Customer Blogs

What goes around comes around is a statement that could apply to many things. My wife picked up a magazine in the grocery store, the title shouted out "Better Than Gastric Bypass". Apparently back in 1939 the Rice Diet Program was created, where dieters checked into facilities in Durham, N.C., for an intensive two to four week boot camp focused on treating obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and kidney disease. After continued success of that program, co-authors, Kitty Rosati, MS, RD, LDN, a registered dietitian; and her cardiologist husband, Robert Rosati, MD, authored The Rice Diet Solution to guide folks wanting to try the diet at home.

I don't know if it works or doesn't but it really doesn't matter much, does it? Unless we change out lifestyle no magic program will work. Without true change, even if all of us (that struggle with trying to lose and maintain) were touched with a magic weight loss wand we'd quickly find it again.

Happy Wednesday Everyone

I really don't have much to report today. I finished my antibiotics however I'm still feeling achy, the bottom of my heals even hurt. I'll need to contact my doctor to see if this is normal or if I need to take another round of medicine. My diet-to-go breakfast was waffles and lunch today was actually a diet-to-go dinner of turkey BBQ melts.

I'll pick up my next DTG meals tomorrow at Sport & Health.

Happy Tuesday Everyone

I went swimming with Karen Westfall and some of her friends today.
Luckily I was in a privately owned pool with no spectators, had the pool to myself and Karen and her friends were on an instructional DVD titled Senior Splash. The DVD claims it’s a perfect combination of gentle, yet effective aerobic exercises, muscle toning, strengthening, stretching, and posture improving exercises to create the perfect workout for persons over 50. I have to admit I’m still achy from the Rocky Mountain spotted fever and it’s just what I needed to keep my body moving.

I was actually sweating, somewhat tired and couldn’t wait until the 55 minute video was over and I could get out of the pool. I kind of felt I didn’t know what I was doing, kind of like learning a new dance. The exercise seems much different than the one I get at Sport & Health, however in 3 weeks I should be able to return to normal exercises.

For breakfast I had my diet-to-go Egg Quesadilla, Potato Cake and Citrus Cup and for lunch I had a Southwestern Sandwich: A tasty Vegetarian Black Bean Burger served with a Salsa cup and Tomato slices on a Multi-Grain Roll with a whole Apple.

Happy Monday Everyone

Today my wife and I started the day by attending Church and spent the rest of the day enjoying grand kids and the outdoors. In reflection on this week of no exercise, rest and recuperation from Rocky Mountain spotted fever, I’ve been less than perfect on the program. I’m not off the track completely, never the less, a slippery slope that I recognize and need to correct.

Tomorrow is Monday and an opportunity once again to recommit, introduce some mild exercise in the swimming pool and stick mainly with the diet-to-go meals. I also believe once I get squared away on my new food plan I’ll feel like I’m mentally back on track as well. With all the carbs I’m eating now, it’s possible I’m craving even more carbs?

This blog is about success, setbacks and a life changing journey, I know no one out there especially me thinks I’m perfect, so hopefully tomorrow will start a successful week.

Happy Sunday Everyone

After my diet-to-go breakfast and lunch I headed out to the 4th annual Maryland Hunting & Outdoor Expo. The medicine I’m taking says I shouldn’t be out in the sun so I covered with plenty of sun block.

I’m not really a hunter but there are a lot of things to see and experience at the expo. Tomorrow is the second day of the event so if you are close to the MD Charles County Fair Grounds, now you have something to do on what is expected to be another beautiful day. We had one of the little grand kids spend the night, so after a rough night of sleeping, walking around all after noon and some benadryl for allergies, I’m ready for some sleep.

Luckily I was full on lunch and diet soda’s when I arrived, however I did try a couple handfuls of kettle corn that wasn’t really everything I expected, kind of tasteless. Maybe my taste buds are a little messed up, because I remember kettle corn to taste pretty good.


Well that’s a day.

Happy Saturday Everyone

I have been corresponding via email with diet-to-go and their Nutritionist about adjusting my plan.
Their current suggestion is that I go to the 1200 calorie low fat plan and add additional food.
I suggested I stay on the 1600 calorie for lunch and dinners and supplement breakfasts with egg beaters, vegetables and turkey sausage or bacon and on quick breakfast days a wheat English muffin.

The diet-to-go Nutritionist and diet-to-go will get back to me on Monday.

Happy Friday Everyone

I’m still enjoying my diet-to-go meals and taking it easy. I have a few more days of the antibiotics to finish and I’m glad because they give me a constant mild headache and nausea.
I also need to remember for the next few days to stay out of the sun while taking this medicine. That’s it for today; I’ll post more when I’m feeling a little more like myself.
One more thing, I’m working with the DTG nutritionist to get my plan back in order.
I'll let you know what the decision is once it's finalized.

Happy Thursday Everyone

I’m still enjoying my diet-to-go meals and taking it easy. I have a few more days of the antibiotics to finish and I’m glad because they give me a constant mild headache and nausea.
I also need to remember for the next few days to stay out of the sun while taking this medicine. That’s it for today; I’ll post more when I’m feeling a little more like myself.
One more thing, I’m working with the DTG nutritionist to get my plan back in order.
I'll let you know what the decision is once it's finalized.

Happy Thursday Everyone

Today will be a short post. I continue taking my antibiotics and medication for achy muscles and joints due to SMSF. The later of the two medicines makes me very sleepy. A family member picked up my diet-to-go food at Sport & Health; I have another three weeks of R&R before returning. I was lifting up a grandchild and maybe it’s psychosomatic but I feel weak as a kitten.

That’s about it for now.
Happy Wednesday Everyone

I had my normal diet-to-go meals today and was able to speak to my trainer by phone letting him know I'd be missing 1 month of workouts at Sport & Health due to the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Tonight was a bit of a challenge and a first for my wife and I. Long story short, everyone needed a baby sitter tonight at the same time and we had all eight grand kids for about 4 hours. I rented a couple kids movies and naturally thought everyone would just take it easy and watch them.

The picture I had in my mind's eye wasn't exactly how the evening went. They were all very good, however I made them hot air popcorn and I couldn't keep it coming fast enough. Grandpa I can't taste any butter, grandpa I don't want any butter, I want a big bowl just for me, I do too.
Grandpa I need to go to the bathroom, granny I do too, do we have to watch this? Boy am I out of practice and I'm not feeling quite myself so I'm really exhausted. I love those grand kids and that's why God gives younger people children and older folks like me grand kids. Older folks would really need to be on the ball to handle such a large group on a daily basis. Hats off to all you parents out there, you have your hands full, but they are worth every moment and they grow so quickly, enjoy them while you can. You blink and they're grown with families of their own.

As I posted on Friday my wife received a call from my doctor while I was at the gym instructing me to begin antibiotics because I had contracted Lyme disease. Naturally I read all I could about the disease over the weekend via the internet. After reading about the long term affects of the disease and how difficult it is to treat, Monday couldn’t get here quick enough for me. I’ll admit being a Christian man I at times get busy and don’t always put God first. When I get lazy and miss a few weeks of attending Church I seem to always find my way back quickly when I need something, thankfully I’m welcomed back with open arms.

I had an appointment this afternoon and expected a regimen of antibiotic shots or IVs after the results of an additional blood test and possibly x-rays to detect any damage to my heart or other major organs. Of course this seemed to be the norm for people in the second stage of Lyme disease which I expected to be in, because of my aches and pains and the 4 months since being bitten by a tick.

Imagine my shock when the doctor came in with my test results and I actually have Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Obviously being late in the day Friday my doctor read the line labeling the next test after the RMSF test or my wife heard it wrong???

When I asked is that bad, he said it’s true 2 to 4 percent of people (even with today’s modern medicine) die from the disease, however since I was sitting there in his office I wasn’t in that category. He further stated that the illness is easier to treat with antibiotics without the lingering aliments associated with Lyme disease. I asked if I could, or should continue my workouts and he said it would be best to take at least a month off and let my body recuperate. I asked if I could swim during this time and he agreed I could. I have access to a pool so I will definitely keep my body moving during this time.

The aches and pains and symptoms associated with Rock Mountain Spotted Fever are similar to Lyme disease, however I never thought I’d say “Thank you God for letting me have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever instead of Lyme disease”.

I'm also extremely happy to have a reason why I've been feeling so bad and the hope of feeling better soon.

Happy Monday Everyone

After attending Church I came home to enjoy my diet-to-go breakfast of waffles and fruit.
I'm taking my antibiotics and just kind of taking it easy today.

Today is truly a day of rest.

Happy Sunday Everyone

Today I’m still trying to get my mind around having contracted Lyme disease. Two of my sons are avid hunters and in the woods a lot, but pop somehow gets the tick bite and Lyme disease to go with it, what’s with that?

At least now all the whining I’ve been doing, from ringing in the ears to aches and pains everywhere now makes perfect since. Back on my April 26th post I mentioned that I had been bitten by a tick a few days earlier. It’s important to note, I never had the bulls eye associated with the tick bite.

There’s a list of symptoms pertaining to the disease listed below. All these aches I’ve been trying to sooth with fish oil and special exercises can now be explained as part of the disease.

I’ve been pushing myself for a while now and have not been sleeping very well which is also part of the symptoms, insomnia and sleep problems. Who would think a little tick the size of a pin head could make a person so ill.

I’m uncertain how this all works out pertaining to exercise and recovery, etc.
I’ll be seeing the doctor again next week.

Have any of you had Lyme, if so, how was your recovery?
I’ve read that sometimes you never get rid of it, it just keeps coming back.

Happy Saturday Everyone

Here’s some Symptoms of Lyme Disease
* The Tick Bite (fewer than 50% recall a tick bite or get/see the rash)
1. Rash at site of bite
2. Rashes on other parts of your body
3. Rash basically circular, oval and spreading out (more generalized)
4. Raised rash, disappearing and recurring
* Head, Face, Neck
5. Unexplained hair loss
6. Headache, mild or severe, Seizures
7. Pressure in head, white matter lesions in brain (MRI)
8. Twitching of facial or other muscles
9. Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy, Horner's syndrome)
10. Tingling of nose, (tip of) tongue, cheek or facial flushing
11. Stiff or painful neck
12. Jaw pain or stiffness
13. Dental problems (unexplained)
14. Sore throat, clearing throat a lot, phlegm ( flem ), hoarseness, runny nose
* Eyes/Vision
15. Double or blurry vision
16. Increased floating spots
17. Pain in eyes, or swelling around eyes
18. Oversensitivity to light
19. Flashing lights/Peripheral waves/phantom images in corner of eyes
* Ears/Hearing
20. Decreased hearing in one or both ears, plugged ears
21. Buzzing in ears
22. Pain in ears, oversensitivity to sounds
23. Ringing in one or both ears
* Digestive and Excretory Systems
24. Diarrhea
25. Constipation
26. Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping) or Interstitial cystitis
27. Upset stomach (nausea or pain) or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
* Musculoskeletal System
28. Bone pain, joint pain or swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome
29. Stiffness of joints, back, neck, tennis elbow
30. Muscle pain or cramps, (Fibromyalgia)
* Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
31. Shortness of breath, can't get full/satisfying breath, cough
32. Chest pain or rib soreness
33. Night sweats or unexplained chills
34. Heart palpitations or extra beats
35. Endocarditis, Heart blockage
* Neurologic System
36. Tremors or unexplained shaking
37. Burning or stabbing sensations in the body
38. Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Weakness, peripheral neuropathy or partial paralysis
39. Pressure in the head
40. Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks
41. Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking
42. Increased motion sickness
43. Lightheadedness, wooziness
* Psychological well-being
44. Mood swings, irritability, bi-polar disorder
45. Unusual depression
46. Disorientation (getting or feeling lost)
47. Feeling as if you are losing your mind
48. Over-emotional reactions, crying easily
49. Too much sleep, or insomnia
50. Difficulty falling or staying asleep
51. Narcolepsy, sleep apnea
52. Panic attacks, anxiety
* Mental Capability
53. Memory loss (short or long term)
54. Confusion, difficulty in thinking
55. Difficulty with concentration or reading
56. Going to the wrong place
57. Speech difficulty (slurred or slow)
58. Stammering speech
59. Forgetting how to perform simple tasks
* Reproduction and Sexuality
60. Loss of sex drive
61. Sexual dysfunction
62. Unexplained menstral pain, irregularity
63. Unexplained breast pain, discharge
64. Testicular or pelvic pain
* General Well-being
65. Phantom smells
66. Unexplained weight gain, loss
67. Extreme fatigue
68. Swollen glands/lymph nodes
69. Unexplained fevers (high or low grade)
70. Continual infections (sinus, kidney, eye, etc.)
71. Symptoms seem to change, come and go
72. Pain migrates (moves) to different body parts
73. Early on, experienced a "flu-like" illness, after which you have not since felt well.
74. Low body temperature
75. Allergies/Chemical sensitivities
76. Increased effect from alcohol and possible worse hangover

Today I’m still trying to get my mind around having contracted Lyme disease. Two of my sons are avid hunters and in the woods a lot, but pop somehow gets the tick bite and Lyme disease to go with it, what’s with that?

At least now all the whining I’ve been doing, from ringing in the ears to aches and pains everywhere now makes perfect since. Back on my April 26th post I mentioned that I had been bitten by a tick a few days earlier. It’s important to note, I never had the bulls eye associated with the tick bite.

There’s a list of symptoms pertaining to the disease listed below. All these aches I’ve been trying to sooth with fish oil and special exercises can now be explained as part of the disease.

I’ve been pushing myself for a while now and have not been sleeping very well which is also part of the symptoms, insomnia and sleep problems. Who would think a little tick the size of a pin head could make a person so ill.

I’m uncertain how this all works out pertaining to exercise and recovery, etc.
I’ll be seeing the doctor again next week.

Have any of you had Lyme, if so, how was your recovery?
I’ve read that sometimes you never get rid of it, it just keeps coming back.

Happy Saturday Everyone

Here’s some Symptoms of Lyme Disease
* The Tick Bite (fewer than 50% recall a tick bite or get/see the rash)
1. Rash at site of bite
2. Rashes on other parts of your body
3. Rash basically circular, oval and spreading out (more generalized)
4. Raised rash, disappearing and recurring
* Head, Face, Neck
5. Unexplained hair loss
6. Headache, mild or severe, Seizures
7. Pressure in head, white matter lesions in brain (MRI)
8. Twitching of facial or other muscles
9. Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy, Horner's syndrome)
10. Tingling of nose, (tip of) tongue, cheek or facial flushing
11. Stiff or painful neck
12. Jaw pain or stiffness
13. Dental problems (unexplained)
14. Sore throat, clearing throat a lot, phlegm ( flem ), hoarseness, runny nose
* Eyes/Vision
15. Double or blurry vision
16. Increased floating spots
17. Pain in eyes, or swelling around eyes
18. Oversensitivity to light
19. Flashing lights/Peripheral waves/phantom images in corner of eyes
* Ears/Hearing
20. Decreased hearing in one or both ears, plugged ears
21. Buzzing in ears
22. Pain in ears, oversensitivity to sounds
23. Ringing in one or both ears
* Digestive and Excretory Systems
24. Diarrhea
25. Constipation
26. Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping) or Interstitial cystitis
27. Upset stomach (nausea or pain) or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
* Musculoskeletal System
28. Bone pain, joint pain or swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome
29. Stiffness of joints, back, neck, tennis elbow
30. Muscle pain or cramps, (Fibromyalgia)
* Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
31. Shortness of breath, can't get full/satisfying breath, cough
32. Chest pain or rib soreness
33. Night sweats or unexplained chills
34. Heart palpitations or extra beats
35. Endocarditis, Heart blockage
* Neurologic System
36. Tremors or unexplained shaking
37. Burning or stabbing sensations in the body
38. Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Weakness, peripheral neuropathy or partial paralysis
39. Pressure in the head
40. Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks
41. Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking
42. Increased motion sickness
43. Lightheadedness, wooziness
* Psychological well-being
44. Mood swings, irritability, bi-polar disorder
45. Unusual depression
46. Disorientation (getting or feeling lost)
47. Feeling as if you are losing your mind
48. Over-emotional reactions, crying easily
49. Too much sleep, or insomnia
50. Difficulty falling or staying asleep
51. Narcolepsy, sleep apnea
52. Panic attacks, anxiety
* Mental Capability
53. Memory loss (short or long term)
54. Confusion, difficulty in thinking
55. Difficulty with concentration or reading
56. Going to the wrong place
57. Speech difficulty (slurred or slow)
58. Stammering speech
59. Forgetting how to perform simple tasks
* Reproduction and Sexuality
60. Loss of sex drive
61. Sexual dysfunction
62. Unexplained menstral pain, irregularity
63. Unexplained breast pain, discharge
64. Testicular or pelvic pain
* General Well-being
65. Phantom smells
66. Unexplained weight gain, loss
67. Extreme fatigue
68. Swollen glands/lymph nodes
69. Unexplained fevers (high or low grade)
70. Continual infections (sinus, kidney, eye, etc.)
71. Symptoms seem to change, come and go
72. Pain migrates (moves) to different body parts
73. Early on, experienced a "flu-like" illness, after which you have not since felt well.
74. Low body temperature
75. Allergies/Chemical sensitivities
76. Increased effect from alcohol and possible worse hangover

I met with my trainer at Sport & Health today and had a good workout. He knows I've been complaining about my joints hurting, so he introduced me to many rolling the muscle type exercises and stretching.

I gained 5 pounds this week, however I've been feeling so tired and achy lately I really can't focus on that at the moment. While I was at my workout my wife received a call from my doctor letting me know I had a prescription waiting for me to treat Lyme Disease. It sounds like a pretty scary illness, however at least I now know why I've been feeling so crummy lately.

That's about it for now.
Happy Friday Everyone

Since parting ways with DTG a few months ago I've managed to only re-gain about 10 pounds. I'm not proud of this but as we all know if we're left to our devices we tend to go back to the way we were eating before. You suddenly crave all the "good things" you missed out on while dieting. Somehow they creep back into your life. I've started my walking program again and being that it's August in the deep south I've been sweating all the time. Including indoor and outdoor activities. Just thought I'd give a quick update for those that care and wish you al the best in your weight loss endeavors. Sincerely, Bo.



















My son and I while on vacation a few weeks ago.

Today's diet-to-go meals were my usual, for breakfast I had waffles, lunch was tuna melts and dinner was turkey BBQ melts. I spent another day with DIY projects and trips to the hardware store.

As far as the flax seed I've been taking for a few days now, I have noticed it somewhat regulates my system. That's more than I can say for Jamie Lee Curtis' Activia Challenge, which did nothing for me at all. I didn't get my money back for the Activia Challenge because I lost the purchase receipts.


Tomorrow's another weigh in and workout day with my trainer at Sport & Health.

Happy Thursday Everyone

Like most days I started today with my diet-to-go waffles and I had a yogurt sprinkled with some Flax Seed. My wife dropped me off at Sport & Health while she ran some errands which she finished just as I was done with my workout.

I stopped and checkers for her on the way home, got myself a diet soda and had my tuna melts for lunch when I returned home. It's kind of funny how your sense of smell changes after you've been away from the fattening foods for a long time. My wife cooked some bacon she was going to use in making bean soup. The bacon (which I've always loved in the past) cooking on the stove top actually smelled nasty to me, kind of like a wet dog.

It's almost time for my BBQ melts and a little R&R.

Happy Wednesday Everyone

I knew a man that used the following statement quite regularly “If you hang around the barber shop, sooner or later you’re going to get a haircut” He had quit drinking alcohol and his friends would try to persuade him to go to the bars with them. He would always say no and use the catch phrase. I always thought the phrase had merit and it could also apply to many different situations, including hanging around the vitamin store.

If you hang around the vitamin store sooner or later you’re going to buy healthy stuff. Well, my latest purchase was Flax Seed, both milled and whole. Family friends that are currently dieting and losing weight told my wife they are taking it along with a healthy diet.

Flax Seed apparently has been around for ever and is one of the richest sources of omega fatty acids and lignans (potent cancer fighters). It also provides improved Immune Function- Immunity is the body's ability to defend itself successfully against foreign substances.

Weight Management research indicates that including flaxseed in your daily diet can help you manage your weight. Besides stabilizing your sugar levels, flax expands five times in bulk when ingested. Flax taken half an hour before meals will help you eat less, so you will lose weight while simultaneously strengthening your immune system.

As usual my diet-to-go meals were good today. I added some milled flax seed to my yogurt and it kind of tasted like a nutty pie crust, it wasn’t bad at all.

Tomorrow’s another workout day at Sport & Health.

Happy Tuesday Everyone

Today was an extremely busy day for me. After my diet-to-go breakfast of waffles I decided to paint and hang the oak cabinets I’ve been fabricating. I’ve mentioned in prior posts that when I walk through places like Lowe’s and other stores I’m always kind of creating as I go.

I picked up the two large cabinet doors from 84 Lumber for 10 bucks and fabricated the two small basket weave doors with my router and strips of oak I cut on the table saw. I guess those early years of basket weaving at parks and recreation finally paid off.

The hummingbird topper is actually made from a decorative hose rack, and two decorative planter hangers that I welded together. There made from aluminum and very light weight. I don’t have access to a high frequency heli-arc welding machine so I purchased some aluminum welding rod that is used like brazing rod. The rod is OK for what I needed to do but I wouldn’t recommend it for anything structural. The decorative pieces normally would have cost about $200 but I picked them up for about $ 5 each several years ago in a bargain bin at the hardware store.

I also decided to give my doctor a visit and have some blood taken and tested for Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Fever. Hopefully I don’t have either, but with my joints aching lately I want to rule them out of the equation. I polished off my bottle of Fish Oil and purchased another, this time I got the gigantic bottle of Fish Oil for 40 bucks. It’s expensive being healthy isn’t it?

After being outside in the morning heat painting and after a doctor’s visit I really could have easily skipped the gym but I forced myself to go to Sport & Health and had a good workout.

Happy Monday Everyone