Day 15

We hosted life groups tonight, and what a great crowd we had! Josiah made himself a nice chicken chili with an extra serving for tomorrow's lunch, and I partook of the community taco soup - taking in a smaller portion size than I would normally eat. Already people are starting to notice the differences. Their comments are like little drops of hope pushing us toward the finish line. We're nearly halfway there!

Loss-To-Date
Josiah -16 (and looking FABULOUS!)
Jessica -7

Day 14

After some unmentionable 'cheat' days (by me - not Josiah), we're back on track. We're learning that it's hard to eat like this on the go, and meals need to be planned in advance. But, relentlessly we're determined to stay the course and turn our culture of eating around. So, despite the day of weight gain, our spirits are still high.

Weight-Loss-Total:
Josiah -15
Jessica -7

Day 11

Proof is in the pudding. We're both right on track for hitting our targeted weight-loss. Josiah is averaging a little more than a pound a day, and I'm averaging a little more than half a pound each day. And, despite the fact that I'd volunteered for The Lakeland Derby long before we decided to do this diet, my unrecommended exercise activity made room for some of those craved calories. And, before I passed out from my low calorie day, Aunt Terri treated me to TGI-Fridays. Don't worry, my new diet had me making healthier choices. And much to my surprise, I still lost weight!

The Lakeland Derby
Photos by The Ledger. To see originals please visit TheLedger.com

I raced with one of my students
to represent Lakeland High School.
We were in Swan #1

Right out of the gate we moved
into a lead position.

Hard to see, but we're nose to nose
for 2nd place. Not too shabby for an
overweight teacher who only ate
500 calories that day!

For the record, Bartow High School cheated :). We were totally gaining on them, but they kept steering their swan to cut us off. And since the rules state that we're not allowed to intentionally hit another swan, we had to waste energy steering around them. They did this somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 times, and it really started getting old. But, this allowed Swan #3 to gain on both of us and pull out ahead for a close race to 2nd place.

But all said and done, it was a lot of fun! And, we're just glad we didn't finish last :D

Day 10

Busy, busy, busy little bees we are. The holiday season has extended it's hold on our time, and the added time it takes to plan meals has only made things more strenuous. We are fighting the good fight. Still working our way down the scale!

Total Weight Loss:
Josiah -11
Jessica -7

Day 8

One week in and we're still kickin'! Hunger is less and less of an issue, while cravings start to settle in. But, the holiday temptations should be over now. We celebrated Passover with Josiah's family today, and I have to admit that I cheated a little when partaking of the ceremonial matzah, maror, and charoset (especially after savoring the nuts and honey in the charoset). But, no worries; we're still on target.

Loss-To-Date:
Josiah -9
Jessica -4

Day 7

We got the following recipe online for tonight's dinner. I've copied it verbatim for you below, but Josiah advises using less lemon.

Lemon Oregano Whitefish Packet w/ Asparagus

100g whitefish

asparagus (allowed amount)

juice of one lemon

1 t oregano

salt/pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 400F.
2. Snap off woody ends of asparagus and discard.
3. Tear off a large sheet of non-stick aluminum foil.
4. In the center of this sheet, place asparagus spears and sprinkle with salt/pepper.
5. Place whitefish on top of asparagus.
6. In small bowl, combine lemon juice & oregano, and pour over fish.
7. Fold up edges and completely seal packet on all sides.
8. Bake 10-20 mins, until fish flakes.
9. Serve.

P.S. Add some crushed Melba Toast to the Cinnamon Apple recipe from yesterday for an ever more delectable dessert!

Day 6

This being Easter, my only saving grace from the chocolate bunnies and Reese's eggs piled in my son's easter basket was the anticipation of my new favorite recipe. So, I'll share it with you...

Cinnamon Apple Bake:
Preheat oven to 450
Slice 1 Apple
Brush with Balsamic Vinegar and Stevia
Powder with Cinnamon
Bake for 40 minutes

Eat and enjoy a flavorful dessert!

Day 5

To fill in... Day 4 was our first day on the disciplined eating regiment. And, this being Easter weekend... I found myself tired out with shopping errands and unable to post. So, I'll bring you up to speed! In only 36 hours we're already back at our starting weight, having now lost the pounds gained during our gorge days. Even better is that I have no hunger for the foods I've worked out of my daily routine. Rather, what I'm actually noticing is more of a pulling toward the habit of eating. My mouth wants to chew. It's funny how easy it is to recognize it now that I'm not doing it - the habit of eating when I'm bored, or eating as a form of entertainment. The reality is that I'm not actually hungry. And, with all this free time (not eating), I'm finding the energy to do the things I often replace with the entertainment of eating. Interesting how that works.

Day 3

It's official... the house is empty of savory sweets, the midnight craving for margarita pizza has been quenched, and the gallons of icecream are melting in the trash (you didn't actually think we'd be able to eat all of it in three days did you?). Farewell food. We will know you better in 40 days.

Day 2

Again today we are on the mission of munching... seeking all whom we can devour - or more like what we can devour. So, I sit before you with another bowl of Blue Bell Banana Split in hand, armed and ready to write!

As strange as this may sound, Josiah and I both admitted today that it has become increasingly difficult to feast our faces. Appetite, distractions and time restrictions have actually limited our ability to gorge. And the more I find myself in the fast food line, loading up on all my favorites, the more I start to feel the effects of Spurlock's "Super Size Me." I'm starting to suspect that the mission of gorging ourselves is designed to strip us of our hunger for fats, and excite us about the possibility of living on next to nothing.

Day 1

The 'diet' (aka Course Correction) we chose, begins in a rather unique way. For the next three days we will be suffering through the daunting task of stuffing our faces. Yes, I said stuffing our faces. Unconventional method, but tried and true. So, to help ourselves out we've decided to eat all of the unhealthy foods left in our house. From floor to ceiling, we're digging up every temptation that may try to stare back at us and whisper "eat me" in just a few short days. So, here's to a bowl of buttery garlic mashed potatoes, homemade creamed corn, leftover spaghetti meat sauce piled onto the last few slices of bread, banana split icecream, cherry cheesecake icecream, and a big glass of chocolate milk. Seriously! I would feel bad to admit that this is already hard... especially when Josiah goes out and buys 2 gallons of icecream!!! Any guess what we'll be eating tomorrow??? :)

A New Day Dawning

Tomorrow marks the beginning of something new - a change to our culture of living. For the next 40 days, Josiah and I will be disciplining ourselves to a "diet." I dare not actually call it a diet, since I truly believe that this will be the beginning of a healthier way of living - a Kingdom-minded culture if you will. And to avoid giving this new discipline any glory other than what it is... obedience to God's Word, I will not mention the name of this diet. So, for the next 40 days, we will be journeying through the wilderness, following paths pioneered before us, and breaking down the 'thick' walls we've built around our temple. I offer you this opportunity to journey with us, rediscover your temple, and radiate as a burning beacon to goodness of God.