Living Outside The Bubble

As many of you know, I spent 28 life changing days at Hilton Head Health Institute. Even though you are permitted to leave anytime you'd like, you spend most of your time at the facility. I rode my bike up to the main building from my condo and spent the day there. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and a full slate of fitness options all day long. Even on days when you might not be at the top of your game and decide to take it easy, you find it pleasing just to stay at the main building maybe just laying by the pool or in it. Like monkeys in a cage, your internal clock just knew when it was almost 3:30. Feeding time at the zoo. More appropriately, metabo time. If you were by the pool, you started looking for Adam or one of the other crew from the dining room to bring out the tub of snacks. Having that set plan of food and exercise in a place free of readily accessible stockpiles of chips, wings and drive thru windows is a good place to be. Unfortunately, we have to leave the bubble eventually.

I felt good about coming home after my 3rd week but was thankful to have a 4th week there.

My first time alone in the real world was at the Hampton Inn by the Savannah Airport since I had a very early flight on Sunday morning. Upon entry to the hotel, a tray of warm cookies greeted me. Then, needing some water, I ventured to the 'Suite Shop' to browse. There, I was confronted by frozen dinners (a.k.a. empty calorie food), ice cream and energy drinks. I decided to head upstairs. In my room, to thank me for being such a loyal Hilton Guy, I received a calories free thank you card along with a bag a Doritos. Nice. I felt like a WWII Bomber flying through flak and shrapnel. Fortunately, I planned for the high risk situation by bringing a couple of extra metabo meals as snacks. Staring down the Doritos, I ate my apple and cottage cheese.

Now that I am home, I have found it to be A-U-T-O-M-A-T-I-C. "Breakfast Whack" every morning. Jess named it, not me. What is it?

• 1/2 cup of Fiber One Honey Crunch


• 1/2 cup of 1% cottage cheese


• 1/3-1/2 cup of plain, nonfat yogurt (premixed by YOU with splenda and vanilla extract)


• top with cut up strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and/or raspberries

Jess called it Breakfast Whack because the first time I told her of my new obsession, she said it sounded "WHACK" but now she is a believer too!

I have my metabos and a good lunch. Dinner selections have been from the Hilton Head Health cookbook and their blog which is called H3 Daily. GO THERE!

Next week, I travel for the first time. I have no fear. Traveling smarts were just one more lecture given by the amazing Bob Wright (picture with The Orracle below). It will be just like being at home. Planned out, researched and disciplined!

I do have a long road to go but never have I felt this confident in my abilities. This is not a diet. This is a lifestyle....and one I can live with.

Lousiana Lisa Saves The Orracle's Butt....Literally!

This post must come with a TMI warning.

Continue reading at your own risk!

I meant to post this last week but the 4-5 fitness classes, 6 eating times and the need for 10 hours of sleep a night have certainly hindered my ability to sit at a computer.

I was walking pretty gingerly after dinner. Lisa asked if my muscles were pretty sore. Sure they were but the real problem was chaffing between my legs. Too much time on the treadmill I guess. She offered to drive me to my cottage which was great. She said then that she was going to CVS to get me something. I tried to tell her NO but she would not have it. She returned 20 minutes later and handed me a bag but would not offer any payment for the 'medicine'.

What she bought me was Butt Paste! It is actually used for babies but apparently, it works for 40 year old babies too! WOW - one treatment before bed and I was healed completely by morning ready to bust it on the treadmill again.

So, to my friend, Louisiana Lisa, thank you for literally saving my ass!

Cruising In Week 2!

Pictures as promised....some comments at the bottom - ENJOY!

A medium sized gator with mouth open

Dr. Frasier Crane

Alert Little Gator!

Baby gator sunning

Chef Jen teaching a cooking class

A sweaty Orracle and Caroline after a little class

Caroline was one of my favorites from my first week! What a class act - especially being willing to take a picture with such a sweaty version of The Orracle!


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Hi everyone! I have survived my first week at H3i and feel like a million bucks. I have had some monster workouts and am enjoying my time immensely. The people here continue to prove to be amazing and inspirational. Tonight, we had Cordon Bleu for dinner that was to die for. For lunch today was a giant burrito with enchilada sauce. I cannot get over the food quality and how maintaining on 1,200 calories a day is even possible for a big sexy dude like me.


The cooking picture is of former Minnesotan and Head Chef Jenn. Besides maybe having a little crush on her, she is a GREAT cook! In this class, she showed us how to make side dishes in a healthy way such as mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, fried rice, sweet potato nuggets and a fun lemon custard that we baked. I never knew home-ec could be this great!



I will try to keep the posts and pics coming as I continue my 4 week journey here at H3i. Thank you to all of my supporters and well-wishers. You keep me going when it hurts....and it hurts quite a bit of the time.