Richard Ha writes:

This is the second week of my new “post-holidays” weight loss program, and I am losing weight steadily.

I’m making good progress by merely threatening to fast. My new rule is that if I gain more than half a pound per week – instead of losing a half pound, which is the goal – I will fast the following day from 3 p.m. to 10 a.m. Whenever I think about fasting, I find myself focusing on the calories I’m eating and my diet “self-corrects.”

It also seems important that I keep to a regular routine and make sure to eat every meal. This week I skipped breakfast twice, and I noticed my weight fluctuates more when I do that. Fortunately I’m only focusing on losing a half pound per week. Still, I need to constantly be aware of how many calories I’m eating. It’s easy to underestimate.

My exercise program is also proceeding well. I’m riding my bike more often and at a higher level of exertion. Yesterday I rode for an hour, at an average heart rate of 126 beats per minute, and this did not feel hard. It felt about the same as my exertion level back in May and June, when I was exercising at 108 beats per minute. So I’m making progress.

On Jan 7th I started on a program to lose a half pound per week.
Weight on Jan. 7, 2007: 204.5
Weight today, Jan. 21, 2007: 202.1

Planned weight: 203.5
I am 1.4 pounds ahead of schedule.

Resting heart rate today: 55 beats per minute.