Strip that Fat
Strip That Fat
At first reading, Strip That Fat seemed like a pretty silly name. Now, two months into the program we realize that it is totally appropriate for a process that does exactly that.
Working together, and we can't recommend the "buddy system" highly enough, Gayle and I have "stripped" nearly 20 pounds of useless fat.
She started out merely overweight. I, on the other hand, fit into the "morbidly obese" category. Between the two of us we had, at the beginning, a total of 125 pounds to "strip".
We knew from past experience (many, many, experiences) that we never lasted long enough on any of the highly restrictive (low carb, no carb, low fat, no fat, cabbage soup only, etc) diets to achieve any significant or lasting results.
Determined to someday achieve our rather ambitious weight goals, we kept looking and looking for the "magic diet plan".
We tried the teas, the pills, the Atkins, the South, North, East and West-sides, even the colon assaulting powders--all to no avail. If you can imagine a 422 pound yo-yo...that's been us for years. Somehow we always missed, or chose to ignore, the fine print on the sales page of every new diet plan. You know what we're talking about: the line that reads "These teas, pills, and potions are effective when used with a program of eating less and exercising more."
Regardless of any carb, fat, fruit, or cabbage soup intake, EATING LESS...AND EXERCISING MORE will have a desired effect on a weight problem. Of course, we knew that; and so do you.
So why keep searching for the easy and instant? In our case at least, it was a combination of laziness, impatience and frustration. You can fill in your own motivations; but the bottom line is that after all those unsuccessful attempts, each January first when we vowed to make this our year to achieve a healthy weight, we found that we were heavier than the previous January... when we had made the exact same vow. Sound familiar?
So, we're excited. For the first time in years, our January resolution (yep, same one) will be starting at a much IMPROVED level. And we are getting there by EATING MORE (often) and EXERCISING (within our comfort level). We are two months "in" instead of the usual "two weeks and out". And the results are beginning to show.
Just last week our "ever-style-conscious" teen age grand daughter commented: "Gee Poppy and GG, your new diet seems to be working! How much have you lost?"
Just try explaining to an ultra thin teen-ager that we're not "on a diet"--just a simple and pleasant "lifestyle change"; that we're not "working" as much as "learning"; and that we haven't "lost" a thing. Bottom line is that we have "gained" so very much.
Updates to follow.
All the best,
Fred and Gayle
At first reading, Strip That Fat seemed like a pretty silly name. Now, two months into the program we realize that it is totally appropriate for a process that does exactly that.
Working together, and we can't recommend the "buddy system" highly enough, Gayle and I have "stripped" nearly 20 pounds of useless fat.
She started out merely overweight. I, on the other hand, fit into the "morbidly obese" category. Between the two of us we had, at the beginning, a total of 125 pounds to "strip".
We knew from past experience (many, many, experiences) that we never lasted long enough on any of the highly restrictive (low carb, no carb, low fat, no fat, cabbage soup only, etc) diets to achieve any significant or lasting results.
Determined to someday achieve our rather ambitious weight goals, we kept looking and looking for the "magic diet plan".
We tried the teas, the pills, the Atkins, the South, North, East and West-sides, even the colon assaulting powders--all to no avail. If you can imagine a 422 pound yo-yo...that's been us for years. Somehow we always missed, or chose to ignore, the fine print on the sales page of every new diet plan. You know what we're talking about: the line that reads "These teas, pills, and potions are effective when used with a program of eating less and exercising more."
Regardless of any carb, fat, fruit, or cabbage soup intake, EATING LESS...AND EXERCISING MORE will have a desired effect on a weight problem. Of course, we knew that; and so do you.
So why keep searching for the easy and instant? In our case at least, it was a combination of laziness, impatience and frustration. You can fill in your own motivations; but the bottom line is that after all those unsuccessful attempts, each January first when we vowed to make this our year to achieve a healthy weight, we found that we were heavier than the previous January... when we had made the exact same vow. Sound familiar?
So, we're excited. For the first time in years, our January resolution (yep, same one) will be starting at a much IMPROVED level. And we are getting there by EATING MORE (often) and EXERCISING (within our comfort level). We are two months "in" instead of the usual "two weeks and out". And the results are beginning to show.
Just last week our "ever-style-conscious" teen age grand daughter commented: "Gee Poppy and GG, your new diet seems to be working! How much have you lost?"
Just try explaining to an ultra thin teen-ager that we're not "on a diet"--just a simple and pleasant "lifestyle change"; that we're not "working" as much as "learning"; and that we haven't "lost" a thing. Bottom line is that we have "gained" so very much.
Updates to follow.
All the best,
Fred and Gayle