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RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:50:04 GMT

The Final Weigh-In

It’s been an odd winter. Okay, it’s what we typically call a “Michigan winter.” It isn’t predictable and it just doesn’t make sense.

We started with an early snow in late October and moved into a long period of “unseasonably warm” weather, which was great for me and Eddie. We walked every day, and Eddie got the exercise he needed to jump-start his weight-loss program.

Eddie’s weight-loss program was an overwhelming success, due in no small part to the encouragement of Dr. Sarah Abood, nutritionist at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She evaluated his weight-loss needs and food requirements, found the best food for him in the right quantity, answered my questions, and encouraged and praised us.

When Eddie first met with Dr. Abood on November 15, 2006, he weighed 38.2 pounds. My goal was for Eddie to weigh about 30 pounds, the amount he weighed when he came into our lives. For the next two weeks, Eddie received considerably less food than he had come to expect. This was a difficult transition for him, but when he weighed in on December 11, he was 35.5 pounds. By December 28, he weighed 33 pounds and he looked great. You could feel his ribs and appreciate his new energy.

We decided to call this his goal weight, and Eddie began his weight-maintenance phase. We changed his food to increase protein and increased his intake, and on January 11, he weighed-in at 33.5 pounds. Still good. Two weeks later, on January 25, he weighed 32.7 pounds, and we decided to lengthen the time between weigh-ins to five weeks to see how we did without the pressure of regular monitoring. Eddie did great. When he weighed in on March 1, he was 32 pounds.

What makes this more amazing is that during this time, I didn’t do a good job of Eddie got exercise.

Almost immediately after our weigh-in on January 25, the weather changed. It went from “unseasonably warm” to painfully cold. The temperature was consistently below zero and the wind chill made it feel like 15 to 20 degrees below. When I would send Eddie and Alex outside, they would take a few steps and then transfer their weight to three paws, alternating the paws that were on the ground. In no time, they’d run out of paws to put on the grown and they’d sit down, confused about how to travel with such cold feet. I’d rush out to carry them back into the house.

This week we had an unusual weather event – snow, sleet, freezing rain, hail, thunder, and lightning all at once. The roads were scary to drive on and much too slick to walk on.

I pretty much stopped walking Eddie because of the weather, and because I managed to get sick as a dog during this time. Sick as a dog is a funny comparison, because no dog I’ve ever had has exhibited my symptoms. On the bright side, getting sick really jump-started my weight-loss program.

I think of this as an explanation, rather than an excuse. It’s a temporary blip on our plans to keep Eddie at an ideal weight. The weather is pretty nice today, and we’re going for a walk.

When I started this process, I was concerned about my ability to take good care of a heavy dog. My first dog, Annie, was a Golden Retriever, a beautiful dog who loved food just as much as Eddie does. As she got fat, I was unable to make the commitment to helping her lose weight. I wanted her to be happy, and I couldn’t bring myself to be consistent about cutting out her treats and cutting back on her food.

When she became ill, I couldn’t lift her into the car to take her to the vet when I needed to. I had to rely on help. Asking for help wasn’t the problem, knowing that I couldn’t handle her needs independently and immediately made me fearful.

I didn’t want that to be the case with Eddie. I didn’t want his weight to shorten his life or lessen his ability to function. Having seen the alternative, I knew that I had to be firm for his good.

We were also lucky because of this blog. Having to report on Eddie’s progress made me that much more dedicated to his success. And the truth is, he can’t overeat if I don’t overfeed.

I’m very grateful for all the support we had in the process of changing my behavior and Eddie’s life.

So, Eddie is a lean, mean, fighting machine, and he loves attention and activity. So, what’s next for us? Well, I’m looking into agility training for Eddie. We have a local group that offers agility classes, but from my research, I think that Eddie and I need to take some prerequisites first. We’d have to start with a beginning obedience class so that we could be confident that Eddie would behave himself off leash, especially when he’s in groups of other dogs off the leash. When we get good at obedience, we can work our way up to agility. I’m confident that not only can Eddie be taught new tricks, but he’ll probably go to the head of the class … especially if someone is offering a carrot.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 09:18:17 GMT

Maintenance Is Key

If Eddie were in Weight Watchers, he’d be a lifetime member. He’s gone six weeks at – or around – his goal weight. He weighed in Thursday at 32.7 pounds. And we’ve made the big step from weighing in every two weeks to scheduling our next weigh-in for four weeks from now.

We didn’t make any changes to the quantity of food that Eddie gets every day, and we’re still mixing food. Eddie hasn’t been hard to please. He likes everything – nothing quite as much as a greenie, but greenies aren’t in his future.

And, separate from food, he’s been doing great. He has more energy; he’s playing more; and when his feet get a little cold when we walk through the snow, I can carry him home. He doesn’t weigh a ton anymore.

As I mentioned, I haven’t done quite as well. I’ve lost between five and seven pounds, too, depending on the day. It’s a mystery how I can eat the right things, in the right quantity, get exercise, and still gain some days. Maybe I shouldn’t check so often … Maybe every week, then every two weeks, then once a month … like Eddie.

Five to seven pounds isn’t bad. It’s about what Eddie lost, but I’m so much bigger. To be honest, I didn’t have someone measuring my food, and I wasn’t always good. I have to keep in mind that I didn’t gain this weight overnight, and it probably won’t disappear in the night, either.

So, Eddie is on maintenance, and I’m still in the weight-loss phase.

This process has been a challenge. Early on, it was very hard for Eddie to cut back. He expected treats, because I’d always given them to him. In fact, it was hard for me to stop giving him treats. When I did stop, he was surprised, hurt, shocked, and hungry. I wanted him to succeed, and so I followed Dr. Abood’s suggestions. She was a great ally. She encouraged and praised him and worked with us to find the best food in the right quantity. We couldn’t have done this without her.

We’ve pretty much changed the way we eat entirely.

My dog, Alex, who is just naturally thin and has always been uninterested in food, is now eating, and the beauty of Alex is he’s not gaining any weight. He’s clearly not from my side of the family. Both he and Eddie are craving carrots, and so am I.

So, Eddie and Alex have a new diet that’s working, and I’m still working on my diet. After seeing Eddie’s success, I know it can be done.

Here's a recent photo of the new and improved Eddie:

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 09:33:10 GMT

The Begging Never Stops

I’ve already mentioned that Eddie’s begging hasn’t diminished. If anything, he’s become even more focused. Perhaps he needs more treats to fill his physical or psychological need to eat or to feel loved, but his new treats – primarily carrots, broccoli, and string beans – aren’t so high in calories. I feel okay, up to a point, giving him a carrot when he has one of my socks in his mouth and wants to trade for a treat. I know that there’s a bigger issue here, but sometimes it just seems important to save my socks.

If you’re worried about the treats you’re giving your dog, maybe this listing of foods and their calories will help you make some healthier choices.

First, here’s a listing of some of Eddie’s new favorite treats and the calorie count for them: One medium baby carrot – 4 calories; one stalk of celery – 6 calories; ½ cup of raw zucchini – 9 calories; ½ cup of raw broccoli – 12 calories; ½ cup of sweet green peppers – 15 calories; ½ cup of green beans – 20 calories; ½ cup of watermelon – 25 calories; ½ cup of apple – 33 calories.

Next, here’s a list of some of the human food that I had fed Eddie in the past, along with the calorie counts. A piece of cheese here, a French fry there … I was probably feeding Eddie at least twice the calories he needed every day. So, here is a list of some of the foods we have eliminated from his diet:

One slice of American cheese –31 calories; one slice of cooked bacon – 43 calories; ½ cup of plain skim yogurt – 64 calories; one slice of bologna – 88 calories; ½ cup of vanilla ice cream – 145; one hot dog – 147 calories; small take-out French fries – 245.

And, finally, here’s a list of Eddie’s old favorite dog treats – all the calories listed are for one small-sized treat:

Snausages – 25-33 calories; Chew eez Beefhide chew strips – 60 calories; Pup-peroni – 39 calories; tender T Bonz – 42 calories ; Busy Bone dental – 277 calories; and Eddie’s absolute favorite, Greenies – 67 calories.

Amazing, isn’t it? It’s so easy to give treats and to overlook their caloric impact on a dog’s diet. Even with giving Eddie vegetables, I worry that I could be overdoing.

I hope this list helps you to find some great alternatives for your dog and that your dog learns to love carrots, just as Eddie did.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:44:35 GMT

Finding our Way

Eddie weighed in at 33.5 pounds, which just slightly more than he weighed the last time. Interestingly enough, though, he looks better.

You know that knobby bone on the back of a dog’s head? When Eddie weighed in two weeks ago, it was very pronounced, and Dr. Abood thought it might indicate that Eddie was losing muscle mass. So we changed dog foods to make sure he got more protein.

We’re changing dog foods again. She recommended that we try a food that offers more protein per 100 Kcalories, and if we want Eddie at 33 pounds, he needs 33 grams of protein per day.

This is the first time I’ve been able to buy dog food in the grocery store. So far, Eddie loves it. In fact, he’s loved these weight-maintenance foods. Now my garage has three kinds of dog food. Luckily, Alex likes Eddie’s diet, too. He loves carrots, too, and he really likes the new food options.

So, Eddie’s doing well. He still loves vegetables. He’s much more active, and, with the exception of the begging, he’s perfect.

As for my weight, I’ve cut down, but I need to do more. We usually play racquetball a couple of times a week. Not enough. I started an exercise class last night that includes step aerobics and weights. My butt hurts. I have a different class on Tuesdays, and, I’m going to try to swim at least once a week. Okay, none of these exercise plans include Eddie, but we’re still walking every day and playing. It’s our special time together. I talk; he sniffs. One of these days, he’ll tell me he’s tired of hearing about work.

So, some things work; some things work better. We’re not giving up yet.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 11:34:13 GMT

Itchy Brother

You know how when a dog has an allergy he starts that obsessive compulsive foot licking? Eddie does that sometimes, usually when the seasons change from winter to spring and from summer to fall.

Well, late last week, after just a few days on his new diet - a mixture of his old dog food and his new – he started to scratch in that same kind of obsessive-compulsive way. After the second day, he was really into a groove. I, on the other hand, was going crazy watching and hearing him scratch.

I evaluated what had changed in his life. What could have made him so itchy? I hadn’t introduced any new cleaning solutions or new carpets into the house. I hadn’t given him a bath with new soap. The only thing I could think of was his diet, and so I changed his diet back to his old food in the new quantity. Within a day, he’d stopped scratching.

I’ve e-mailed Dr. Abood to let her know and I’m sure we’ll talk about this at Eddie’s next visit on Thursday. If the scratching is a temporary thing – and not too damaging – maybe it makes sense to move ahead with his new food, a food that provides more protein in his diet.

Scratching or not, the one thing that has been consistent about Eddie throughout his life with us is that he’s a beggar. Whenever I gave him a cup of food, he begged. Now that I’ve increased his food, he begs more.

As for me, I feel like I’m paying close attention to what I’m eating. I’ve been making a great effort to drink a lot of water, and like Eddie, I’ve developed a real appreciation for carrots.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:55:04 GMT

Big Rocks and Little Rocks

I work for a man who likes to tell a story about big rocks and little rocks. It goes something like this:

A boss asked an employee to move a big pile of rocks, some sand, and some water into a container. The employee started with the sand because it was the easiest, and then he moved onto the small rocks. By the time he got to the big rocks, there wasn’t enough room in the container to hold any more. So he gave up.

The boss was disappointed, but he decided to work with the employee to get the job done.
They emptied the container, and rather than starting with the sand, they started with the big rocks. In no time, the container looked full, and the employee looked happy that the job was over.

The boss didn’t agree. He started putting the smaller rocks into the container, and they filled in some of the places between the big rocks. When they finished with the small rocks, they moved on to the sand, which filled in more of the empty spaces between the rocks.

When they finished, the container looked completely full, but then the boss poured the water into the container, and it filled the remaining spaces.

The man I work for likes this story because it means that we can always do one more little thing.

I like it because it reminds me of Eddie’s new food arrangement.

When he was eating the big pieces of his usual kibble, only a few fit into the cup. It is designed to clean the teeth as the dog chews on the big, hard piece. There was lots of space around the kibble in the measuring cup. In fact, I had to work to make sure that Eddie got as much of the kibble as he possibly could. Now, I start with three-quarters of a cup of the regular kibble, and pour the three-quarters of a cup of the smaller-sized diet kibble on top. There’s still room, because the little kibble fit into all the spaces around the big kibble. His cup of food is so much more filling.

He’s thrilled. We’ll see how this new plan works in helping maintain his weight on January 11, when he weighs in next.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 09:34:43 GMT

Great News – Perfect Weight

Eddie weighed in yesterday at 33.2 pounds, and he looks great. In fact, Dr. Abood suggested that he might just be at his perfect weight.

So, rather than try to lose the 3.2 pounds that separate him from his original goal weight, we’re going to change our game plan to one of weight maintenance, rather than weight loss.

For me, maintenance is always harder than weight loss. I remember lots of times at Weight Watchers when I’d get to my goal weight and struggle to maintain. My weight would go up and down.

Eddie’s new diet includes a lot of change and challenges.

First, he’s going to be eating an extra half-cup of dog food each day. We want to move his caloric intake to about 500 calories a day, which, Dr. Abood says, should meet his increasing energy needs. He has been getting just under 300 from his one cup of kibble.

Second, we’re going to begin the process of changing the food he’ll be eating. Dr. Abood said that the rule of thumb for protein intake is one gram of dietary protein per pound of body weight per day. So, Eddie needs around 30 grams per day, and he was getting about 20 grams through his food.

She said that it’s not easy to calculate the protein a dog gets just from reading the package, and you might want to contact the dog food company to get more detailed information.

We’re adding some new kibble to Eddie’s maintenance diet. This alternative provides more protein per 100 Kcals. He’ll get three-quarters of a cup of the regular kibble and three-quarters of a cup of the new kind each day for the next two weeks. Then we’ll recheck his weight and go from there.

Eddie’s always been a fun and active dog, but recently, he’s been more active and more fun. He’s great to walk with, and it’s a joy to increase our distance and share more time together outside.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 09:31:13 GMT

Best Wishes for the Holidays

It’s raining here. Eddie is warm and dry now and lying at my feet, snoring just enough to be endearing.

I have last-minute gifts to wrap. One of them is a stuffed animal for Eddie, but wrapping that toy will have to wait until I can surgically remove that squeaker embedded in the toy’s belly. Eddie’s rough with his toys, and I don’t want to run the risk that he’ll get to that squeaker and swallow it.

This is a good moment. Everything is peaceful and we’re happy. So often it’s easy to miss these great moments and remember the good times after they’ve passed. I love it when you know you’re experiencing one of those moments.

Soon the rain is going to change to snow, and I’m betting that I’ll have to shovel the driveway before I leave for work. By the time I’m finished, I’ll be cold, wet, and tired, but on the other hand, I’ll have had some exercise. And if predictions are correct, we’ll keep that snow and have a white Christmas.

May your days be merry and bright!

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:37:32 GMT

Eddie’s a Star

Eddie’s pretty special, and Dr. Sarah Abood, DVM of Michigan State University, agrees. She offered the following progress report for Eddie:

“Eddie’s starting weight in early November was 40 pounds. At his first weight check on November 15, he weighed 38.2 pounds. On November 29, he weighed 36.2 pounds. and on December 11, he weighed 35.5 pounds.

This is wonderful progress, and I am really excited for you and Eddie! This kind of consistent weight loss is not what I usually see with my overweight patients. My typical experience with clients who are trying to manage their pet's weight loss program is watching them give up after a short period of time.

Changing personal behavior or the behavior of someone else in the home is difficult, even under the best of circumstances; it takes real effort to stay committed and I commend you for continuing on even when it's been hard. The three things Eddie has going for him all have to do with you!

First, you are convinced that helping Eddie lose weight is important for his short-term and long-term health (and you know you can do something about it). Second, you are the primary person in charge of feeding Eddie (and you can 'control' anyone else who might be feeding or treating him with careful direction and supervision). Third, you pay attention to how and what you're feeding him, by using a measuring cup to portion out his calories AND by keeping him away from Alex's food. These three factors are simple but critical to Eddie's success. Keep up the good work!”

Eddie weighs in again between Christmas and New Year’s. He’s almost half-way to his goal weight of 30 pounds.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:11:15 GMT

I Want to be Like Eddie

Okay, I’m making a little progress on my weight loss. I think I’m down about two pounds. Each day I weigh myself, and I see an up and down movement. Honestly, I don’t trust the scale. Some days I weigh more before I get dressed than I do after.

Overall, there’s been more movement downward, but this morning was an up day. I’m going to try to see the glass as half-full, but not feel like I have to finish every drop.

Eddie, on the other hand, is doing great. He lost nearly a pound over the last ten days.

To be honest, there have been days when I wondered if Eddie might just be genetically gifted in the area of weight loss. There are people like that – I knew a guy who could lose weight if he just thought about not eating French fries.

I began to worry that anyone reading this would think that it’s been easy for Eddie to lose weight and not appreciate his sacrifice. The truth is, I watch him every day, and I know that – like anyone on a diet – he’s constantly thinking about food. He’s always checking my dog Alex’s bowl and he still begs and tries to trade socks for food. The only difference is that he’s learned to appreciate carrots because there are no more cookies in his future.

Overall, he is being a good sport, and I’ve been making sure he follows his diet – a cup of kibble a day plus low calorie treats. In my own diet, though, I haven’t followed the letter of the law, especially during the holiday season. Two parties today, plus the grazing possible throughout my office building. I should be ashamed – and I am.

But shame has only taken me so far – and not far enough away from chocolate. I just have to try harder. I have such a good role model in Eddie; it’s too bad that I haven’t figured out a way to have Eddie measure my food and keep me on the straight-and-narrow.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:57:47 GMT

Mud Flaps, Snow Shoes, and Miner’s Lamps

I was lulled into a false sense of how pleasant Eddie’s and my long walks would be this winter. After an early frost, Michigan weather took a u-turn and stayed unseasonably warm until December 1. That’s when the local weatherman made a joke. He said our long-range forecast is for “partly cloudy, with freezing temperatures and a chance of snow until April.”

Not funny.

Eddie’s doing fine, but I’m finding the walks hard with so many layers of clothes and the possibility of falling on ice.

And there’s more. When Eddie walks on a rainy night, he comes home with mud all over his belly and up the back of his legs. He’s a mess. Bath time! Now that it’s cold and snowy, I’ve been noticing that he develops tiny snowballs in the same areas. He comes home looking like a Christmas tree with lots of little white ornaments. Does anyone make mud flaps for dogs?

Then there are his feet. His paws tend to collect snow on the bottom. Sometimes the snow collection comes off easily while he walks, but when it’s snowball snow, it’s like he’s walking on heels.

Do you think I should get Eddie some boots? Wouldn’t it be great if I could get them with tread. Or better yet, cleats, so his feet can grip?

One great thing about winter walking is that the light from the moon and the streetlights reflect on the snow and light our way. It’s beautiful.

Even so, I’m looking for a little more safety. I’ve tried a little flashlight apparatus that Eddie can wear on his harness, but he always shakes it off. What I think we both need are miner’s lamps.
Just picture it – two headlights coming at you, one at about two feet and another at about five. That would make you slow down a bit.

That’s on my Christmas list to Santa for Eddie – he’ll probably just ask for treats.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:52:26 GMT

So, How You Doing?

When I started this weight loss program, my goal was for Eddie to lose 10 pounds and for me to lose 15. I have to be honest, Eddie is doing much better than I am. I’ve been maintaining.

If you’re a glass-half-full kind of person, you might say, “Well, at least you haven’t gained any weight.” And that’s a good thing, but as long as I’m reporting this, I have to be honest. I haven’t been as committed to my diet as I have been to Eddie’s. It was easy to fall out of the habit of the food diary for me, although I keep Eddie’s diary. Maybe I’ve been able to maintain because I don’t send Eddie out on his long walks without me. I’m at least a part of the exercise portion of this program.

So, here it is a month later, and I’m going to recommit to getting myself on track. Eddie weighs in a little over a week. During that time, I’m going to keep a diary for both of us, and pay as much attention to what I put in my mouth as I do to what Eddie puts in his.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 14:29:06 GMT

The Sock Exchange

Just as I began writing this, Eddie came by my desk with one of my socks in his mouth. You could ask the obvious questions, “How did he find one of your socks? Don’t you put things away?” I’d tell you how gifted Eddie is in finding the socks that are lost in the washer, but you wouldn’t believe me. So I’d rather tell you about our sock trade.

When Eddie and I started this weight-loss program, Eddie could be a pest when it came to food. He was always hungry and always begging for a treat. I’d give him one; he’d run off to the living room to eat it, and in a few seconds he’d be back begging for another. I’d tell him, “No,” in a firm voice, and he’d go off in search of something I valued and plan for a trade. Socks and underwear were perfect trading items. If any of my dresser drawers were opened a crack, he’d nudge the drawer until he could open it and grab something. He’d carry the item toward me, not quite close enough for me to take it from him, and he’d prance around.

If I took the bait, he’d get another treat. If I told him he could keep his new treasure, he’d go off in search a better treasure.

Old habits die hard. He still baits me with socks and underwear, but now the trade is for a carrot. And one carrot seems to make him very happy.

Yesterday he weighed in for the third time, and I’m pleased to tell you that he lost another pound and a half. Eddie weighs 36.5 pounds, and his goal weight is 30.

Dr. Abood, his nutritionist at Michigan State University, praised him for his success. She said the kind of success that Eddie is experiencing isn’t the norm. She thinks that we have several things going for us.

The first is that I initiated this weight-loss program and am committed to it. Because of that, I’ve been pretty strict in adhering to her diet suggestions. I’m the only one who feeds Eddie. I don’t give him any more of his dog food than the amount she recommends, which is less than the amount needed for Eddie to maintain his weight. When I give Eddie something extra, it’s low in fat and calories. Eddie has tried baby carrots, string beans, broccoli, mushrooms and apple. He likes some of these a lot, and some he only tolerates.

Since I have a second dog, Alex, it could have been a challenge for Eddie to lose weight if I hadn’t found a way to separate my boys at meal times. Eddie doesn’t get access to Al’s food.

We’ve also been increasing Eddie’s regular exercise. Our walks get longer each week, and Eddie likes to walk almost as much as he likes to eat. We’ve been fortunate to have unseasonably warm weather, but tonight we’re expecting sleet and freezing rain. No matter, we’ll still have to walk.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 11:40:23 GMT

Home Alone on Thanksgiving

Maybe in your family it’s different. In my situation, everyone is gathering at Grandma’s this year. She’s cooking the turkey and everyone else is bringing a dish to pass. What we’re not bringing are our pets.

This makes sense when you count them all. One family has four birds, two dogs, and a cat. Another has an elderly cat, and we have two dogs. That’s just too much for Grandma’s house. Mostly, it’s just too much for Grandma.

So, Eddie and my other dog, Alex, are staying home together. I think their plan is to nap on the couch and bark at the squirrels.

The silver lining in leaving them home is that Eddie is a mooch. He’s always where the food is, looking cute, and catching what food falls or is offered. If that doesn’t work, he begs.

Thanksgiving at Grandma’s would be “an occasion of sin” for Eddie. It would be just too much food in too small a place. Some of it – a lot of it, I fear – would go into his mouth.

I’m thankful Eddie hasn’t been invited. To make up for this missed opportunity, I’m going to take him for an extra walk and make sure to give him some more green beans, which he absolutely loves.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 11:00:52 GMT

Hooray for Eddie

Eddie lost two pounds! He weighed in last night, and he’s down to 38 pounds.

I was pretty excited about Eddie’s success, so when we got home from our walk, I gave him a quarter of a cup of broccoli to celebrate.

He liked broccoli when he tried it on the weekend, so I expected he’d eat it right up. Maybe he saw it as a way to celebrate, too, because he turned it right into fun food. He’d pick up a floret, toss it in the air, catch it, and toss it again. In no time, the bowl of broccoli was empty; the rug of broccoli was a festive mess

It was the same story with the apple I tried today. He’d liked it on the weekend, and when I gave him a quarter of a cup, he’d take the piece, go off with it in his mouth and come back for another. In no time at all, I had an apple-covered rug.

Fool me once, shame on Eddie; fool me twice, how stupid can I be?

I just tried a new taste sensation and a new approach. French-cut string beans handed out in tiny portions, each requiring a trick. He loves them! Or maybe he loves the attention that he gets when I give him one or two as a reward for being such a smart boy.
Green beans, raw or canned, are only 20 calories for a half cup.

Are you wondering why I bought the French-cut kind? They were on sale. I have more. Maybe I’ll try them again in a day or two. I’ll try a new trick, too.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 11:58:22 GMT

A long walk and a bubble bath

Eddie’s been doing great, although sometimes he gets a look that screams, “Cookie, now!”

He’s been eating less. His current menu is a cup of Science Diet Dental spread over the day – four servings preferably. On Friday, it was 2/3 cup of his dog food, plus 1/4 cup of apple and on Saturday, it was 2/3 cup of dog food and 1/4 cup of broccoli.

One-half cup of apple has 33 calories, and 1/2 cup of raw broccoli has only 12 calories. I think I may have underfed him on the broccoli day, but this new diet has changed his attitude.

He used to evaluate his treats. He’d eat them all, but if I offered him a carrot, he’d eat it and come right back, whining for a cookie. Now he seems grateful for fruits and vegetables.

And he’s walking more than ever before. Tonight we took a long walk on a new route, and he found a smell that he just couldn’t leave behind. Before I knew what he was up to, he was sliding in a scent you just don’t want in your house.

Luckily he likes baths; he loves to be fussed over more than he loves food.

As for me, I’ve been writing down what I’ve been eating. Sometimes I amaze myself. I’m not proud of my choices today, but tomorrow’s another day.

RE: Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:00:39 GMT

Eddie, my terrier/maybe-beagle mix, and I are both overweight, and it’s time for us to do something about it. At least I think so; Eddie seems to be dragging his paws.

The first thing I did to find a solution to our weight problem centered on Eddie. Lots of things in my house center on Eddie, and to be honest, it’s easier to focus on his weight than my own. So, I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Sarah Abood, DVM, Ph.D., of Michigan State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Abood specializes in nutrition.

To give you a little background on our problem, I got Eddie from the Humane Society about 18 months ago, and one of the main reasons why I selected Eddie was because he seemed to love my older dog Alex immediately. Alex, I thought, needed a playmate to keep him young. And Eddie more than fit the bill. Eddie loved to play, and he gave Alex a new lease on life. When I brought Eddie home, he weighed about 30 pounds.

Today, he weighs about 40 pounds. He still adores Alex, but Alex is slowing down, and they play less. Eddie still wants to be with Alex, and so he has staked out a place on the couch, right beside Alex. While Alex has never been motivated by food, Eddie has become quite a beggar. He loves everything about food. He doesn’t eat just when he’s hungry; he seems to see food as a sign of affection and an alternative to boredom. It’s the answer to everything. Unfortunately, that means he’s been getting less exercise and more treats.

He has also has morphed into the focus of our home. He’s funny, affectionate, clever, and demanding. And he’s quick, especially when he takes food from Alex’s bowl.

At the same time Eddie was bulking up, so was I. Part of the reason is that I’ve been spending less time walking my dogs and more time eating.

I didn’t notice the weight – at least not mine – until I tried to wear last year’s clothes. They didn’t fit, at least not if I want them zipped. Even when I buy new clothes that do fit, I look a little lumpy.

I noticed Eddie’s weight when I needed to pick him up and put him in the tub for a bath.

All of a sudden, I was worried. It’s more than vanity. I’m worried about the effect that the extra weight Eddie and I are carrying will have on our health. I want a long and healthy life together for us, and I think that together we can get ourselves out of this weight problem – with a little help from professionals.

At our first meeting, Dr. Abood and I talked about Eddie’s lifestyle: his eating and exercise habits, and we talked about my reasons for wanting to get help with Eddie’s weight.

Eddie loves people. That might be because he thinks of them as new sources of treats, but even without a treat, he liked Dr. Abood immediately. And when she told us what a handsome boy Eddie is, Eddie responded to the attention.

After she weighed Eddie, felt for his ribs, pinched an inch, and took some photographs of him, Dr. Abood told me that Eddie is indeed overweight. If you looked at the “Body Condition System” chart that’s usually in a veterinarian’s office, Eddie would be in the “too heavy” section. In fact, he’s a seven on the scale of nine. One represents “too thin” and nine is a dog with “massive fat deposits.” Eddie fits the seven description perfectly. “Ribs are palpable with difficulty. Heavy fat cover. Noticeable fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent or barely visible. Abdominal tuck may be present.” (As I read this description, I cringe. So much of it reminds me of me. )

Dr. Abood and I talked about how we might reach an optimal weight for Eddie.

One thing she suggested was replacing some of Eddie’s dog treats with people food. A medium baby carrot, for example, is only four calories. A small dog biscuit might be 20.

For Eddie to maintain his current weight, he need only consume 615 calories a day. His regular food, plus the treats I’d been giving him, added up to much more than that. I need to commit to making some major changes in his diet and to couple that with a regular exercise program.

With that information, we went home with an assignment – to keep a food and an exercise diary for Eddie.

Today, Dr. Abood and I met without Eddie to discuss those diaries and a diet and exercise plan. The best way to regulate his weight is to keep his food intake within a certain calorie range and to increase his activity.

For Eddie to lose weight, he should keep to a 500-calorie-a-day diet. This includes his main meals and any treats. With that in mind, I need to decide what will constitute his 500 calories each day and because – like me – he likes to graze, I need to consider spreading these calories over four feedings. When he’s consumed his 500 calories, he’s finished eating for the day, no matter how much he begs or how cute he can be.

Since I know Eddie likes some fruits and vegetables, I’m going to try to work those into his daily diet, not only to increase the variety of his food options, but also to give him the sense that his portions haven’t been cut back.

Interestingly, the second phase of my weight loss plan – an appointment for me with a nutritionist, Marge Pestka, MS, RD, of Sparrow Hospital’s Food and Nutrition Services – required the same kind of food and exercise diaries as we compiled for Eddie.

Not only that, the results were similar – I need to cut back and I need to refocus on fruits and vegetables and fiber.

Marge Pestka recommended that I continue to keep track of my food and exercise using one of the tools available on the web. One of the calculators she mentioned () helps you to keep track of your goals, the food you consume, and your exercise. When you do, you can see how many of your calories come from fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. You can also keep track of the calories you’ve burned. After just a few days of this kind of recordkeeping, I’ve noticed that my calories may be in a good range, but I don’t necessarily make prudent choices. Another tool to monitor the kind and quantity of food you eat is available at . Both calculators seem to be a great way to keep track and stay focused.

For me, finding ways to stay focused and on track in a weight-loss program has always been the challenge. Having Eddie as a weight-loss buddy makes all the difference. I focus on him. If he gets lots of exercise, and he has in the last week, so do I. And if my mind is on his not overeating, I’ll eat sensibly, too.

Or that’s my plan. My primary goal is that we’ll both eat better and get more exercise and develop healthy habits. As for weight loss, my goals are that within 20 weeks-or-so, Eddie will lose the 10 pounds he’s gained, and I’ll lose 15. We may have our ups-and-downs, but that’s okay. If we develop a habit, in the end, we’ll be a four or a five on that chart – ideal – and we’ll be happy, healthy, and looking good.

If you’d like to join us in our weight loss efforts, please do. It’s good to have buddies – the more, the merrier.

Weight Loss Blog

Janice — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:59:04 GMT

In it together

My dog, Eddie, is plump, and I’m a contributing factor. Eddie loves to eat, and he’s found a number of ways to get treats from me.

When he was a puppy, he would chew his way through sheets, shoes, paper towels, and drapes. If he found something on the floor, he’d flip it in the air, catch it in his mouth, and chew it until it was an unrecognizable lump. He was dangerous and in danger. I learned to trade him his “chew toy” for a treat, and he learned to play me like a piano.

When Eddie grows hungry or bored, he finds something, puts it in his mouth, and prances around with it, hoping that I care enough about the item to trade it for a cookie. Sometimes I call his bluff. I tell him, “Good choice, Eddie. I don’t want that.” He’ll drop it and go search for a better treasure.

Eddie is clever, cute, and on the fast track to fat. So am I. It’s time to make a change.

So, Eddie and I are beginning a boot-paw camp. We’re going to be more than diet buddies; we’re going to be lifestyle change agents for each other.

We’re going to seek the advice of nutritionists, set reasonable weight-loss goals, keep track of our daily exercise, and monitor our progress weekly. We’ll watch each other’s back as we try to lose weight and get toned. We’re a team. Soon we’ll be lean, mean, healthy machines.