How I Lost 25 Pounds and Saved Money Doing It

Gary North

When I find a product that I regard as top of the line, I tell people.

I have gone to a high protein, low carb diet. I have lost 25 pounds from my peak and have kept them off, except at Christmas, when I gained back seven pounds. I have lost five of them. So, the diet -- which is in fact a new way of life -- is working. I am able to wear suits comfortably that were tailored for me in 1980. At my age, I am entitled to dress in an old-fashioned way. You don't see three-piece suits often these days -- or in 1980, for that matter.

As part of my diet, I eat a lot of ground beef. For most of 2005, I bought ground sirloin. It was all right, but nothing special. It was just something to eat.

Late in 2005, my wife introduced me to ground angus beef. It is spectacular. I buy a 6 lb.-box of 18 pre-cut patties at Sam's Club. The brand is American Chef's Selection. I freeze the box.

I put about half a dozen frozen patties, one by one, into sandwich-sized baggies. These, I keep in the refrigerator section.

The patties are cut to the right size. I just pop one in the frying pan and let it cook. It saves me time. I also don't have to pull a wad of beef off a mass of beef in a cellophane container and hand-shape it, getting my hands gooey.

These cooked patties taste better than most steaks I eat in restaurants. I guess it's the angus beef that makes the difference.

Cost? It's $2.33/lb. for the beef patties, $2.88/lb. for the ground sirloin. This is what they refer to as a no-brainer.

If you're a Sam's Club member, buy a box. See what you think.

One more thing: Wal-Mart sells a great mustard: True Value Southwest Spicy. For under a buck, it's a deal!

If you don't already subscribe to my free Tip of the Week letter, sign up today, so you don't miss an issue. The subscription box is here: www.garynorth.com.