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LaGrange Park man shares weight-loss plan
Gary Charles Metz of LaGrange Park recently wrote the ebook "The Eat What You Want Diet, aka The SHRWALK (Shrink and Walk Diet)" about how he lost 42 pounds in 84 days by shrinking his appetite and walking. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 4, 2013 6:05AM
LAGRANGE PARK — The Shrwalk could be the next craze sweeping the country for your dieting, not dancing pleasure. That’s the hope of LaGrange Park resident Gary Charles Metz, 52, a former accountant and teacher, songwriter and playwright, who has written a book about his experiences dropping 42 pounds in 84 days.
Q. What’s the name of your book?
A. The Eat What You Want Diet, aka The Shrwalk (Shrink and Walk Diet) How I Lost 42 Pounds in 84 Days By Shrinking My Appetite and Walking, available on Amazon.com and other eBook providers.
Q. Why did you want to lose weight?
A. At a check up last year, my doctor told me my cholesterol was a little bit high. He was going to prescribe medication, but I said, “No, please. I’ll change.” I wasn’t a huge rotund guy, but looking back at pictures, it looked like I was pumped up with air like a balloon.
Q. Have you lost weight before?
A. I’ve lost weight many times, most recently the Hilton Head Metabolism Diet, where I lost 43 pounds on four meals a day with exercising or walking 20 minutes twice a day. But a diet like that has set menus and is regimented. What about afterward? Once you stray, you put the pounds on. I also tried a baby food diet. It was terrible except for the fruit.
Q. How did you develop your program?
A. For the new year in 2012, I went down to Florida to take care of my late brother’s condo. I had to be scarce while the workers were there, so I walked the beach. I ate a meal once a day with snacks in between and walked. I weighed 238 Jan. 9 and by early April, I’d lost 42 pounds, down to 196. I knew I’d lost weight, but didn’t think it was that much.
Q. Why did you write the book?
A. I was basking in the glow of compliments, and in May, I through I’d try writing an eBook. I just ate whatever I wanted; I just didn’t eat as much, and I ended up shrinking my appetite.
Q. Is it hard to keep the weight off?
A. It boils down to staying busy and not thinking about food. With the foods I craved so much, I decide does my stomach need it, or is it my taste buds that want it. The main thing is to keep walking an hour a day.
Q. What do you like for snacks?
A. Yogurt, Cracker Jack, Powerade and water with lime.
Q. What are your goals with the book?
A. I’m hoping it’s the next big thing in weight loss and management. My goal is to be on a show like Dr. Oz and have him try and strike me down. Eventually, I picture my book at the check out counter.
