Brian the Holstein Host
Take a good look at this photo. Call it the before shot. This is me, gut hidden to enhance the smile. The truth is I’m tired of my pants’ button popping off and flying across the room. Upset with my jowels resembling Porky pig’s. More importantly, I want to feel better and look trim. Sick of worrying about the silent killers high blood pressure and diabetes.
I announced at the end of 2009 the resolution to loose 25 pounds this calendar year. I started well, then got back on the heavy, saucy foods we all love to eat. I started Plan “B” this month. What a difference.
Accustom to creating Plan B’s, this time I relied on my mentor, Big Stick Rick. Rick lost more than 60 lbs after suffering his 2nd heart attack. Big Stick’s solution— Optimal meal formula.
Optimal is a powder that when mixed with water becomes a full meal shake. By full meal I mean it contains all the vital minerals, nutrients, etc. to work as a viable meal substitute–at only 160 calories.
I take Optimal twice a day. I drink a vanilla shake (mixed with 1/2 a banana, blueberries and strawberries) for breakfast and another usually at lunch time. I do have fruits and vegetables to snack on, along with a regimen of Ruffles potato chips (the only diet vice). I do have a meal at dinner. My portions are noticeably smaller along with having a larger salad.
Did I mention my energy level is also up. No, there’s no speed in Optimal. I read the ingredients.
I can’t give you a definitive weight loss, because months ago I broke the scale. It only reads “error”. I can say all the pants that were tight across the hips, butt and thighs are slightly more comfortable today. [I tried blaming the hot water cycle on the washer machine for my pants being so tight].
Optimal tastes great. I admit the banana, blueberries and strawberries enhance the flavor. More importantly, Optimal pays for itself.
A month supply of Optimal runs between $120-$160. While that may seem expensive, compare that price to Nutri Systems and some of the other known brands. My savings kicks in at the supermarket. I’m not spending as much on groceries as I use to. In fact, I paid for this month’s Optimal, half way through March, by what I no longer purchase: hot and cold breakfast cereal, whole chickens, frozen vegetables, deli chicken and turkey, seafood spread, loaves of bread, Ritz crackers, ice cream and lots of other snacks.
Is it a process? Yes! Forming good habits usually is. I’m loving the short term results (2 weeks). Gazing out my office window as the sun rises over the ocean, I’m picturing how I’ll look and feel this summer.
Figuring 25 pounds will be easily shed by June/July, the new goal for the end of calendar year 2010 is to weigh less than 200 pounds. This way I can walk around like the knucklehead teens with my pants below my sauve butt.
Anyone got a scale for sale?
I’ll keep you posted.
Brian
