January 22, 2010

Day 21

Weight: 199 lbs

Weight lost: -7 lbs

I’ve fallen below the benchmark threshold of 200 lbs! I think I’ll celebrate with something chocolate…

I can’t figure – exactly – how this is happening, except to credit it to my experiment. I’m finding myself no longer ravenous for everything edible. Enough seems to be enough. And yet yesterday I managed a decent breakfast of oatmeal, a luxurious lunch of grilled walleye, warm and fresh French bread and butter, and caramel draped apple pie, salad and soup for supper, and communion before bedtime shared with my wife Jill and son, Michael. All and all, satisfied!

But tonight and tomorrow will be a real test of my theory.  I’ll be attending and speaking at a men’s retreat in Northern Minnesota.  Men eat, and eat a lot at these kinds of things. Given my “unorthodox leverage of orthodoxy” strategy, the outcome should be interesting to measure. We’ll see when I get back and step on the scales on Sunday.

Through the retreat my plan will remain unchanged: I’m not going to impose any strict discipline on myself or do any more exercise than usual. I’m just going to “consume” Jesus, and let him take care of the rest!

“Once again, God, I begin by acknowledging that I need more than toast and eggs and coffee. I do need breakfast, and I appreciate it, as it goes. But I need more to fill the deeper empty places. I need what only you can supply. I need you. But as quickly as I ask, you respond. You come and give me yourself. And for that most of all, I am grateful.”  

“The Eucharist Diet” adventure is my six month experiment taking daily communion and tracking and posting the results in my personal life, relationships, health, and body fat percentage.