What's the weirdest place you've lost wieght?

Good morning all!

As the title of this post suggest, todays topic deals with weight loss in weird places!

We all know we lose weight around our waist line, or it shows in your face. Heck, we even lose weight in the bottom of our feet (that's why I'm shorter, the fat in my feet are gone...LOL!)Those are the obvious places. But what about other places? Okay, get your mind out of the gutter...

I'm talking about...

...your mouth! That's right, the buccal cavity, the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food, the area your teeth are attached to.

Now, here's the story on how I figured this out.

When I come home from work, the first thing I usually do is remove my upper partial. Right now you're saying to yourself, "I didn't;t know Scott had false teeth!" Yeah, I've had them for about 14 years. I had to get them after eating a piece of microwaved garlic bread, but that's another story for another day!

So, the first thing I do daily upon returning to the old homestead is to remove my teeth! My normal routine is to place them in a cup in the bathroom. Occasionally I will leave them on my computer desk for a short time. OK, I'll put them there and forget about them...duh! Well on Saturday, that's exactly what happened.

Ain't she cute?

After placing them on my desk, I went to make a cup of coffee. When I returned, what did I see? My terroristic little black chihuahua sitting very lady like in my computer chair. Bottom down, front paws placed on the tabletop, chewing! Even though she was sitting very ladylike, she looked more like a school of piranha feasting on a cow that accidentally dropped in the river!

All I can say is, she is still living, and no animals were hurt in the telling of this story! The last thing I need is the ASPCA breathing down my neck for beating a helpless little puppy!

Now, back to the topic. When I went on Monday to purchase a new upper partial, the dentist looked and my old teeth, and then my new ones and said...you lost a lot of weight in you dental region. Have you been sick lately? Which opened the door to discuss weight loss surgery!

So, when the day is done, what is the weirdest place you have lost weight?

I posted a little of this on Face book the other day and a friend of mine responded..."Scott, did your dog really chew up your falsies? Teeth, I mean? LOL. You're supposed to chew with them, not have the dog chew on them!"

"Falsies"? That just brings up another place I've lost weight...moobs!

Ciao!

Well, if you are a follower of my life on Crack Book, er, I mean Facebook, then you know I was searching for a place to take pictures of the sunrise yesterday.

It seems I have some really good friends who think of themselves as comedians! One comment said, "not sure where....but early in the morning would be the best time". Another posted, "is the sun back? holy cow! the tornado sirens were making me weary"

Guess what? I slept through the sunrise all together! Beth and I did end up going to the local Farmers Market though. And I think I got some pretty decent pics!

We also signed up for a community co-op type of produce thingy! I have always wanted to be part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), but most of the times, it has been cost preventative. One of the downfalls also, is you never really know what your receiving until you get it. Sometimes surprises are nice, but I want to be able to purchase according to my wants and needs, not that of the grower!

A friend of mine from work belongs to CSA that allows you to place money in an account, and then order what you want, according to what they have! Let's just say I am impressed! We participated this week for the first time and really enjoyed all we got! If you live in the ?Nashville area and are interested, here is the link to their site.

Anyway, here ya go, hope you enjoy!

Happy Fathers Day 2009

Wow, it's almost like I need a special occasion to update my blog! As promised, NO EXCUSES!

Today is Fathers Day 2009, and all I can say is Thank You to my Dad, and my Father-in-Law! They are the most influential men is my life. I can only hope that I turn out to be half the men that they are!

So, in tribute to Dad's everywhere...

DAD, I Love You! There's not enough words in the world to say Thanks for all you have ever done for me! For the firm hand when I needed it, for the compassion and integrity that is who you are, and to being the best supporter a person could ever have! You have been there during the worst of times, but also the best of times. You were there as I grew into the man I am today. You were there when I became a husband, when I became a provider, and when I became a father. I am who I am today, because of the example you have set for me in life!

Once again Dad, I Love You!

It's a lie! OK, no more excuses!

Have you ever noticed how people will deny, or make excuses for their actions? Or when you are accused of something, you almost always make excuses? I think this is just human nature more than anything.

Well, human nature has bitten my butt!

I am a weight loss patient who has been making excuses! To put it simply, and truthfully, I have been lying to you, to my family, and above all…to myself!

It seems excuses have become part of my daily routine. Things like:

“Oh, it’s just one bite. It’s not like it’s gonna make me fat”.

“I’ll start back on my lifestyle change tomorrow”.

“Well, that pie is sugar free, it’s not gonna hurt me!”

“It’s too expensive to eat healthy foods”.

OK, does any of this sound familiar? Folks, I’ve got a problem. I’m addicted to food. Now, I know I have done well with my weight loss, but I’ve also re-gained a little weight!

When I got down to my lowest of 186, I felt good. My weight would fluctuate between 186 and 190 or so. It seems there was always a 5 pound window that I played with! Well, that 5 pound window has stayed the same, it’s just progressed up the scale. It moved to 190 to 195, and then to 195-200. This past week, it has ranged from 200-205. Yes, I have a problem!!!!

But last night was support group meeting for me. I was tired, worn out, did not feel good. You name it and I had it! Excuses, excuses, excuses! I shared with my wife how tired I was and she suggested that I stay home. I told her I couldn’t, I needed to be there! Boy oh boy, was I glad! The bad part…I forgot to wear my steel toed boots!

A real good friend of mine is the support group leader. She makes you feel comfortable, as well as providing a “safe” place to talk! Paula’s topic for the month…EXCUSES! Oh hell, here it comes! I’ve got to tell ya, she was speaking to me and only me last night! Every excuse people listed, were ones I have used. Well, I learned a lot about myself last evening. Stuff that I plan on using and working to my advantage!

You see, I’ve come too far! Fat Scott is still here, but he’s not gonna win! Today is an excuse free day. Choices have been made, decision are written down, and expectations are placed on the wall! I refuse to be an excuse! I refuse to be a statistic on the web. I refuse to let Fat Scott win! I love each and everyone of you, but I’m not looking for advice! I’m not looking for sympathy! I’m not looking for EXCUSES!

I’m looking for the truth, and the truth is, I have a problem! But I’m gonna look for a solution, so who is with me? Who is gonna be truthful and stop making excuses? Who is gonna make those good choices? Who…Who…Who…?

Me, that’s who, cause you can’t do it for me! And I can’t do it for you! But we can do it together!

It’s a “ NO EXCUSE WEDNESDAY!” Anyone want to join in?

“HE THAT IS GOOD FOR MAKING EXCUSES, IS SELDOM GOOD AT ANYTHING ELSE!” BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

A walk in the ...

What a beautiful weekend we have had here in Tennessee! Yesterday morn, I was awakened by a cute little cardinal siting outside my window whistling, "Wake up Scott, come and take my picture".

As much as I wanted to sleep, I got up and went outside. I did sleep in though, I did not get up until 5:00!

At that point, I knew I needed to go somewhere, I just did not know where! Then I remembered all the hoopla on TV this week about Bells Bend and the Maytown community!

So off I went, with camera and protein coffee in hand.

When I found the park, the sun had not yet risen. Fog covered the area, and I thought the morning would be a total waste! Little did I know!

The sun finally rose and I could see the dew on the spiderwebs. What a magical experience! Majestic is the only word I could use to describe what was surrounding me!

To be surrounded by a symphony of praise from the areas inhabitants was refreshing! No one was worried about weight loss or regain. No one was complaining about their fellow co-workers. No one was complaining period. Well, maybe this one guy who found me intruding on his domain.

I guess the best thing that came out of yesterday was the refreshing spirit that only nature can bring. Oh yeah, I did get lost and my trusty pedometer said I walked 4.5 miles over the hills and through the woods to grandmothers house I went! I definitly could not do that a year and a half ago!

Click here for the entire set of photos:

Bells Bend

Have a great day!

Perceptions!

When you look at the following picture, what do you see?

Do you see white dots, or black dots? Or do you see both?

Now, when you look at this before and after picture, what do you see?

Do you see a guy who has lost a lot of weight? Do you think this guy is the perfect weight loss patient? Maybe you see someone who is eating all the right things. Someone who puts a lot of thought into what he eats? I see something totally different than you...I promise!

Visual perception is something that all of us suffer from. In the first picture with the black squares, did you know there are only white circles. The black ones are tricks, that our minds eye plays on us!

The same can be said by my picture!

You see someone who has lost a lot of weight. You see someone who thinks about what goes in my pouch. I only wish that were true! You see, I have gained a few pounds back. Like I said a few weeks ago, I’m happy where I’m at, but I have to be very careful!

In the past few months, old habits have re-surfaced. From what I’m hearing from friends, this is happening to them as well! The bad thing is, they are afraid to seek some help. They’ re afraid that people would point their finger and say, “See, I told you so”. The problem is, they are right! And the really unfortunate aspect is, the people pointing fingers are the ones who should know better! Friends who have had weight loss surgery themselves!

Support is something we all need. We need it when we are climbing that mountain of weight loss, but we also need it when we have crashed in the valley below! We need support to cheer us on, but also to build us up!

Right now, I need support and prayers to help me stay on the straight and narrow. I’ve not come to far to just give up and head in the wrong direction! I guess what I’m really trying to say is this…the next time Charlie Rich starts singing “Behind Closed Doors”, I need to open that door quickly! I don’t need to be a perception puzzle, my life needs to be an open book! No more hiding behind closed doors and eating junk!

I think it's time to be honest, I need an accountability partner! Any takers?

Losing weight-What works!

Here tis the 2nd in a series the State of Tennessee just emailed! It seems like Tennessee is trying to do something about obesity. YEAH TENNESSEE!!!!

Losing weight - What Works
The bottom line with weight loss is that you have to eat fewer calories than you burn -- regardless of whether the calories come from carbs, protein, or fat. Still, the weight-loss approach that works for someone else may not work for you because losing weight is very individualized. It's up to you to find the right fit.

Regardless of the type of weight-loss program you choose, there are some fundamental keys to success.

Strategies for Success

Make small changes in your life that work for you. Can you drink 1% or 2% milk instead of whole? When you're accustomed to that, can you switch to skim? How about trying lighter or low-fat versions of your favorite mayonnaise, salad dressings, cheeses, snacks, etc.?

Eat with a sense of purpose: Savor the flavors and engage your senses so that you taste that you are eating. Forget the mindless munching that happens while you cook, drive, or watch television.

Control your portions. Successful dieters don't supersize their meals.

Eat a variety of foods consisting of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat protein sources. Limit the total amount of fat, alcohol, and treats you consume.

Start your day with a healthy breakfast that includes some protein, in the form of low-fat milk, yogurt, lean meats, or an egg. Many overweight people skip breakfast.

Find physical activities that you enjoy or sneak exercise into your daily routine by walking, taking the stairs, or parking in the outer reaches of the parking lot. Whichever you choose, do it daily, for the cardiovascular, stress reduction and calorie-burning benefits.

Don't attempt to manage your stress with food. Many people eat in response to stress. Unfortunately, food does not help you cope with stress; it simply adds calories to your daily total. Find more effective alternatives: exercise, take a bath, call a friend, surf the internet. Just steer clear of the kitchen!

Keep track of what you eat each day with a food journal or diary. This is an excellent way to acknowledge what you eat and be proud of your accomplishments. Take time to celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for all your hard work.

Read labels to determine the healthiest food options. Nutrition labels offer a wealth of information to help you make good choices. Pay attention to the serving size, calories, fat, sodium, and sugars.

Stay motivated! It is easy to fall off the wagon, but when you have a buddy to help and support you it is easier to brush yourself off and get right back on the eating plan. Let your friends and family support and help you through the rough times.