How to lose 40 pounds in three months or less, without really trying

On March 13 when the pandemic “officially” began, my doctor’s office called to postpone my appointment for the forseeable future.  When they asked me if I had an accurate scale, I said yes & Sandy (Dr.Marvi’s nurse) said “Why don’t we get your weight for our records.”

Reluctantly, I fished my scales out of the closet, climbed on and told her:  260.2

She said “Are issues with your jaw improving?  Your weight is pretty high.”  

I told her I began to see some improvements with my tmj in February, and admitted I had added foods like ham sandwich spread, pancakes & overcooked pasta to my TMJ diet of scrambled eggs, mushroom soup and mashed potatoes & gravy.  (I know, I know—a lousy diet.  Let’s not go there.)

She spoke to the doctor, then told me Dr. Marvi wanted me to lose 10 lbs by my next appointment, whenever that was.  Well, if & when I do see them again, they should get their wish and then some.  I got on my scales this morning, 219.4. 

That’s a 40.8 pound loss since mid-March.

As glad as I am for the weight loss, I admit I wasn’t trying.  I suffered a backslide with my TMJ in April, and chewing became too painful an ordeal again.  But this time I told myself “Doug, you’re not going back to cream soups and gravy again.”

I now have a cup of coffee & glass of Carnation Breakfast Drink for breakfast, another coffee and glass of Metamucil for lunch (love that bulk fiber) and a tall glass of V8 Healthy Greens juice for dinner (along with hummus or a scrambled egg if my face is calm enough).

Lots of water, hot & iced tea throughout the day.  No ice cream.  Well, maybe a little on the weekends.  I get plenty of vitamins from those Carnation & V8 drinks, but I still take a vitamin D3 pill daily.

Do I miss stuffing my face?  Yes, very much.  Until this TMJD, food was my buddy.  I’d give anything for a big hamburger right now, french fries, pot roast, a plate of spaghetti & meatballs and garlic bread...

A tall pot of my spaghetti and homemade meatballs; I used to make this on Saturday, feast all weekend & still have enough for leftovers for the week

I know what you’re thinking, I am too: Your tmj is going to get better, then you’ll gain it all back.  But I can’t go back to how things were before. 

Chronic stomach issues (including a non-alcoholic fatty liver), hypertension, insomnia, a swollen leg & foot in the summer, a pounding chest and panting like a dog while walkiing home from the supermarket or barbershop.  I’m getting too old for this kind of stuff.  

I’ve lost weight before, of course.  5 years ago I began a “Weight Loss Challenge” to lose 50 lbs (I blogged about it here) and succeeded.  But it took a year of intense, daily workouts and careful meal planning.  It was exhausting.

I grew tired of the effort, and gained the weight back in two years.  “Near fasting” and a daily walk is easier.  I wish I wasn’t being FORCED to near-fast, but perhaps that’s what I needed.

Y’know, I weighed 170 lbs when I graduated from high school and will never be that skinny again.  I don’t WANT to be—I’m a shortish, stocky fellow who likes having some meat on his bones.  But if I could lose another 25 lbs and get down to 195, man that’d be something.  I haven’t weighed that in 25 years. 

At the same time, I’d happily slap those 40 pounds of fat back on my thighs & belly if I was guaranteed to wake up tomorrow morning TMJD-free.  After wrestling with it for 18 months, I’m scared things will never be normal again.  I have an appointment with a TMJ surgeon on June 25, and frankly I’m dubious. 

So (for now at least) I’m trying to put a positive spin on things and use those TMJ lemons to make lemonade—well, without too much sugar.