Day 7

Tomorrow will mark one full week since the baseline measurements, but since this is the seventh day of my "program" I think I'll weigh on Wednesday afternoons. So far, I've made several observations.

• I need to get more variety into my diet. I like the breakfast routine so far and ought to be able to maintain it over the long haul (perhaps substituting another whole grain for the All Bran now and then, and occasionally treating myself to a muffin or something from my "bonus points" cache). Lunch is another matter. I need to plan ahead and find healthy alternatives which still include some protein, whole grains and veggies at around 4-6 points total.

• I need to be consistent with exercise. For me, this means routine. I either need to start getting up very early to walk or to climb on the recumbent bike or Nordic Track, or I need to set aside a specific time in the afternoon to do it. Otherwise, the day gets away from me. I've never been able to manage exercising in the evening.

• Generally, I do feel better already than I have in quite awhile. There have been moments when I've had the urge to snack unwisely or to have an additional portion of something when I oughtn't, but I haven't really been dissatisfied or hungry so far. In addition, I haven't suffered uncomfortable, overstuffed lethargy for the past week - and that's a welcome relief.

• I'm pretty much forgetting about the bonus points for now, and planning to be sensible, but not to count points at all on Sundays. Depending on the results I see, I may need to modify that, but in order to be healthy in the long run over the rest of my life, there has to be some balance. Right now there's much attention to minute details which are unfamiliar (and therefore somewhat unpleasant). It feels like focused imbalance. We'll see if it feels more organic as choices become "second nature."

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bp: 134/80
pulse: 60

five days in a row that systolic has been under 140 - i can't remember the last time that was the case

i hope that by this time next year, i can be off the diovan

usual breakfast this morning - banana so far, all bran to come - 5 points there and another 3 points for a large mug of joe with sugar

20 points left for the day

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lunch: 1 slice whole grain with olive oil (3 points), 1 cup red beans with 2 tablespoons salsa (2 points)

15 points left

weight: 234 pounds

4 pounds lost so far - maybe a little too quick if it holds - they say a pound or two a week is decent - but i'm happy that i'm seeing some results this early

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subway sandwich tonight (6 points) with two brothers' prairie path golden ale (very nice)