Meat and Chesse Only, Please

It's diet time again for good Ol' Dave. Usually, I live life by two simple rules: Eat when hungry. Sleep when tired. Every once in awhile, however, my simple life is interrupted by two other rules: Pants don't fit. Two helpings aren't enough.

When I turned 33, I went to my doctor who said, "Your numbers a slightly elevated, which is no problem now, but more of a problem when you are 40 — even a bigger one at 50."

At the time, I weighed 305 pounds. At 6-foot-5, I carry that weight pretty well, but I was a "big man" regardless. During that summer, I lost 50 pounds on a combination of the Atkins diet and playing racquetball. I felt a lot better and returned to my normal eating habits.

When I began eating carbs again, I noticed my stomach capacity had shrunk. No longer did I need the "Extra Value" size of meals and actually would leave some food on my plate, completely satisfied with my intake.

Over the past 6 years, I have stayed within about 10-15 pounds of that weight I reached back in 2002. When I would gain a little too much, I'd return to the diet of choice and drop a few.

With my "Pants" gauge, I knew it was probably time to drop a few pounds again, although, I wasn't exactly looking forward to the idea. Afterall, eating is important.

Then came the Wii.

My son Joshua received Wii Fit for birthday in August. Wii fit is all the range among young and old alike. It is a fitness system for use with the Ninentdo Wii. Allegedly, it will help you get in shape and make it fun in the process.

Joshua has already set up his profile, as well as my oldest son, Zachary. While they haven't exactly gone "hog wild" with the exercise thing they are monitoring their progress every so often.

Monday, I decided to give Wii Fit a try. I was curious to see where I stacked up in the whole "fitness thing."

I'm obese — and apparently, I'm 50 in Wii years.

Not a good thing to learn with your whole family sitting there watching. No more denying it now.

"Paging Dr. Atkins!"

Tuesday, I began phase one of the Atkins diet, coupled with some exercises on the Wii Fit. I know there are those "out there" who say Atkins (and all low carb diets) promote yo-yo-ing, are unhealthy in many ways, and not the best solution.

For me, it is. I do not eat vegetables. I do not have time to manage a points system. This works for me.

This time, however, I plan to get my BMI out of the "obese" category and into the "normal" category. According to the Wii, I will have to travel through "overweight" to get there.

My wife says when I set my mind to something, it's hard to change it. I hope that is the case with the diet/exercise plan (heavy on the diet).

Will it be a "once and for all" thing? Probably not. I'm sure I'll have to periodically go back on even after I reach my goal. But who doesn't?

I just hope I don't get sick of eating bacon. Joshua would be devasated if I did. This is probably his kind of diet too.

May The Blog Be With You.