Days 6, 7 & 8

Now I'm truly into the rhythm of the program and the first weekend passed without problem. In fact I'm already finding ten-minutes of exercise to be insufficient and am now doing fifteen-minutes more acceptable. From doing this program before I do know that in a few weeks from now I'll exercise for 30 minutes every second day. That is why at the start I of the program I stipulate just ten-minutes exercise session; it enables you to break into the routine gradually. Your body will dictate when you need more or less.

On Saturday, day 6, I dropped bread and pastry for the day. Day 7, Sunday, it was chocolate that was axed. In our house Sunday is a big chocolate day because my wife is a chocoholic and it's the only day she allows chocolate to take over. When I was able to get through Sunday without chocolate and not really miss it I knew that I was fully into the routine and this weight loss program would prove successful.

On Sunday morning we did our weekly shopping and I started by parking the car as far from the store entrance as possible. Y'know its really great when you don't have to fight for a parking space. Inside the Shopping Plaza we used stairs rather than escalators in the knowledge that each extra piece of energy expended was helping to achieve my weight loss target. I carry this routine throughout the program questioning everything I do and asking the question: How can I put a little more energy into this task?

Monday was Day 8 and I was back to no potatoes for the day. If you have been following the diary you will know that I leave an empty space on my plate where potatoes would go. This space reminds me that I am actually taking in less calories and it also acts as a reminder that tomorrow I can eat potatoes again so the sacrifice is less hard to bear. For dinner I had a diet Chop Suey because I like an Asian taste with my food from time to time and cooking by wok is very healthy.

Progress so far: On Monday evening I tightened my belt by an extra notch. This is the first physical sign that something good is happening.

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About the author:

David McCarthy is a prolific article writer on all subjects connected to food, health and wellness as related to food. His website is http://www.recipesmania.com/ where you can find all of his work together with over 200 free recipes.