Time to leave diet soda.... again

This has been a few rough months for me.  I have had a lot of trouble getting back to where I need to be with eating and it is showing.  I have been able to get back to running pretty good as seen in my other blog, but the eating has just not gotten back to where it needs to be.

I have known for some time what I needed to do, but have not been able to get myself to do that one simple thing.  I need to stop drinking soda.  Sure, I am drinking diet soda, but I am starting to believe that diet soda is even worse than the real thing.

I have been drinking a lot of soda, but trying to eat right.  I think this is almost impossible.  It doesn't matter how hard I try, I eat too much, and not the right things.

On Monday, April 13th, I made the choice that I was no longer going to ignore the obvious.  I again gave up soda and have also cut out a lot of coffee.  I don't think that coffee is my problem since I drink it black, but I just don't think I need all that extra caffeine.  This also magically makes it easier for me to drink more water.

It has been a week now, and so far it has been so much easier to eat right and eat less.  I am not yet ready to give results, but you can watch my Physics Diet daily weight to see how I am coming along.

Why not give it a try?

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org - subscribe - follow

Up and down days

Some days are up, and some days are down.

If you have been reading my blog for any time you know that I previously lost over 90 lbs.  You also will remember when I was injured back in June of 2008 which put me out of most any physical activity for almost 9 months.

During that 9 months I managed to eat good most of the time, but had good days and bad.  My habits slowly got worse as the time went on.  Turns out it is really difficult to eat right without any kind of exersize.  I ended up putting 15 pounds back on during that time.

I have been back running now for about 2 months and things are going great.  I am building mileage and starting to really feel like I am getting back into it.  I have started to get better focus with my eating, but it has been really difficult to get back on track and stay on track.

I have to remember, this is a journey.  One day at a time and I will get back where I was before.

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org - subscribe - follow

Good things to eat

I am always on the lookout for new things to try and new things to eat.  Over the past two years along my journey I have done a lot of searching and have tried a lot of new things.  I still have some types of foods that I really just cannot bring myself to eat.... no matter how healthy, but some things I have never eaten before has now become some of my favorites.

One of the things that I would never touch before is Egg Rolls.  I know, with the crispy egg roll wrapper they are not on the list of most healthy things to eat, but they are better than a lot of things.... and if you have read much of my blog you will see I am a big fan of eating what I want, just trying to be careful with really bad stuff and too much of anything.

Convenience is the other thing that is hard to get when you are trying to eat healthy.  I have found this to be oh so true over the past couple years.

Now, let me tell you about something really good.... and yes, they are Egg Rolls.  Since starting my journey the frozen section of the market has not been one of the high traffic areas for us. There is just oh so much that is horrible for you in that section.

I was given the opportunity to try some frozen Egg Rolls by Kahiki.  Like I said above, I like Egg Rolls now, but wasn't too sure of the fact that they were frozen.  They are only between 70 and 100 calories for each Egg Roll, and are very tasty if I do say so myself.  We tried all three varieties, the vegitable, chicken, and pork and shrimp.  The outside of the Egg Roll stays very crispy when they are microwaved, and they taste really good.  My wife and I both enjoyed these, however she said she really didn't care for the sauce that comes packaged with it.  I am not a sauce person so I really can't tell you.  My opinion is if the food is good enough by itself why do you need sauce?

I did some looking around and it looks like you can purchase these Kahiki Egg Rolls at any of your local grocery stores.  They also have other items as well like fried rice and other main dishes.  I may just have to give those a shot as well.

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

Need more consistency

I am still struggling with consistency in getting back to the groove that I had before the injury. At that time it was simply a way of life and everything was going good. I was consistently losing weight even though it was slow because I was close to where I needed to be.

Through the lack of running and other exercise during the time I was healing I progressively lost focus on how I was eating. I never lost focus of the bigger goal, but I lost focus on the day to day goals. I am totally convinced more now than ever before that good eating habits and exercise go hand in hand. I am sure I have said this before, but I will say it again. I instinctively want to eat better, and it is easier to eat better when I am physically active.

All that being said, it has been quite difficult for me to get back at being consistent. My life is a bit more hectic and my stress levels are a lot higher at work and at home then they were the first time I took on this endeavor. I am starting to run quite a bit more, but am still nervous about too much weight lifting because the collar bone is not yet 100% healed.

I have been eating better, but have had more occasions where I simply blow it. I am still trying to figure out if these times that I blow it are more because I am not back in the groove or because of stress.

Are you a stress eater? I haven't previously considered myself a stress eater.... but I am starting to wonder.......

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org - subscribe - follow

The Engine 2 Diet (with giveaway)

Those of you that have been readers for sometime will know that I am not a fan of "Diets" or diet food, plans, or supplements. I am a fan of just one plan, the one thing that proved to be the tool that allowed me to get to where I am today..... A changed lifestyle, more specifically: eating less, eating better, and being more physically active.

That being the case, I am strongly against providing a presence for any products, books, write ups, or links to items that do not fit in the above mindset. I have turned down some of each of these, including paid links.

That being said, I have received a pre-release version of THE ENGINE 2 DIET book. I have to admit at first the title turned me off because of the word "Diet" but once reading more about the book I became more willing to give it a chance. I know by starting to understand more about it the book is based on a mostly plant based diet which I am not a fan of..... I like meat too much :) but I have started reading the book and will be better equipped to give my opinion in a couple weeks.

Here is some more information about the book:

When Rip Esselstyn and some of his fellow Engine 2 firefighters from Austin, TX realized that their cholesterol levels were higher than they'd like he decided to do something about it. He created THE ENGINE 2 DIET program and in 28-days everyone lost weight, lowered his cholesterol, and improved his overall health. Rip decided to do a larger study to prove the effectiveness of his plan--not just for firefighters but for everyone.

THE ENGINE 2 DIET is a lifestyle that begins with a 28-day program that will enable readers to lose weight, reduce the precursors to disease, and become physically fit. It's a clear-cut guide to eating a whole-food, nutrient-rich, mostly plant-based diet.

THE ENGINE 2 DIET also includes recipes, meal plans, grocery lists, cooking tips, and a firefighter-inspired exercise program to boost metabolism, build strength and endurance.

As a fireman Rip has helped people and saved lives, but with his Engine 2 Diet Plan he will help save lives on a much larger scale.

The Giveaway:

I have been given the opportunity to give you, my readers, a copy of this book. This book is being officially published on February 25th. On that date you can be one of 5 lucky readers to have your own copy of this book.

What you need to do to win:

The easiest way to get an entry is to comment on this post. For commenting on this post you will receive one entry into the giveaway. You can then add additional entries by twittering this blog post by using this link: http://zi.ma/2big-e2d or by posting something about this giveaway on your blog using the same link http://zi.ma/2big-e2d Once you either twitter or blog about this giveaway please send an e-mail to info@2big.org with a link to your blog post or your twitter name and I will add one additional entry for you.

The deadline for entries will be February 24th at midnight and the drawing will take place on the books publishing date, February 25th. Sorry, for shipping reasons the giveaway is only available to residents of the US and Canada with a physical address (no PO Boxes)

While you are here why not subscribe to the feed or follow this blog?

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

Free Breakfast is Not Really Free

I like to joke about the fact that if it is free the calories don't count. If only that was true. I have read many things over the years about steering free of free food. Free food is usually not the most healthy foods. If we think about the free foods we see so often I am sure you will all agree with me.... donuts, muffins, candy, chocolate, brownies, cookies..... you get the picture.

The other time we so often see free food is those wonderful lunches on the company. Now, you tell me, do you always order the salad, or the most healthy option on the menu? Sometimes? Maybe.... but all the time? Nope..... me either. Many times when free food is offered to a group of people what is it? Yup.... everyones favorite.... Pizza.

Today got me thinking about this when I went to an offsite training class for work. I had breakfast before leaving home, and of course when I arrived at the training facility there was Free Breakfast. I tried to resist, but I needed something to go with my coffee - yes I too am good at justifying it.... sadly!

I won't even mention the afternoon cookie break......

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org - Follow this blog

Free Diet and Nutrition Magazine Subscription

For a Free 3-Year Subscription to Today's Diet & Nutrition Magazine just go to: www.todaysdietandnutrition.com and enter promotion code INAUG09

"We urge you to act fast, as this offer will only last until Saturday, January 24th."

Thanks goes to www.passwird.com for this listing.

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org - Subscribe now!

Anniversary Date

I missed the date.  I know, not many people other than me care, but the date I missed was January 10th, 2009.  What does that date signify you say?  That date is the one year anniversary of this and my other blog blog.262quest.com.

Another more significate anniversary has just passed as well.  It was two years ago this past first of January that I started down my new journey of losing weight and becoming fit.  More information can be found at my beginning post on this blog and as well my beginning post on my running blog.

It has been a long journey, but one I am so glad that I have taken.  I just wish I would have made the decision earlier.

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

One day at a time....

It is mid way through the first month of the year..... so how are you doing?

enter answer here (OK, the comments would be more suitable)

As for me, I am doing OK.... not great, but OK.  

I have cut out 95% of the sodas, and have cut back a little bit on the extra caffeine by cutting back my coffee in the morning.  My water intake has started to move back to where it should be, but as for the eating I am still hanging on to a couple bad habits, but am slowly getting victory over these one at a time.

My biggest struggle is still slowing down and portion size.  I do pretty good at the choices I make and when I eat and how often I eat, but when I sit down to dinner I am still putting a little too much on my plate.  I would like to blame it on others because they use my favorite small plates and I have to use a bigger plate, but the truth is that has only happened once, and wasn't the reason I ate too much, it was because I took a few bites before dishing up my plate, and a few more as I was putting away the leftovers.

Progress is slow in the weight loss department, but with the recent re-addition of running I am sure my body is going through a lot of changes that don't always reflect as we want them to on the scale.

If you are hitting my blog for the first time, just starting your journey, or if you just haven't seen me "before" you need to check out my original post of where I started.  If nothing else it can give you hope and show you that it can be done.

No longer 2 Big!

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

Two notes to self

1. Slow down when eating

2. If you are full.... stop eating!