Why "Diets" are unknowingly designed to fail...

The Power of Suggestion...

If you read the words: "DON'T think of a black cat" - What do you think of?

A Black Cat. 

Regardless of the fact that the instruction was to NOT think of the cat.
It doesn't matter. 

*Consciously* We read - "Don't think about a Black Cat".

*Subconsciously* "Black Cat" is what our Brain focuses on...

Suggestion on the subconscious level is tied more to specific; Words, Thoughts and Emotions.

Our Subconscious does not break down or comprehend wordy instructions or thought processes, the way we do with our conscious minds.

The subconscious works more efficiently.

If you think to yourself - ‘Don’t worry, Don’t worry‘ Don’t worry

You are actually programming yourself to WORRY!

Because ‘worry’ is being repeated to your subconscious.

This is a useful tip for Dieting.

If you spend a lot of time talking about your Diet. What you Can and Can't eat.
What you are really doing... Is thinking about and even talking about FOOD all day everyday.

If you count the days or talk everyday about how You didn't drink a PEPSI, eat cheese or sneak candy out of your spouses NOT SO SECRET hiding spot. 

What your doing is torturing yourself from the inside out and constantly thinking about the things that will eventually cause you to stumble and probably even fall.
Just Food for Thought...

On a Separate Note...

This Blog was started by my friend Zach.

I have gladly joined him in contributing to it. 

I will tend to talk about lots of random and entertaining things.

Things that may or may not be directly related too;

Dieting, Weight loss, Exercise and Eating Healthy.

If I'm being honest my heart is not in it right now.
Not Blogging, I am enjoying the Blogging part.

My heart is not into "dieting"...

For reasons I cannot fully put into words or am not ready to share with the world yet. 

I'm in the "Fake it until you Make it" phase of my changes. 

I know what the right actions are and I am making a lot of them.

Some days are more committed and focused than other days but everyday has been filled with some level of success.

So why Blog?

It's my hope through writing, sharing and being both open and honest. That I will eventually feel as committed and focused as I WANT to feel. 

As I have felt in the past. 

I mean, honestly what are My choices?

- Do nothing, which has caused me to backslide to where I am now.

OR

- Put my head down and go to work and get the most out of myself I can everyday and not judge myself or worry what others are thinking.

So I take it one day at a time.

Today, I choose put my head down and "Fake it 'til I Make it"...

Skinny People All look the Same to Me

I try to be kind to skinny people, honestly I do. Sometimes it is harder than others. I struggle to tell you apart with your rapid movements and identical wardrobes purchased from the Gap (or wherever skinny people shop). I went into a Gap once, the salesman told me he had just the thing for me and even in my size! Then he escorted me straight over to the socks.

I am not sizeist, not really. Why, some of my best friends are skinny! Sure sometimes I am walking down the street and I hear footsteps over my shoulder and feel the creeping sensation of impending doom. Will I get mugged? Then I turn around and see a fat person and feel my fear melt away into relief.

Is that wrong? I don't know, but just knowing the person following me is struggling to maintain enough energy just to reach their destination is enough to soothe my nerves.

Ok, ok I concede this is made up. Anyone who knows me, knows how very unlikely it is to find me 'walking' down a street. Maybe up to a McDonalds, or into a convenience store, but I digress.

The world is built for the skinny, it's what I like to call 'Skinny Privilege'. I can see the puzzled expression on your face so I will help you out. Skinny Privilege or SP for short is a description of the inherent skinniness of the dominant population. SP exhibits itself in hiring and promotions in the workplace and is especially ugly when it rears its head in P.E. in our public school system. The worst of it is that those of you with SP aren't even aware of it.

Watch your back, oh skinny ones! That isn't a threat it's just an acknowledgement that our ranks are growing and soon we'll be the majority in more than just pounds! I would tell you that you can't run or hide (as if  we were in a movie) but we both know that as a skinny person, you can do both. I wouldn't be surprised if a skinny person was hiding behind me right now (or maybe in front, if they were on all fours and close enough...).

Skinny people are pretty great to have as friends . They are a great source of entertainment, especially when they talk about their "diets"! I mean seriously you call ten pounds a diet? I call it a finger, and I have lost that much in half of a day! They are always on the move and can be tricked into getting things, "Hey Todd, would you like a refill for your soda? Yeah? Cool, will you get me one while you are up?"

Skinny people will always be with us, but remember we all start out chubby, as nature and God intended it to be. Only skinny people aren't satisfied with his generous gifts and squander what they have. No judgement, I'm sure you had your reasons, but when you are ready to make a change come and talk to me. I'm always willing to offer a ham up.

Cookie Tuesday...

One of my favorite people in this world and closest friends; Heather Anne.
Started a family tradition several years ago called; "Cookie Tuesdays".
Now for all I know she saw it on Oprah or stole the idea from a neighbor.  I don't really care.
Because she made it her own...
There were no Sugar Cookie Tuesdays or Oatmeal Raisin Tuesdays.  Nooooooo.
She would scour the internet and cookbooks for the most unique and creative type recipes she could find.  Some where out of this world delicious.  Others were strong on presentation and less successful in the taste department.  But one thing they always were, was special.  Because Heather put in the time and made it fun and everyone looked forward to it.  More Tuesdays than not I found myself over at their house (30 minutes away from my home) for one made up reason or another....
Just over 2 years ago my best friend (Rusty - Heather's husband) got a great job with a large software company and my two closest friends and their kids packed up and moved to Texas.
And thanks to the Magic of Instagram I have reason to believe that Cookie Tuesday is alive and well and as fun as it ever was.

I tell you THAT story to tell you THIS story...

Yesterday, Tuesday July 16th.  I was on day 8 or 9 of my New Paleo diet.  So far so good...
It was around 8pm and I was home alone.  When my doorbell rang.  By time I got to my door there was no one.  There was however, a plate of 8 fairly fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies and a very nice handwritten note.
There was no name and I can say even as I write this I do not have any idea who they are from.  If the note was not addressed to: "GDPIII" I would have my doubts about whether they were left at my home by mistake or not.

I returned to my room and posted a Thank you on Facebook to whomever the generous Cookie donor was.  I also jokingly asked; "Just how many warm chocolate chip cookies would a Caveman on his Paleo diet, eat?"

The Answer is 4...  He (I) would (did) eat 4 of those warm chocolate chip cookies.

I ate them and other than wishing I had stopped at 3, I have no regrets.
Regardless of the fact it broke my new diet or undid any hard work or sacrifice I had put in for the day.
It was as much about how delicious they were as it was about escapism.

You see for a few minutes.  I didn't worry about finding a job.  How I was gonna be the best Father I could be to three amazing and impressionable children. I didn't worry about what I could or couldn't eat under my new restrictive eating habits.

Instead, I allowed those Cookies to remind me of happier, less stressful times with my best friends.  Doing something as frivolous and "unimportant" as "Cookie Tuesday".

We need Food to live.  Sometimes as much "Figuratively" as "Literally"... Taste and Smell are tied so strongly to our memories.  All of us hold certain simple memories very dear.
- Whether it was the smell of Heather's house on Cookie Tuesday's.
- The smell of charred meat and propane from the grill at Aunt Leslie's house during family get togethers.
- The smell of Tamales and Freshly squeezed Orange Juice at my childhood friend Tony's house on Christmas day as we wasted the day playing Super Tecmo Bowl on the Super Nintendo...

I will tell you that a little break from the diet.  Never killed anyone as long as you can keep it in check.  I will also tell you I was not about to weigh myself this morning after my personal "Cookie Tuesday"... It's doubtful that 4 cookies would pack on several pounds. But I'd rather put together a couple strong dieting days first before I climb back on the scales...

Updated : Anatomy of Weight Loss

Update:
Some of the comments from people who read this made me think perhaps they viewed this as an actual record of recent events. For the record this is a synthesis of many experiences over many years.

Day 1 - 12:00 AM to 9 PM
Day one of a diet is always pretty good for me. I am high on serotonin because I have made a GOOD decision, a COMMITMENT to my future. This time will be different than all of the other times, this time i will lose all of the weight and be exactly who I have always wanted to be!

Day 1 - 9:01 PM to Bedtime
Panic sets in, I'm hungry and out of calories and start looking around for something to fill the void that I won't feel guilty about. AHA!! A cucumber, that's only 50 calories, nobody ever got fat eating these right? Right?

Off to bed, feeling guilty over a stupid cucumber and still hungry, and also cucumbers taste stupid.


Day 2
The alarm goes off, and after a full night's rest I am feeling a little better, plus I have breakfast to look forward to.

Excitedly I step onto the scale and discover that, WOW! Yesterday really paid off several pounds down and I AM A CHAMPION! I can do this, I can really do it this time.

I am prepared with a lunch to take to work, all the little veggies cut up and portioned into zip-loc bags. I spend the day at my desk, proud of my new path and happily crunching on raw healthy cruciferous green (and some orange) vegetables.

The day goes off without a hitch, YAY for me!

Day 3 - 7

The week is a blur, and I am on top of the world. Every visit with the scale puts me a pound or more closer to my goal. This is easy I say to my wife. I'm actually loving the taste of raw vegetables I tell my friends. They smile, minds having moved on to other things. They have heard this all before.

I can see the vagueness in their eyes as they politley listen but it only reinforces my resolve. I WILL DO THIS I proclaim to myself in the mirror. I will just prove to them that this time is different.

My energy levels are up, I am already walking more easily.I'm not positive, but is my belt a little loose? Maybe I better take that in a notch. ouch, that's a little tight still, but I will keep it that way I might as well get used to being one notch smaller.

Day 8
I step on the scale looking forward to see just how big today's weight loss will be. Will it be three pounds like on Wednesday when you were so busy you ended up skipping lunch? Or like thursday when you only lost a half pound?

The scale creaks, the numbers flash and my brow furrows as i think, "Well that's not right."

Stepping off, then back on again I see the same number staring back at me. I do the quick calculations in my head, carry the seven and I get.... zero?!??

I manage to quickly calm myself down and soothe myself with the thought that water weight has a major effect sometimes and I did have a pretty salty meal last night.

Tomorrow will be better!

Day 9
This is not better, I gained a pound?? How is this possible? I carefully tracked every bite into my mouth. I find myself yearning ofr the good old days when I was just "not losing". this is much worse.

As I eat my lunchtime snack, my jaws ache. lousy raw veggies are hard to chew, my whole mouth is tired. Some jerk in the next cube brought his wife's leftover lasagna. I know his wife is the worst cook in the world since we do have occasional pot lucks at work, but still.... lasagna. you can't ruin cheese can you?

I briefly consider stealing a bit while he is in the bathroom, I am ashamed.

Forget it, I use my willpower to slog through the day and finally drop into bed feeling hopeless.

Day 10
Ok! This is better, a half pound. It isn't much, but it's something. I still weigh more than I did three days ago, but that's cool. I just know this is the resumption of the "normal" downward trend my weight is taking.

Day 11 - 15
I don't really want to talk about it.I hate you I hate everybody with their stupid fast food and their stupid, happy faces. Why are you reading this anyway, I never liked you in the first place. Stupid diet, stupid blog, stupid, stupid heads. My mind is not as clear as it felt on day 3.

Day 16
I draw myself to my feet from the bed and I stand tall. Today marks the beginning of a new phase n my weight loss. I will rededicate myself. I will prevail because, honestly, if that jackass jared can succedd at this surely I can too. I mean have you SEEN Richard Simmons?? I am stronger than those people and I will PROVE IT!

Day 17
1 Pound, BOOOYAH! Ok, this is good, I now weigh less than I have at any point during this diet. I am back on track, and I am going to kill this. Richard Simmons can eat my shorts! Hang on, come to think of it, I don't want Richard Simmons anywhere near my shorts.

Day 18-23
Three more pounds, it's not a lot but I'll take it.We have our anniversary this weekend and i am going to make it a free day from my diet.Why not? I've earned it and I can totally handle it.

Day 24
---

Day 25

I step on the scales to see the damage and what the holy $#@!!&*$!?? How could I possibly have gained TWELVE POUNDS?!???!

I sit down feeling a little faint and furiously review everything I put into my body.

Conclusion:The scale is a liar.

If I retained every ounce of fluid and food I consumed yesterday it still wouldn't add up to 12 pounds. I won't load you up with details, but i assure you things came out of my body.

New Conclusion:Einstein was wrong! And/or this has something to do with cold fusion. Whatever it is physics as I understood it (poorly to be clear) has been turned entirely on it's head.

I have been withholding food from myself, dealt with hunger, faintness and other cruelties for almost a month and it is effectively day 4 of the diet again. I've backtracked three full weeks from ONE. SINGLE. FREE. DAY.

Life has no meaning.

Day 26

I lost a half pound, but who cares?

Day 27
I was flat again. Also, I cheated it wasn't much but it certainly wasn't on the diet. Whatever.

Day 28 - 30

Hey have you tried that new all-you-can-eat buffet over on 13th street? They are amazing! I haven't eaten so much in my life. Diet? No, I'm sure I don't know what you mean...

Hello. My name is Geoff. And I'm an Addict.

Today is Day 9 since I last used...  Pepsi.

Otherwise known as;
CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CARAMEL COLOR, SUGAR, PHOSPHORIC ACID, CAFFEINE, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR

The term "Love/ Hate relationship" is cliche.
So forgive me for being so cliche.
I Love Pepsi.  Not "Soda".  PEPSI...
I Hate Pepsi.  and "soda" but especially; PEPSI...

- OK Coke too - they are different but NOT that different and in many situations I will take a Coke over a Pepsi, like at McDonalds; Their Coke is probably hands down my favorite soda fountain drink. With Pepsi from the can be a close second followed by Pepsi from Taco Bell... Oh and RC Cola from Jackson's Deli in SV or the old Po' Folks restaurant where they give it to you in a Mason Jar... Sorry I digress -

*** From this point I will just say "PEPSI" and we'll know I mean; (Pepsi, Coke and even RC Cola) ***

- Let me further clarify. I can't stand "Diet" soda. If you think it's better for you. You are Delusional. If you pretend it tastes the same or just as good. You are Mental. I will not get on one of my long winded tirades just know that I would rather drink from a puddle outside of a Shopping Mall than drink "Diet" soda... -

- Last clarification.  I talk about "Pepsi" because I am NOT addicted to any other kind of "Soda". I don't like, think about or buy; Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, 7-Up, Sprite, Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew, Mr. Pibb, Orange Crush, Sam's choice, Shasta, Fresca, Jones or whatever other non-Pepsi sodas exist.  I only like "PEPSI".  If it were wiped off the planet tomorrow, I'd drink water, Gatorade and juice for the rest of my life, happily. -

I don't smoke and never have.  I don't get it.  Sure I've tried taking a puff or two at different points in my life. Each time strongly reconfirming that smoking makes no sense to me and tastes too bad too ever be worth the buzz for me... But let me be clear I don't judge or look down on those who do because on a different level I totally get it.  I really do.

I get what it's like to enjoy doing something that EVERYBODY knows is bad for you.  That EVERYBODY is so quick to tell you is bad for you. Like you are the last person on Earth to get the memo and they are the lucky one to get to bring you this new life changing information.  We know people.  Smoking and Soda are bad for us. Now go drink your Spinach, Kampuchea and Kale shake and let me enjoy my Vice in peace.

There is nothing... NOTHING, like that first pull off a brand new can of ice cold Pepsi.  As you bring it up to your mouth, there are thousands of little carbonation bubbles still rushing to the surface and popping causing little splashes that you feel gently upon your upper lip and nose.  Like a rush of angel kisses preparing and awakening your senses to the flood of awesomeness that is about to enter your world.
That first gulp;  Burns like Hell.
I don't know of its the phosphoric acid, the carbonation which is still reacting to the introduction of air or both.  But next time you take a drink of soda. Hold it on your mouth for a few seconds and see if it doesn't sting.
It will...

However, those days are behind me.  Hopefully forever.  I can't say I will never drink a Pepsi again.  But I wish I could.  I strongly wish that I could say with full confidence that I am recovered from this 30+ year addiction and I will never drink another Pepsi.
But I am not saying that.  I can't say it, yet.  Because if my friends and family knew how many times I had said it in the past.  I would be embarrassed.
I don't think I would be exaggerating or far off if I said I've sincerely quit drinking Pepsi 60 or 70 times over the last 20 years...

So yes today is ONLY day 9 since the last one I had.
Considering I have started every morning for the last year with my morning Pepsi, the same way many do with their morning cup of coffee.
I am calling this a small victory.

And whether the Paleo diet sticks or I move on to something else.  There are as many emotional and metal reason I need to stop drinking Pepsi as there are physical or health related ones...

So here's to me writing a blog on 07/07/2014 to talk bout 1 year Clean and Sober from my muse Pepsi...

GDPIII -



*I don't have a cool picture or graphic to go with this post.
So I thought I would just randomly attach a really embarrassing video from 2008...
It's the best 19 seconds you spend today - TRUST ME!
Enjoy -

Here is everything I've eaten in pain staking detail for the last 7 days!!!

Suckah Please!!!
Ain't nobody got time for that!

I started Paleo Officially on Monday and as of right now (Thursday evening) - So Far So Good...
I'm dropping weight slowly but surely and the Caffeine Withdrawals have finally subsided.
Thanks for the support.
Let me reward you with some comedy...

I was sitting in my Sweltering Hot House waiting for the AC repairman to fix my AC unit.
When a random text from a random phone number came in.
Not one to ever miss a chance to have some fun with a strangers here is that conversation.  It takes a turn I probably should have seen coming...

ENOY!

Beefy Green Roll-ups!

I had a solid day on calories, protein & carbs. I am targeting 2000 calories, 200g of protein and 20g of carbs. I hadn't actually noticed how nicely that lined up until just now. Eggs, bacon and protein drink for breakfast. Roasted chicken for lunch from a little place named (appropriately) Chicken Express.

 

If you happen to live in the SLC area it's worth checking out. they have several low-carb options including whole roasted chicken (duh) gyros, beef/lamb/chicken kebabs, pork ribs (unsauced, but rubbed) and of course salad.

 

Dinner was very good, I tried something called a Flat Out light bread wrap. I grilled the wrap and then made a roast beef wrap with pepper jack, roast beef, mayo, mustard and a leafy greens and herb mix from walmart that had bits of dill, chive, chervil, parsley etc. the wrap was good and I think the Flat Out wraps will be a very nice occasional garlic bread, pizza crust or maybe even a sugar free cinnamon-sugar toast. The flavor was pretty good for low-carb bread (7g), defintely a keeper.

 

Afterward I realized the 1/2 C. of greens wasn't enough to meet me unspecified internal target so I made what I will call Beefy Green Roll-Ups. As you can see I placed a scant teaspoon of mayo (although I recorded a full tsp) on a slice of roast beef and added a 1/2 slice of pepper jack and several banana pepper rings, then rolled that up with another 1/2 C. of greens.

 

Three roll-ups ended up consuming closer to 2.5 C. than 1.5 C., but whatever, greens have virtually no calories and plenty of vitamins. I'll take the lousy extra gram of carbs.

 

If I can get fat on arugula and red leaf lettuce I may as well stop trying and just turn to a 100% garlic bread and cheesecake diet (I know! They sound amazing together right?? Try it as a sandwich... you're welcome!)

 

Before adding the greens: 

 After rolling it all together:

 The calorie/carb/protein etc. counts for one Beefy Green Roll-Up

 

I am of course also including my daily food journal. If anyone has some favorite low carb snacks, please share them in the comments! I currently am using chicharrones  (pork cracklings not rinds though, those are like unflavored puffed cheetos) and roasted seaweed (very tasty if you haven't tried it!) I was making crispy kale a while back and I will probably start doing that again, as well as home made beef jerky. I am thinking the beefy green roll-ups will be nice if I am at home, or have a little more time to prepare in the morning.

Update: After noting that pork rinds are essentially unflavored puffed cheetos I recalled that I bought several canisters of Kraft Cheese powder (think a seasoning shaker with the stuff that comes in Kraft Mac & Cheese). I just thought that I'd share that for the low, low price of 1g carbs I made those pork rinds tasty! And so healthy too =)