My Own Dad loses 35 lb. on the Power Foods Lifestyle!

My daughter had started doing the Body Buddies thing for awhile…maybe a year, and I had been hearing bits and pieces about it over that time, but it wasn’t something that I was terribly interested in.

Then around New Years Eve, my wife, Patrice, “suggested” that WE participate in the 8 week challenge that would start the first week of January. So, I went along with it, thinking it couldn’t hurt to do. I wasn’t happy with my weight when I stepped on the scales around January 2nd, but I didn’t give the challenge any more thought.

I was very surprised when my wife, on the morning of January 6th, reminded me that the “challenge” started that day. I was kind of bugged. I liked the food I ate and I didn’t particularly like change. Patrice assured me that she’d make it easy by fixing the foods we were supposed to eat and that it wasn’t “forever,” just 8 weeks! I came home that afternoon much more agreeable and consigned to this new way of eating…for just 8 weeks!

And that’s what I did. I followed the plan outlined by Body Buddies. As a high school biology teacher, I suddenly became aware of eating situations that I never thought a problem before. Students bringing in samples from their Foods classes, donuts at faculty meeting, luncheons, etc. became eye openers for me. Over time I became very good at being gracious and yet not indulging in things that weren’t part of the Power Foods Lifestyle.

Now, you need to understand that during this 8 weeks, we celebrated my birthday and Valentine’s Day, both of which are big family traditions for us. They involve favorite foods, so I was grateful to hear we were allowed “indulgence” days once a week. It made me be extra careful during the week, knowing I would “indulge” on those celebration days. I found that I was much more careful with portions even on indulgent days because my eating habits had begun to change.

I didn’t follow the Power Foods Lifestyle 100% all of the time due to my teaching schedule, etc. But I did do what I could, and I was more careful about not eating after 7:30 at night. Also, I have not been able to exercise more than occasionally walking with my wife, or doing yard work around the house. Going to the gym does not appeal to me.

With all of that said, I started out The Challenge weighing 251 lbs. Eight weeks later I weighed 216 lbs., for a total loss of 35 lbs. I am astounded. I have thought, “How did that happen? How COULD that happen?” It doesn’t make sense to me, and I teach biology! My wife and I are continuing with the 2nd challenge, and I’m starting to read my daughter’s book, finally. I am grateful for the things I’m learning, the changes in my eating habits and for the greater physical health I enjoy. But I must say as a disclaimer, I STILL WILL NOT EAT COTTAGE CHEESE!!

I love you, Kristy!! And I’m proud of what you’re doing to help so many others!

Love,Dad

#powerfoods