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George's journal
It's difficult to believe we are in Month 4. It seems like yesterday we began the changes in this yearlong journey.
Ria and I have started running on a fairly regular basis and I continue to train at the gym three times per week. I am also enjoying my weekly cycling. I have lost 11 pounds and a number of inches, feeling strong and confident that the makeover is working.
Fran and I are working on strategies with my food choices and cravings, especially with our latest vacation. The hotel we were staying at offered a breakfast buffet that was exceptional. Going into this situation really made me nervous and unsure how I was going to survive the big breakfast buffet. During one of my bi-weekly discussions with Fran, we strategized on how to survive the buffet and enjoy my food during the vacation. My goal was to start with fruit, move to cereal with skim milk and then get what I really wanted -- of course, with a few minor changes. To my surprise everything was working well, after the fruit and cereal I settled on an egg white omelette with vegetables and no cheese. I then had to go back and just have a final look. I decided to help myself to the huge lemon danish and the chocolate croissant. I could not resist.
You may be asking yourself how could he? What is he thinking? What kind of ending is this? It was simple; I had a small piece of each one and did not eat the rest. Ria and Stefi helped themselves to a small piece of the Danish and croissant. The exciting thing was we did not finish them and, in fact, the small amount was enough to curb the craving and satisfy the need for something sweet.
Some days are difficult and challenging, but the ability to turn down fries, cheese and high-fat dressings is becoming easier and not as difficult to battle. Sue, Fran and Cassandra tell me it's a slow, life-long change that takes time and commitment. I am finally realizing they seem to be right.
