Its a New Way of Life

Encouraged by my friend, Jeff (who dropped 55 pounds in 2008 from 235 to 180), and bolstered by my need for a healthier more sustainable personal lifestyle, I started on the South Beach diet on the day after Christmas.  I am one week into the two week Phase One which essentially eliminates ALL sugars and starches from my food.  Out goes all fruit, breads, and sweets of any kind for two weeks. In comes a radically new way of life re:what I eat.   My wife is right.  I do NOT intend this to be a "diet" just to lose weight but a whole new way of living re:food.  So, for the first time in my life, I am scrutinizing labels carefully all the while getting a new education of the poor habits I've been practicing (unknowingly) for 54 years as well as the healthier habits I need to acquire.  To be sure, my short term goal is to drop 15 pounds by my birthday in June.  But my long term goal is to drastically improve my eating habits with regard to salt, processed sugars, white flour, etc. moving intentionally towards new habits of whole grains and fresh foods.  Part of this is driven by the results of 54 years of indiscriminate eating which has contributed to high blood pressure, weight gain, and shortness of breath.  The rest is the joy of taking on a new challenge and discipline.  For the first time in my life, I am learning about what I am eating rather than just eating it.  

Jeff and another friend, Dave (who is currently in the hospital) are about my age and have each suffered heart attacks.  I'd rather learn the easy way than the hard way they had to take.  And I appreciate Jeff's encouragement to take this on while I have the health to change some things that are long overdue.