First, I'd like to congratulate all of you who have had such great results from the various weight loss, lifestyle change and/or getting healthy posts and testimonials that have been shared over the last several months. It's impressive and it is also encouraging/inspiring.

2nd, I'm posting this thread because I know myself well enough that I'll be more successful if there is some accountability or maybe even risk of harassment ...So I'm going to use this thread for some occasional updates or a platform to ask questions from the many experts on here. An expert eater, I am. An expert healthier lifestyle practitioner, I am not.

3rd, I've tried and have been successful in the short term with numerous diets, nutrition plans, and "lifestyle" changes over the years. I'm educated on what to do...that's not the problem. Trouble is I always go back to my comfort zone, eating what I want without much consideration of anything else. And yes, I know what needs to be done to correct that too....dedication and priorities. As a result, I'm a bigger guy. Many of you that know me know that I love to eat good southern type food, burgers, bbq, etc...it is enjoyable because it tastes so dang good. I'm also not a workout machine either, so it builds up. Fortunately I have not yet had any health issues that are major as the typical lab work has me in good shape on BP, Cholesterol, Liver, etc...all those typical markers that show something is off are showing in good to optimal ranges. But I'm carrying around far too much weight for that to stay the case and my knees, back and joints are always hurting probably because of the sugar in my current diet and lack of exercise combined with some old injuries.

4th, I'm joining the ranks of you all that have made a switch to a healthier weight loss nutrition plan (whether it be Keto, Paleo, Low carb, or Whatever plan) combined with some common sense regular exercise. Starting today. I'm going to do it my way because I've tried and failed/ tried and succeeded enough times in the past to know what works best for me. But I'm also going to be doing some experiments along the way and documenting the results. I know there are some wise arse people on here that will need to flap their gums about stuff...that's fine, go ahead.

Where I am today:
269.2 pounds.
Consistent joint aches in ankles and knees and back. I do have some injury sites that flare up too from time to time.
I've not been on any diet or nutrition plan for about a year.

The Plan: I'm going to start with using the basic principles of many trendy diets and nutrition plans (avoid sugar and bad carbs) coupled with some really good portion control concepts from another program from a Christian Perspective called Weigh Down Workshop. I already drink 8-10 glasses of water a day and have for years...I'll probably up that some. Expectations? I know I can drop 20 pounds very fast because I've done it multiple times. After that I expect to slowly and steadily lose 3-4 pounds per month for the next year. My trouble is going to come 2, 3, 4 months from now....sticking with it without constant cheating until I just quit will be the largest obstacle.

What about cheeseburgers you ask? Well...I'm still going to go by Golden Rule from time to time and get my big ass cheeseburger on texas toast with fries---probably as a self reward for hitting a goal. Yes I know that is dumb to reward myself with the thing that caused the issues...Why? Because I want to. It's just not going to be once every week...sometimes twice.

Straycat Experiment-Week 1 (May 13-29)
The Plan is really simple for the next 7 days: Cutting out all soft drinks, sweet tea, desserts, french fries and junk food (processed snacks, chips, etc). Easy start by cutting the "big ticket" bad carb items first. These are the things that for me are the primary (not only) cause of extra weight and sugar and my joints just don't work good together from past trial and error. For this week I'm not going to really get into carb control on whole foods like pasta, rice, beans, bread, fruit like people do on keto but I will purposefully start cutting portion sizes. Weather is nice so I'm going to start walking for 30 minutes before I leave for work and 30 minutes in the evenings--minimum 4 days per week to start. I already do an evening walk a couple times a week with wife, 5 yr old and the dog--more of a stroll.

Straycat Experiment- Week 2 (May 20-26): Same as Week 1--- PLUS cutting out all white bread, white rice, regular pasta and other refined sugar along with reduction of other high-glycemic foods. Substitute low carb breads and wraps when necessary. Increase eating lower carb veggies and beans. Increase intensity of walking regimen to move from a stroll to a more cardio focused workout---Easing into it.

Straycat Experiment- Week 3 and beyond (May 28-June 2 and further): 2 weeks of making changes and weaning off sugar and junk food should help me jump on in to a intermittent fasting/keto/???? plan I'm busy planning this out now, so I'll wait to comment further.

Special Occasions?: Well I have several upcoming, including Caleb's high school graduation dinner party (5/23) and Memorial Day (5/27). It is what it is. Life is fleeting so I'll enjoy myself but not be my normal stupid self when it comes to eating. I don't mind a compromise on special events. It works for me for now. When I get into a real keto plan...then I'll need to rethink how that impacts it and adjust mindset.

Solid plan. I'll be here to rag on I mean encourage you.

You've got all the right pieces - water, exercise, rest, etc. For me, Myfitnesspal has been a huge help. Just trying harder just doesn't cut it for me. Tracking what I take in and the calories I'm burning keeps me on track in a huge way. Just a thought. I know there are several similar programs/apps/tools that do the same thing. I'd consider at least looking into one.

I always tell folks the best diet in the world is a pack of Marlboro Reds.

I'm using the one built into my Samsung Phone. Tracks most everything I want to track as long as I take time to enter in the data on food and water.

When I used to smoke and drink all the time in my old life, I was always under 180 pounds. But I was also dumb and young with a metabolism.

As for the aching joints, some may be weight related, but other may be just worn out old joints. I have started taking turmeric and man it makes a big difference

I've got some worn out joints, but whenever I cut out sugar the aches really reduce to dissipate noticeably. Also I need to get some new work boots or have mine resoled....that will help too.

I smoke pot and drink moonshine.

Remember, they're for religious and medical reasons.

Mike have you research the Seventeen Day Diet? It's a solid plan that works and you want starve. Also download the lose it app on your Iphone and put in your information and log your daily meals. It will help with keeping up with how many calories you consume on a daily basis.

Plenty of sex......I mean exercise

Funny enough, that activity IS NOT an option on Myfitnesspal. I mean I'm feeling cheated out of a solid 3.5 minutes of cardio credit!!

Good luck. If I made myself put the Natties down I'd be doing better. But that ain't happening 🍺

MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun are great free apps that will track your eating and exercise.

Good luck man. Stay strong. It sucks at times.

I just threw out the Blue Bell Ice Cream in the office fridge. Didn't even open the container. I'm sitting here working on estimates and it was calling my name like a Siren calling to a sailor in the fog.
Next 4-5 days are going to be rough, but I can do it.

Drink lots of water and snack on peanuts

Just lost 50lb the hard way.
4 weeks in the hospital.
Wouldn’t recommend it.

I would recommend you give up sugar all together. It's much easier than trying to count how much constantly. The fact is that sugar is a dosage dependent liver toxin. It will cause inflammation is many areas causing heart disease and diabetes,as well as arthritis. The other big contributor is grains.

It will just depend on how well you tolerate grains and dairy if you will feel better by cutting them out as well,but it will help you to lose weight.

If you just cut back on sugar or substitute that for artificial sweeteners or ever fruit,if you eat too much of it, you will still have the cravings for more food and sweets as well. Not only will you crave more sugar since it is 8 times more addictive than cocaine,but i will cause you brain to release a chemical telling you that you are still starving. Starving mode will make you hungry and tired.

WEEK 1 UPDATE

Weight: 265.0. Down 4.2 pounds as of this morning.

Overall an easy first week. I've had zero soft drinks or sweet tea, zero junk food, no French fries, and only 1 dessert at my son's bachalaurete dinner last night. I began cutting back on portions and making a few better choices. I haven't walked as much as I said, but substituted yard work doing some spring freshening up around the property for about 8 hours.

Tomorrow is start of Week 2. Time to start ending the love affair with bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. I expect to be challenged this week. Meat, vegetables and fruit will be my focus this week. Real keto begins in another week or so.