Resolve to Do It
As the end of the year approaches I look forward to bringing forth another New Year’s Resolution list, which I have done since 2006. Each year I look back on accomplishments and shortcomings of what I had hoped to achieve. One of the biggest items to make nearly everyone’s list is weight loss and exercise. And more often than not, many of us fail on both accounts. Thankfully I feel I have an advantage as 2012 approaches in that I have already changed my diet, dropped some 26 pounds and now look towards the exercise portion of my diet more seriously.
I am work on setting forth my goals for the 12-day program I am going to undertake. As it stands now I am close to achieving some of what I set out to do. I have not had any meat since the end of October. I no longer cook with oils and butter in my meal preparation. I have also quick back on the intake of dairy productions, namely cheese (too many calories from fat). I still drink coffee, one cup every few days, but have changed to decaffeinated green teas during the day time. Alcohol is probably still my downfall, as I like my beer, but that too will be cut way back and hopefully eliminated at some point.
While not everyone agrees with my reasoning or supports the changes in my diet I have already seen some benefits (weight loss) and hopefully a decrease in some of the numbers (blood work) that troubled my doctor back in July when we discussed my physical. I am not being forced by anyone to change what I eat. I made these changes for myself as I did not want to rely on doctors and “big pharma” to save me or reverse changes in my health. I am convinced that what I have decided to do will have a very positive effect and hopefully people will see those physical changes and ask what I did. It seems just discussing Dr. McDougall and his program isn’t enough and some consider it “extreme” saying they don’t have the willpower to do it.
Now that my “transition” period is nearly over I have begun to pen my goals for why I am making this change. Thankfully I have had nearly 2 months to read more information on Dr. McDougall, have a chances to make many different meals, some that were better than others, but I believe I have found a few “staples” that will make up the basis of what I want to eat. Each of these meals can be made for people who are not on the McDougall plan. That’s the best part (for them). I can easily add meat or cheese to many of the recipes. For example, I found a great pea soup recipe I have made twice now that uses no oil and does not include ham. In fact it is one of the best soups I have tasted. If my wife wants ham it’s very easy to chop some up and include in her bowl. The same can be said for whole wheat spaghetti and sauce. I have found a wonderful tomato sauce recipe that can be made without Italian sausage but also included after the fact.
Now that my weight continues in decline I need to turn my attention towards the exercise portion of the program. I already walk 20-30 minutes a day, usually while at work but want to incorporate weights into my daily regime. Thankfully we bought a Bowflex Revolution a few years ago that has gone virtually unused, but it does allow for a wide range of exercises to tone and build muscle. I have nailed down what sort of program I want to use, but have a few exercises I will probably start with before I start to expand on time I spend working with weights.
The toughest part of this lifestyle change will be attempting to give up alcohol. I enjoy my beer on a weekly basis, as well as scotch and tequila, both on a limited basis. I have attempted to decrease my beer intake by drinking on my days off and limiting myself to a 6-pack as opposed to anything more. Sometimes I have been successful, other times not. The 12-day program will have be adhering to the “no alcohol” strictly and hopefully that trend will continue after I have completed the initial plan and continue to foster a new, healthier lifestyle.
I have not had much luck convincing friends or family with these changes. I do see interest in some, such as my wife and her friend, but neither have not decided to make the necessary changes. I have recommended the movie Fork Over Knives as an introduction to thinking differently when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle. My wife and friends have enjoyed some of the food I have prepared, so that’s a plus. Unfortunately I can’t make the changes for others. Each person must make the changes for their reason and be determined to want to live a healthier lifestyle. I won’t force my dietary changes on anyone. I have made the changes solely for myself.
