Week 1 Without Mountain Dew and Other Treats

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When I signed up for the fit2fat2fit journey, I must admit that I had some preconceived notions regarding what the experience would be like. I assumed, probably arrogantly, that I’d learn a few things while gaining weight, but once the fit journey kicked in, I’d be able to prove to the world how easy a lifestyle change could be.

I’d like to amend that thinking, just one week in. Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t buckled under the pressure, and my body hasn’t completely abandoned me now that I’m not providing it an endless cycle of “comfort” foods. Whereas I thought my mantra would be “see, I told you so!” it’s quickly turned into “see, you told me so!”

7 little days have passed since the zingers and Mountain Dew were put into retirement, and I’ve seen the curiosity start to build. How is he coping? Has he cheated? Is he somehow sneaking 3 zingers into the spinach shake before hitting “blend”? I could answer those questions with personal trainer speak – that it’s easy, and the hunger pains don’t exist. I could tell you that I don’t have any lasting cravings, and my energy is so through the roof that my house is spotless, my wife is treated to breakfast in bed every day, and I’m ready to workout 5 hours every day. But when I started this journey, in addition to making the commitment to gaining and losing this weight, I also committed to honesty. And honestly, that personal trainer speak is nowhere to be found.

The truth is much less glamorous, yet clearly much more common. So far, the fat2fit journey stinks. Yes, it feels good to eat healthy again. I miss the bloating about as much as I miss mowing the lawn and mentally, it feels wonderful to know that I’m starting to heal the damage done. But the withdrawals are taking their toll. The cravings seem to mock me like the Colonel did at the local KFC so many food challenges before. In just seven days, one of my biggest “a ha” moments has already started to occur – just how many times we’re tested every single day.

Earlier this week, I walked into a gas station to get my daily ration of water. For six months, this visit had a different purpose. This was my zingers/energy drink run. I think I actually topped my gas tank off 6 days a week just for the experience. Yet, this week I had to walk away. While at work, I walked into the hospital break room before changing into scrubs, and saw what I used to consider the greatest addition to the modern workplace – a fully stocked refrigerator that seemed to turn water, Coke, Sprite, and the like into my personal stache of Mountain Dew on command. I left the break room only with my scrubs (the hospital staff was clearly relieved that my loss of the Dew didn’t result in forgetting those). But in reality, those are only two of about a hundred situations I encountered this week.

Scarier is what I’ve lovingly dubbed the “amnesia snack”. When you eat without restriction, you develop habits. Certain snacks, foods, and treats in certain situations. We all have them – from the “hey, I just took out the trash, I should be rewarded with a can of Pringles” to the “after a long day of work, I park my car, kiss my wife, smile at the children, and eat 2 cans of Spaghetti-O’s routine”, there are just moments that we eat and we don’t even realize it. I attribute it most closely to how a smoker must feel when they discover a cigarette in their hand and don’t remember lighting it. Yes, I’ve had those moments too (although it helps when my wife swings like Mike Tyson to dislodge it from my hands (in a lovingly way, I’m sure).

I guess, after seven days, the biggest message that I can share is while I haven’t cheated, I have been tempted. And the journey back to fit isn’t about pull-ups or spinach shakes. It’s about making different decisions when confronted with these temptations. No matter how difficult it is. And I personally feel I owe you all a debt of gratitude. Because whenever I have those moments, you push me to “toe the line.” When I read my emails, Facebook posts, etc. of other #teamdrew members that are going through this, I realize I’m not alone and that I’m so supported. I’m thankful for all of you and know I’ll need plenty more support going forward.

Keep pushing – I’m confident that with each passing day, the old habits will continue to fade. Until then, I’ll still dream of my Mountain Dew and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, hopeful that these amnesia snack moments fade first. My wife can throw a mean left hook when there are processed snacks in the vicinity.

138 comments on “Week 1 Without Mountain Dew and Other Treats”

  • I did really good for the first 5 days. The last 2 I really cheated. :( I am going to get ‘back on the wagon’ today. I don’t want to give up. Thank you so much for being so honest about your struggle. I don’t feel like such a whimp now.

  • I quit smoking July 14th, 2010. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I did it cold turkey. I always thought I’d slow down and gradually ween myself off of them but that never seemed to work. I could start off slow with a pack of cigarettes but once I got down to 10 or less, I’d smoke like crazy because my pack was almost gone and I’d go into panic mode. I did the same thing with junk food. Friday before I started this diet last week, I inhaled a box of caramel bars. I drank a bottle of mountain dew. We ate fast food and I basically cleaned out the cupboards with my mouth. I went into panic mode because I knew those foods will be foreign to me soon because I HAVE to stick to this. I failed. I knew we were going out with friends this weekend and instead of holding out and having good things, I had mcdonalds. I felt physically ill honestly. It was horrible. A week of healthy and then a big mac just sitting on top of my stomach…waiting to duke it out. I went to sleep and today starts I guess a day 1 sort of idea for me. We are getting ready to go to the gym now and I am looking forward to getting back on track. I have my best friend, my husband, beside me and he is holding strong as well. I am just glad I am not in this alone!

  • Thank you so much for sharing your struggles. After only six months you have developed those cravings and “amnesia” eating moments. Imagine what a lifetime of that takes to undo. I’ve been overweight my entire life and am struggling so much. I love the program and am mostly enjoying the food but there are so many times a day when I finish my housework and automatically go to find ice cream or I’m driving home from work and start to head towards McDonald’s. I had dreams last night about cinnamon rolls.
    Having you going through the same problems in encouraging for me and whenever I have a craving I do the same thing and come on here to find inspiration. I hope someday I’ll find that I automatically make healthy decisions.

    Thanks again Drew!

  • I’m glad that you go through this hard time with us and that you share your experience with us.
    Go on, never stop, never doubt and if u look back recognize what you reached already.

    Wish you good luck and a strong will
    Christian

  • Awww, good thing you pointed out the “amnesia snack.” I’ve realized I always need something to snack on while surfing the net.

    Keep up the good work! Stay strong! :)

  • I feel your pain. My vice is McDonalds double cheeseburgers. I actually got in the drive thru line. Looked down at my apple and it seemed to scream at me “Don’t Do It!” I pulled out of the drive thru and ate the apple just to make it shut up! I was happy I did that. It made me feel the commitment that I am going to get thru this. I have lost 7lbs this week and look forward to next week. My husband is also committed to this journey with me. He has never been to the gym in his life. His first week of going and he hired us a personal trainer. He said if I am paying someone it will make him mad to not go. Tuesday is our first meeting with the trainer and we are bitter sweetly looking forward to it. My question is portion sizes. We may be eating healthier but it seems fruitless if we are still eating the same amount of healthy food as we did our unhealthy food. How do I know the right portions to be eating?

  • It truly is hard to move away from old eating habits and away from the bad carbs. Carbs are my downfall and I really struggle with this part of changing the way I eat. I will do this but it is hard.

  • Hi Drew,
    thank you for your honest answer. Reading what you go through and the support of #teamdrew helps me a lot, cause I’m hungry while writing this… I’ll push through.

    Thank you from Germany, Hamburg

    Rabbitwind

  • YAY!! You DO get it!!! I only caught onto your journey about 6 weeks out from your “fit” start, and I was a bit concerned that you were going to be one of those fitness experts that would simply mock the “challenges” food addicts (my words, not yours) experience each day. I thought some of what I read in the past was being expressed with tongue in cheek, a bit of humor and zingers to the overweight public (pun intended). Whereas I would NEVER wish this upon anyone, I was happy (and a little teary) in reading this morning’s post about your profound relationship with food associations. I deal with it everyday and only recently have realized, it’s my issue more so in every moment, and sadly I’ve failed most every time. I do have my victories, but the losses populate my thoughts more. Thank you for being humble and gracious enough to share your new found experiences. I feel justified, authenticated, and maybe a little free-er from the burden of having to prove loosing weight and changing my lifestyle is not as easy as everyone believes. But today I am inspired and look forward to following your story more with each day. Thanks! Krys

  • Glad to see u haven’t cheated as of yet. Me on the other hand have backslid. I clearly see the reason for cooking the foods in advance. The problem I’m having is if I can eat my advance cooked food, it leaves room for me to eat something else I’m not supposed to and I have been doing that!! So this weekend I cooked a ton of chic breasts and sealed them in containers. It’s so funny that u mentioned Zingers cuz that’s my addition snack!!! My wife bought a box of the yellow ones for the kids and so far I’ve been good not eating a single one!!! But it’s really hard and I appreciate u sharing ur story of the difficulties ur having with those type of snacks!!! I feel so much better now to maintain and “stay the course”. Thanks Drew and I’m with u all the way!!!

  • Very honest, real assessment. Thanks for being real :) . My routine has changed, too. And sadly, some of my relationships are already changing. No going out to lunch with friends at work-their choices are too unhealthy. No starbucks meetings with the girls. A lot of my habits and friendships center around food. I’m hoping I can make positive changes and still maintain my normalish life. Keep it up! You’re inspiring.

  • Thanks soooo much Drew for your honesty! My roommate and I were scrounging around the house dying for anything with bread and/or sweets. But we held our own; we both lost 5lbs each just over the weekend! I think he’s finally convinced that this will work :p

  • That was an amazing read! Thank u for your honesty and transparency. After all what u have committed to accomplish on this journey u remain so humble and HELPFUL. Its so amamzing how we r all receiving encouragement and enlightenment from one another. I love the 2 words I keep seeing: Keep Pushing. I am starting week 2 today and weighed in. My results were a weight loss of 2.8 pounds.Starting 163.6 and now 160.8. and while it may not be as much as I had anticipated…My motto on this journey has been ….”QUITTING IS NOT AN OPTION” so I KEEP PUSHING(as u would say).

  • Drew, you haven’t experienced it yet but does having a “cheat” day or “cheat” meal push you back a lot? Physically, it probably doesn’t matter a whole lot with a few extra calories on rare occasions but what about mentally? I’m planning on a cheat meal every 10 days just to eat some things I really like, not that I’m necessarily craving. This morning I’m having oatmeal with honey and raisins and a couple of pieces of buttered toast (originally I WAS craving French toast with lots of butter and syrup). I guess my question is, if you have an occasional cheat day or meal does this lead to making it easier to cheat further at other times? Just wondering what you have heard from others, guess you’ll be able to answer better after Thanksgiving.

  • Thanks for your honesty. I started off so good but then I had 2 birthday parties and that quickly turned to one piece of cake, which led to fast food for my next meal, which turned into a total binge the last couple days. I’m ready to get back on the wagon, so to speak. Thanks again!

  • That’s the hardest part for me…temptation. The junk food is all around, just staring at you everywhere you go. It is so hard to turn the other way when you are constantly bombarded with it on tv and by the amount of fast food joints. Just stay strong and remember we are all there with you!

  • Drew, I think what your doing is a wounderfoul thing. I am following your meal plan for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No snakes thow.
    I have a question. What can help me with portion size? I drink nothing but water. I don’t eat any kind of cake, cookies, candy,ect. I eat pretty heathly,but I eat a lot. I am 44 years old 250 # 5’11″ large frame. I go to the gym 3 day a week no cardio all weight lifting. I would love to get down to 215 #. Please advise.

    Thanks
    steve

  • Drew, I had the same kind of craving today! Sour Patch Kids are a vice that always call to me from the check-out line. It was all I could do to not buy them!

  • I love that you are being honest. I started you program a week ago and it’s rough and good at the same time if u know what I mean. After hearing your story I decided to jump onboard. I have been overweight all 27 years of my life! I think I owe it to my boys (3 month and 18 month old)to have a healthy dad that can keep up with them. I owe it to you for giving me the insperation and determination to do that!
    Thanks
    David

  • This is an awesome post. This shows everyone that we are not alone but you gotta have that will power to change your lifestyle. Even for a person that just six months was leading one very healthy lifestyle.

  • Drew,
    Your honesty and transparency is what got me motivated to do phase 2 with you. (I have been secretly living phase 1 without you for years.) What I love is your inclusiveness of all of us that struggle with these temptations. My motivation is that you have the knowledge to lead me away from this unhealthy lifestyle that I have fallen into. Drew, you can’t fail because so many people are relying on you to succeed. If you can’t do it, neither can we. (no pressure, I know) Thanks again for giving me hope for my success. PS. The spinach shake is my FAVORITE meal of the day! (Who would have thought that???) Thanks from Ohio!

  • Drew,

    We are in this together. It is not easy. The temptations are constant but we’ve got to pull through. Just like you are helping and encouraging us/me, we are backing you 100%. Go #TeamDrew

  • YES, now, you understood the problems of those who for years had food problems. Welcome among us and now, together we will learn to ignore the bad habits / food.

  • Drew, your honesty is refreshing and believe me when I tell you, though temptations will always be there the more willpower you put forward the stronger it will become as the days pass. I admire all you have done to put yourself in the shoes of your peers. This journey from fat2fit isn’t an easy one but the reward at the end (great health and the sense of accomplishment) is well worth it.

  • BRILLIANT!!! I kindof already knew this, but seeing it I writing made it solid! This IS about decisions! Keep up the good work! Smash those cravings! (mine is late night Ice Cream) and know that I am right there with you along with the THOUSANDS that make up #TeamDrew!

  • In this post you summed up, for me, the woes of dieting. Thank you for having this realization and thank you for admitting that fat people aren’t crazy when we say that the food calls our name. Wishing you continued success.

  • It’s a relief to see that even a personal trainer can struggle with the temptations of everyday life. The temptations are all around us, it is so important to have a daily reminder of what we are working towards to help keep on track and stay motivated.
    As I don’t have anyone reminding me each day (and my conscious is trying to work against me) I found it really helpful to set my home page to fit2fat2fit.com, this way every morning when I turn my computer on I get a gentle reminder of what I want to achieve.

    Keep up the good work!

  • Good Luck! I know you can do it! I can tell you, your journey has changed the way our household looks at food and cooks. Keep up the good work and keep striving! We have the cravings too, hopefully our household and yours will pass.

  • Hi Drew,

    This is a great learning experience for anybody who is on #teamdrew. Those who are doing it wrong can learn to do it right, those who are doing it right can validate their know how.

    For me, your wisdom has sent me spiraling into the Internet searching and digging for information.

    I hope you will still be on and bring us something new and something exciting even after the fat2fit stage. Keep up the good work!

    Best Regards,
    Nitin Vazirani
    Mumbai, India

  • I hear ya bro.It’ not easy.I’ve been watching you for 2 months now.My wife of 22 years is totally fit.My kids eat healthy.Our son works out 6 days a week.He’s 16 on varsity wrestling team and 2nd degree black belt.All I do is go to work.I have a gym membership(24 hour fitness)that is about a mile from my shop & never go.Have a full on weight room at home that I never use.Started eating healthy with help from my wife.She baked all that chicken last nite and now I bring a lunch to work.Lost 2 pounds last week.I’m 57,5’6″ tall and weigh 200lbs.While I lay in bed at nite, I think about,how in the hell did this happen to me?I used to take care of myself.I’m on your site all the time.This has to work brother.

  • Good post Drew, respect for keeping it real. This is the best post you’ve written since the journey back started.

    From one of your stealth trackers using you as inspiration (50lbs down since Jan 1st this year, hanging on to your coattails to get the last 20lbs off now).

  • Thank you for the honest perspective. I am trying to begin this journey with you and I am finding it hard to make my own changes. In an odd way, your willingness to share with honesty helps me when I have stumbled in my own efforts. It helps me to see that stumbling does not mean failure. It is just part of the process; even for those who have the knowledge. Thank you.

  • Hey Drew! I’ve been following you since the very beginning. I went to SVU with your older brother…best Econ tutor in the world. We have been cheering for you from day one and check in regularly to see how you are doing. Keep up the good work. We are proud of you and your efforts. We are sending major support vibes all the way from Michigan…can you feel them?

  • I can relate to you that it sucks when you get the temptations but the key is knowing what to do. I have cut back on things since this time last year but I just starting working out about 2 months ago. I decided to make changes to make ME better. Keep doing what you are doing. You are an inspiration to so many in more ways than you realize.

  • Wow! I was wondering if 6 months of unrestricted eating would do this to you. The power of easy to eat comfort foods can be strong. It is interesting to see you experience the many times a day that one must decide to eat healthy. The many times a day that temptation to have a little something is there. I had hoped you wouldn’t have to deal with it but on the other hand, that is the very real world of an overweight person. Most of us don’t have a previous life of being fit to remember. I still worry about you and your project but I think you will learn a lot in the next 6 months and will help a lot of people. Thanks Drew.

    Dan O.

  • Hi Drew,
    I have been following your journey and I must admit you are very brave in your endeavors..I work in the medical field in research and believe me I’ve seen what obesity along with depression can do. I applaud your bravery in gaining all that weight beacuse as you mentioned you have walked in the shoes of those who struggle every day. I wish you the best, I myself have lost 16 lbs and have kept it off for 2 yrs. No it was not a lot of weight, but I saw myself in Christmas photos and knew that I had to make changes. Its so difficult some days because you do have those cravings and you must as you said make different choices. I am fortunate that I work in the field with women who are PhD’s who keep me motivated to exercise. I actually found out about you from @DrSherryPagoto on Twitter. She is a behavioral scientist who specializes in obesity, I work on one of her research projects and I also call her my friend. She is doing research on how social networking can motivate people to exercise..she does amazing work. Well it is a pleasure to write this to you..the best of luck on your journey back. I will be checking in to see your progress…It is also wonderful how supportive your wife is..that can make all the difference…take care, Susan

  • Welcome to Earth. The good news is, you have the ability to change your situation and you know it. Most of us were never in the “Fit” stage in our lives. Most of us don’t know what to do when those cravings hit us. It’s a reaction, not a choice. It’s something we need to learn how to change. The good news is, we all believe in you Drew. We’ve seen what you can achieve and we’re willing to fight with you to get us all there. We’ll “toe the line”. You lead the way..

  • Hi Drew, I wondered how you would cope this first week. Somehow, I felt an analogy of an addict forming.. where you were not originally a food addict, you would have no trouble returning to “normal”. I liked your honesty about how difficult it was for you this week. Glad you did not cheat, but most of us fighting weight and food issues, do not have your restraint. For you the bad habits will probably fade much easier than those who have had to fight weight issues all their lives, or at least later in life. I wish you luck!

  • Drew,

    Your honesty is what gives this whole thing so much weight (pun intended). I just wanted to thank you for putting yourself through this and being willing to learn. And thanks especially for the spinach shake recipe. It’s amazing!

    -Andrew

  • Drew,

    I know that you have already heard this a million times but THANK YOU SO MUCH for doing this! I had only heard about you just a day or two before your journey back to fit started. And I immediately sent the link to my husband while he was at work, he quickly responded with “Let’s follow him!” We have been with you since. We appreciate the time and effort you are putting in to help so many of us, most of whom, you don’t even know. My husband has already lost 8 pounds and I’m watching the inches shed off of him. I’ve lost 6 pounds, but I have not measured yet. Being a woman, I keep saying “just a couple more lbs, then I’ll measure.” My husband and I have Dr appts this morning for full physicals and bloodwork. Wish us luck, we haven’t had physicals in 10+ years. :-) Thanks again for all of your hard work and dedication to your journey back to fit and for taking us all with you!

  • It is great to hear that “you get it”. You see where those of us fighting the weight loss battle are coming from with our groaning and whining. It is an addiction and our “drug” is in our face constantly. Thanks for the inspiration!

  • I have been following you a while now, and I can tell you it is quite an interesting journey. You spent only 26 weeks forming bad food habits , and are feeling it. I did it for a lifetime, until I was 35 years old and almost 300 lbs . I lost 140 lbs in 2 years (and kept if off the past year) and am regularly working out and eating less … maybe not completely “right” , but less and definitely “more” healthy.

    I can tell you I still have all kinds of cravings for everything (Cheesecake) . Luckily my weakness was I loved food , so I turned that into my strength . A good seared ahi tuna for me is just as yummy as KFC , for example.

    Thanks for sharing your journey it’s been quite interesting.

  • OMG… you’re incredible. I cheated 4 days out of 7. Admittedly, I ate much less,just half a cookie and one muffin after I just baked, just to “try it out” then I ate one more. I did stop there. No Soda, but I did drink OJ and had a few teas and coffees.
    Its a lot less, but I haven’t been able to quit cold turkey, like you.

    You’re an inspiration!

  • I’m so glad you take the time to write these articles and tell the truth to your journey back. One question are you going to continue to put up your 1 week photo’s to see you transition back?

  • Thank you Drew! Knowing you are suffering as well makes it somehow a bit easier here. After 30+ years of careless eating the withdrawals and aches and pains the past 8 days have been worth it. Went from 309 to 294 on the scale, and some inches on the tape. It is very encouraging to hear the cravings and withdrawal pangs WILL go away. I’ve had at least 2-3 diet sodas a day for the past 20 years and let me tell you it has been rough. Hanging in there, and your well written blogs really are truly motivating! Thanks for everything! Let’s do this

  • Morning Drew…sorry that you are going through what I have gone through for the last 20 years. Sometimes I feel I just havn’t giving myself enough time to change the habit. So I give myself a few more days in hope that the cravings will stop but then convince myself that just one little bite won’t hurt…..but it hurts…297 lbs of hurt. Tears!!!!

  • Good to know we’re all in the same boat! Those cravings are actually habitual behaviors, and if I can stay on the healthy habit wagon long enough, maybe they’ll dissolve into some old, unwanted memory….

  • Everyday, I login to the website, check for any updates and then look on Facebook for posts. This has been my strength.
    I also pulled out a picture of myself, in fantastic shape, to use as my guide and motivation along the way.
    Each day, I pray that I can stick with this and conquer things one more day. (I bet you are asking yourself, why did I do this when I looked and felt so great to begin with. Although I am so grateful for what you are doing to help others, I feel bad that you have done this to yourself. Psychologically, this is painful!)Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless your wife! With her support, you will get back to where you need to be. I hope that I along with other people can stick with this to the end to prove that what you went through has made a difference in peoples lives. You are a remarkable man!

  • Your honesty is very refreshing. Everybody knows what to do, but doing it is so much harder, especially when you have a busy life (spouse, job, kids!) I love your blog!

  • It is good to know we’re all human! I feel lucky in that the cravings haven’t been too bad, more just general hunger. That said I’m eating what at work would have usually been sandwiches and chips and cookies and today I’m sitting here with chicken and broccoli and carrot and it’s hitting the spot.

    We can all do it knowing we are suffering at times but we made our choices in the past so need this now.

    Thank you for letting us share the journey (or pain?!) with you!

  • Hey man,

    After abour 2-3 weeks of staying strong it will come easy. And once you start feeling/seeing the difference it will help push you through. Good luck man.

    Bobby

  • I’m there with you! The hardest part is caving in to temptation for a moment and feeling the guilt of letting everyone down – this can really mess with your confidence. I have had moments when I would eat junk (not wanting it, not even craving it) but found myself eating it just because there was nothing else to do.

    Having a purpose, staying occupied, and not feeling like you’re depriving yourself or punishing yourself are just a few keys. I was a rock singer weighing 165 – now i’m a solo act pushing 251 – I’m with you all the way, and will give you my results as we go!

  • Waiting for your weekly photos to start.
    It be a good write up to get a summary of how people treated you as an obese-out-of- shape middle age guy.

    One more thing. How much did it cost you weekly to eat your way to Fat?
    Would you mind tracking your weekly expenses on the way down?
    It would be an interesting graph to see.

  • Don’t take this the wrong way, but I am glad that it has been much harder for you than you anticipated. As someone who has also struggled with weight for years starting my new healthy lifestyle was a HUGE struggle at first. 55 lbs (and counting) later, I can say that it is much easier but still a struggle. I don’t think the struggle will ever be completely over for me to be honest. And it may never be over for you but the fact that you are going through this will provide you with such tremendous insight into what drives overweight people to be overweight and how you can best help them to achieve their goals. And just as you have more of a struggle than you anticipated you will gain that much more insight than you anticipated. Best of luck!

  • Drew let me start by saying that i am so thankful for what you are doing if it wasnt for you i dont think i would had it i a me to get fit. Let me tell you that i always played ether baseball or softball for fun and i try to keep active i go to the gym once a while and i can honestly tell you that i have never seen results so fast in my body like i am seening now. I lost 1.25 inches in my waist in 1my week by following you meal plan and going to the gym for and hour i have not been able to loose that much in years. I never knew how eating right could make that much of a difference thank you so i dream if the day i can see my 6 packed again. Thank you by the way i am cuban so what we eat is not healtly at all jejejej. And it is really hard to switch but i am doing it thanks to you keep up thr awsome work

  • I just want to thank you for what you are doing… I myself have gone through various seasons of fit to fat to fit… right now, I am on the way back to fit with you. It’s never easy and gets more difficult each time we have to make the journey and the questions that enter the mind… “why did I do this to myself again?” “How did I do this to myself again?”, “Is this going to be the last time?”… Lord, please let this be the last time!!! LOL… It’s so difficult that I am going to walk this walk with you because I NEED a friend. Someone who knows the reality of the pains, the cravings and challenge of not be able to go at it the first day or even the first week in the gym…
    Thank you… stay encouraged and stay strong. I need someone to hold me accountable… so please don’t cheat… your strength will keep me strong!! Thanks again. God bless.

  • It is great to read this.

    I said to myself that I would start the fat2fit part. But I didn’t. Not yet. Too afraid I guess. I belive that the tought of failing is really scaring me.

    Today I still didn’t begin the diet. Although I already climbed on my bike and had a 30 min workout, with heart rate avg of 160.

    My current weight is 230lbs. 2 years ago, it was 180lbs. I need to get back there. And I hope I grow my balls this week to face the challenge.

    Keep up Drew.

  • Drew, you’re doing great! I, too, was a personal trainer for 10 years and I’m now a full time mom. I am so amazed by your journey, and I want you to know that you have inspired me greatly! Although I don’t have weight to lose, we all have our ‘mountain dew moments’ as you mentioned, and I’ve decided to join you in your diet and see where it takes me. My daughter loves your spinach shake, we share one every morning now. Keep up the hard work. I can’t imagine what it must be like for you! GO DREW!!!

  • It is good to hear you speak of the challenges you are facing. I’m hoping to hear more about what it is like as you restarted your exercise routine, and had to do motions that probably weren’t nearly as easy or fun as they were 6 months ago.

  • Drew, I can’t lie. I fell off the band wagon a few meals in week 1. I decided to start over. Today is week 1, day 1. I was able to consume all the bad foods leftover in my house. Now, if i’m tempted to snack, it’s going to be raw veggies (those poor broccoli.)
    Sadly, this isn’t as easy as I had hoped.

  • It would be a great idea to share with us what we can have when we have this “sugar” crises :)

    Thanks a lot for all you do for us.

    Steve from Spain

  • It is good to hear that the mental aspect of losing weight is not lost on you although I do not gloat about the fact that you are finding it a challenge. This is the most important part of your efforts for me, it is easy to know what food to eat, exercise is important but it is how each of us battles that food voice inside that pushes us to eat beyond our strongest wishes to be fit and eat well…..keep letting us know what you are doing to get past the food cravings….I am sure it is helping so many people….

  • Hey Drew, I owe you, thanks.
    Three Q’s: No time for omlete in the morning what to do? What is your time zone? and, how do you spread the stretching and core work along the day?

  • What you are going through and realizing right now will help you not only through your weight loss journey but also with your career of personal trainer. When you understand someone is when you can fully help.
    Habit isn’t only about bad choices. You can say the same thing about healthy / better choices too…You keep doing it and you can make it a habit and/or routine to cook every Sunday night for the week ahead. You can make it a habit / routine to work out every morning / night.

    “Good habits, once established are just as hard to break as are bad habits” – Robert Puller
    “First we make our habits, then our habits make us.” – Charles C. Noble
    “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohn
    “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

  • LOVE THIS!! After losing 50lbs & having people ask me “what’s wrong, are you sick?” I allowed myself to eat anything fearing “what if something is wrong & that’s why I’ve lost” – not to my surprise, I’ve packed on some of those lbs & MUST get back to feeling comfortable in my skin!! The exhaustion I feel is ridiculous & I’m praying it goes away once I start working out & building stamina. Pushing through the pain! ha!

  • Thank you for posting this. This weekend… just sucked. I found myself looking in the fridge without realizing I had walked there in the first place. Thank goodness I got rid of the “bad food” in my house… I didn’t actually grab anything because it wasn’t there.

    It still sucked going out with friends who were having fried chicken and hamburgers and all that… and smelling it and not having any of it. Going to the grocery store which keeps it’s produce next to the fried everything/bakery department and enjoying that. I hate it!! It was easier to quit smoking because I just avoided that wherever I went.

    Thank you for posting! Makes it feel a lot less alone knowing these cravings/addictions are going on with a lot of us.

  • Drew, thank you *so* much for being honest. I recognize what you’re going through, and applaud your commitment to staying the course. And if you think that the self-induced temptations are bad, wait til you have other people trying to tempt you into cheating and you have to politely tell them no. Repeatedly. That’s the harder one, especially at work where you have to stay professional and don’t always have the option of just walking away.

  • Since reading and watching your first post (from being fit) to your “I’m starting my journey back from fat” on the 5th of November, my biggest question was whether you would have the food cravings you just described. If, or when, you have more cravings on your way back to fit, please share them. Are they daily things? Are they hourly? Do they slowly become less intense over the weeks and months, or will they be persistently in the background for months or years to come? I appreciate your honesty in your blogs, and cheer you on as I follow!

  • I have been able to maintain a good regimen of eating good food, thanks to you. Don’t go back to those Zingers and Mountain Dew. Chug down that 16 ounces of water every morning. I lost 5 pounds last week. I do a stretch routine of one hour early in the morning and after dinner. I also ride my bike 20 to 30 miles each day. Keep up the good work Drew and don’t let me down. Only with your help, am I able to reach my goal of 175 pounds. I am now at 233, so I have 58 pounds to lose by May, 2012. I know that with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, it is going to be hard to not cheat. I hope you have extra encouragement to all of us to get past temptations during the holidays.

  • Hey Drew, I just discovered your journey and it’s just too weird to think that we’re both in the same situations. I started working out 1 year ago and lost 55 lbs and getting a six pack with 4% bodyfat. As of 8 weeks ago, I decided to treat myself as a guinea pig and continue working out but less moderately and quit my diet and move to the average American diet! I wasn’t surprised when I gained 15 lbs and my six pack had disappeared. I took before and after pictures and noticed the vast difference. It has been a week (last Monday) since I went back to my normal lifestyle and back on track to get my sick pack back. I just have to say that it is VERY HARD! I was so used to eating sweets and sugary treats that every time I saw a piece of cake in the school cafeteria (I go to a University), I felt the need for a bite! I’ve restrained myself and I’m still going! I’ve been used to eating unhealthy for all my life until one year ago when I changed my life drastically. Over the past 8 weeks I felt like I was back to the old me with my eating habits (but it was all for a purpose). I now proved to myself that even though you exercise, diet is the most important part of having that physique!

  • But you have one advantage many individuals have never had. A longer life without this addictions, the brain muscle knowledge/memory of what it is to be healthy and how you feel at pick shape. So to those people who have never had what fit2fat2fit You Rule!!! And thank you fit2fat2fit, for being a person who cares enough to know what your clients go threw on a daily basis. You have been a story I have loved fallowing since I first heard of you!!!!

  • Hi Drew,
    I’m feeling really good watching your encouraging story unfold before my eyes…and my family is enjoying it through me. I think your publicity and the link I found on Yahoo was by no accident. I’m ready to get back into shape. I will spare you the story of my life other than I used to be in great shape, but as I approach fourty years of age I find my self ready to be in the best shape of my life. I find your site to be my encouragement…as much as Bill Philips “Body of Life” did just a few years ago!

    One quick questions…I used to love doing pull ups. I could do 25+ at one point in time…the old fashion type. Not the cross fit momentum type that are becoming more common. Now weighting just over 220 lbs, I find them very difficult. I think the laws of gravity change as we age :) Do you still work into assisted pull ups with the extra weight you’ve added, or have you opted for the lat pull downs in replace of?

    PS…My first spinich shake today. My wife, and son were also there to try it. You know what…its what’s for breakfast tomorrow.

    Keep on motivating!
    John Eddington

  • Drew,

    We all appreciate your honesty and being “human” just like the rest of us! Ironically, while at Kroger’s this past week, I saw the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and thought the New Drew will not be purchasing you anymore! :)

    Your encouragement, motivation, and strength empowers us all to take the same keys and unlock our minds that this is so doable and that healthy is within our reach, and our new mindset is “Failure Is NOT an Option!” I look forward to each new day knowing that I am becoming healthier than the day before!

    To all of the other #TeamDrew members – Keep the faith, stay strong, push through because you and your health is worth the effort!

    God Bless and Thanks Drew!!

  • Thank you for sharing this with us. If it would’ve been a piece of cake (no pun intended ;) then I think the average non-fit person would honestly be discouraged and not think that you’re just as human as the rest of us. Thank for going through this journey to help others! You are a great inspiration!

  • Keep it moving in the right direction. I am glad to hear that you have been able to stay the course, it gives me encouragement to be disciplined this second week. I lost 5 pounds but I certainly did not stay the course. I have committed myself going into Thanksgiving because I know that will be a trial for all of us. Stay focused we are all behind you.

  • I just want to say God Bless you Drew for what you are doing for so many. I want you to know, I am 65 years old and weighed 436 a week ago. I followed your meal plan religeously. and I have lost 21 pounds. I know it will not be like this all the time but thanks to you and my son for geting me started. I have dieted so many times in my life I can’t count them all, and always fell off the wagon. My doctor has already started adjusting my insulin for I have been running a better blood sugar average already. I just want to say again thank you and Ithank my son and with you and him in my corner I know I will make it this time. I have to !!

    Thanks Jim

  • Drew, I hope you can help me. since im just 17, trying to control myself has been very hard. i wanna just “rape” (for lack of better term) the fridge full of cake and junk food and chicharon and kfc chicken and the baby back ribs. oh those poor food left in the fridge! i admit for having some weak moments where the urges have been uncontrollable. i hope you are not disappointed and help me change my mindset to control the cravings. i need to lose half of my weight in May. Thanks Drew! I hope for some advice on this. You’re my hero!

  • I was already eating healthy, with RARE treats of high carb foods like pasta, baked potato, several servings of fresh fruit, or an occasional biscuit, donut, or corn chips and salsa. So, the diet has not been much of a change. BUT, due to my hypothyroidism I cannot have the raw spinach, and must limit the peanut butter. I have been using a half cup of berries and 2 scoops of protein powder, or adding an Atkins shake instead. Anyone have better suggestions for the morning shake?

    BTW, the first morning I got down on the floor to do the exercises/stretching, I could not get up for several minutes!! It was a struggle and I had to crawl to the couch, rest my muscles, and then get up. So, now I do the exercises on my bed!

  • When I now see a Mountain Dew it strikes a my new positive affirmation to help keep me on track. I call it Mountain “DREW”!!!! This journey with you up MOUNTAIN DREW from fat2fit is inspiring. Thank you!!!!!!

  • I have been amazed by your story. As someone that has struggled with food addition all my life…unlike drinking, we can’t just avoid bars…food is EVERYWHERE and we have to eat to survive. We’re cheering for you Drew, you can do it!!

  • I have been struggling with weight since a knee injuryat the ripe old age of 13. Through my teen years my weight was up and down. I was a dieholic. I even went on a coffee diet where I only drank coffee for 3 months, just to drop the weight… I am 44 now and drove truck for the last ten years, I have balloned up from 197lbs when I got married in 1992 to 321 lbs last week at the DR’s office. The fact that you are struggling with cravings is giving me hope that I can summon the will power to get through the dark times.. Thanks for your sacrafice.

  • As a fat guy who has had to endure the withering stares from doctors, trainers, and other fit people who have been fit and thin their entire lives, let me say “ha ha!” to you. Bravo to you for realizing it’s more willpower and personal strength than most people who have always been thin realize.

  • Amen to wishing I had someone to give that left hook! I did give in a couple times this week, had to travel a lot, BUT I was happy I passed up on the fast food while traveling, made a sandwich to take. And no MT DEW! That is hard! So thank you for the strength you are giving me to make better choices! I go right to the exercises now before leaving my room, so hopefully developing good habits now. And I can actually get my hips off the ground doing the side plank now!! (maybe 1/2 inch, but it something!!)

  • We’re all cheering you on, Drew. I just found out I’m pregnant (yay!) so I’ll be adjusting this for myself. But I think this will help me stay motivated to keep good habits and keep my weight gain under control for the months to come. And thank you for your honesty.

  • Nice honesty – that willhelp other people – which I thnk is the point. I’m sure you’ll manage it wth the same commitment you managed to over eat so much. AND remember – you’re nly as fit as your latest injury – don’t overdo it.

  • Crazy how much harder it is (than what we think it will be). My biggest problem is eating the kids’ leftovers…can’t let those things go to waste can I? I try really hard not to give in at those times. The habit of buying the junk does decrease. We are pulling for you!

  • Thank you so much for “seeing” even a bit of what the fat-to-fit journey is for those of us who are struggling. I have to say the one thing you still have “going for you” is that you were fit once. You know what that feels like. You know you want to get back there. I have never “been there” so the journey to get there seems like that long hallway in a nightmare… when no matter how fast you run to the door at the end it keeps stretching further and further away. I have no idea what is behind that door so sometimes I just give up on reaching it. Oh… and I wish my spouse (and children) were good at knocking things out of my hands! Instead, they often place things in my viscinity, even when they know I don’t want/need it. Ever receive a gift bag full of candy as a birthday present? I get that every year, even when I specifically ask for NO candy. So… thank you for knowing part of the troubles we go through. It helps. Even if I’m still giving in to those temptations, I’m much stronger than I used to be. 29 pounds down after a YEAR and a HALF… over 100 to go. :) It’s a long journey…

  • I’m typically not a follower and don’t do on line group stuff but I’ve followed along with your challenge for the last few weeks, reading your blog and watching the videos. After I retired, I felt like I “earned” and “deserved” to eat what I wanted – food was a reward. I truely enjoyed the sweets and wine and starches. I have gained weight over the past 3-4 years (10-15lbs per year)On Sat I started the diet and today started the streaching and core stuff. I feel better just doing something about my weight. I love the spinach shake (I put ground flaxseed, frozen strawberries or peaches, no peanut butter, fresh apple in with the other stuff). I think for me having the realization that all the weight gain is due just to my feeling entitled to eat what I wanted and not taking responsibility for it was a huge eye opener. there is nothing wrong with me – I was just out of ballence in my priorities. Food needs to be energy, not a reward for living well.
    Thank you for your inspiration and sharing your struggles. I will be following along and hope to get back to being fit myself.

  • Yes Drew,
    The cravings are always there when unhealthy foods are put in front of youor where you have relatively easy access- the stores with the processed sweats at the checkout counter, the aroma of the pizzas, and subs at the fast food restaraunts; the temptation is always there! If I didn’t have a healthy snack(which was prepared before hand), I would fall. Thank God you have your wife to help. Thanks for doing this and being honest about this journey.

  • The hardest time for me is at work. I get so stressed that I dream about that lovely sugary doughnut for breakfast to deal w/ the stressful work environment. But I only dream. I then think of my other dream, to be healthy and a size 6 at the end of this. :) Keep the dream, ( the healthy one) alive!

  • Hey Drew,
    I think you nailed it when you said ” It’s about making different decisions when confronted with these temptations. No matter how difficult it is.” As we keep making the correct decisions in our lives when confronted with temptation our ability to resist will become stronger. And I’m not just talking about food. I also applaud you for your commitment to honesty. Progress, growth, healing and change require us to be honest with ourselves. On a different note, I tried your famous spinach shake today (without the whey protein because I haven’t had…I mean haven’t “made” time to go purchase it : ) The shake is not bad! Thanks Drew!!!

  • While I agree with your assessment and think you will do fine converting back to fit it has only been 6 months you have been down the path of fat. I think your body remembers how to be fit. It might crave Mt. Dew and Zingers but in the end you will succeed and your body will crave other things that are good and natural for it. For some of us that craving, I believe, is more than just a craving. I will say for myself it is an addiction. My thing has always been pizza and oreos and diet dr. pepper. If I get anywhere near these items my eyes roll back and my eyese gloss over and I do that death roll attack on the pizza box or oreo bag (it took me two months to give up soda. Even now I sneak one about every month and a half). Even though my brain says to stop I just cannot there is after all stuff left in the box/bag. I wish I could describe it to you in graphic detail but I just don’t know how. I am sure it is similar to the feeling an alcoholic has when they stop drinking or try to anyway. I am trying to say up on the site, read your words and struggles and stay true to the path. I look at you now as my virtual personal trainer. I thank you for sacrificing yourself in the name of fitness and understanding.

  • Been thinking about you this week, Drew. I’m sure you’re hungry and having some middle of the night pangs. I have no doubt you’ll be able to return to your previous self in six months. But I have a feeling that your body may not forgive you too easily.

  • I am impressed by your writing skills and you willingness to go through this. I think if I looked like you did I wound’t consider doing this at all.

  • Well Drew, I have finally started my journey today, I wante to wait, but I wanted to have enough of your recpies. My starting weight is also 265.

    Let’s see what happens by Sunday.

    Andy,

  • You are amazing – and have put into very eloquent words what I have struggled with all of my life. I look forward to seeing what a wonderful job you do with your weight loss – and the very best of luck. You have a great attitude and humour. Thank you!

  • Can anyone explain to me why we can’t use nonfat milk vs almond, rice, or soy milk? Just curious as all the recipes call for almond milk. Thank you.

  • Drew,
    I made your spinach shake today and it was AWESOME! I can’t believe that I liked it! I had always had the milk/buttered roll, etc breakfast, but not any more! Because of the shake, I didn’t need food at mid morning, so I just had some almonds and an apple instead of the usual coca-cola and chips or cake. Thanks!

  • I have to thank you. Your post is source of inspiration. I just realized that is so easy stop smoking you just do it. Im there myself and wow you just stop feeling the smoke and after a while you even forget about it. But you cannot stop eating. it’s harder and if you get help, of any kind, like the one I read in your post and the comments to them, i feel it easier…. Beppe

  • The 2 weeks are full of breaking bad habbits and making new ones. After that, it will be much easier. Making new habbits is the key…also finding healthy substitutes for those favorite “bad” foods you had before.

  • Hey Drew. Great to see you are keeping the good work, even when tested.

    I still didn’t have the courage to start. I currently weight 230 pounds. 2 years ago my weight was 180. I’m 5’11″. Basically I’m afraid to fail.

    Although I had some exercise today (30min bike ride, avg bpm 160 and went to the gym I pay every month, but it’s been forever since last time I went there), I believe it will be really difficult to change my habits. But I’ll try.

  • Thanks Drew for being honest! I have to admit that I have added wheatgrass drinks twice a day and all of my food and sugar cravings are not an issue for me. I so appreciate what you are doing and I am so excited to follow you and get back fit. Stay focused!

  • What has helped me is to write down everything i eat . Write the food and the calories they have. It really keeps you aware of how much you eat and what you are eating . Keep up the good everyone !!

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