A Contest To Lose Weight - It Works

Like many people in the US, I was recently told by my doctor I was overweight.  My knee had bee bothering me, I wasn't sleeping well and I noticed that my posture was getting, well lets say "lazy".  The first doctor looked me over, and sent me to a knee specialist.  The knee specialist wanted to do some surgery that would take me out of work for six to eight weeks.

While I was waiting for a surgery date, I had an "executive wellness physical". Sort of a whole like evaluation.  The doctor here was very different.  His approach was to find ways to keep you living longer, and in his opinion surgery wasn't it.  He simply said, "Scott, your knee is a problem, but surgery won't fix it if you have 25 pounds of extra fat it needs to carry around.  You have got to lose some weight, at least 20 pounds, and 25 would be better."

At first I was a little shocked.  I knew I was a little bigger since I did recently have to buy some new slacks, but 25 pounds.  That seemed quite excessive. He cancelled the surgery on my knee and sent me home to lose the weight and come back for a followup.

I have never really "dieted" so I didn't know where to start.  I tried more exercise, but the first run out of the chute almost killed me.  When I was 17 and at basic training for the Air Force at Lackland, we had to run 1.25 miles in 14 minutes and 20 seconds.  Fat guys did it, skinny guys did it, and girls did it so I figured I could do it at 45.  Nope.  Almost killed me.

I set the 1.25 miles in 14':20" as my goal, and 20 pounds to lose as my target.  I did all of the things I teach everyone to do when they set a goal.  I wrote it down and put it on my dresser, in my wallet and in my car so I was sure to be reminded of it every day.  In just three months I lost five pounds, and hit a wall.

I got an app for my iPhone that counted calories and exercise, and still couldn't make any more progress.  Then my friend and business partner Dr. Goldberg proposed a bet.  We each needed to lose 15 pounds.  The first one to get there picks our next board meeting and vacation location and the "loser" (who doesn't lose the weight first) has to buy a nice dinner for us and our wives.

Being an MD, he was kind enough to share some great nutritional information about calorie quantity and quality as well as a few studies about the sodium in diet soda aiding in water retention in fat cells.  He also thought that might be why I don't sleep as well as I used to.

He sent some great information about Atkins type diets, Caveman type diets, and Gluten Free and we talked about the similarities among all three.  He chose a modified Atkins, I chose a modified Paleolithic or "Caveman" diet.  I still eat a little dairy on occasion, but only about 10% of what I used too.  I also cut out grain/gluten products, peanuts and cashews.

GAME ON!

At first neither of us saw any changes.  We agreed that we could each only pick one scale to use as the benchmark because all scales are slightly different.    After about a week we each lost one pound.  I had gone below 195 pounds for the first time since I had to close my home theater businesses in Texas.  I realized I was carrying a lot of stress weight.  That one pound felt better than the five I lost going from 200 to 195.

We stayed neck and neck for the first five pounds.  He hit 165, I hit 185.  I should say he is a little shorter than I am so our end goals are slightly different.

Here we both hit a wall.  We both felt better, and I hit my time on the 1.25 mile run of 14':20".  That really is a sad number when you realize that several people broke four minute miles in the Olympics this year, but it was something.  I met the minimum standard to be in the Air Force in 1984 just as I had done then.  I wouldn't mind going for a run with the recruits today, a 45 year old retired Major running the track and keeping up with a large percentage of them.  I would hope it would motivate them to stay in shape and not get as fat as I did.

For nearly two weeks we both hovered at five pounds above our target weights.  Every morning I was surfing, paddle boarding or jogging, and on some days I would get in two or all three activities.

Normally I would have given up, but last week Dr. Goldberg said, don't worry, this is the muscle rebuilding stage,  you are adding strength you lost years ago, so look in the mirror.  Your muscles are probably growing and the fat is still shrinking.  The scale can't show that.

And then he sent a text..

164.1

I ran up to the scale and looked down to see 184.9.  Not enough to text back, but then two days later, 183.8, I sent the text.

He replied

163.8

A Tie.

As of this morning we both have less than 3 pounds to go.  2.8 to be exact for me.  He hasn't said, so he is either letting me think I am ahead, or I am ahead.

Having a purpose in my weight loss plan, even if only to pick a vacation destination and get a free meal is so much better than just "losing weight" or "dieting".  Now when I stroll pass the Haagen Daz in the Dallas Airport and Honey (yes that is what his name tag says) yells out, He Mr. B, I have Dulce De Leche and Fresh Waffle Cones, I can keep walking and feel good about it.

In every goal we set, there must be a purpose or a reason to do it that motivates us.  Just knowing I needed to lose weight wasn't enough.  A little friendly wager with my friend was.  Giving up isn't an option when there is a dinner and vacation on the line.

Many times we say we want something, and might even make it a goal.  Without a reason or purpose to achieve it, you probably won't, and just end up blowing it off.  When you find a friend to hold you accountable, or find a purpose for what you do, you are much more likely to hit your goals.

As for my weight loss goal, if you know me, you know that Ice Cream and a soda were my normal desserts at every meal.  I was even known to put vanilla ice cream on corn flakes at breakfast a time or two.  Is there any wonder I walked into Dr. Shen's office at 200 pounds?

The bet still has a little ways to go and I am already thinking of a double or nothing for the next 5 pounds since Dr. Shen wanted me to be at 175.

Next time you set a goal, ask yourself, is it something your really want?  If so why?  No make that a big WHY?  Find a reason so big that you have to reach the goal, and then go find someone to hold you accountable.  Someone to share your successes with and someone who will coach you through your temporary setbacks.  Remember there are no failures.

Stay Tuned, I'll tell you who won the dinner at Trokay Cafe in Truckee California.  For the double or nothing I am going to add a cupcake and Ice Cream from Cake Tahoe.


September 19th

OK Here is the Update - Last week I sent a photo of my scale reading 180.0 - no response.

The next day I sent a text "179.7, double or nothing to go 5 more?"

Response - "Congrats on the win, I am 170, only going to 160"

My reply "OK, I'll change to 175, you still only go to 160, and we up the ante to add Dinner at the Lone Eagle on Lake Tahoe"

Response "Game on"

After peaking right at 200 pounds, I feel really good at 180 and finally am very used to a diet I would call nearly gluten free and low carb.  Grilled chicken and vegetables at El Pollo Loco, are my basic lunch.  Grilled vegetables or wok seared at home with some fish is the home meal, and either muscle milk light or greek yogurt for breakfast.

Stay Tuned for round 2.