Twenty weeks. Down to 235 — about 31 or 32 pounds from where we started. Still going.
This week was the tail end of clean-out-the-freezer week, and the verdict is in: cheeseburgers were the star (interestingly, the scale read 234 the morning after — probably a scale fluke, but fun to imagine), ground beef tacos were excellent, honey Dijon pork chops were a family favorite that’s going into permanent rotation, and the green bean pork mushroom stir fry was solid as always. The Thai basil chicken from last week divided the family — Happy Healthy Wife said it didn’t taste like Thai food without coconut milk, Happy Healthy Son agreed it wasn’t Thai food but liked it anyway, and I loved it. The kung pao beef was a slight disappointment compared to the shrimp version. The chicken tenders are officially out of the freezer and out of the rotation — they were there for Happy Healthy Daughter, and now she’s back at college.
Two new things worth highlighting this week. First: monk fruit lemonade. Fresh squeezed lemons, monk fruit sweetener (zero calories, 1:1 ratio with sugar), water. Made a full pitcher on Friday and by Sunday the family had nearly finished it. The first sip reminded me a little of Crystal Light, but by the second glass I understood why everyone loved it. A genuinely good substitute if you like a sweet drink and want to keep the calories out.
Second: overnight oats. Oats, whey protein powder, chia seeds, water — refrigerate overnight, add fruit in the morning. Bananas for Happy Healthy Son, blueberries for Happy Healthy Daughter, peanut butter and bananas for me. Happy Healthy Son called it the best breakfast. I’d eat it three times a week if I didn’t worry about burning us out on it. Simple, filling, high protein, and zero morning prep time.
This week also had a moment I want to address honestly: weight loss is a personal journey and what works for me won’t automatically work for everyone. I can leave cookies out and not touch them. Happy Healthy Wife cannot — and that’s not a criticism, it’s just how different people work. The solution for her isn’t willpower, it’s not having those foods in the house in the first place. Same goal, different strategy. Knowing yourself is part of the plan.
Happy Healthy Wife, by the way, is down 8 pounds over 20 weeks. Slower pace than mine, but she’s moving in the right direction. The good news: next week is a great one. California beef noodles (加州牛肉面), deli sandwiches, a panini, honey garlic shrimp, baked ziti with goat cheese, and flavored chicken thighs. Looking forward to all of it.
One last thought: if I have one regret about this whole journey, it’s that I didn’t start sooner. If I’d started when I was at 240 or 250, I’d already be close to where I want to be. The best day to start is today. Whatever today looks like for you.
