A Girl has got to eat.

lol Cherry. I admit that lately I have been noticing guys at the gym. What cracks me up is I'll have my heart rate on the display and when a hot guy goes by I notice that my heart rate jumps up by about 5-7 beats. It makes me laugh at the silliness of it all! And speaking of which, you're right about smiling and laughing more. I am just a new person full stop. Like you, food is no longer my passion. As the old saying goes, I now eat to live, not live to eat. :)

As for the AMT, wow. I remember this so clearly because I was so embarrassed. I got on there (I was 313) and I couldn't make it past a minute. I thought my legs were going to collapse underneath me. I was dripping with sweat. So I got off there feeling like a complete failure, but instead of leaving the gym, I got onto a standard exercise bike (with a large seat and back). I pretty much started there on a manual level of 5-8 for about 35 minutes (including cool down). The next day, I couldnt walk or move my legs. Jesus. I thought, what the hell is going on here? So I let my body recover (2 days) and tried again. Did the bike and no pain and I've never been in that kind of pain since. I rode the bike for about 2-3 weeks, building up my leg muscles and then I tried the AMT again and said, okay.. I'm going for 5 minutes at a resistance of 1. I made it for 7 minutes and I was thrilled! I kept at it and within a week I was doing 20 minutes, which included the 5 minute cool down. Within a month I was up to 65 minutes, but my resistance was still at a 1-2. Your feet will tingle, but work through it and eventually they stop tingling because your body gets use to it, and that's when I would up the resistance. But yeah, work your legs on the bike and you'll be amazed at how far that will take you. On a side, I think walking helped me a lot too.

Out of everything, I'm real proud of conquering that AMT machine. It makes me feel super sexy when I'm on it. Especially when relatively fit looking people will climb on the one next to me (probably with the idea that if a fat girl can do this machine, anyone can) only for them to get off it 10 minutes later. lol. I even had a guy come up to me after my workout and ask if I really did that many miles on the machine. I sure did feel proud. Oh and by the way, make sure when you're working out that you enter in your weight and age. It'll give you an accurate calorie burn. 65 minutes on the AMT and I burn usually about 886 calories.
 
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Thanks, Blancita!

So I'm not supposed to do any stenuous activity until Saturday, but I had to go to the gym today. I did my usual cardio, but kept the resistance levels at a beginners level. It was a pretty eye opening experience considering that I remember feeling like I was dying at those levels when I first started out... but now it was like taking a vacation. lol. I barely broke sweat and my HR didn't go above 120. I remember doing these levels and my HR would be close to 180. It really is remarkable to me how the body adapts so well to fitness in only a matter of months.

I think someone had also asked about my weight loss goals, perhaps a timeline? Truth is, I'm not sure I have a timeline. I think what I'm doing now works, so I'll keep it up until it doesn't, but in the back of my head I'm hoping to shed the rest of this weight within a year, but if it doesn't happen that soon or if it happens sooner than that.. I'll just go with it.
 
hey,
thanks for letting me know about how you built up to 65mins on the AMT...pretty amazing stuff! i'll try and gather up some courage soon and start working on it once again. i think for now the problem for me is that i'm not able to do leg work because since i'm short (5feet), all the weight is concentrated round my belly which makes it really hard to get into machines, which is why for now i'm stuck with the treadmill and classes untill i get to a weight where i can do more stuff. i tried the recliner bike the other day and my belly was getting in the way plus the peddle strides were really long in comparison to my short legs, so haven't even bothered trying to get on the stationary bike....about 8yrs ago i loved doing the stationary bike (i was still big but my belly was much smaller and not getting in the way of things) and sometimes can't believe how much weight i've put on since then such that i can't even get onto one now.

but that's all in the past and that's why i'm doing what i'm doing now...to make me a smaller, fitter, healthier, happier person. the last 3 months i've also become very positive in comparison to the deep dark depressive hole i was in before....i feel like i'm coming out of my shell now and i'm so glad. the way i was living before was no way to live. so here's to us getting our lives back!

sorry to rant on here, sometimes i just find myself going on and on and can't stop myself ...lol!
ymcachick said:
lol Cherry. I admit that lately I have been noticing guys at the gym. What cracks me up is I'll have my heart rate on the display and when a hot guy goes by I notice that my heart rate jumps up by about 5-7 beats. It makes me laugh at the silliness of it all! And speaking of which, you're right about smiling and laughing more. I am just a new person full stop. Like you, food is no longer my passion. As the old saying goes, I now eat to live, not live to eat. :)

As for the AMT, wow. I remember this so clearly because I was so embarrassed. I got on there (I was 313) and I couldn't make it past a minute. I thought my legs were going to collapse underneath me. I was dripping with sweat. So I got off there feeling like a complete failure, but instead of leaving the gym, I got onto a standard exercise bike (with a large seat and back). I pretty much started there on a manual level of 5-8 for about 35 minutes (including cool down). The next day, I couldnt walk or move my legs. Jesus. I thought, what the hell is going on here? So I let my body recover (2 days) and tried again. Did the bike and no pain and I've never been in that kind of pain since. I rode the bike for about 2-3 weeks, building up my leg muscles and then I tried the AMT again and said, okay.. I'm going for 5 minutes at a resistance of 1. I made it for 7 minutes and I was thrilled! I kept at it and within a week I was doing 20 minutes, which included the 5 minute cool down. Within a month I was up to 65 minutes, but my resistance was still at a 1-2. Your feet will tingle, but work through it and eventually they stop tingling because your body gets use to it, and that's when I would up the resistance. But yeah, work your legs on the bike and you'll be amazed at how far that will take you. On a side, I think walking helped me a lot too.

Out of everything, I'm real proud of conquering that AMT machine. It makes me feel super sexy when I'm on it. Especially when relatively fit looking people will climb on the one next to me (probably with the idea that if a fat girl can do this machine, anyone can) only for them to get off it 10 minutes later. lol. I even had a guy come up to me after my workout and ask if I really did that many miles on the machine. I sure did feel proud. Oh and by the way, make sure when you're working out that you enter in your weight and age. It'll give you an accurate calorie burn. 65 minutes on the AMT and I burn usually about 886 calories.
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I'm not sure if there was any one specific moment that flipped the switch for me, but it was rather an acculmulation of incidents that finally sent me off in the right direction. If I had to pinpoint it though, I'd say it was at the doctor's office. I had been feeling like shit. Not sleeping... scared to sleep. My moods were all over the place. I was isolating myself, I was spiralling downwards. I broke down in the office. The scale said 377. I cried uncontrollably. After some labwork, she said my thyroid levels were 5 times the normal limits and I was pre-diabetic. I cannot say I was shocked. I was too exhausted to be shocked, but what I wanted was help. She pointed me over to the weight loss clinic where they have a nutritionist and physical therapist. I started seeing them on a biweekly basis and it was the jumpstart that I needed. I actually learned about nutrition and portion control. They even ordered a sleep study for me and it was found out that I had severe sleep apnea. So once I got the cpap machine, I was sleeping good, which made a world of difference because when you're tired all the time you eat for energy. By the way, I no longer need the cpap machine anymore! My thyroid levels are normal and I am not indicating any signs of being pre-diabetic.

When I walked into that office 8 months ago, I could barely walk. My body ached. I was out of breath. I felt like death. Now here I am today, and I can actually jog. It's overwhelming to me.
 
Oh cherry, I'm short too. 5'3. Apple/inverted triangle shape also.

It's still hard for me to climb on top of the elipticals (if theyre on a high crossramp) lol. But I understand your apprehension. When I started off at the gym I was 313 and the bikes were difficult, but doable at that weight. I felt like a stuffed pig, but lol I just kept going. Before getting on, I'd pull the seat all the way back and then adjust it, then when getting off, I'd pull it all the way back again. At first it was all I could just to get my feet into the pedals, but just blast your ipod. Don't look around at the other people and stay focused. But yeah, lose another 10-15 pounds and try again. It'll probably make all the difference for you.

By the way, I like your ramblings. lol. So ramble on, girl! And yes, here is to us reclaiming our lives!!!
 
It was raining most of the day today. Did some shopping for vegetable seeds for the garden. I'm really excited about growing my own produce. So most of my walking was done indoors with the exception of my early morning walk.

I went to the gym at about 5pm. I'm not supposed to do any stenuous activity due to my wisdom tooth extraction until tomorrow, but I sort of kicked it up a bit today and managed to get in about 1.5 hrs of cardio. Afterwards my friend and I went and soaked in the hot tub and man oh man did that feel good.

I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight.
 
It was raining most of the day today. Did some shopping for vegetable seeds for the garden. I'm really excited about growing my own produce. So most of my walking was done indoors with the exception of my early morning walk.
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Oooh, lucky! I've always wanted to grow my own vegetable garden, but I live in an apartment. I've seen those hanging tomatos and I've been thinking about getting those. They also have hanging strawberries and hang herbs. Seems like something to try out.

I went to the gym at about 5pm. I'm not supposed to do any stenuous activity due to my wisdom tooth extraction until tomorrow, but I sort of kicked it up a bit today and managed to get in about 1.5 hrs of cardio. Afterwards my friend and I went and soaked in the hot tub and man oh man did that feel good.
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Hehe, a soak in the hot tub does sound pretty nice. *dreams*
 
You should try those, I bet you'd have good luck with them. I'm trying out butternut squash this year. I found a recipe for french fries that contains the squash instead of potatoes and it's only 88 calories lol. Here's to hoping they grow!

And yeah, that hot tub soak was nice. real nice. I'm still embarrassed about walking out in the public gym pool, but I just hold my head up high, pull my shoulders back (good posture lol), and get to where I need to go, aka the hot tub. I put on my first swimsuit in years at the weight of 297 and went swimming for the first time in more than 15 years, and even though at the time, I was still very ashamed of my figure, it remains one of the high points and milestones of this weight loss journey.
 
i keep seeing butter nut squash at the store but have never bought it, that idea sounds great, that is using it instead of potatoes.

wow, about the swimming thing that's pretty amazing and i can see how it would be one of your high points when you went swimming at 297. i haven't swam in about 6yrs now (maybe more), which is so sad because i love swimming. it's one of the things i can't wait to get into when i've gotten to a size that i can comfortably wear a bathing suit in.

ymcachick said:
You should try those, I bet you'd have good luck with them. I'm trying out butternut squash this year. I found a recipe for french fries that contains the squash instead of potatoes and it's only 88 calories lol. Here's to hoping they grow!

And yeah, that hot tub soak was nice. real nice. I'm still embarrassed about walking out in the public gym pool, but I just hold my head up high, pull my shoulders back (good posture lol), and get to where I need to go, aka the hot tub. I put on my first swimsuit in years at the weight of 297 and went swimming for the first time in more than 15 years, and even though at the time, I was still very ashamed of my figure, it remains one of the high points and milestones of this weight loss journey.
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I just started reading your diary and I have to say that I am impressed.

That's a fantastic job of getting fit so far! Congratulations!
Just think how amazing you are going to feel when you get all they way to your goal. Heck, you must be feeling great at the more-than-halfway mark.

Keep up the good work, and I look forward to following your progress the rest of the way.
 
lol Cherry, I definitely was not and still am not comfortable wearing a bathing suit. It was one of those skirt styles haha, but whatever. I did it and it felt good so to hell with the onlookers.

Hey thanks, Cord! I really appreciate the compliments. I'm excited for my weigh day on Wednesday. I am so hoping to be out of the 250s this week, then I'll officially be closer to 200 than I am to 300. I realize that sounds silly, but it's these little things that I keep track of that really help keep me going in the right direction. I think the only thing that might sabotage me is that my period will be here any day now, and those weeks are usually less of a loss, but I've learned that the following week is usually then a big number, so I try not to get too down on myself.

Anyway, Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers on here!
 
Thank you, Blancita :)

I'm going to try uploading some photos. This is a pretty monumental moment for me because I am very ashamed of the way I used to be and looked. As you can tell, I didn't care at all about my appearance, but that's starting to change now. Hopefully within 20 more pounds I'll lose my chicken neck lol. Damn that thing anyway! So, so far I've gone from Java the Hut fat to just plain old fat. What's sad is the first picture isn't even at my heaviest. I accidentally deleted those ones LOL, but the first one is right about 350. So I had dropped close to 30 pounds even before that photo was taken! God. Embarrassing.

Anyway, in an attempt to keep me accountable, instead of just saving the pictures on my camera, I'll post one of me each week on my weigh day. The last photo here was taken today and my weigh day is Wednesday, so I doubt I'll do it this week. I also don't have any full body shots of me at my highest, at least not on my camera, but I'm pretty sure my mom does, so I'll check today and see if I can't post that along with seeing if I cant have someone take a body shot of me today.

Ooooook. Here goes.
 
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Oh yeah, and when I talked earlier about being afraid to sleep, I think you can see why now. I had no neck. It was covered in layers of FAT. The weight was literally crushing my airway.
 
wow! that's an amazing difference....your face is so well defined now! again i say your an inspiration! whenever i see your ticker saying 123lbs lost i always remember my ticker says 190something lbs left to go and i think wow, you've done an AMAZING job!:seeya:
ymcachick said:
Thank you, Blancita :)

I'm going to try uploading some photos. This is a pretty monumental moment for me because I am very ashamed of the way I used to be and looked. As you can tell, I didn't care at all about my appearance, but that's starting to change now. Hopefully within 20 more pounds I'll lose my chicken neck lol. Damn that thing anyway! So, so far I've gone from Java the Hut fat to just plain old fat. What's sad is the first picture isn't even at my heaviest. I accidentally deleted those ones LOL, but the first one is right about 350. So I had dropped close to 30 pounds even before that photo was taken! God. Embarrassing.

Anyway, in an attempt to keep me accountable, instead of just saving the pictures on my camera, I'll post one of me each week on my weigh day. The last photo here was taken today and my weigh day is Wednesday, so I doubt I'll do it this week. I also don't have any full body shots of me at my highest, at least not on my camera, but I'm pretty sure my mom does, so I'll check today and see if I can't post that along with seeing if I cant have someone take a body shot of me today.

Ooooook. Here goes.
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lol Cherry, I don't know about facial definition, but for the most part, I definitely have my neck back. It was like, "Woah! Helloooo, Neck! It's been a while, but damn you sure is lookin good!" ;)

But in all seriousness, a woman's neck is a very sensual part of her body, and i think reclaiming it, or rather being able to see it again, restores a feeling of feminity in me. I've really missed that.

When I get below 200, as a treat to myself, I'm going to get a swedish massage, a facial (salon style you sick-minded people ;)), and a makeup consultation. I have to say I'm really looking forward to it!
 
HAHAHAHa, that just made me laugh so much, you have totally made my day. I've heard the other type is good fun too ;)

Anyway on a more innocent note - you look amazing chick! I can't believe the difference in your face.

ymcachick said:
lol Cherry, I don't know about facial definition, but for the most part, I definitely have my neck back. It was like, "Woah! Helloooo, Neck! It's been a while, but damn you sure is lookin good!" ;)

But in all seriousness, a woman's neck is a very sensual part of her body, and i think reclaiming it, or rather being able to see it again, restores a feeling of feminity in me. I've really missed that.

When I get below 200, as a treat to myself, I'm going to get a swedish massage, a facial (salon style you sick-minded people ;)), and a makeup consultation. I have to say I'm really looking forward to it!
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Oooh YMCA, the pics are amazing! Congrats on getting that neck back! I'm so happy for you that you're starting to feel that femininity again.
 
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