Active Fat Girl Looking for a Change

AHey PEC,
Good luck on your 5k...you will do fine...remember, you can take walk breaks..it will actually help you recover quicker and if you walk for 30 seconds, you really don't lose much time in the grand scheme of things.
The food diary is a really helpful too too...nothing like actually seeing what we eat...I use myfitnesspal.com to track what I eat and see the calorie count...it make counting calories tolerable..something I didn't do at all for the first 9 months of my journey.
Keep up the good work, and run PEC, run!

Sarah
 
Thanks Alice and Sarah! 5k went fine, basically like all the rest of my runs, I get tired I fast walk and then try to force myself to run again. This was my 3rd 5k this year I believe. I don't have the time yet for this one, but my first one in July 4th was 45:21.6, my second was first week of august at 45:56. I had to leave right after finishing the run, but I did remember a 41 being on the timer when I was crossing. If that's correct it means that since august I took off more than a minute on each of my miles. I'm very happy with that. I know I could have pushed myself harder, because I never end up as sweaty and gross after a run as I do after a treadmill workout, but still maybe my 5k in November will be sub 40 minutes! I think that's a good goal for me to have.


Today is weigh in day: 237. That's one more pound down. I'm pretty happy with myself. I wish I pushed myself harder but I just keep reminding myself that is 10 pounds lights than what I weighed at the beginning of this diary.


One of my friends did Atkins for 3 weeks. Now I have all these excuses and I realize they are excuses but I'm still going to write them out. My friend has never been overweight, she was really just trying to lose baby weight from her second kid. I understand that is really hard to do, but she doesn't know what it's like to have to shop in the plus size or worry about not fitting into a seat on a plane...Anyways while she's doing this Atkins things she complains to me that she lacks energy, her joints hurts, she's crabbier and less patient....all these things that sound horrible. BUT she just finished and lost 13 pounds over that 3 weeks and she says she would do it again.


That right there ladies and gentlemen is what frustrates me. If I wanted to lose weight quick and easy, I could try something like Atkins, but I truly believe you can ruin your metabolism by doing harsh changes and as much as I want to lose weight. I'm going to continue to do it slowly, with watching my caloric intake, upping my exercise and change from processed to less processed foods. Look at me, I've lost 10 pounds and yes it's taken a little while, but I've continued my normal lifestyle. I haven't cut anything out, I don't have cheat days, I sometimes have soda, sometimes have sweets, I sometimes have fast food. But all is in moderation, all is within my calorie limit. I've also increased exercise but to a level that I can maintain for the rest of my life.


I'm proud and excited to keep going. (But also a little jealous of my friend's 13 pound loss to my 2 pound loss in the same period).


Same exercise goals for the week as the last couple weeks. Went shopping last night and got lots of food to prep for meals because it is officially Crockpot Season!!
 
PEC-


You could not be more right about keeping a slow but steady pace on your weight loss. I agree with you that it could very possibly throw your metabolism off if you try any of those more extreme crash diets. I am not saying that anyone reading this should listen to me - I'm not a doctor but I will make the best choice for me. You will be surprised that if you can continue to regulate what you do eat (sweets, fast food, etc.) you will begin to crave it less. I would have never believed this but it happened to me over this past year and I ate crap! Waaaaaay too much sugar and tons of fat. Your first 11 lbs are a great step in your journey. If it takes years who cares! You will be so happy and proud before too long and you should be very proud now. Your progress will fuel your dedication. Don't look back!


I have a 5k in November as well but I don't have a time goal since it is my first one. I'm just hoping to jog the whole thing. Have you tried couch to 5k? It is great and there is a great app for it! I highly recommend it and I have never been a runner ever before. There is also a 5k to 10k if you get really motivated!


Mmmmm crockpot cooking. If you find any healthy recipes could you share them with us? I need to start planning my meals ahead of time and love slow cooked soups and stews!


Keep up the great work!
 
I too am trying an "everything in moderation" diet and it's worked well for me so far for three and a half months (closing in on 50 pounds).


Some calorie reduction will have an effect on your metabolism regardless, but you are correct in that the slower you go, the less extreme this effect is. For example, based on research I read recently, I'm probably burning roughly 300 less calories a day now than I would if this was my start weight (all other things equal). But 300 is a pretty manageable number at my size.


As for the Crock Pot, I made the mistake of mentioning to my family how I was interested in trying out a Crock Pot. Now I'm going to have to wait until after Christmas to get one, because I'd bet a fairly substantial amount of money that I'll be getting one as a present. :)
 
This will be really quick and I'll reply next week longer.


But I felt I did horrible last week so I didn't get the nerve up to step on the scale until this morning. I have lost 1 more pound!!


Still don't feel a change in my body or the way my clothes fit. But the saying goes "the scale doesn't lie". I'll just keep at my study pace!


Busy/crazy week. Hopefully I'll return more next week.
 
Still no real time to spend on the forum. sorry for not checking in on other journals for awhile. Our house in on the market and lots of changes happening so I just can't seem to find the time to be on the computer. Also I'm trying to reduce my "screen time" so less TV, computer (which is hard because school and work are computer based) and smart phone.


Good news with only 2 days at the gym last week and not using fitness pal for calorie tracking I didn't gain anything last week. But I didn't lose anything either.


I had a great workout at the gym this morning, but legs are sure tired now.


Ok off to fold the laundry before the house showing this afternoon.
 
Hey PEC,

Sounds like you have a really busy life right now...we're cheering for you and supporting you all the way and hope that your house sells quickly and a good price! Good choice on limiting screen time...I probably should consider doing that too.

Take care and keep up the exercise...it's good for the brain and body!


Sarah
 
Hi Pec,


Somewhere before you said your diary must be boring.. It is not :) At least not for me. I find it inspiring as I am almost where you are. Trying to lose weight. I jog/run quite regularly and try to avoid sugar as much as possible.

Sometimes I feel okay, but at times I feel just.. too far from my goals. How do you find motivation?


Do you track your progress? I used to write my circumferences and weight out on paper but always lost my notes. Now I am using fitsmarty software at fitsmarty.com. This surely is motivational to see your body changing.. but I wish it changed faster. I really do..


Patience, right? :)
 
I agree with all said above, I think regardless of how much you have to lose the slower/ healther route is really the only way to go. Not just because of the havoc you can wreak on your metabolism/ organs/ general health with a crash diet, but what happens when you're done? I think it's really about creating lasting habits that will stop the weight coming back in future too.


Well done on the 5k!!
 
Thanks everyone!

It feels like forever since I logged on. (when really it was only 15 days ago) Since then I got ENGAGED!!! and we bought a house where we are moving to. Now we are just hoping for the old house to sell as soon as possible.

Jogging really hasn't been happening and way too much sugar. But I'm moving forward and trying to stay on track even with all craziness. I don't have much time even now. But thank you all for so much support and hopefully after Thanksgiving I'll be able to be back to my journal.


Last i looked was about 10 days ago and I was at 235. I'm guessing I'm at 235-7 right now.


Thanks again for the support and i'll be back in December!!!
 
wow...6 months later.

Life has been crazy (I think I need to realize this is life and this is how it'll always be).

But with being crazy life is great. I haven't been focusing on weight, which is too bad. I'm at 241 right now. I stayed consistently under 240 the whole winter, but the last month has been really challenging. In one week I finally get to move into the house my fiance and I bought last November. I've had to stay behind for my job and it'll be over next Saturday.

I've started jogging again and trying to get at least 4 jogs in a week. Even if it's just 15 minutes, it's still good for me. My food binges are still an issue. I do really well, but the then, for example, this past week, I'm a little depressed and ready to move; so my food intake is really poor. I'll make one good choice and 5 bad.

It just feels like I'm in Limbo right now with not living in my home and not having a "normal" schedule. Schedules help me so much, I go crazy without one. I just feel like my life has been frozen for the past 6 months and it's really hitting me. I'm just depressed, when really I should just be really excited to move. It's so bad that I'm not spending time with friends before I move--I'm just being lazy and sad. One more week and I'll be fine. I don't like to feel like this because I'm NOT dependent on my fiance, i'm quite independent, but it's like my life isn't here anymore--mentally I'm moved on but physically I'm stuck in the same spot.
 
I feel so much better now that I am living in my own home! I love my new home, but I'm still adjusting. Quite honestly, I haven't figured out my schedule yet. I've been trying to get into a rhythm but with out a 9-5 job it's very challenging. I should be taking advantage of my extra time, using it to be active, especially before it gets too hot and muggy here in the late summer. But I'm been just being. I get up early every day, have breakfast and then...i do small things like slick up the house, do laundry and dishes. But I should be finishing the unpacking from moving, I should be going for a jog...

So far, better than nothing, I've been getting out at least once a week for a jog and once for a walk with the dog. one week i did get a nice bike ride in, but I when i start bike riding again i always have to give my body a little time to recover before hopping on the bike again. Not sore muscles, but ya know, my butt hurts!!

Anyways, I'm happy and I think that's most important. The next step in my life is to find someway to be social in the new town. My fiance has a great job, but rather demanding so he works a lot and when he comes home, he doesn't want to be the most social and go out. So I need to find some girlfriends to be active with. I looked up a running club like we had in our last town, all the ones here sound so official and like they are fast runners. I'm overweight and out of shape, so I'm VERY intimidated to start there. Also because there are so many trails and it's summer, I really don't want to join something that costs money, again, i'm not really working right now so I don't have a ton of extra money to spend. It's weird because I don't necessarily want to use "meetup" but I should be more open to the idea. Because the last thing I want in the world is to start to resent the move and start getting sad and then take it out on my fiance.

Anyways...I think i'll start with starting to write more consistently in my journal again.

Happy Monday!
 
Thanks for stopping by Sunflower, Zumba is a good idea. (Minus the fact that I have NO rhythm!) But I have starting doing Just Dance on my Wii which maybe will help me with my rhythm.

I went for a jog this morning with the dog. It was short but good to get out. It was very humid and we were lucky to get back to the house just before it started raining. It's going to take awhile to get used to humidity after coming from the Rockies. I had to take a cold shower to cool off and I turned the air conditioning on. It's just gross outside right now, I'm so happy I got outside before it turned into a wet mess, otherwise I never would have gotten outside.

I'm not well with eating, too much junk. But slowly and surely I'm getting used to making meals for us again. At least once a week we are having a salad for dinner. We are also eating for veggies than we used to. I have discovered that if I put a bowl of carrots out in the evening we munch on those, instead of getting out some popcorn or chips or other salty snack. So I think we are moving in the right direction.

I also need to have my fiance be a little more active. It's so hard because I don't like to nag and I totally understand that he works really hard all day long and just wants to relax in the evening, but he needs to move. right now I just suggest that we take the dog for a walk after dinner almost every night. He hasn't taken me up on the offer yet...but I think i might start pushing it a little more. I just need him to be healthy because I want him to be around for a long time. And he catches a lot more colds than I do and I truly believe that it's because he's not as active.

So...Mini goals:
2 more jogs this week.
1 after dinner walk with dog and fiance
1 bike ride
 
I got a nice jog in this morning. In trying to get my schedule set, I'm realizing it's important for the dog and I to leave the house with my fiance in the morning. It just forces me to start my day with a walk or jog.
I'm still having a hard time making good food choices. But I've put myself on a water regiment, meaning I have to drink 4 glasses of water between any snacks or meals.

The Just Dance Wii game is helping with my arms. I can really feel my arm muscles being used during the songs. I suck at dancing, but I feel that I'm getting a little better, at least I'm learning some of the moves the game uses. It's actually a great options for working out because it keeps my heart pumping and it's downstairs in my house so it's a nice and cool workout.

I still need to get my weekly bike ride in, hoping for tomorrow but I might have to wait until Sunday depending on the weather.
 
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