The Sal’s Birdland 30 lb. Challenge – One Year Later

Just a little over one year ago, I published a three-part series about my 16-week, 30 lb. weight-loss challenge. See the links to the series at the very bottom. Yup, I successfully lost the 30 lbs. (from 214 lbs. down to 184 lbs.), however, as most dieters know, keeping the weight off is another story.

Well, I was actually pretty good about maintaining my new weight via healthy eating habits and regular exercise UNTIL the COVID-19 pandemic struck in mid-March along with the lockdown that followed. That’s when I slowly started reintroducing my favorite junk foods back into my diet, like crackers (Cheez-It, Chicken in a Biskit), cheeses, and ice cream (rum raisin, pistachio). I became so lax that my go-to lunch became a mini-Garbage Plate; i.e., a Zweigles white hot dog and macaroni salad (including plenty of mayonnaise), all smothered in Rochester meat hot sauce and chopped onions. We’re talkin’ 50 grams of fat just for lunch, folks. Each day. Every day. I rationalized to myself that I was “entitled” to some “comfort foods” during that challenging period with everything that was going on. I’m sure many other people thought the same thing. The good thing is that I never stopped my daily weigh-ins, so I could observe my weight gradually increasing over time. I was 182 lbs. on March 19th at the start of the pandemic, but by June 4th I had crept up to 194 lbs. Argh! I had regained 10 of the 30 lbs. I had lost last year! When I hit 194 lbs. I knew it was time to seriously put on the brakes!

I subsequently eliminated most of the junk food from my diet and cut back on my meal portions and 31-days later, on July 5th, I was officially back down to 184 lbs. I’ll be rewarding myself with a delicious Sal’s Birdland chicken dinner one of these days.

What about you? Did you pack on some pounds during the pandemic lockdown, also? You can lose that weight and more. Check out my fail-safe, Sal’s Birdland Diet via the three links below:

1. My weight-loss experience – Part 1: After wiping the egg off my face, trying again
2. My weight-loss experience – Part 2: Walking for exercise: You CAN do it!
3. My weight-loss experience – Part 3: Making dieting a fun adventure

Endnote: In the grand scheme of things, taking care of one’s physical health is important, BUT spiritual health is of eternal importance! Have you repented of your sin and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior by faith alone? No one lives forever in this world. Health will eventually fail and we will all die. But Jesus Christ gives eternal life to those who trust in Him.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16