With the Saints hitting playoffs, then the Super Bowl (WHO DAT BABY), I ate and ate. We had wings, chips & salsa, banana pudding and just about everything else you SHOULD NOT eat on a diet – but I did. Then I followed it up with Mardi Gras! Now, I am not a big drinker, but over the course of a week full of parades, I consumed a fifth of tequila and about a gallon of Margarita mix along with fried chicken, pizza, and even more. Well, with all that I gained about 7-8 pounds back of my weight loss, but right afterward I got back on my diet, religiously drinking my White Lightning energy drink and taking my TriThin Magic (Get a Free Bottle here).

I am now proud to say that my official weight this morning was 198.4 – a huge drop from my 232 pound start a little over a month ago, bringing my total weight loss to over 33 pounds and still counting down. My first goal was 200, my next is 185. I have already noticed a bit off my waste and my “big boy” button up shirts are too big so I foresee a shopping trip in about 15 more pounds.

To all of you who have thought that a goal of weight loss was too hard to achieve, believe me when I say it is not. The changes I made were minor and I am doing it. Coming from a Southern Mississippi boy who loves to eat – you can do it too! Make small milestones for yourself, create a plan, and stick with it. Don’t be afraid to cheat a little when you want to – just get back on the next day. The minor cheating is what has kept me from blowing it altogether.

Looking to make 2010 my “get healthier” year and wishing you the best luck in reaching your goals!

So what is my secret? Not much of a secret but anyone that knows me definitely knows I wasn’t out running two miles every day, or even running any further than the bathroom from my office chair! I took a less stressful approach and cut a few things out of my routine and added a few things to it:

1. Cut out some unnecessary sugars: By reducing my sweet tea intake, I easily cut several hundred calories a day from my diet. I still have a glass here and there with dinner or lunch, but not constantly drinking it as my constant drink. Instead, I decided to substitute a few things:
   1. White Lightning – This is an energy drink I have been drinking for about a year now. It is healthy, low sodium, 24 calories, 6g carbs (2 from sugar), and high on Vitamin C, Niacin, and B vitamins. You can get this from Triunity (bought in boxes of 30 packs which are mixed with bottled water). Don’t drink this within 5 hours of getting ready for bed.
   2. Water Mixers – you know the ones, they are little flavor packs that you mix with water and get from Walmart next to the Kool-Aid. I like Grape and Kiwi Strawberry.
   3. Water – In between other drinks, I have a full bottle of water.
2. Eat Breakfast: I typically do not eat breakfast and then grub like there is no tomorrow at lunch. By eating a small something (bagel, fruit, eggs, whatever) within the first hour of getting up I am able to “jump start” my metabolism and also not so hungry at lunch that I have to eat until I feel like I am going to pop.
3. Light Lunch: Keeping lunch light instead of having a side of ribs and bowl of potatoes helps keep the stomach from expanding to the point of no return. I have taken lunch down to a turkey sandwich (or two if I am really hungry). This typically knocks the hunger off and I can eat a snack in a couple of hours (apple/banana/bagel/something)
4. Somewhat Healthy Dinner: Food that is good for you does not have to taste bad. I simply knocked off the fried foods. We now will have chicken breast, pork ribs, steak, etc typically with a vegetable and a light starch.

My physical movement has expanded some as I have been playing a driving range game on my wife’s Wii Fit Plus (bought at Buy.com – use that link and it will save you $10 on any $200 order). I like the driving range game because it helps me stay balanced while swinging the hell out of the remote. I also enjoy playing the bowling game on Wii Sports (which shipped with the Wii)

The final secret is an appetite suppressant. I did good without it but when my weak moments hit, I would take the TriThin Magic, another product put out by Triunity. You can get a free bottle by visiting FreeMagicDiet. It is a pain to go through the sign-up process, but worth it to get a great product for free.

My goal is to get down to 180 pounds (maybe a little less). I am currently 209, started two weeks ago at 232…. STAY TUNED!