I just went to see my nutritionist, Laura for my 1 week check-up. She was very excited at my progress … and so was I! The scales showed I lost 6 pounds over the first week! I guess if you consider the changes they’re already making to my eating habits, you’ll understand why.

Last week, Kirk, Cari and I took a metabolic test as the first part of the original assessment before we could start the program. I had to lay still and breathe into a tube for about 10 minutes. Just those breaths showed that I burn almost 2,300 calories a day! But get this, nutritionist Laura cut me to 1,300 calories a day for this program. There are also specific protein, carbohydrate and fat guidelines I’m supposed to follow.

Plus, I have to keep a food diary. That means writing down EVERYTHING I eat and drink. But in just one week, it’s surprising how much healthier I’m eating. I haven’t touched a donut or the three birthday cakes that were in the newsroom over the past week.

Greg, the fitness expert over at Memorial Bariatric, told me I need to hit the gym 4-5 days a week to help me build muscle and lose weight faster. He said 3 of those days should include resistance training (i.e; lifting weights). This is going to be the tough part! I like working out, but I find it hard to make the time. I didn’t get to work out at all last week because of a cold, so hopefully this week will be better.