After many weeks of not following a diet and many slip ups, I have decided to change my ways and try to get back on track.  The bottom line to my less successful last two months is that I took a vacation and went home and decided that I would start again tomorrow and each passing day turned into a week and a month.  Tomorrow is another days, and I will double my efforts be more successful.  

I tried fasting as suggested in the Obesity Code and that did not work at all for me.  It might work to reset after a week off or a few meals of splurging, but my weight loss goal is larger than a 3-5 days goal.  It is impossible for me to lose 20 pounds by fasting, so clearly I need a long term plan.  I realize that now and will go back to what I was doing.  

So what did I do before?  

1. Create a calorie deficit: I cut my meals to about 300-400 calories for three meals a day.  
2. Stop all grazing.  I need to avoid snacking.  I will bring a serving of fruit or vegetables with my lunch.  
3. Add exercise.  I will exercise 3 times a week.  I quit two months ago and desperately need to get back on track.  
4. Avoid all sweets and empty calories.  I avoided all sweets and alcohol.  I plan to add high fructose-containing foods and artificial sweeteners.  This where I have really missed the boat.    I will return to this, and hopefully, I will be more successful.  

Wish me luck.  I will post an update in 1-2 days.  The good news is my wife has agreed to try this with me, so maybe we will have an update together.