Thanks Todd.
The goal weight is 185, my race weight for Ironman was 180. It's all heading in the right direction

No more Mountain Dew and Ho Ho's in the morning, I read the labels this morning and there is enuf sugar to last 48hrs.. wow.

Uh..... you may also try reading one of those beer can labels too.... :cheers: :woot:

Very timely Todd.

In April 2011 my doctor shared my blood test results and shook her finger at me. It was scary, so I listened to and heeded her words. Her key advice was to watch out for calories, fats, and sugars while at the same time giving my body a reasonable and sustainable exercise routine.

Over the next six weeks I went from 186lbs to 150lbs and it was not that hard. I did exactly what Todd mentions, educating myself on foods, their effects, and watching everything I ate. It is stunningly amazing at how much weight was lost and how much better I feel with a simple combination of education, nutrition, and exercise.

There is something else that has come from exercise that was unexpected. I force myself to exercise at least 30-45 minutes every day. I do not watch or listen to TV, radio, ipod, etc. during exercise. Instead, I focus on a problem(s) and let my brain go. It may sound goofy but it works. I believe the combination of a singular mental focus and the endorphins allows my brain to work better.

Can one eat healty at a fast food joint? Yep. Most all now have salads. It may not be as exciting as a double chili-cheeseburger with chili-cheese fries, but I sure as heck feel better for the rest of the day. One still needs to watch out for all of that extra stuff that packs in the calories and fat. Some of those restraunt salads are 1500+ calories.

Here's the real kicker. It is less expensive to eat healty. By watching the local grocery store adds for specials I can mix up the diet to suit. It gives the taste buds a change, keeps costs way down, and allows for more important fiscal needs to be met (car parts!).

Yes, loosing weight does help at the track. Dealing with heat is easier, I fit in the seat better, and I can wear the new Hollywood suit without laying on the bed to put it on.

There's another common theme going on here. A support system. Todd has Kelli. I have my wife Kris. She's on board not only because she loves me, but she understands that keeping my health in check is the best way for me to be a good father and husband. Is there anything more important that that?

dont read it if you like drinking!

Hollywood is in the house:D and he is exactly right. Kelli has my back and she is also enjoying our new lifestyle TOGETHER. She's shedding lbs and excercising. She's making goals for herself. Tonight I told her when she hit X goal weight, I'd take her shopping. We both win!

I love salmon too Todd. A great website for selecting seafood which I got out of the End of Illness book I'm reading:

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

Specifically on salmon:

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org//...et.aspx?fid=27

Wild caught Alaskan salmon is the best. Costco sells it frozen in a big bag for a little over $20 I think. I eat a lot of salmon and it is some of the best I've had and also the best choice according to the website above.

Great info! They'll send it to your door. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...=1&topnav=&s=1

:thumbsup:

Lightly saute some mushrooms and capers in olive oil. Grill some salmon, cover with the m&c's, and top with your favorite spaghetti sauce. For a side dish saute some zuchinni, squash, and a bit of onion in butter and pepper. Great stuff and it hardly ticks any of the "bad" meters. Cost is under $5 for what is a $20 dinner at the Italian joint, and less in every way than a Hungry Man dinner.

After the doctor's talk I started looking at foods from three different perspectives. One is easy: That is not what I should be eating. The second is a bit more harsh: That food will kill me. The third is one that comes out of a nasty competitive side that I have: I won't let food control me.

For me it's like this. Would I throw myself in front of a car, bullet, etc. to save my family? Would I accept taking any illness or suffering in order to save them the same fate? Would I be willing to give up something in order to help insure that I will be around for for the long haul? Gladly. So, that means saying no to unhealty foods (I will indulge a bit from time-to-time), no drinking (one beer since), no tobacco, etc. Yeah it's hard, but I spent today with my family on vacation. The look in my younger son's eyes when he was really excited was enough to make me melt. My older one is becomeing a young man and starting to listen to his dad from a different perspective. I don't really need that Churros, do I?

That's a great win-win for you Todd, especially since she's going to be wearing "The Dress" soon. ;-)

Good food doesn't have to taste bad

Most people view food very simply: it either tastes good, or it’s good for you – and never the two shall meet.



Extracts from the Gourmet Nutrition, recipe book, which has some wonderful food inside and all of the macronutrient ratios are already worked out.