Update

Sorry, been off the blogging post for some while now. I'd like to give some award winning excuse, but even saying I was too busy would be a stretch.

Just an update on a few things going on:

1. Weight Loss program - going great. I thought I'd struggle with my self-control or that I would quickly tire of meat and veggies. Not so, I've been able to keep things different and enjoy new and exciting foods almost every day. There have really only a few meals that I have prepared that I thought to myself, "what were you thinking!" I've even survived a night out at a reception and have had houseguests over and still stayed on plan. With the exception of one hastily grilled steak that I squeezed in between umpiring games and barbecuing at our local Little League closing ceremonies (during which I failed to consume my allotted veggies), I have stayed 100% on the plan for 3 1/2 weeks now. The pounds keep melting off. As of my three week consult, I had already shed a total of 21lbs! I'm sure many will find flaws with the SureSlim program and rant about how it's some sort of scam and I will gain it all back when I come off the plan, I don't care. I'm losing weight, I'm eating healthy and I'm building excellent eating habits that I hope to carry forward long after I'm off the quick loss program.

2. Friends - we hosted Mark and Sarah Coen after their long driving trek up from San Francisco. It was great to see them and the weather sure cooperated to allow them a nice visit to lovely Victoria. I had to work, which was a bummer, as I didn't get to spend too much time with them, but it was fun catching up. We've been here nearly three years now and aside from Salome's parents and brother's family, we haven't had the opportunity to host anyone yet. My cousin Derek and his family will be in town later this summer. Keep 'em coming. If any of my extended friends and family have been yearning for a visit to Vancouver Island, the welcome mat is out!

My Epic Journey

Well, I have embarked on a journey of self-improvement. After many years of accepting my extra weight as a matter of fact and trying unsuccessfully to take care of the problem on my own, I decided to enlist some outside assistance.

At the recommendation of my Canadian Forces doctor and with the support of my US Navy doctor, I decided to give the SureSlim program a try. I really knew nothing about it, assumed it was just another one of these shake-drinking or pre-packaged food eating programs. I went to their info session and still wasn't totally convinced.

On the surface it seems pretty simple. Get your blood tested to determine your cholesterol levels, glucose tolerance and other tests and then create a diet to take advantage of your bodies natural ability to develop chemicals that stimulate muscle growth and reduce the conversion of food into fat.

I decided to give it a try, despite the high cost ($700 CDN). I saved a few bucks by having the lab work done at the Navy clinic and a few weeks later got the call that my new diet plan was prepared.

When I returned to the clinic, I was informed that while high, my cholesterol and glucose levels were within standards, which was good news, but I was also informed that my body type has a difficult time converting carbs (which may explain a few things regarding my weight problems to begin with). After 1/2hr of detailed instructions and taking my initial measurements (weight, height, chest and waist) I was off. One last weekend to enjoy my normal foods (including a belated birthday cake) and last Monday I was off.

The diet is somewhat similar to some other popular diets on the market, a little bit Atkins and a little bit Protein Power. Essenitally a protein (non-fat) and low carb vegetable diet, reducing sugar and salt intake at the same time and boosting Omega 3 fatty acids. That's a mouthful. Here's the nuts and bolts: I get to eat three meals a day, separated by 5 hrs (or as close there possible), each meal consists of a protein (egg, meat or cheese) and a low carb vegetable (one exception is twice a week I can have oats and whole milk for breakfast). I must eat three fruits a day with my meals but can doule or triple up at one meal (from select list of fruits - no grapes, no bananas, no canteloupe) and one fruit must be an apple. I also must consume a bevy of seeds daily, again with my meal: flax seed, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed and sesame seed. Can't be cooked. The only oil I can use (besides Pam spray) is cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, again not cooked (this I usually get in my daily salad. All my protein and veggie choices come from a list of approved foods and I must weigh them. No fruit juices and limited caffeine. I must drink 2l of water a day.

It's all quite complex, but as a nuclear trained submarine officer, I think that's probably what attracts me to the diet - the challenge. Anyways, more to follow in the weeks and months on how this thing works. Suffice to say, I felt pretty lousy the first five days as my body "detoxed" from all the processed crap I've been feeding it and now I feel great. I followed the plan to the letter (accept for one day of missed sunflower seeds). I am now on day 8 and went for my first weigh-in today. 11.5 pounds lost! Granted, I'm sure some of this was water weight, but hey, I'm 11 lbs lighter than I was last week and it feels great.

How long I last on this remains to be seen, but my goal is for a total weight loss of 65lbs. Wish me luck.

Where did it go?

So, I'm driving back to work after a quick lunch break, listening to MOJO Radio 730 AM Sports talk radio, as I usually do in the car, when the clock turns to 12:00 noon. Poof, 10 seconds of static, then a monologue for AM 730, "All traffic all drive time and the best of talk radio" cue a 15 second clip of some song related to driving, repeat, over and over again. Without a warning or hint whatsoever, not even a farewell to the radio listening audience, Sports Talk Radio AM 730 had become a 24/7 Vancouver traffic station.

Wham! Bam! Thank you Ma'am! Apparantly Chorus Radio Vancouver, who owns the station, decided after 17 months of Sports radio, it could no longer compete with the other Vancouver area sports talk radio station Team 1040. Now arguably, with the BC Lions going exclusive to Team 1040 last season and the Canucks set to do the same next season, the writing was probably on the wall. But where's the respect for your listening audience. At least give us a warning or a lead in of sorts. It didn't even hit the local papers until the next day. And the kicker for us poor saps in Victoria is that we can't pick up Team 1040 because they had to tone down their signal so as not to interfere with the local News talk radio CFAX 1070.

I don't know what to do. I'm at a loss. I can occasionally pick up ESPN radio out of Bellingham, but it's not the same. Poof. One minute it's sports talk, the next it's traffic and I'm one ticked off listener. Now where am I going to go to rant against those Yankees bandwagon jumping talk show hosts?