My goal to be Pope's "Biggest Loser", Week 2

POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- I just completed my second week in the 43rd Services Squadron's "Biggest Loser" competition. Last week I lost eight pounds and this week ... one-and-a-half. I somewhat expected that. I guess the important thing is it's still a step in the right direction.
At one point, over the weekend, I was down to 212.5 pounds - a weight I haven't seen in at least a year. That proved to be short lived as I gave in to a cheat day. Yes, a cheat day. I have been told that if you practice good eating habits and exercise regularly throughout the week, it is okay to splurge on the weekends.

I may have gone a little overboard though, combining the relief of a cheat day with the excitement of the Super Bowl to gorge myself into fullness. In fact, I have decided I will never start another diet during football season again. Eating a bag of carrots or raisins on a celery stick just isn't the same as nachos and a big greasy pizza on Super Bowl Sunday.

Since I just got paid, I made the usual trip to the commissary. This was my first grocery trip devoted entirely to eating healthy. I bought everything I could with the words "light," "reduced fat," and "whole grain." Instead of buying soda, I bought flavored water. Instead of cookies and chips, I bought fresh fruit and flavored rice cakes. By eating the "healthy" foods, I was surprised by the amount of calories and fat I can cut in just one week.

Healthy eating and cardio workouts remain my game plan for week three. Although, if I have to go through another week of eating like a herbivore, only to lose one and a half pounds, it may be time for more drastic measures.