Messin Around with Spreadsheets...

Well, it is something to analyze the data points I have already and to project where I might end up and when. Of course this **is** imperfect science, but it still is something to focus on and hold on to mentally as I face the continuing challenge of working to reach goal weight.

I basically searched my computer and best I can tell, I must have started this weight loss around the beginning of November 2006. I wasn't even sure, except that I knew I must have started after the middle of October. I found some info I downloaded about the Atkins diet on October 28th, and I think I started not too long after that.

Based on this I wonder if I didn't start out at over 400lbs, perhaps 410 or so. I will never know for certain, but based on my current rate of loss and the timeframe - it is possible. Anyhow, at whatever weight I started (and that is all hypothesis, since I didn't have a scale that would weigh me then anyhow, and I was already into my weight loss before I weighed across two mechanical scales at ~370 lbs), I have enough real data from multiple weighings to know what rate I am losing at currently. I had my nice digital scale from 370 lbs on.

If I continue to sustain weight loss at this rate I can postulate an optimistic date that I will hit goal weight (which currently is about 170lbs). This is probably unlikely and a little overly optimistic. Still there are others who have lost similar large amounts of weight in a relatively short timeframe.

Chances are though, it will take me somewhat longer to get there, as the rate of loss is likely to slow as I near goal weight (I would assume). Also, most people encounter a weight loss stall (or several) as they try to lose down to their goal weight. So I generated an estimate based on a more conservate loss of weight overall, that might take this into account. I now have a good series of high and low benchmarks (brackets) to compare myself against and to overlay my actual weights against - and see how my progress is going.

I may also find that I am overly optimistic about my goal weight at some point, and have to move that up to a higher weight at some point - but I am going to try to shoot for it (170 lbs) and see how healthy I look and feel (and am) as I get nearer to it. It is an ambitious goal. I weighed more than that when I graduated High School.

Happy Happy Joy Joy.... (The Tanita HD 351)

I am feelin all stylin' about my new digital scale.

The Tanita HD 351.

Kinda funny cause the way I feel about this scale is sorta like how I felt about some super hot rod, sports car or something when I was young in High School. I feel like when I was a kid looking a Chevy Nova SS (Super Sport) with 50's and 60's (wide tires) on the front & back - jacked up just so. Maybe with supercharged blower or something. He he he. Or like a Charger Superbee with a Hemi. Jacked up with wide tires and a low throaty, thunder-like rumble as it sits at idle at the stop light.

OK. It's just a scale. So.. "get real", right? But I am lovin' this scale! I love this scale probably more than my kids are loving their I-Pods (did I even spell that right)?

It is a nice little product jam-packed with digital precision down to the tenths of a pound, and with a capacity of 440 lbs. It measures with great consistancy and only varies by just a little bit (ounces, not pounds) on subsequent reads - if at all. It has memory positions for five people in the family, and it shows you your last weight reading concurrent with the new reading it is taking, so you can easily see the difference.

We shopped all over the net and read opinion after opinion on online reviews of scales (epinons.com, amazon.com, etc). Many scales evidently vary considerably from reading to reading, and you have to average the various readings to approximate your weight.

Or you have to spend a small fortune for one of those nice beam-type doctors scales (that will go over the standard 350lbs capacity, in my case). Overall I am pretty happy with this little wonder. It is the revealer of my Joy and Happiness every morning! My reward for all my efforts and concerted attention. Ahhhhhhh....... (another pound or more down! Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy!).