AN APPLE and A HEAD OF ROMAINE A DAY

I had a trip to the dentist last week for a cleaning.

As the hygienist worked on my mouth, 

she ran the scraper over my teeth and poked my gums.

Then she declared.

"Well, Mr. Hollis,

you have left me nothing to clean. - 

No tarter, no plague, nothing!"

I knew that I was feeling clean and healthy,

but I did not think about the effect 

that all the vegetables and fruits 

and their accompanying  fiber and roughage 

had on my teeth!

No Plague, No Tarter - Nothing!

I feel good!

THE MAGIC WORDS

It's beginning to happen.

I was getting an oil change 

(no, not unsaturated for saturated)

but in my car,

and the receptionist said

"Have you lost a lot of weight?"

And then the next day at church, someone said

"You're looking really good."

Those things are really great to hear!

But the best thing is that I tell them to myself now too!

NOT EATING ENOUGH TO LOSE WEIGHT

The most difficult thing that I am experiencing with this life style change

is that because the foods that I am eating are good for me

and fueling my body,

I am not hungry!

I am not eating enough, because I am satisfied.

But I have to eat on a regular basis

to keep my metabolism going.

Who knew that to lose weight

I had to force myself to eat!

ROUND TWO - DETOX REVISITED!

What a great time of year to begin my second session of weight loss with Karen Dalton,

my lifestyle change and wellness coach from Transitions Lifestyle Systems.

(See Karen's Contact Information on my website.  She helped me save my life!)

I will use the rise in energy of people around the world striving to achieve new resolutions

to set out anew on my goal of becoming all that I am

by becoming half the man I was! 

(Becoming healthy by loosing 186 pounds in 18 months!)

55 pounds are gone forever and my life has already changed!

The rest is soon to follow!

I started DETOX yeaterday!

I have already lost the two pounds that I gained over the Christmas holidays.

(plus one more!)

Detox helps me to 

regain control of my eating patterns,

cleanse my body from the harmful sugars, chemicals, and fats that I let into it,

and jump start my weight loss for another round!

Oh, and by the way, I am also raising money for two very wonderful Non-Profit Organizations as I go!

Won't you join me on this journey 

and in support of The Acoaxet Chapel and The Swamp Meadow Community Theatre!

SESSION ONE COMPLETED!

I have finished the first 12 week session of Transitions Lifestyle Systems!

I have lost 55 pounds!

I have lost 6 inches on my waist!

I have lost the vision of The Fat Guy that has haunted me all my life!

I have gained energy.

I have gained a positive self image!

I have gained a new style of eating!

I have gained the confidence that I will continue this health beyond the completion of of my goal (loosing 186 pounds) and on through the rest of my life!

(And we have gained over $3000 for Swamp Meadow or The Acoaxet Chapel!)

Thank you God for the health and the original vision,

Thank you Karen for the renewed vision of being fit and healthy!

Thank you all of you for the support and love to keep me going!

I am taking two weeks off for Christmas (maintaining my current level of health.)

Then I will be starting the program over 

(with what I have already learned and gained)

on January 4. 2013

on my way to being healthy enough
to play vigorously with my future grandchildren!

THE FAT GUY IS GONE!

All my life, I have seen myself as A Fat Guy!

It was definitely affirmed
when I had to start shopping in the "Husky" Department at Sears when I was 8.

Even in college,
when I weighed 175 pounds and was running 5 miles a day,
I knew I was really just "The Fat Guy"
who was trying to fool the girls so he could get a date!

                  

Well, yesterday, the Greatest Thing Happened!
I looked in the mirror and could not see The Fat Guy!
He's Gone!

(I still have 140 pounds more on my body than what I want.
I still have fat - too much of it - on my body.)
BUT I NO LONGER SEE THE FAT GUY!

I see A Fit Guy
who is working to get his body to fit the vision that he now sees!

I was successful at making my body fit the vision of The Fat Guy.
I will be equally successful now that I see THE FIT GUY!

CRAVING LETTUCE

Had to go back with my mom to Watkins Glen, NY this week

for my Uncle's Funeral.

The ride up was fine, because I was well prepared 

with my lettuce, nuts, vegetables, meat and no empty carbs!

We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

Woke up in the morning and went to the complimentary express breakfast.

Not too bad.  Did have the powdered egg omelette and bacon

and did taste about a quarter of the irresistible cinnamon bun.

Also had two yogurts.  (So a little off my plan.)

Then after the funeral, I ate at the funeral buffet table,

which ended up being leftover carbs from thanksgiving.

Even the turkey was soaked in gravy or mushed in stuffing.

I did the best I could, but was carb loaded for that meal.

When we got in the car to head home, 

I had the overwhelming urge to eat Romaine Lettuce!

I shoved six leafs of lettuce in my mouth 

as ravenously as I used to stuff cookies!

My body was crying out,

"I need lettuce!  I gotta have some lettuce!"

I was so happy!

Never in my life have I craved lettuce!

Something good is happening!