The photofinishing diet

As promised in MMX, here is the Photofinishing diet. I’ve been told I have to start every post with a photo, and I was pleased to find this shot of the apple harvest from the tree in the backyard. I was even more pleased that the apple made excellent apple pies.

In serious photofinishing, the condition of the processing chemistry is measured and plotted on a graph several times every day with the ideal outcome of having the plots stay right on or near the the centre of the graph. Each of the plots is connected to the next one by a line which allows you to see trends as they develop. On either side of the ideal centre point, running lengthwise and parallel to the centre point, are two sets of two lines. As long as your plot falls between the first pair of these line, the chemistry is doing fine. If your plot crosses the first line on either side of the centre, it indicates that you should start paying more attention and initiate corrective adjustments. If the plot moves across the second line on either side, it means the chemistry is “out of control” and if not brought back under control quickly it will lead to serious quality control issues and having to replace all the chemistry with a new batch.

The individual plots are interesting, but the trend of the plot tells the story and the same is true with the weight issue. I weigh myself every morning on the same scale, and have an ideal weight that I would like to be at. When I get to +5 lbs I know I need to pay more attention to the situation and at +10 lbs I trip self imposed flashing lights and klaxons crisis situation.

This past several weeks have been difficult with the holidays and mom dying, and by the time I got back from her funeral I was almost 10 lbs up from where I want to be. I am now paying much more attention to my caloric intake and working a lot harder at exercising so I’ve managed to shed 5 of those new pounds.

Unfortunately it’s not a magic diet – it requires that you pay attention to how much and what you eat every day. Cutting out the snacks is a start, but it also means more salads and fresh fruit and vegetables, and less fast and junk food. But I can tell you my back is very happy I’m doing this, and it’s also fun to have people get all excited about all the weight I’ve lost.

good luck