Cruise Tips- Enjoy the cruise and not gain weight

I wrote down some things I did during my cruise that may help you not gain the lbs while you are cruising away. My wife and I did this on a 7 day cruise and we did not gain weight.

• I exercised every morning for at least 25 minutes. If you don't want to go to the gym, walk the track outside and enjoy the weather.
• Use the stairs! We gave ourselves the ability to use the elevator once a day.
• Eat your fruits and veggies. There is fruit always available.
• I know the booze flows on vacation. Make sure to get your water in.
• Its alright to splurge- you are on vacation. Just control portion size or you could share it with someone so you are not eating all of it.

Good luck and hope this helps you. I you have any additional ideas please post them in the comment section.

When does the Big Guy inside leave ?

When is it that your mind switches and the Big Guy inside of you is gone?

I have been eating well for the past 6 months, but I still have to consciously make the right decision. I drop my guard and I am eating a Guiness Burger at Bennigans.

Skinny people who have lost the weight or are Lifetime members, still have that Big Guy inside of them I was talking to Fatty McButterpants about this and he saw it as an illness like diabetes. You will always have it and you have to deal with it forever.

I am always going to have to make conscious decisions and though I will occasionally eat the ice cream or maybe a piece of someones birthday cake. I have to think every time I put something to eat in my mouth.

That is why people do the roller coaster and lose and gain weight. You drop your guard and you just gained it all back again.

That is how it feels after being on vacation and indulging on some not on The Plan meals. So I am back to journaling and trying to get in the right mindset.

Biggie Sized Weigh In- Week 24: (-2.4lbs)

It has been about a month since I last posted and I am still losing weight. In the past month I have been on a cruise for a week and been struggling to get back into the swing of things. During the 4 weeks, I did not lose any weight (or gain) during the cruise week, I later gained 0.2lbs during the next 2 weeks and now I am back losing after this weigh in.

I am going to start posting more. I know no is reading this but if we can help someone or at least show them its a long process.

Starting weight: 351.0 lbs
Current weight: 297.0 lbs
WLTD: 54.0lbs
Total Plan Days: 166 day

No longer a 300lb Homer!!!

I am finally under 300 lbs! Thanks to The Plan! This has been the most effective weight loss. I do not think this is a diet, it is a "lifestyle". However the reason it is a lifestyle is because you learn how to eat (portion control, food selection, etc). You do not deprive yourself of food. You just don't eat huge portions of it.

I am glad I have learned how to eat and I it is amazing to see the changes I have made in the past 4 months. I can't wait to see where I am in the next 4 months! Stay tuned!

Biggie Sized Weigh In- Week 20: (-2.4 lbs)

I am now officially under 3BILLS! I am half way to shedding 100 lbs. It is a great accomplishment and I am very happy. I feel better and I am looking better too! I have kept up with eating right, drinking water, eating fruits instead of 100 cal packs and just thinking before I put food in my mouth.

My reward after reaching my 2nd goal (1st one was 10%)- We are off on a cruise today. This may be a Big Guys fantasy- 24 hr room service, food and drink everywhere: Fun, Sun and Food!

I will journal my week out at sea and report how I did. I am hoping I can use all the things I have learned and incorporate it on this trip. Not saying I will not enjoy myself and deprive myself. It just means I can have fun and eat right. Wish me luck and see you guys in a week. For all those that read Thinsanity- Thank you and hope we help. I hope Not so Fatty McButterpants can give you some good reading this week!

Starting weight: 351.0 lbs

Current weight: 299.2lbs

WLTD: 51.8lbs

Total Plan Days: 138 day

Biggie Sized Weigh In- Week 19: (-3.6 lbs)

Another long week at work and to make it a little bit harder. This week was the one year anniversary of the death of my daughter. So I figured I would gain again. I did not think it would be as much as I lost. I guess if I reduce my beer intake and eat sensibly I can lose some weight. I am ohhh so close to dipping past 3BILLS!!! Time to get even more focused I know that this is when it gets harder as I try to reach yet another goal. 49 pounds is a lot of weight.... Would love to dip past 300 before I go on my cruise.

Starting weight: 351.0 lbs
Current weight: 301.6lbs
WLTD: 49.4lbs
Total Plan Days: 131 days

The Big Weigh-in... Week 13: -1.2 lbs.

Hello again, old friends! I've been absent the past 3 weeks for a variety of reasons.

Regardless, I'm back. This week, I lost 1.2 lbs and am only 2.2 lbs. away from Onederland! My weight loss is approaching the halfway mark. I realized today that my plan can be divided neatly into two segments: The First 30 Pounds, down to around 200, and The Second 30 Pounds down to 170, which is my current goal and at the top of normal for my build. I thought I was going to do something special for my 10%, but it just moved on by. I think I may try a reward after crossing into Onederland.

To paraphrase the President, "the state of my clothing is strong!" I now fit plentifully into all my current wardrobe, including the mis-sized 38 pants that really were 36. In fact, I have definitely dropped a full pants size, as I cannot wear 38's without needing severe belt support. I went out last week and bought some new shorts and a pair of jeans, all in 36 size. Can't tell you how good that feels. I was at 36 for most of my adult life, but I really think when I hit my goal I'll settle in at 34. So, I don't want to buy too many clothes now.

My points tracking has gone to shit lately, as I've been on business travel and been eating foods that I couldn't calculate the points on reliably. I'll usually hit breakfast and lunch on the WW site, then I know what I need for dinner. Then I'll skip the dinner tracking. I'm redoubling my efforts starting today to be more vigilant. Of course, I have some business travel coming up in about 2 weeks.

I'm excited that both BS and myself are about to cross into new territories around the same time. This is really the second biggest milestone until reaching my final goal. Perhaps there should be a little wager on who crosses first...

Starting Weight: 232.0 lbs.
Current Weight: 202.2 lbs.
Weekly Change: -1.2 lbs.
WLTD: 29.8 lbs.
Total Plan Days: 95

Biggie Sized Weigh In- Week 18: +1.8

Well I finally got caught. I pushed the limits this week. I drank about 7 beers this week and had some tasty Italian food and it came back and added lbs on me. I know what I did wrong and I think this may be the thing to hit me upside the head and get me back on track.

For the past few weeks I have cheated the system and today the weight came on. It makes it worse being at the meetings and hearing "This week we lost this many pounds this week" and you know you did not contribute at all.

What is fustrating is that I was 3.4lbs from 300 and I just put myself back another 1.8lbs.

Time to motivated and make this happen!

Starting weight: 351.0 lbs

Current weight: 305.2lbs

WLTD: 45.8lbs

Total Plan Days: 124 days

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Amazing what a few months does....

So with college football around the corner. I was looking at some pictures of me and came across pictures of me doing something I do a lot during the football season- Grilling!

Here is me on September 1st 2006:



Here is me on May 13th 2007:



Still some lbs to lose. But it is great to see the difference. Promise to have a pic of me grilling this football season to see where I am!

My tribute to Chris Farley

I took this picture a few years ago. I find it funny and at the same time very sad. I plan to find that jacket and see if look any better then I do here:

Here is to you Mr. Farley... Fat guy in a little coat!

Chew on this: All you can eat at Dodger Stadium

Click on Homer to read more

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Luis Serrano is working on his second Dodger Dog and the game hasn't even begun. "On a good night, I'll eat seven," he said, smiling.

That's how it goes in the new all-you-can-eat seats way out in right field at Dodger Stadium, where fans wolf down as many Dodger Dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn and soda as their bellies allow for one price.

Launched this season, the outfield eat-a-thon opens 90 minutes before the first pitch and lasts until the start of the seventh inning. Ticket prices range from $20 for group sales to $40 for day-of-game walk-ups. Some games are $25 during designated promotions.

Thank God I am in the East Coast. That is a great maketing idea. That would be trouble for any guy on The Plan

Biggie Sized Weigh In- Week 17: (-2.0)

This week was a tough one for me. Don't really want to get into the details. The short story is my daughter turned 1 on Thursday, however she is no longer with us and is instead looking down from heaven. These next 12 days will be very difficult since she was only with us for 12 days and she passed on June 6th. I am amazed I lost weight since stress and grief are Big Guys horrible combination.

Sorry don't feel like posting much. Will post some recipes and some more thoughts throughout the week. Hopefully Fatty will be able to post too (He has been on travel and been slammed).

Starting weight: 351.0 lbs
Current weight: 303.4lbs
WLTD: 47.6lbs
Total Plan Days: 117 days

The Mistake

As you have noticed I have been eating a little bit of everything. I am venturing away from Plan friendly foods and as I posted earlier I went and had pizza. Since I was good and did so well with the pizza. I decided to make a big dessert tonight. What a Mistake!

My wife had made me some Diet Coke cupcakes (recipe coming soon) and we freeze them. So when I want one I can just grab it and microwave it and I can enjoy a warm chocolate cupcake (2 pts). I decided this time to mix it up with a 1/2 a cup of Breyers no sugar added Double Churned Extra Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream (1pt for 1/2 a cup) and I drizzled some chocolate syrup and caramel syrup along with a crunched up Skinny Cow Vanilla with Caramel Ice Cream cone (2pts). So I had a warm cupcake, the crunch of the cone, with the flavors of caramel, chocolate and vanilla ice cream. I figured I had the points and this was a 7 pt dessert, why not eat it. WRONG!!!

I ate it and it was like bomb exploded inside of me and brought me back to reality. Just because I had the extra points and I had just "cheated" with the tasty pizza could I pig out on a super point ice cream mixture ala Cold Stone. My body is not use to it anymore and cannot handle it.

I shocked my body and what did I get- quality bathroom time and a horrible pain in my stomach. The pain felt like an alien was coming out of me. This is the 1st time I have gotten this way since being on The Plan. Odd part is I was like this all the time. I blogged about it before (click here to read about it) After ever meal it would hit me like a ton of bricks and I would feel sick. Not healthy and not a good feeling to have.

Moments like this, show me I still have a lot to learn and improve on my day to day living and eating. It also shows me that when you eat right and proportioned - this does not happen. I also learned just because I have the points- I shouldn't I eat them unless I am hungry. I got cocky and I paid the price- in the toilet (many times)! Good Night

The Plan works

I have been on many diets and the one thing about all of them is that once I reached my goal I slowly go back to my old ways and I started to add carbs or began to eat all the things I missed out on. Of course there are diets where they supply you with the food and once you stop eating their food- then what? You gain it right back- thats what!

The great thing about The Plan is that even if you were to stop doing it and you came away with the basic ideas of:

• Portion Control- Think before you eat
• Veggie/Fruit intake
• Be active- Exercise (even its 15 mins a day)
• H2O consumption

Sounds easy- Eat less, exercise more and eat fruits and veggies. Those are all things I never did. I am no expert and I still have a long way to my goal and most of all maintain the weight loss. However I have learned more in the 1st 112 days on The Plan- then with any other "diet". Thanks Weight Watchers for changing my lifestyle and life! Life does not end when you decide to live and eat better.

Biggie Sized- Weigh In- Week 16: (-2.6)

Not going to bore you with the crapfest I have been dealing with at work. I had a big event at work and started my other new job along with the other 2 I am currently working. I am learning that in order for me to survive and really make this something I do for the rest of my life. I have to be able to not deprive myself of foods, but rather eat them in moderation.

When I deprive myself of food, I tend to binge on them. I am going to start incorporating other foods that I want to eat, but making sure on the portion size. I think that is why I did not finish off the basket of fries of Cheeburger Cheeburger and I was able to lose and still eat at Cheeburger Cheeburger and lost weight.

Starting weight: 351.0 lbs

Current weight: 305.4lbs

WLTD: 45.6lbs

Total Plan Days: 112 days

There is nothing like real pizza!

Flat Out pizza is great with Turkey Pepperoni, a sprinkle of cheese and some sauce, but there is nothing like a slice of real Italian pizza. Tonight my wife and I decided to treat ourselves and go out for some pizza. We have not had pizza in over 100 days. If you want pizza, you can have it and not deprive yourself of the tasty goodness. Just practice moderation and portion control. I ordered the 10 inch personal cheese pizza, a to go box, a side salad and a diet coke. Once I got the pizza I put half of it (my pizza had 4 slices) in a box and ate my 2 slices.

Could I have eaten the whole mini pie? Yes, but after the salad and the 2 slices I was fine and since the pizza was not in front of me, I did not polish it off. I now also get to enjoy it again.

So if you want to eat something. Go for it. Just plan ahead and remember to get a box.

Would you like a Pounder?

It has been a long week. The crazy hours continue at work and I have gone from not eating lunch at work to just not eating much. My wife and I wanted to just splurge and just eat a meal. We decided to go to Cheeburger Cheeburger. Where Big is Better!

I ate there a long time ago and thought it would be good place to go get a burger. If you never have been its a 50's style restaurant that servers burgers, fries, onion rings and shakes and oh yeah Pepsi.

We sit down and look at the menu. Granted I did not even go online to see the points value. I just wanted to go and have dinner. Looking around I see lots of pictures and signs on the wall about the Pounder.

Cheeburger Cheeburger is often recognized for its "Pounder" burger, which is a huge 20 ounces of pure beef. If an individual successfully consumes said burger in its entirety, their picture is taken holding a stuffed fabric "Pounder" and hung on that restaurant's "Wall of Fame." (per Wikipedia).

I am looking at the menu trying to figure out what to get and the waiter of course suggests The Pounder.

Back in the day I would be all about a picture of me and eating a biggie sized 20 oz burger. Nowadays I am no longer that type of guy.

So I order the Serious Burger (10 oz burger) and I splurged on cheese and the Mrs and I decided on getting fries for old time sake.

Amazing how times have changed. In the past I would have killed the basket of fries. This time I think we ate 15 fries. I was just not wanting them. They were good, but I'll take a Sunlite potato any day. Since we do not deprive ourselves on The Plan it really helps with craving or not wanting to over indulge.

Ok back to my story... I ordered and the waiter brought me my Diet Pepsi. One of the waiters screams out loud: "King Aurthur could not dominate the Pounder, but this man has!" At that moment our waiter "Tom" says to me: If you eat a Pounder I could do a speech about you and take a picture of you and put you on the wall.

After he said it, my wife looks at me and I just looked pissed. It bothered me that this guy thinks just cause I am big that I am all about the Pounder and eating. Yes I know good assumption. Yes I like eating and yes I could have eaten the Pounder. However I am not that man anymore.

I was fuming. It did not help that some other guy had a Pounder and "Tom" was all about me ordering one. Maybe "Tom"gets an extra bonus for every Pounder he up sells?

I am a Hispanic man (I look Italian). I have never really been profiled and rarely have experienced racism towards me. I can say however that I have been stereotyped as the "Big" Guy all the time. It sucks!

I still have a long way to go and I cannot wait to shed some more of the Pounders off of me.

To see pics of the Pounder and Cheeburger Cheeburger click here.

PS: This was me about 3 years ago. This was me and my Bachelor party cake.

Biggie Sized Chili

Makes 8 servings for 7 pts a serving

Ingredients:

- 1 lb 7 oz of Lean Ground Turkey (20 pts)

- 1 can 14.5 oz (411g) of Chili Ready Tomatoes (0pt)

- 1 can 15.5 oz (439g) of Black Beans (2pts)

- 1 can 15.5 oz (439g) of Light Kidney Beans (2pts)

- 1 can 15.5oz (439g ) of Pinto Beans (1pt)

- 1 can 15.5 oz (439g) of Chili Beans (2pts)

- 1 can 15.0 oz (425g) o Southern Ranch Beans (2pts)

- 6 packets of Splenda (0.5 pts)

- 2 Spoonfuls of Salsa (0pt)

Directions:

- Put all the cans of items into a large pot. Put on medium heat.

- Stir in the Splenda packets; Salsa into the pot.

- Brown the Lean Ground Turkey in a pan: Season with chili powder, onion powder, and ground pepper.

- Drain Lean Ground Turkey and add to pot with the beans, Splenda and Salsa.

- Mix in all the ingredients and let it simmer on low.

You can top it off with a dab of sour cream and light sprinkle or shredded cheese. You can also add corn to the mix (we just did not have any. If you add it. Add 2pts). May not look good in the pic. But it is Yummy and filling. We froze it after we ate it and ate if as left overs a week later.

Egg in the Hole

2.5 pts per Egg in the Hole

Ingredients needed:
- 1 slice of light bread (0.5 pts a slice)
- 1 egg (2 pts)
- spray butter

DIRECTIONS:
Butter both sides of bread. Cut a circular hole in the center of the slice of bread, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter ( I use a shot glass).
Heat a frying pan or griddle on medium-high heat. When the frying pan is hot, place the bread into the pan and let it brown for one minute. Flip the toast over and let the other side brown for one minute.
Break the egg into the hole in the bread. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the egg is cooked to the consistency you prefer.

This recipe is know by many different names. You can also add some cheese and ham if you want depending on how many points you want to use. But you can make 2 Eggs in a Hole for 5 points. It is a pretty easy and a filling breakfast for any Big Guy.

Enjoy...

I get it or have I just gotten lazy?

I have been doing The Plan for over 100 days.

Here is what I have learned so far: The Honeymoon is over on The Plan. I have established a healthy living foundation. I am eating healthier then I have in the past 7 years; I am eating 5 serving of fruits and veggies daily; I have learned what portion control is; I drink at least 8 cups of H2O a day; I am taking the stairs (down) everyday; I now make better decisions with food choice.

Now those things are awesome and I am very excited and proud of what I have accomplished for far. But I feel lately I am slacking off and have gotten cocky since I am still losing weight yet I have not exercised in over 2 weeks and no longer journal my meals.

There are two ways of thinking of what is going on with me right now. I have learned what to eat and am living and eating wisely or sooner or later it will get back to me.

I do not want to lose what I have learned in the past 100+ days. I still have a long way to go on this journey and I don't want to come up short now. The Journey continues and I am about 7 lbs from reaching my 2nd goal: under 300!

Biggie Sized- Weigh-In- Week 15: (-3.0)

What a week! So I was given a "promotion" and all I got was more work and no more money. Work just stinks. Way too much stress and it is beginning to take a toll on me. I have been missing lunch since I have so much work and I just have not been hungry. Odd part is that usually when I am stressed I just eat. That is not the case. I get home so late that I don't have time to exercise.

Starting weight: 351.0 lbs
Current weight: 307.8lbs
WLTD: 43.2lbs
Total Plan Days: 105 days

The Big Weigh-in... Week 10: -1.2 lbs.

Okay. This is a bit more like it. I have made some progress this week. I'm actually BELOW that stupid little 10% line.

I've been pretty demoralized this week. I know everyone goes through plateaus and sometimes you gain in a week. I've had a lot going on at work and at home the past few weeks, and I can feel myself losing that "edge" keeping me straight on the plan.

Both Biggie Sized and myself are having a lot of stress at work. That doesn't help. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of a two-week swing away from the office. This past week, I was at a conference where food was provided. Usually, that spells d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r. I did catch a break in that the food sucked. I made sure to eat my normal breakfast every morning before leaving for the conference, which was here in Orlando.

That will not be the case next week. I'm traveling out of town from Monday through Friday for work. Lunches will sometimes be provided, and dinners will always be out and about. My little 1.2 lbs loss is fragile right now. Just like BS, I'm getting a bit lazy. Not always doing my points. I keep trying to eat the right things, but I see that little edge slipping away. It would be quite the accomplishment to actually lose weight this coming week and sail over my 25 lb goal. Here's to good choices!

Starting Weight: 232.0 lbs.
Current Weight: 207.4 lbs.
Weekly Change: -1.2 lbs.
WLTD: 24.6 lbs.
Total Plan Days: 74

Biggie Sized- Weigh-In- Week 14: (-0.4)

I think I got the results to get me back on track again! A wonderful 0.4 loss! I know its still a loss but I want to get to under 300 by the end of May. It has to start now! We were in South Florida this weekend and man, let me tell you how important is to have a good person to run those WW meetings. The place we went to weigh in was full of old people and there was no energy. lt like I was in school again. We could not stay through it. The one my wife and I go to in Orlando has an unbelievable WW leader who makes it fun to go to and motivates you to share and talk. I excited to get back on this again and hit the elliptical and start journaling again!

Here are my weekly stats:

Starting weight: 351.0 lbs

Current weight: 310.8lbs

WLTD: 40.2lbs

Total Plan Days: 98 days