Once upon a time (circa Steve v4.6), I was a fat guy with a goal- lose 150 lbs between birthdays. Well, I didn’t make it. I only lost 148 lbs. and felt better, both physically and emotionally, than I had in a long time. I guess you could say it was a lose-win situation, or maybe lose-lose-win, I dunno- I don’t know tech-stuff. Anyway, I lost a butt-load of weight and felt pretty good about it all. Anyone who stuck with me and read my blog over the course of that little undertaking can confirm that I was really into the whole weight loss thing and was all jazzed about my self-perceived success.

My method was simple; eat less, move more. It worked. I lost a lot (did I mention ‘buttload’?) of weight- and did it without taking any miracle pills, dietary aids, special exercise programs, diet meetings, or coaches, or anything else that I consider to be ‘external motivators’. Just me, the gym, the stairs, and a ‘can-do’ attitude. Again, it worked.

Here’s the thing though- ‘simple’ isn’t the same as ‘easy’. Even though I created and maintained some pretty good habits that produced some pretty spectacular results, I also slacked off from time to time and let things slip. Those little slips can turn into an almost unnoticeable slide and pretty soon the butt-load starts creeping back into your life. Not a good thing.

So here I am, whacking myself upside my own head, working up the same level of motivation again. My birthday is in June, by then I will lose 60 lbs. Period. I’m starting right now and am simply going to repeat everything that worked for me in the past. I will follow the simple steps every day- those two simple things that brought so much success in the past. I don’t expect it to be easy.

This morning’s smoothie:

1/2 Banana

1S EAS Protein

1/2C Frozen Blueberries

Please pardon my rust as I go through some changes here.

I've been mulling over revamping my blog, mainly because I was feeling a little "stuck in a rut" on so many levels. Those of you keeping score may notice that my weight hasn't really been changing for the better over the past few weeks. I've gained weight and have just been kinda "blah". I can't quite put my finger on the specific source of my doldrums but I feel an incredible sense of urgency to kick myself in the ass and facilitate some positive change.

The thing is, my blog has held me accountable. It's been both stick and carrot on my journey from fat to, well, less fat. My goal from here on out is to augment that accountability and and drop that last pile of weight.

Rock on.

All my posts are at http://4point6.com

That's where I'm at from now on...

I'm still maintaining a respectable routine- I'm still riding my bike and alternating my workout at the gym. That's all good but eating has been an issue.

We had some friends over last Sunday. It was one of those times when we couldn't decide what to make for dinner and so we made two dinners. Yeah, I know, making two dinners for the same meal is rarely a good idea- except at the time it seems like a very good idea because you no longer have to decide- and there you go. So two dinners it was. Venison stew and chicken-chocolate-cashew chili, each served in a sourdough bread bowl.

We made so much of both that I've been eating it for lunch all week. That's one delicious carb-load of goodness every day. Mmm, venison, potatoes, carrots, and beans. Deliciously windy around Steve all week long, I'll tell you what.

But wait, that's not all. I was reading a JohnIsFit.com entry (you know, the one about hiding Oreos around the house) and thought I'd try and have some of the same kind of fun. So I went to Costco and picked up a box of Oreos and started stashing sleeves of what I now call "demon sweets" around the house. Harmless fun, right? WRONG! It seems that they're too easily found so in an effort to preserve some for myself, I stashed a couple of sleeves in my desk. Nobody looks in there, right? WRONG! I look in there. No longer do I have to worry about anyone else getting to them- as they are now in my belly. No food games for me.

Net result? Two additional pounds on the scale this morning. Not good. But you know what? I'm not bummed out about it at all. In fact, what I'm feeling is determination. This week I dipped my toe in the pool of wretched excess and waded out up to my knees in what could certainly have become my undoing. Now I'm back out again- a little damp from the experience but ready to move on and continue my trek towards good health and healthy living. Rock on...

Here's what I had in my smoothie this morning:

1/2 Banana
1S EAS Protein
1/2C Frozen Berry Mix
1/4C Kashi GoLean cereal
1C Raw Spinach
1oz Pomegranate Juice
Water

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