Getting active and losing weight is one thing. But doing it while working in the food service industry is quite another challenge. Donald, or "Chef Don" for folks in the Triad, is meeting that challenge head-on. Today he tells us how he's faring, no doubt with the help of tasty, healthy fare like the Shrimp Louis Salad featured in his video:
"Last year I started in the IDEA program at Wake Forest University, which stands for intensive diet and exercise for arthritis. So far in the last 12 months I counted what I ate and tried to stay within my daily calorie budget of 1,800 calories. So far I have lost 40 pounds and my goal is to lose 50 pounds.
"That last 10 pounds is very hard. I found that I must adjust my daily budget to 1,600 calories, this is very hard for me because I am a professional chef. I teach at Guliford Technical Community College, and have to taste food every day. I am a caterer as well. I have found that people will always do what they want to do, 100% of the time, and I really want to lose all this weight that I have been carrying on me for the last 16 years.
"This Million Step March has encouraged me to continue with my goal. I won't give up, neither should you. Hang in there. WE CAN DO THIS!!!"
Posted by User-Contributed Blog on April 21, 2008