I have been #winning since Jan 15^th of this year (thanks to my pal Charlie for letting me use his word). How have I been winning you ask? Simple I answer, by being routinely routine.

I have a goal (some say a crazy one) to lose 50 lbs by July 1^st. So far in just under two months I’m down nearly 20 so I take that as great progress. But Elliot, how could you possibly lose 50 pounds in 6 months you ask? Simple (I say again), by being routine and monetizing my diet. Monetizing your diet? Yes monetizing my diet, let me explain because it’s quite simple. (I like talking to myself in writing and using the word simple a lot btw.)

Monetizing your diet is just a fancier way of saying portion control combined with calorie tracking. I have a daily budget of around 1800 net calories I can use and since it’s a net number I can deduct the number of calories I burn at the gym. Couple this with one of the greatest iPhone apps I’ve ever come across in LoseIt and you’ve got yourself a solid diet plan. The app lets me track my daily budget, nutrient trends, calorie intake, calories burned via exercise among other things. I can track everything over time with some handy charts, daily, weekly and monthly breakdowns of my progress.

So far I’ve stuck to my plan pretty strictly and I think the results speak for themselves. I also need to point out that this is the second time I’ve set a goal like this to lose weight. The first time (about 4 years ago) I was extremely successful and lost nearly 60 lbs in a little under a year. Sadly, I let life’s distractions eventually get in my way and started putting the pounds back on. This time I know exactly what not to do and I have the loving support of my girlfriend so I don’t see myself slipping again.

I like routine and the idea of being able to rely on a plan and strategy I’ve put into place. Yes, I will admit that I miss my peanut chocolate M&Ms and eating a big juicy hamburger followed by a cold beer but those things aren’t totally banned from my diet. I just need the calorie budget to actually consume them so I do get to indulge every once and a while. So don’t cry for me Argentina, I’m on my way to health and am feeling better than ever just by being routinely routine!