Well, I figure that now is great time to share with you all what I've been working on for the past 24 weeks, myself.
Please forgive my grammar, punctuation and language as I had a very long Monday, but I have to get this out...
On Dec. 4th, 2012, I started this liquid diet program called 'Optifast'. I started this product because my mom and brother started a couple weeks prior, and saw great results (they are still doing great). It's not just a liquid diet, it's run by Kaiser Permanente. It's a +/- 20 week program and you are followed weekly by a doctor and nurses to make sure the stuff isn't going to snuff you out before you have the chance to drop some weight. Blood pressure checks weekly, and blood tests biweekly. It's essentially a protein shake in a hot cocoa like pouch, filled with vitamins and minerals that is your meal replacement. 84 calories each. So, I had to drink 5 of these shakes per day, everyday. No food, no alcohol, no sugar. The first 2 weeks were ROUGH. Headaches, cramping, bloating was my body's big 'fuck you' to what I was doing. I was barely surviving on ~500 calories a day, but my body got used to it. I dropped 14 pounds my first week, 13 pounds my second week. I was like, 'holy shit, this stuff actually works!' The response I have received from my family, friends, and colleagues has been tremendous. Especially the support I get from my local cigar brothers. Almost every week, I have sat and enjoyed my cigars and conversations, while watching my brothers enjoy the beer, bourbon, gin martinis, fish and chips, chips and gravy, shepherds pie, you get the idea. I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh wait, yes I would! In due time...
One of my claims to this fame is that I have not strayed ONCE! I have been to Las Vegas THREE times since I started, house parties, get togethers, family functions, the holidays (OH GOD, the HOLIDAYS). I have been tested in each of these instances, and persevered with flying fucking colors! Hell yes! As of today, after 24 weeks of ZERO real people provisions, I started a little bit of food. Tuna from a packet. It was good, but my name is not Whiskers, so I was a bit let down. It's okay though, it's all about the BIG picture! I do this gradually increasing my food intake of all the major food groups for 6 weeks. After that, I go to maintenance and I get to keep the weight off (which is the hard part by the way)! I also have to start exercising to kickstart my metabolism and not gain the weight back. My goal is to lose 150 pounds. I may get there, but if I don't it's not the end of the world. I know for a fact I won't ever weigh over 200 pounds again! I haven't been under 200 pounds since high school! Long story short, I could not be happier. I feel like a million bucks! or, a billion pesos (you pick your currency). My local cigar brothers can attest to the statements above, and I cannot be happier. I have been showered with so much love and support, it feels like a dream (it better not be).
In closing, thank you for reading, chuckling, whatever. I truly appreciate your time, as well as all the words of encouragement and support. I hope I can inspire any BOTL or SOTL and their families to change their lives for the better if they are in the same situation as I was in. Please, feel free to pick my brain!!!
Regards,
Shark
::::::::::::::::::::
Stats: 5 feet, 7 inches tall
December 4, 2012 = Before: 337.5 pounds.
May 20, 2013 = After: 199.0 pounds.
Loss to Date = -138.5 pounds in 24 weeks.
Please forgive my grammar, punctuation and language as I had a very long Monday, but I have to get this out...
On Dec. 4th, 2012, I started this liquid diet program called 'Optifast'. I started this product because my mom and brother started a couple weeks prior, and saw great results (they are still doing great). It's not just a liquid diet, it's run by Kaiser Permanente. It's a +/- 20 week program and you are followed weekly by a doctor and nurses to make sure the stuff isn't going to snuff you out before you have the chance to drop some weight. Blood pressure checks weekly, and blood tests biweekly. It's essentially a protein shake in a hot cocoa like pouch, filled with vitamins and minerals that is your meal replacement. 84 calories each. So, I had to drink 5 of these shakes per day, everyday. No food, no alcohol, no sugar. The first 2 weeks were ROUGH. Headaches, cramping, bloating was my body's big 'fuck you' to what I was doing. I was barely surviving on ~500 calories a day, but my body got used to it. I dropped 14 pounds my first week, 13 pounds my second week. I was like, 'holy shit, this stuff actually works!' The response I have received from my family, friends, and colleagues has been tremendous. Especially the support I get from my local cigar brothers. Almost every week, I have sat and enjoyed my cigars and conversations, while watching my brothers enjoy the beer, bourbon, gin martinis, fish and chips, chips and gravy, shepherds pie, you get the idea. I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh wait, yes I would! In due time...
One of my claims to this fame is that I have not strayed ONCE! I have been to Las Vegas THREE times since I started, house parties, get togethers, family functions, the holidays (OH GOD, the HOLIDAYS). I have been tested in each of these instances, and persevered with flying fucking colors! Hell yes! As of today, after 24 weeks of ZERO real people provisions, I started a little bit of food. Tuna from a packet. It was good, but my name is not Whiskers, so I was a bit let down. It's okay though, it's all about the BIG picture! I do this gradually increasing my food intake of all the major food groups for 6 weeks. After that, I go to maintenance and I get to keep the weight off (which is the hard part by the way)! I also have to start exercising to kickstart my metabolism and not gain the weight back. My goal is to lose 150 pounds. I may get there, but if I don't it's not the end of the world. I know for a fact I won't ever weigh over 200 pounds again! I haven't been under 200 pounds since high school! Long story short, I could not be happier. I feel like a million bucks! or, a billion pesos (you pick your currency). My local cigar brothers can attest to the statements above, and I cannot be happier. I have been showered with so much love and support, it feels like a dream (it better not be).
In closing, thank you for reading, chuckling, whatever. I truly appreciate your time, as well as all the words of encouragement and support. I hope I can inspire any BOTL or SOTL and their families to change their lives for the better if they are in the same situation as I was in. Please, feel free to pick my brain!!!
Regards,
Shark
::::::::::::::::::::
Stats: 5 feet, 7 inches tall
December 4, 2012 = Before: 337.5 pounds.
May 20, 2013 = After: 199.0 pounds.
Loss to Date = -138.5 pounds in 24 weeks.
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