Only eating one big meal a day was a winner in Vegas

Two Guys Lose Weight: Lost weight, not money in Vegas

Freeway close, and easy on the calories. Grilled salmon, steamed veggies, and the evil mashed potatoes.

By Tony Pierce

Feb. 22, 2011 8:39 AM PT

Los Angeles Times

NOTE: This is a blog about two guys attempting to lose weight over a six-week period. They kicked off their weight-loss “strategies” on Jan. 10.

I have the lowest self-esteem sometimes.

I have no idea why because most of the time what I try to make happen happens. Even if it’s really hard.

The formula is easy: prepare, study, surround yourself with smart people, then be fearless.

Unfortunately, even though I had surrounded myself with smarties en route to Vegas, that was the only thing I had going for me as I continued my journey to lose weight. Fortunately it appeared to be all I needed.

Hardly any of us ate a lot. Most of us just kept a steady buzz going, but nothing obsessive. No one woke up with hangovers, and nobody felt like crap in the morning. I kid you not, fully aware at how insane it sounds.

Cookie Diet, that was a wee insane sounding, but trying not to eat in a town with food everywhere at all hours should get me locked up immediately.

But all I ate on Presidents Day was some fish, steamed veggies and most of a serving of mashed potatoes. For dessert in the car I ate about seven M&M’s.

My body was a wee bit exhausted, so about halfway back to L.A., I gulped a small bottle of 5 Hour Energy and as I drove I drank a can of Coke. Yes, it picked me up and I was alert for the drive.

When I weighed myself Monday night right before midnight I could not believe my eyes: 158 pounds.

Ridiculous.

Usually I ignore any weigh-ins at night because in the morning after all the showering and etc. are completed I am at my lowest weight of the day while at night I am at my highest. How is this scale telling me that in less than two months I had gone from 170.5 lbs to 158?

Three pounds from my original goal of 15 lbs dropped for the year, and eight pounds from what my boss said I could stand to lose.

I will say, the little belly is still there. It’s smaller but definitely still there. Is it eight pounds away from completely disappearing?

Not sure, but the self-doubt is nearly gone regarding this matter because what just went down was a modern-day miracle, and exactly what I wanted to have happen: self control while indulging in what I wanted.

Also just happened to win $200 at the tables. Equally crazy. But I stopped gambling after the first night and stayed ahead.

The rest of this week here in regular America is going to be cake.