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By Roz Rogoff

About this blog: In January 2002 I started writing my own online "newspaper" titled "The San Ramon Observer." I reported on City Council meetings and other happenings in San Ramon. I tried to be objective in my coverage of meetings and events, and...  (More)

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Fat is Thin, and other observations on my weight and life

Uploaded: Mar 1, 2010
Yes folks, I am what is medically referred to as "morbidly obese," which means I'm more than 100 lbs over my ideal weight. My ideal weight, as determined by someone else, not me, is supposed to be around 130 lbs, which I have not weighed since I was 12. That was 55 years ago. So I have lived longer being obese than many thin people have lived. I expect to continue to live, despite the "morbidity," of my weight.

I am remarkably healthy for a morbidly obese person of 67 years. I joined a fitness club last year and actually went three times a week for about two months, but I didn't feel any stronger, healthier, or most important thinner. So I quit. But when I went, I was able to "walk" for half-an-hour or more at 2 mph on the treadmill. My trainer said she had another elderly client, who is thin (by my definition skinny), who couldn't walk that long or that fast on the treadmill.

My good health – low blood pressure, normal heart rate, good HDL cholesterol -- has always bothered doctors who would like something to nag me about to improve my fitness. I'm obese, but I've never been morbid about it.

Twenty years ago I lost 150 lbs and dropped from 299 to 148. I was saggy all over, and had a face lift and an arm lift by Dr. Jon Perlman of Extreme Makeover fame. He wasn't famous then, so the cost was very reasonable for the great work he does.

Recently my arms were hurting at the scars under the elbows. These were not stretching to cover the amount of weight I had gained. I did not, as often happens, gain it all back and more, but I was getting too close for comfort, literally. I went to a local plastic surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery, which tightens saggy skin after losing large amounts of weight. He suggested doing liposuction on my arms to reduce the stress against the scars. This would cost me about $4000.

I decided it was more cost effective and better for me overall to lose 50 lbs. and not spend $4000 on something I could do for free. Progresso Soup has an online contest for a trip to New York City and a makeover. I entered the contest with the plan to eat a can or two of Progresso Soup each day and use that to help me lose weight.

To my immense surprise this is actually working and I've lost 15 lbs in a month. With all this wet weather, my knee went out on me and I was walking around with a cane. I couldn't get out of the bathtub, like the old lady who had fallen and couldn't get up; so I realized I had to take some of this weight off. I'd like to lose about 50-60 lbs, which would make me merely obese. If I lost 100 lbs that would make me merely fat. So for me fat is thin.

I'm planning to attend the 50th reunion of my High School Class in New Rochelle, NY this October. It will be held a week after my 68th birthday. I was hoping I could use the Progresso trip to New York City to cover my airfare and the makeover to look good for the reunion, but even if I win, I'd have to take the trip in May. So I don't want to win anymore. But it has been useful as a motivator to lose weight and it's working for me.

I started eating Progresso Soup about 55 years ago, but I never realized how low in calories it is. The Minestrone is only 100 calories a serving or 200 calories a can. I don't eat servings. I eat whatever is there, so one can is only 200 calories and is very filling, tastes good, and replaces a meal like lunch or breakfast with about half or a third of the calories I would normally eat. I sound like a commercial, but I love this stuff and they make about 50 varieties that are 100 calories a serving or not much more.

I've also been using a website called Calorieking.com. It has the calorie content of a gazillion different kinds of food, which is very helpful. I joined their plan, but I don't plan to stay. They are too constricting, deciding what my target weight should be and what my number of calories a day should be. I teach online for University of Phoenix, and this is almost like taking a class. I'm required to complete assignments every day. That may be a good motivator for other people, but it's a turnoff for me.

When I lost weight 20+ years ago, and dropped from almost 300 lbs to, at first, 190, most of my co-workers at work didn't notice until I had gotten down to 210. When a person is obese it's often difficult to tell morbid obesity from just plain obesity. So we'll see if anyone will notice the difference if I'm able to drop down to 210 again. I know I will fit into clothes I haven't worn for 7 or 8 years. I'll feel better and won't have to buy two airline seats when I go back East this October. I'd like to get down to a size where I don't have to pay the extra $5-10 surcharge added onto plus-size clothing. So if nobody else notices, at least I will.

Roz
Community.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Vanessa, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 3, 2010 at 3:50 pm

I am rooting for you Roz!


Posted by Roz Rogoff, the San Ramon Observer,
on Mar 24, 2010 at 10:09 pm

Roz Rogoff is a registered user.

Thanks, Vanessa. I did not receive notice that I'm a finalist in the soup contest. I am surprised because I thought my entry was very good, but I'm not disappointed. I am losing weight and have dropped about 20 lbs. since I started the diet at the end of January. I find it easy to stay on too. I eat pretty much everything I like, but just in smaller amounts. I eat one can of Progresso soup a day, and it fills me up and tastes good. So I'll stick to it for another 6-9 months, and take off another 50 lbs if I can. My knees feel better already.

Roz


Posted by Roz Rogoff, the San Ramon Observer,
on Nov 1, 2010 at 9:08 am

Roz Rogoff is a registered user.

I wanted to update this story with my current weight loss. I dropped 50 lbs by September, but I put back about 5 lbs during my visit to Maine (all that special blueberry pie!) and my High School's 50th reunion.

I'm going back on the soup diet this week. When I get to my target weight of 210, I'll post another photo.


Posted by Alvis Wilson, a resident of another community,
on May 20, 2013 at 4:28 am

Losing Weight has a lot to do with what you are eating and more important Refusing to eat. Nowadays you don't even need diet pills to lose the weight. Checkout this blog Web Link which gives you information about best ways to lose weight.


Posted by Roz Rogoff, the San Ramon Observer,
on May 20, 2013 at 11:00 am

Roz Rogoff is a registered user.

Alvis,

This blog was written three years ago. I've lost about 50 to 60 lbs, but not by trying to lose weight. I'm just getting older and not as interested in eating as much as I used to.

I've also changed to eating mostly vegetables and cheese and less meat. No particular reason but I like vegetables. Last night I ate a head of cabbage for dinner, yes almost the whole head. The night before a whole cauliflower with butter (about 2 teaspoons).

I still like to eat a lot, but as long as I like to eat veges I continue to lose weight.

Thank you for the link but when I saw that skinny girl in the photo, I decided that site is not for me.


Posted by Marry, a resident of Apperson Ridge,
on Jun 29, 2015 at 3:59 am

Effectively managing unwanted weight precipitates to your simple equation: When you take in additional unhealthy calories compared to anyone burn off, you get bodyweight. Of course, if consume fewer unhealthy calories compared to anyone burn off, anyone shed weight. Appears to be effortless, correct? Then why's slimming down thus tricky?
Very well for just one, weight-loss isn?t some sort of linear occasion as time passes. Once you cut unhealthy calories, you could possibly decline some sort of pound roughly every week with the 1st so often, one example is, then a thing alterations and now there are many safe natural medicine Web Link in market which help you to lower your hunger towards junk food.. You take in the identical number of unhealthy calories however you get rid of a smaller amount bodyweight. After which it the following 7 days anyone don?t get rid of something more. That?s mainly because if you shed weight you?re dropping drinking water and also slender muscle as well as fat, your own fat burning capacity retards, as well as your system alterations with other ways. So, as a way to go on losing bodyweight every week, you?ll ought to go on lowering unhealthy calories.


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