I am a former Marine, used to weigh 196 +/- 3 lbs. After getting out I maintained for a few years. Took a consulting gig out of state - eating at Denny's, Shari's, Village Inn, etc for 2 months. When the gig was over I was at 229 lbs! Since then, about 13 years now, I have maintained at 230 +/- 5 lbs. My routine before and after the gig did not change. I'd like to shed the extra 25-30 lbs before I turn 50 which is this Christmas.

I am looking at the Abs Diet but don't really know what to think of it. I also recently had elevated blood pressure and my Doc wants that down - and so do I - and it is going back down. My goal there is 120/70 or better. I am currently at 140/90. My diet also needs to decrease salt.

So, now I am poking around to see what will work for me. I am open to suggestions/guidance. I plan to track what I eat and what (little) excercise I do until the end of the month. Then I need to decide which direction, diet-wise, I need to go.