Long way to go, but cracking that 200-pound barrier is big. Just a number, but it's great to see lower lows as I reach the halfway point of my goal.

Have to be careful, though, of skipping meals, lowering metabolism and losing muscle rather than fat. Munching on healthy food, several small meals instead of two or three daily, it's all part of the challenge. Even my beloved deluxe unsalted trail mix has to taper off. All those cashews, almonds and peanuts have good fats, but they're still fats and still the reason why this belly has a lot of jelly.

More bananas. More water. More OJ (I like that diluted). More lean protein (wild salmon rules). Lots of veggies. Some brown rice. Tofu occasionally. Continue the limit on sugar products. It's been roughly 11 weeks. If it takes me another 11 weeks to lose another 25 pounds, that's fine.

It's just nice to play basketball and actually jump on a layup without pulling something. Small victories, small victories ...

Monday, Aug. 3, 2009
Weigh-in: 203.5 (noon)
Intake: cinnamon oatmeal (1 g sugar) w/ trail mix (unsalted, cashews, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, raisins)
Intake: Romaine lettuce salad w/ 2 1/2 salmon (wild) patties (sauteed in olive oil) (shrimp cocktail sauce and somen dressing)
Intake: chysanthemum tea
Intake: Oolong Shot (6.4 oz) (no sugar)
Output: 10 minutes stretching
Intake: Gatorade (low sugar, powdered)
Output: 40 minutes stationary bike (-368 calories*)
Output: 2 pickup basketball games, 30 minutes shooting baskets
Intake: trail mix

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009
Weigh-in: 202 (12:30 pm)
Intake: orange juice, cinnamon oatmeal (1 g sugar) w/ trail mix
Intake: trail mix
Intake: multi-grain crackers w/ guacamole, crab (imitation)/tomato poke, grapes

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009
Intake: Oolong tea (Ito En) (no sugar, 11.5 oz)
Intake: Romaine lettuce salad w/ crab (imitation)/tomato poke, broccoli, tomato
Intake: wild salmon burger patties (2) w/ brown rice, shrimp cocktail sauce

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009
Intake: cinnamon oatmeal w/ trail mix
Intake: wild salmon burger patties (2) w/ brown rice, shrimp cocktail sauce
Intake: Otter Pops (2)
Intake: beef curry w/ brown rice, iceberg lettuce salad w/ tofu, Italian dressing
Intake: half mango
Weigh-in: 202 (11 pm)
Intake: Red Bull (6.4 oz, sugar free)
Output: 10 minutes stretching
Intake: Gatorade (23 oz., powdered, low sugar)
Output: 40 minutes stationary bike (-377 calories*)
Output: 15 minutes shot baskets, 4 pickup basketball games (halfcourt)

Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Weigh-in: 201.5 (10 am)
Intake: banana
Intake: chicken cashew, brown rice w/ soybeans, carrots; broccoli/peas salad, beet salad
Intake: bbq chicken (grilled), white rice, cabbage, cucumber kim chi, pickled seaweed

Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009
Intake: Red Bull (6.4 oz.)
Intake: teri hot dog musubi, banana
Intake: hot dog, Gatorade (20 oz.)
Intake: baked Tostitos, salsa

Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009
Weigh-in: 199.5 (noon)
Intake: turkey sandwich w/ swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato on wheat bread (7-Eleven)
Intake: ahi limu poke w/ chili peppers, inamona, shoyu, sesame oil (Waianae Store)
Intake: hamburger w/ mustard-mayo sauce, french fries w/ mustard-mayo sauce, fruit punch (large) (Faith's Place)
Intake: diet 7-Up
Intake: Roots Aroma Black (hot blend) Coffee (9.7 oz) (no sugar)
Output: 10 minutes stretching, 40 minutes stationary bike (-342 calories)
Output: 5 pickup basketball games
Intake: chicken (organic, marinated in garlic, ginger) stir fry in olive oil, bok choy (boiled)

Previous Article: Black coffee? Works, but ...
Next Article: March of the zebras