Seven days in on my Eades diet and I’m officially down eight pounds from where I started. The goal was ten, so I don’t think I’ll have any trouble making that. It hasn’t been as tough as I remember it being three years ago. I haven’t (at least as yet) had the insomnia yet, and I never felt any adverse effects from the no caffeine / no alcohol regimen. The above section of the kitchen countertop contains my consists of my life these days: soy-based protein shake makings, leucine powder, magnesium/potassium supplements, the blender, and the purple cup from which I drink my shakes.

They say time goes fast as you get older, but this last week seems to have taken a month to go by. I’ve got another week to go before I head into the so-called “meat weeks” which aren’t bad (obviously), although I’d kill right now for anything with cheese – enchiladas, chicken parm, bacon and cheese omelets, cheese and crackers, nachos – you name it. Last night I fell asleep thinking of playing a round of golf at Passaconaway C.C. in Litchfield, New Hampshire, then pigging out at Tortilla Flat up the road in nearby Merrimack over margaritas and a oven beef quesadilla.

But that time will come – someday. For now it’s “Power Up!” shakes and one meal a day carefully crafted by the Eades folks. I can make it. I can do it. Only one week to go.