, heck I am still sad that I finally got a number for the big race on Peachtree last year and then did not show up.  But I have been moving; my initial goal was modest at best - do a little more than I had been doing in the past! As I see more and more results I have upped the ante!  Others are starting to notice the body re-shaping and adding unsolicited positive comments. The more I hear the goals are becoming more aggressive.  I still will continue to “ramp” up the pace.  In the past on this journey I would head out those first two weeks running/working-out like a mad man.   By day 15, I would call a truce: it went something like this, Body if you stop hurting; I promise will stop working you out.  

So it went like that for many years.  But now I am at Day 27 and I have made it over the mental hump.  I have registered for my first walk/run event for the cause of Lupus.  My personal goal is to make at least five entries per year around the city [taking recommendations for events].  As for now though, it will be more Walk than run… My doctor and the local geological society (wait for it) recommends no running. 

Experienced a personal milestone this past week.  As I was getting dressed, I was pulling on my belt and made it to the last hole and I still needed to go tighter.  So for this week, I am walking around with a belt on that is only for professional appearances. Soon will have to change my theme song to “pants falling down”. I will go out and make a historic purchase on next weekend, this will be the first time I buy a belt that is (a.) not worn to shreds (b.) a few sizes smaller.  (Yes I am smiling as I type)

Last entry, went to the gym with the Health’e trim sponsored personal trainers this past Saturday, I must say there is nothing worse than a polite Drill Sergeant.  I was pushed beyond what I have been doing on my own and I needed the extra motivation.  I recall my old strength coach always telling us that once we began to workout, we would activate our muscle memory…. I am sad to report that I think my Muscles have Amnesia
I am sure though if I continue to push they will recall and eventually respond. 
Things I learned:

• Keeping up with a guy 17 years my senior can be murder on a tread mille and he was a Tech fan – thanks for the motivation
• I used to bench over 450 lbs, now that’s my next target weight lose goal.
• I used to run a 4.5 forty, it took me 11.2 sec to cross the street, I hate those timers on the cross walks
• I used to run 1.5 miles in 12 mins. running around the gym to warm up is a BEAST
• There is no shame in not adding weight on the leg curl, ham strings STILL cramping
• All in all I learned, that the old saying is true: PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY- I will press on see you next Saturday SARG
• Last but not least I have a choice.
  
  
   

Feb 22nd, 2010 - I Have A Choice …

The week went by like a blur; it is hard to believe that another week has passed.  All in all I think I had a good week.  I had myself a private pity party about mid-week.  I began to try to get down on myself for allowing my situation to get so out of hand.  It was a realization that for the past several years I have been my own worst enemy.  I tried to pin point the exact time/date that I chose not to be more health conscience and concerned about my personal well being but I could not put a finger on it. 
 I was able to take a critical look at some of the missed opportunities I have had in my life based on my weight.  As I look back, I am certain that some things would have been different in my life if I would have had a more positive self image. 

Throughout this week I guess that is the one thing that I have really focused on is the image I have of SELF.  I have come to realize that I am a person of great warmth and compassion for others but I have neglected myself for far too long in the process of comforting others and making them feel at ease.  I guess that is the problem with being a nurturer, you tend to focus too much on outward people and problems and leave your own inner peace abandoned.  So the net effect of the week is that I have decided to be more about me.  More focused on getting my mental health in line with the renewed focus on my physical health.  As I continue on this journey, I think I have come to the reality that the reason some people struggle with weight is because there is something in our lives that we refuse to let go of, and the weight is just a physical manifestation of trying to maintain or hold onto that thought or image.  As I go through this cleansing process and shedding all of the excess weight [internal and external]. I have decided that I am also going to begin to shed the “woulda, coulda, shouda thoughts in life.  I am in the process of resetting the button on the way I think about myself and the interactions with others. Besides, as I really think about it, is one hour to totally oneself too much each day to be a better you?… I have a choice

 

Feb 15th, 2010 - No Shrimp Left Behind…. A funny thing happened to me the other day.  I was out enjoying a meal and as I came to the end, I realized that there were additional shrimp on my plate and I was full!  For the non eaters out there, this would not be a problem, however if you were ever a member of the clean plate club you have already discerned my dilemma.  For starters, if you are not a member of the CPC, you don’t know that there is a secret and time honored code, if you ever come to the point that you are full at a meal, you MUST find a way to “finish off’ any meat product (seafood included).  
Vegetables no problem, but meat….problem.  I determined that I would not take a to-go box (not sure when I will be hungry again!) Wow I have not thought that in years.
Long story short, I am in the process of relinquishing my clean plate club card, I have had several meals over the past week that have failed to qualify... I am getting used to leaving food behind and in the process unnecessary additional calories.

Jeremiah 1 –Valentine Candy 0… I thought the weekend would be a challenge, in the past I have really enjoyed myself too much indulging on Valentine candy.  As I type and reflect, I can say that I have not had one sweet tart heart, one chocolate covered cherry or even one Cadbury Egg... guilty, I usually kick-off the Easter Festivities with a few eggs for Valentines. 

The energy levels are still very high and I am able to accomplish more at work and even engaging in meaningful activities when I get home.  I think now the most important thing that is happening to me is that I am starting to re-set the internal mental clock that has been raging for so many years.  I have begun to eat when my body tells me too and not when my mind hits one of the pre-determined milestone TIMES … (breakfast/lunch/dinner/) and by doing this, I am also becoming more conscience in my food selections and quantity. 

It has been 13 days and I am starting to notice a difference in the way some of my clothes fit – looser.  How I feel when getting up in the morning – more energy and alert. And the over all drive and desire to continue down the road to self improvement.  

As I watched my on-air video on you tube, listened to what I was saying and my motivating mantra was born… I Have A Choice 

 

Feb 8th, 2010:  The first week went very well for me. I have to admit, was more than a little shocked to hear my “official” weight.  I knew I was carrying a load, but this is crazy.  I have been on the program for 6 days now and I am starting to see early results.  I know that is has been less than a week, but I have to say that my energy level is up, and that I am able to focus and concentrate more. One of the things that I am experiencing that I was not told of was that I have been getting more rest at night, or at least I am more alert in the AM upon rising.  I used to sit on the side of the bed at 5:00am and it would take a while before I get moving, but over the last several days I have sat up and stood up all in one motion.  And from there my day is ON. 

I have to admit; I had some reservations about the product initially, so the first week I decided to follow the directions I was provided, but not really change my physical routine beyond what I had begun before taking the challenge.  To my surprise, the product works- I have seen a noticeable difference in the way my shirts and pants are already starting to fit.  I am not hungry and I did something I have not done in a long time...  Did not go for seconds!  

I am also now mindful of the fact: “What I eat has consequences.” And to everyone that has called or reached me on Facebook to share your support, Thank You and I will keep at it.

All in all the first week was great for me, 6lbs down and now I begin to up the workout routine.

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