Did it!!

So, now it’s done.
Back at the end of May, I made a bet with Jubilee United Church. I bet that I could lose 25 lbs before the end of October. Following a liturgical calendar, I was betting that I could lose 25 lbs between the festival of Pentecost and the Feast of All Saints. (What I meant was “I had better weigh in before Hallowe’en or I’m in big trouble!”). Should I lose the bet, I offered to donate $1,000 to the ministry of Jubilee United Church. Should I win the bet, I was hoping that people might sponsor me by the pound, paying off for anything between 25 and 30 lbs lost. People seemed to be supportive. I imagined that I could even raise a couple of hundred dollars a pound – Imagine! I could lose 25 lbs and Jubilee would have an additional $5,000 to support ministry in Don Mills!!.
Well, that was not to be.
Instead, I lost over 30 lbs. On Sunday, October 31st, I weighed in at 248 lbs. – over 30 lbs less than when I started.
And people pledged almost $600/lb. That’s almost $18,000 to support the work and ministry that is Jubilee. WOW!
First, allow me to thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart... a heart that actually works less these days and should keep working longer. I have been overwhelmed by the support from the whole community. From the people offering me advice, the people spying on me in the grocery store, the people who read and supported this blog,, the people who were still adding sponsorship a week before my weigh in and those who also made it a mission to lose weight along with me (you look fabulous, by the way!).

So what did I do the afternoon after the weigh in?

You have to promise not to tell anybody...

I went to McDonald’s.
I went to the drive-thru.
I ordered a double quarter pounder with cheese.
Plain (I think that the condiments are probably not very healthy).
I ordered it as a meal.... with fries and a Coke.

I drove away with my meal in bag and looked for somewhere secluded to park. I imagine that it’s a similar feeling to cheat on a spouse... I was looking for somewhere to hide and indulge in my dirty little secret. Hidden behind a school, with no on around, I opened the bag. I rationalized: “Well, come on... I’ve been so good – I deserve to do something greasy and dirty and wrong.....”
I took a bite.
Salty fat filled my mouth...
I scarfed some fries.... more salty fat filled my mouth...
I washed it down with the forbidden elixir known as Coca-Cola...
I won’t lie... it tasted good.

Sort of...

But by the third bite, bite and sip, I was beginning to wonder what I ever saw in such things. I’m not going to give up greasy fat for life... but if I’m going to indulge, I think that it will be with lovingly made, hot frites, home made mayonnaise and a glass of champagne. I mean really... do I want my indulgences to be experienced in a car or in a place of comfort where I can enjoy myself with the fear of “being caught”? (this sounds eerily similar to a discussion I had with a young lady back in my formative years.....)

I indulged and discovered that I really don’t want to go there again. I really wasn’t missing anything. And after that, Monday was pretty much the same as Monday last week. I ate the same way, rode the bike the same way, and I believe, continued to live my life the way that I intend to for the rest of it... (although I’m thinking that I could look good in hats...)

In response to numerous requests, let me share with you my secrets

Actually, I have no secrets. There was no diet; no special regimen from which I am not released. I made a few simple changes. Here are a few:

1. Bread. I didn’t stop eating it – but eat a lot less of it. I gave up sandwiches for wraps and ignored the bread basket at restaurants. (unless it was hot and fresh... come on, I’m only human)
2. Water. I drink a lot of it. I drink still water, tap water, imported water, sparkling water.. I drink it during the day, I drink it at night. At a pub with friends or at a restaurant, I always have a large bottle of sparkling water first. Then, when I have a glass of wine or a pint of lager, I’m not drinking for thirst but for taste and I drink a lot less.
3. Eat slowly. I take my time and don’t wolf down my food or attack it like a challenge. The slower that I eat, the less I eat. (Turns out, my mother was right.).
4. Simple breakfast every day. Sugar free, high fibre, protein cereal and green tea. Or sprouted grains English Muffin and organic peanut butter and green tea. I’m not hungry for the rest of the morning.
5. No fast food. I don’t drive-thru; I don’t pick up; I almost never order in... If I’m in a rush a Zone Perfect bar does the trick.
6. I snack on crunchy sugar free cereal instead of nuts and candy. As long as it crunches, I’m happy.
7. Most of my eating is intentional... I work at not eating when I’m bored or when I’m watching TV and not paying attention to my hunger. Bored habit eating was a big problem for me.
8. No Nachos. (They are evil. I love them and they keep trying to sneak into my life... sometimes disguised as a Cheese Dip or sometimes the only thing on menu that can be shared... but I must resist their hot salty goodness.)
9. I walk a lot. More often. Great distances. My dog likes it... my wife likes the peace and quiet (she stays home).
10. Finally... occaissionally, I cheat. Every now and then, I forget about the rules – eat the bread, order the nachos, start with the wine. But then, the next day, I go back to my good habits.

So, you can see that I don’t really have a diet or a program that ends now that I’ve lost the weight. It is my hope and my firm belief that I will continue to lose weight until my body finds that weight that’s right for me. I knew that it wasn’t 286... I’m pretty sure that it’s not 248... so, in time, I will find my correct weight. And as I go, I will likely continue to blog. So, if you are inclined to keep reading, I will try to give you something to read....

But for now: Thanks for reading and supporting. If you pledged money, rest assured, i will be in touch soon!