Entry #6 December 6, 2007

You don't have to be a cocktail lover to adhere to my weight loss theory, but if you are, consider doing what I plan to do tonight. I love my Manhattans, but they are full of empty calories, being pure liquor, and the sweet vermouth not only has calories, but possibly sugar (I'm not sure if the brewing process turns it all into alchohol or not) which might exacerbate my diabetes. If you drink something with a high calorie content like bourbon and coke, ginger, sprite tonic, etc. try changing to a diet substitute of the product though I know you will sacrifice taste.

Don't sacrifice everything. I have a longstanding tradition I love. Every Friday night I grill steaks - my favorite is a porterhouse and I love any bone-in steak. I serve it with fresh boiled artichokes dipped in garlic butter. I will not be giving up this tradition. I may reduce the the size of my steak as my stomach shrinks and I get used to eating less. If you have a similar tradition, unless it is completely glutinous, don't abandon it.

Another thing I recommend you not make yourself miserable for is travel and special occasions. Don't go totally wild, but don't sit in the corner eating a salad and diet dressing while everyone else is enjoying steak and lobster. Use common sense. You can always make up for a couple pound weight gain if you get back into your regimen rather than giving up and using the experience as an excuse to continue cheating.

Day eight of the program I weighed in at 259.5, a 4.5 pound loss for the week. Not bad at all considering that I was really pretty naughty over the weekend. I had my traditional steak and butter dipped artichokes Friday night with cocktails and a glass of wine. Breakfast Saturday was four Bloody Marys, and I celebrated more than I should have Sunday night. So I am really pretty satisfied.

The next item which will need attention is the exercise part of the program. I admit I have an aversion to exercise. I use the excuse that I am somewhat a workoholic and hate to try to create time for exercise - but I know I can if I try. So it will simply be a matter of how long I put it off until I start.

Earlier I mentioned that traditional wisdom requires dieters (as well as everybody else) to drink alot of water. Eight glasses a day is the usual recommendation. Recently however certain MD's have written articles questioning this practice. One suggested that the water requirement can be met not just with water, but juices,milk, coffee, tea and other liquids including water content of the foods you eat. A second report came out recently which actually contends that too much water can be harmful by "washing vitamins and nutrients out of your system." This report encourages substitution of coffee, tea and even alchoholic beverages for water. So, even the experts aren't going to agree on everything. I still take a small ice chest with water to work with me, but seldom get to the eight glass mark. I probably average three to five glasses a day.

The holidays can be a busy time, and I plan to do a little traveling and spend time with family. For this reason, the blog will probably have fewer posting on it between now and early January. Keep checking in with me though because the next entry will be a real treat. I will be discussing a very health, versitile and little known red meat. You'll be glad you tuned in.