Planet Abell

Ok. No more farting around . Well, actually, there is quite a lot of farting. I think it's the fruit. That's another story. After eight months, almost to the day, I've hit my goal weight and now begin Weight Watchers maintenance. After 37 weeks of trying to lose weight ( and the last nine , where I didn't net/net at all), I had a serendipitously successful seven days: Nine pounds lost, three under my target. Under maintenance, which last six weeks, I get to eat more, to stop losing. At the end of six weeks, if I am within two pounds above or below 155, I get to be a life member: I never have to pay a cent again to go to meetings as long as I stay in the four-pound range, weighing in officially once a month now instead of once a week. I cannot say that I have fully grasped this yet. So far, this is a typical Saturday, which means that in a few hours there will be gin and more than the usual amount of eating — that's the way it is in the hours after the week...

It's possible to lose all the weight you want just by eating less, of course. The math is simple: Burn more calories than you consume. Exercise is a force multiplier, and if you do it right it won't lead to a bigger appetite (offsetting the benefit of burning more calories in the course of any given 24 hours) and will self-reinforce staying consistent. Good news: The "bigger appetite" part almost takes care of itself: turns out that exercise is something of an appetite suppressant. Also, when you are actually doing it, it isn't possible to eat much of anything, so it is an opportunity suppressant as well. The best thing to eat to take the edge off, right after a workout, is protein, which goes directly to the muscles instead of the hips. The best kind of protein is up to you; before I was a vegan I had a ton of turkey bacon and eggs right after a run or bike ride. Now I have prepared tofu or a protein bar. It's even more important to stay with it. For me, ...

Metro North Station, White Plains ABOARD THE 7:01 HARLEM LINE TRAIN -- Every rail commuter knows a thing or two about seat etiquette (Example: Real men don't vie for the middle one) and where to position oneself on the platform, factoring in the station and time of day, to maximize the possibility if scoring one. It's exhausting. And, just like flying, the window seat is good for exactly the opposite of what the aisle seat is good for, and neither are good for everything. I've always played the game, pleased that when I commute I can almost always score a seat. But it's a flimsy victory. It occurred to me, as part of my standing campaign, to stand during the 50 minutes or so each way. Like my uncle taught me when I was a lad, I don't lean or support myself in any way (unless there is turbulence), the better to improve balance and burn calories and work on the core. What a revelation! In addition to the health benefit (small, but cumulative) I realized I ...

My Week 31 post pretty much laid out the unusual week I had , but in a nutshell (strange how many metaphors are food related): I weighed 171 yesterday morning, and 158.8 this morning. That puts me further away from my goal of 155 pounds — from which I had been a tantalizingly-close 0.02 pounds for the previous two weeks. But it was a fine week, and I enjoyed myself, so much so that I expected the damage to be much worse. I spent that last 24 hours not starving myself or putting on some other kind of straight jacket, but just sticking with the program, returning to my original course and speed, recovering. This morning I've had my usual bounty of fruit, and started the day with my usual workout routine. I think I was properly rewarded for that behavior, and appropriately dunned for not tracking much last week, and having a no-holds-barred anniversary dinner for which I have no regrets. I have a new commitment now for not treating the weekend as a lost cause -- I exaggerat...

Bloated me. I suspected this week was going to be a challenge, but that's a word and a half. My Saturday weigh-in was fine: no change, 0.02 from my goal of 155. But a mere six days later I am at 171! That is a gain of 16 pounds. I don't see it. Nancy doesn't see it. I still fit fine in my goal-weight pants. But, I have been eating a lot this week, and not exercising as much, and that is what happens. I don't think I'll be tipping the scales at what is my July 9 weight (week 20 ) tomorrow morning. But I'll almost certainly be in the 160s. So what happened? I was on vacation this week, away from work and at home for an extended period for the first time since I began Weight Watchers seven months ago. Four of these six days I didn't track. Monday we had a no-holds-barred anniversary dinner which included Margaritas, beer, a burrito that could have sunk the Titanic and even dessert. I've been snacking too much on salty things. I've been ...

I don't know why I was on the 'undisclosed recipients' list this went to, and have no idea who Trev was. But there was something about the proper, restrained, just plain British-ness of this anouncement which I found very moving: Just a note to say Trev passed away peacefully on 16 August surrounded by his family.   His services will no longer be available. Should you have  any  questions or issues please don't hesitate to contact myself (niece) or his son via the email  address: [redacted] and we will endevour to help where we can.   I would like to thank those of you for your emails of concern. This is very much appreciated. Trev will be sadly missed.     All the very best to you all.     Regards     Dawn +John C Abell

I closed my seventh month on Weight Watchers with another unusual week, scheduling wise. It allowed me muy best opportunity to far to test new theory of eating — and the result is a solid loss of 1.6 pounds . My Google Spreadsheet says I've lost 100 percent to goal, but the truth is that I am 0.02 pounds from my goal of 155 pounds (I mean I was , before enjoying myself thoroughly last night, which is my custom on weigh-in day...) My new mantra is, don't call them "meals," and don't even call them "servings." The nomenclature can be pejorative and can allow one to manufacture a behavioral paradox in which over-eating is unavoidable, or at least easier to justify. It's not a new problem, this business of having meals versus grazing. Huge numbers of fit and healthy people are in both camps. My judgement is, however, that a substantial number of people who need to learn how to eat properly, again, for the first time, would be better off grazing ...