Berry Happy by Jean Snow VanOrden

When I was a newlywed, and we faced years of temporary housing arrangements, I heard a speaker talk about planting cherry trees.  His point was that it’s beneficial to present happiness to put down roots wherever you are and not delay working at projects that take time to come to fruition even if you don’t expect to stay in a particular location for long.  You just never know what will happen and it’s better to plant with the hope of harvest than to mark time and invest nothing in long–term rewards.  At my home in Eagle River, Alaska I procrastinated putting this idea into practice (as far as landscaping) for years but finally planted raspberries along the east side of the house.  The starts were free from a dear friend with a very productive green thumb and instead of having 10 years of mouth-watering, home-grown raspberry jam I only harvested berries for five summers and it took a couple of summers before we had a harvest sufficient to make jam. 

When we were looking for a home in the Boise area, we had dreams of a large garden where we could grow tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, melons, and even fruit trees.  We ended up on a windy hillside with a spectacular view and significant barriers to cultivating a vegetable garden.  But we were determined to produce something on our sagebrush littered hillside. The task was daunting so we started off small by repurposing a tulip bed at the back of the house for growing berries.  We made a trip to Fruitland Nursery where we bought strawberry and raspberry starts. 

In the past I’ve avoided planting a strawberry patch because I’ve seen one too many weedy grass choked beds of tangled strawberries.  Thankfully, the rich soil of our little flower bed, with the help of some Miracle Grow time-release fertilizer and a simple drip-hose watering system, produced five or six pickings of luscious glossy strawberries that taste better than any strawberries I’ve ever eaten.  My grandson can testify to that as he ate one whole picking all by himself. The berries are beautiful and I am grateful we didn’t procrastinate.

 The raspberries will not produce much until next summer but the few that ripened this year have such a rich color and flavor that we are motivated to expand our little berry patch into two separate beds next spring.  It will be well worth the work and at a very small expense give us a great sense of accomplishment and a tasty harvest. 

I have to confess that we also planted three fruit trees which did not survive our experiment but we are not defeated, thanks to our little berry patch. We have planted not just for ourselves but to the benefit of our grandchildren and whoever may own this home in the future.  Planting and harvesting breathes a little more pleasure, a little more hope, and a little more faith into every day.  Maybe it won’t be a garden we plant or fruit we harvest but investing in any long-term reward will make the world a better place for everyone. 

Update on my Weight Loss as of October 14, 2013

I have lost a total of 10 pounds in the last month.   It has almost been entirely from dieting since my surgeries have made exercise difficult.  As a reminder, I have been through carpel tunnel surgery on both wrists, and sinus surgery within a month of each other.  Wrists are doing great and sinuses feel like they are open for the first time in twenty years.

I am walking occasionally when I have the energy.  But nutritional restraint gets the credit for my recent weight loss.  Its called portion control with 5-6 small meals per day.  I am on pace to lose a total of 20 pounds before Thanksgiving over a 2 month period.  All is well thus far.  If you have joined the effort, please leave me a comment about your progress and method. 

Here's a link to my weight loss mentor who happens to specialize in helping people who have meg-weight to lose.  When I started a few years ago, I had a goal to lose 80 pounds.  He helped me lose the first 50 of those.  He is a chiropractor and represents an excellent nutrition program called "Take Shape for Life".  I learned how to eat right and it has become a life habit for me.  Here's he link:

http://www.diabetesweightlossexpert.com/testimonials     

Lost 3 Pounds this Week---Here's the Menu

So my first week of renewed weight loss efforts brought me a 3 pound loss.  I am not using a commercially purchased food program and if I did I would use “Take Shape for Life” since I lost 50 pounds on their program in 2011.  I am using the same principles but building my own menus with food we buy at the local markets.  I eat every 2 – 2 ½ hours.  Here is an example of what I’ve been eating for 6 small meals per day:

1)      7am --- Weight loss snake from the store or made from whey protein powder as my first meal.

2)      9:30am ---- Bran flakes and/or Raisin Bran cereal (small portion) with lactose free milk. 

3)       12 noon ---- Shake made from protein powder, a table spoon of fiber powder, and juice whipped in crushed ice with our magic bullet mixer.

4)      2:30 pm ---- 5 bean salad (one cup) which is very helpful to keep my digestive system moving properly.

5)      5 pm ---- Green salad with chicken or fish and low fat dressing (this is my largest meal of the day).

6)     7:30 pm --- a few nuts and dates.

I try to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. 

This schedule keeps me from feeling hunger pangs.  It is about 1500 – 1700 calories per day.  With aerobic exercise added regularly I lose an average of 3 pounds per week.  Weight loss is not a complicated as some make it.  It amounts to reducing calories and exercising more.  Consulting a doctor at the beginning of a concerted effort to lose weight is always a good idea.       

Back at the Weight Loss Lifestyle

I’ve been on a 3 month hiatus from my weight loss blog, because of health issues which crowded my time and energy.  But less you think I have been gaining weight, the good news is I have actually lost pounds even though my time exercising has been greatly reduced because of my lack of energy. 

I think there are two reasons for this good news:

1) Good permanent habits have been formed during my dieting.

2) My appetite has changed my food choices and serving size.  My stomach just doesn’t want so much food clogging it up anymore.  Yesterday Jeannie and I went to Café Rio for dinner.  I had my usual salad/pulled pork and could only eat half of what I normally would.

So the six small meal habit I formed while on Medifast has helped improve my overall food habits.  I eat more fruits and veggies now.  A small meal of nuts and dates satisfies my hunger.  I drink more water than ever before.  My digestive system appreciates these new habits and thereby is less irritable. It is good to keep those intestines happy. 

Even though I will likely have several more surgeries before the end of the year, I intend to up my efforts to consciously shed more pounds toward my ultimate goal of 199 pounds.  As a reminder I started at a very chubby 280 pounds.  For the past year I have hovered in the range of 240 – 260.

When I was on my initial diet and lifestyle change I had many weight loss buddies participating in one way or another.  I invite any and all to watch my progress via this blog and join me in the quest to regain good health.  I would love to hear your stories and weight loss insights.  Let's get this done.              

Lost 11 pounds in 2 Weeks without Starving---Now I'm down 13 after Three Full Weeks

Here are some hints how you can do it: 

The good news is I lost 11 pounds in 2 Weeks without starving.  After a great trip on the Alaska Highway I decided I needed to kick my health and weight loss back into full gear.  So I took all that I learned over the past few years, I lost 50 pounds, then regained 20 of those pounds and basically yo-yo'ed gaining and losing the "same" 20 lbs several times.  

Here's what happened:

I weighed in on day one and restarted my old habit of eating 6 small meals per day.  A couple of protein shakes with fiber, low calorie protein bars, nuts, dates, oatmeal, and a low calorie evening meal from Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine, between 1200 -1500 calories per day.  I drink more water because I believe when we think we are hungry we are actually thirsty.  I try for eight 16 once glasses per day.  We get all of the food from grocery stores or Costco. 

I stay away from my wife Jeannie when she cooks or eats since she's a great chef and needs high calorie meals due to a fast metabolism, as well as her status as a cancer survivor.  We do not have ice cream or cookies in the house right now.  I take one day per week to go off this nutrition program and eat some of my favorite foods without regard to calories.

For exercise I use an elliptical machine for aerobics for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times per week.  I do my physical therapist routine learned recently by doctors orders for stretching my back 3-4 times per week.  I also try to golf 2-3 times a week.  I am feeling better every day.  My stamina is improving.  My Rheumatologist  has me on a new medication that has my body feeling better than it has for years.

So all is well and I am losing weight again with gusto.  I realize it will slow to a 2-3 pounds per week pace, but I am getting closer daily to my ultimate goal of 199 having peaked at 280 pounds several years ago.

I still advocate a commercial weight loss nutrition program to help anyone who is new to losing serious weight.  I used Take Shape For Life and loved it for months while losing 50 pounds. Weight Watchers or Nutrisystem have worked for some friends of mine. 

I finally decided I could go it alone and became my own weight loss coach. by providing my own food.  I admit it was a struggle for a year while we moved from Alaska to Idaho but once settled it was time to finish the course and head toward 199 again. 

I'll keep you posted on my progress so hopefully it inspires others who need to lose weight.  Besides it helps me to know I have friends I am reporting back too.  Thanks so much for your encouragement.                    

New Found Motivation

New found motivation...my son Dan has lost 30 pounds in the past couple of months simply by walking "briskly" for about 45 minutes at lunchtime.  Once the weight started to come off he was naturally encouraged to make wiser choices for food and portions.  He weighs in weekly when he comes to our home for Sunday dinner.  He is down to 167 and looks great.  His wife Anne says he needs to gain a few pounds.  Awesome job Dan.   

Week by Week Melting Away Slowly

This past week brought new successes and challenges.  I did lose a few pounds.  But when I have too many special events to attend I eat too much of the wrong kinds of foods.  I would hate to  become a recluse just to stay on a diet.  So new strategies are developing.  

Instead of stopping for that juicy hot dog after 9 holes of golf, we have been carrying our own low calorie protein bars in the golf cart cubby.  Instead of drinking high calorie pop or "energy" drinks, water will do just fine.  It is becoming a new habit.  

I am OK as long as I lose 2-3 pounds per week.  I really don't want to go back to a food program that completely controls my diet.  Been there, done that, and benefited by the new small meal habit.  Let's keep up the good work and enjoy a successful week.