Rick Dakan

I've moved all the 59 Days of 59 Seconds content to this new section of my site where it will be sequestered from my other posts and more easily synthezied by anyone interested in how this and any other life experiments I might undertake unfold. 

 

It's Day 2 as I type this, and I'm working hard on the dieting suggestions in Richard Wiseman's new book, 59 Seconds. My plan is to lose 15 pounds during this 59 day period. I'll be tracking my progress in this section of the blog.

 

I'll weigh myself at the same time each morning and keep a daily record, and post my progress here every few days or so. I took my starting weight by weighing myself in the morning at the same time (7:30 AM, before breakfast) and averaging the weights.

 

My starting weight is 276 lbs.

 

My goal weight is 261 lbs.

 

I think this is doable for sure. I was 255 lbs. when I got back from Berlin last December.

 

Here are the tips/tricks/hacks I culled from the book 59 Seconds which I'll be employing alongside moderation of eating and a more consistent adherance to my regular exercise routine:

 

Power of Slow

 

Wiseman says, based on studies, that "Starting the meal at a normal rate of eating and then dropping to the slower rate caused men and women to experience a large reduction in their appetite. The normal-slow combination was even more effective than eating slowly all the way through the meal, suggesting that the secret to feeling satisfied is to start at your normal speed but then savor each and every mouthful.”

 

This is an interesting one. I've tried it today and yesterday (although I forgot at breakfast this morning). I've always been a fast eater, so my normal speed is ridiculous. I think I'm eating slower than my normal at the start, but I'm definitely taking my time for the second half of meals. When combined with the next one, it really does make for a different eating experience!

 

Focus, Focus, Focus

 

“People eat significantly more when they are distracted at mealtimes and therefore not paying attention to their food.”

 

This is a huge, huge change for me. I eat 90% of my meals in front of the TV or while listening to a podcast or audiobook. I often eat breakfast out at a coffee shop while I'm writing, my attention on my laptop.

 

I just had lunch and nothing but lunch using this technique, and I did a couple other times over the last few days. It's interesting, and helps with the eating slower part. It also really makes you think about the food. We'll see if it helps with the losing weight thing. 

 

Beware of Larger Bowls

 

“Try cutting down on your eating by using smaller bowls, plates, and cutlery.”

 

I bought some cheap, new plates and bowls at Target as part of my prep for 59 Days. The plates seem like a good size, and I've been eating off them. Most of what I've been eating would've been the same on either plate. Based on what's in 59 Seconds, I can expect benefit more when I'm eating meals where I'm serving myself portions from a larger container of food - like a bowl of pasta or something.

 

The bowls I bought look smaller and since I eat a lot of cereal, I thought they'd be good, but they actually hold just about the same amount as my old bowls, maybe 10% less. Still, I'll stick with 'em until I see some better ones.

 

 

Keep a Food Diary

 

This is a classic diet tip that I've done before, and I do think it helps you. So I've got that going, and it will be interesting to see how it interacts with the next tip:

 

 

Regret and Reflection

 

"Studies have shown that just a few moments' thinking about how much you will regret not going to the gym will help motivate you to climb off the couch and onto an exercise bike.”

 

I haven't systematically applied this one yet, in part because I need to renew my gym membership, but it applies to walking and other exercising I do. I'll go try it after I post this.

 

Use More Energy

 

Another dieting classic - take the stairs, not the elevator and walk instead of drive. I do walk when I can, and don't do much elevator riding in my daily life. I'll take this is the tip to encourage me to exercise regularly.

 

 

Mirror, Mirror, On the Kitchen Wall

 

"Placing a mirror in your kitchen may help you shed pounds."

 

Now this one is really interesting. I need to find a mirror for my refridgerator, but I didn't see anything at Target. I'll go be an arts and crafts place and get a mirror and attach some magnets to it. The idea is you see yourself and, presumably, don't like something you see in that fat face staring back at you, so it stiffens your resolve.

 

I think I'll try to make a habit of staring at myself in a mirror before eating. I've got a huge one in my living room. We'll see if it helps.

 

 

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

 

Wiseman suggests hiding away the tasty and tempting food so it's not out in the open to attract you. Makes sense, although I hide most of my food in cupboards and the like anyway, and I tend to shop for just a few meals at a time, so I don't have great stockpiles of goodies lying around. If I could get the grocery store to hide the tempting treats when I came in, then I think we'd really be onto something.

 

 

So those are the tips I'm trying out. Of course since I'm doing all of them, this isn't a very good scientific test of any single technique. I won't be able to differentiate if one works brilliantly and two others do nothing if the net result is positive. But I'll strive to be aware of my reactions to each and let you know how they're helping (or not).

 

58 Days to go....