Is this motivating or what?
An envelope, with my name on it, was waiting beside my chair this morning. Inside it was a “congratulations” greeting card (complete with a recording of the Looney Tunes theme). Inside, my wife had written:
Ron,
Yea you! I’m so proud of you! You’re doing great with your raw food & weight loss! I know it’s hard! Hang in there!! You’re on the way!
Love, (My wife, my daughter)
First, understand that my gaining a lot of weight over the last eleven years (the length of our marriage so far) has been a BIG HAIRY DEAL for my wife (who makes her living running a corporate wellness and fitness center). That whole issue alone is fodder for a blog post in the future about how poor wellness habits can strain a relationship.
Second, know that my wife does not follow a raw food diet plan. In fact, she’s amazed that I can. Right now, it’s beyond her to imagine living on a diet where most of one’s calories come from bananas. Plus, she knows they aren’t my favorite food in the world.
Don’t be fooled, though. I’m not doing this for her.
I’m doing this for me!
I miss being active and doing all of the recreational things we used to do. I miss being slim and able to look good either dressed or undressed. I am tired of being tired. I want to enjoy living where I do instead of dreading going out in the heat. I want to be comfortable in airplane and theater seats. I want to be able to shop for clothes in normal catalogs and clothing stores.
But, the cool thing is that she happens to want all of those things, too. Plus, she wants to be free from the fear that I’m going to drop dead from a massive heart attack or stroke (like both of our fathers did). And, she wants to be more physically attracted to me.
I’ve lost about ten pounds per year for the last couple of years. That’s good, but not as good as she’d like to see.
It’s not as good as I’d like to see, either.
Check this out:
My weight on June, 9, 2008 (when I started eating this way) was 276.5 pounds.
My weight this morning, 19 days later, is 263 pounds.
That’s a 13.5 pound weight loss in just about three weeks. Average weight loss per week: 4.5 pounds! And that was even with a three-day “break” in the middle of it all (something I don’t recommend, by the way).
While I don’t believe I’ll be able to sustain this kind of weight loss indefinitely (especially without exercise), I do know that it’s possible for a guy my age (50) to have outstanding results eating this way.
My model, right now, is Tom Brownsword. Tom has lost sixty pounds since January following a raw food diet of mainly fruits and green vegetables. Today, June 28, he’s scheduled to post his before and after pictures on his blog. I’m looking forward to the additional inspiration. Thanks, Tom!
Tom and I have chatted some on the message board at Roger Haeske’s membership site, How to Go Raw. I can give Roger’s site my heartiest recommendation. Roger’s support, as well as the support of fellow members like Tom, has been invaluable. What I really appreciate is that when I, or anyone else, stumbles on the path, a virtual helping hand is extended to get back on track (rather than criticism and judgment). Thanks for creating such a supportive and helpful community, Roger!
Mostly, though: Thank you, Honey, for your encouragement and support as I make this transition. I know it’s not the path you would have chosen, but it’s getting me to the same destination that we both want, and I love you for understanding and supporting my unique journey!
