[Marathonman]

I have had limited success. I weighed 252 on June 16, and last Saturday, I weighed 227.50, a loss of 24.50 pounds in almost 3 months. I am hopeing to be under 227 this Saturday for my 3 month anniversary (I only weigh myself on Saturday mornings). I made a few changes from attempts that I have made in the past that were unsuccessful. First of all, I didn't tell anyone I was on a diet. Normally, when people start asking me questions about my weightloss and exersize, and start telling me how great I look - that becomes my downfall. This time, not one person has mentioned that I look like I lost weight, and when they start in the future, I am going to tell them that it is a side effect from my training for the NYC marathon in November. Secondly, I keep a "diary" of what I eat. I try to limit myself to about 2,700 calories on the weekend, and 2,300 during the week. In the past, I really was not aware of the volume of calories I was eating. Obviously, as a marathon runner, I exersize alot, therefore in the past I gave myself carte blanche to eat, for I needed the energy. For exersize, I have increased the intensity, duration and frequency of my workouts. Lastly, I make it a rule I have to have a salad for dinner in addition to what I normally eat. I never liked salad in the past, but now I add lowfat crumbled feta chesse, and 1/5 bag of fat free croutons to the vegetables, along with fat free vegetables. This seems to fill me up, and decreases my need to eat after dinner. Also, I am 42, one of my goals is to run in the Boston Marathon. I would need a time of under 3 & 1/2 hours to qualify. I think If I got down to 160-165 I might finish a marathon within that time. Even at my reduced weight, I am carrying about 60 pounds of extra weight that is slowing me down.