Today, it begins...

Today is most likely one of the most important of my life...

I went to a vegetarian festival a few weeks ago and a thought occured to me along the way; I wonder if I can find a way to open my mind a bit in regards to eating more fruits and veggies? What would happen if I tried going vegetarian for 30 days? How difficult would that be? I pondered how that would affect my health and how the true added costs, diet limitations and differing mental state would affect my life. I met a vegetarian consultant while there and discussed this idea I had with her as I wandered through the festival. She seemed receptive and I figured that if I went through with this, it would be an interesting book or blog. There was only one problem.

I hate vegetables.

Don't like the taste. Don't like the texture. I love meat, carbs, beer and sweets. And pizza. But I always eat food with no vegetables.

Well, that needs to change. While eating all of those carbs, meat and junk I've ballooned to 376lbs. I've been between 325-427lbs in the last 3 years. I panic and work out enough to lose some weight, but never can keep it off.

I was feeling pretty bad last week at work and decided to go to the doctor on friday. I also wanted to get some bloodwork, an EKG and talk to her about the diet I was about to go on. She was happy and on board.
After the EKG was taken, I was told something alarming; since the last EKG I took 2 years ago there was a change in the readings that caused her some concern. There could be a potential blockage on the right side of my heart. maybe. Either way, I need to call a cardiologist. Stat. It appears that at the age of 33, I took the correct fork in the road just in time.

So here's the plan; I'm following the Alton Brown "4 lists" method of eating (which I'll explain later) for the next 30 days while exercising for 5 days. I will eat up to 2500 calories daily and will not eat past 7pm. I will note interesting things, like the added costs of becoming healthy, as well as other interesting items. I'll track every item I consume. Then I'll try going veggie for 30 days. Let's see how beneficial it is for me. You'll see all the stuff I buy and have insight into the culture

Tomorrow? Day one and the broken blender fiasco...