The Diet

Jeff's PT test is coming up in about two and a half weeks. He has been trying to lose about 10 lbs for months and months. The same three pounds keep coming and going. For those of you not familiar with the military he has to take a physical training test annually to ascertain whether or not he is "fit to fight". The test includes running, sit-ups, push-ups, measuring the waist, etc. Each component of the test has points and you have to have a certain number of points to stay in the military (you get more than one chance). Each branch of the service has different standards and different tests, Jeff is Air Force. Anyways, he is in great physical shape. He did a marathon this past year, etc. But, keeping the waist within regulation is difficult for Jeff. Usually he is able to drop 10 lbs very easily and very quickly but this year he has struggled for months with no results.

He was about to give up. While he would pass his test with a good score, he is on a quest for an excellent score. I offered to help him out with the losing of those 10 lbs, even though we are only two and a half weeks before the test. While I have not been able to lose weight effectively myself, I feel that all the books I have read on the subject make me a bit of an expert. I devised a plan for him, and me while I was doing all this work. I am making all his meals. Counting all his calories, hoping he will be able to lose those pesky 10 lbs. He thinks that now that he is 33 he is too old to lose weight. I am 38 and a female so I was a bit upset by this declaration.

Yesterday, was the first day of the diet. I made all his meals. Packed them up in a bag. He forgot to bring it with him to work in the morning. He called, I drove it to him. It took me an hour to get there due to traffic and a half and hour to get home. He ate his breakfast and then went out to lunch due to an office function. He had a big slice of ham and tons of buttery corn, a big bowl of fruit and a salad. He did not know that a plate sized piece of ham was not such a good idea. Or so he says. He forgot to eat his snack and did not drink his water. He gained 3/10's of a pound.

I followed the diet and lost 1/10th of a pound. I forgot to exercise. We shall see how today goes. I wonder if he will eat the actual food I packed for him. I found a website that is free and figures out calories, Calorie Count.com. Basically we are avoiding simple sugars, eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, meat, dairy... trying to keep our calories down and to only eat foods that are fuel. It is only two and a half weeks so it is easier to wrap my mind around than if it was for six months. I'll let you know how we do. I am hoping to beat Jeff. Wish me luck.