BuenaventuraAve
New member
Welcome to my diary! This will be the medium by which I'll document the highs and lows of my weight loss journey. I expect to update at the very least once a week. Let's begin, shall we?
First, just some basic info about me. I'm nineteen years old, a sophomore Biology major, oldest of three daughters, and you can call me Buena! In case anyone is wondering, no I don't live on a Buenaventura Avenue or anything but I chose this screen name simply because it sounds like a nice street to live on lol.
Now, to the nitty gritty. For now, I'll use the default questions.
How much weight do you want to lose?
About 80 pounds
What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight?
12 months. I had to force myself to give such a modest timeframe. I tend to dream big and really I want to accomplish this before my next birthday on June 23 which is 8 months from now. But I chose 12 months to be realistic.
How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)?
Go vegan and exercise
Who or what can support you in reaching your goal?
hmm...hopefully all of you will be able to support me! My family tries to be supportive but they enable my bad habits sometimes.
How realistic is your goal?
I think 80 pounds in 12 months is very realistic.
When will you start?
Funny you should ask. My New Year's Resolution 2008 was to go vegan so I could lose weight. I tried to just quit animal products, sugar, and processed grains cold turkey and I failed over and over. I've been putting it off and starting over all year long but as of October 10th I'm doing very well with it. So technically, I started on October 10.
What is your current height and weight?
5'8", 211 pounds
If you were at an ideal weight now, what would that weight be?
140 pounds
At what weight would you like to be at four months from now?
I'd like to be 160 pounds. I don't expect that to happen but you asked what I would like!
Why do you want to lose weight?
The number one reason I want to lose weight is vanity. I'm young and I want to look good. The second reason is my health. I want to live to be 100years old but if I continue with the life style choices I make, I'll check out around 40. I actually have a list of twenty reasons why I want to do this that I'll post later.
Do you want to lose weight for a specific life event such as wedding or reunion? If so, when is that event?
Not really. But if I could do this before my birthday, eight months from now, it would make this victory that much sweeter.
What obstacles could get between you and your weight loss goals?
My family means well but they could slow me down (in fact, they have before), what with their delicious and unhealthy meals. My own laziness could hinder me.
Why do you think that you now have a weight problem?
I have a weight problem because of the unhealthy diet I eat and the mainly sedentary life I live.
What lifestyle changes do you think would help you lose weight?
My weight loss plan is made completely of lifestyle changes. I'm giving up meat, dairy, processed grains, refined sugar, salt, and other foods that I enjoy. I also am becoming more physically active and I hope to continue that for the rest of my life.
Have you lost weight in the past? If so, what has worked in the past to help you lose weight?
When I lost weight in the past, it was not really under my control. I didn't change any habits or routines I had and the pounds and inches were melting off for no apparant reason.
Why do you believe that you did not lose weight or you gained the weight back?
Like I said, I never changed anything about the way I ate, so whatever was causing me to lose the weight just quit.
What, if anything, has not worked for you in the past in helping you to lose weight? Why do you think it did not work?
In the past, I would exercise but not change my diet. Or I would diet, but not exercise regularly. I now know that I need both to see results.
Would you try writing down all food and drink consumed for a given period of time?
I've tried, but have never been able to stick with it for more than a day or two. I don't really find it that helpful.
Do you cook at home often? If so, what do you cook?
Yes, everyday. I wash salads and I steam vegetables. I make beans in the crock pot and fruit smoothies in the blender.
How often do you go out to eat? Where do you go?
When I was binging (notice how I use past tense. I'm trying to put that behind me.) anywhere from once to four times a day.
What are your three favorite foods?
bread, pastries, chocolate
What are your three favorite restaurants?
This burger joint in a city where I used to live where they make HUGE burgers; an Italian restaurant in the town where my college is; Back Yard Burger
What are three things you can do differently when it comes to food?
Keep my fridge stocked with healthy food all the time; cook in advance; try different recipes
If you woke up tomorrow and your body was exactly the way you want it, what would be different?
I probably would be a little bit more open to people and I mightn't be as uptight and serious.
Do you eat when you are not hungry?
No.
Do you binge eat (large amounts at a time)?
I have. That's a habit I picked up this year while trying to go vegan, cold turkey. After a few days, I would feel deprived or that I deserved a hamburger, a slice of pizza, or a chocolate bar. But as time went on one hamburger because 3, a slice became a whole pizza, and a bar became a whole bag of chocolates.
Do you hide your food or eat in secret?
Most definitely. When I went on a burger rampage this is what I would do: Go to one Burger King and order a meal. Drive around town while eating it. Go to the other Burger King on the other side of town, order a meal there, and eat it while on the way to the next town, 20 miles away. Order again in the other town and eat it on the way back. Same thing applies for a Wendy's or Back Yard Burger. I did this because I didn't want the people in the restaurants to see me order three meals at a time. This was kind of useless though because I'm sure they recognized me as the girl who came several times a week and always ordered the same thing. I always ate in my car because I didn't want my roomates to see me eating that much and I didn't want everyone to see my walking in the dorm with food all the time. I'm pretty sure they knew though. My clothes had to smell like food when I came back.
Do you eat when you are sad, nervous, or depressed?
I don't eat as a means to deal with temporary emotion. My binging got worse when I was generally feeling stressed and anxious over the course of months. I would start eating because I was genuinely hungry but I didn't stop when I got full. But I didn't and don't crave food right when I'm feeling sad or angry.
Do you eat as a reward?
I do. That led to my binging habit. One burger because I ate well all week turned into binging breakfast, lunch, and dinner all week.
Do you eat while watching TV or using the computer?
Yes.
What do you normally eat for a meal?
Breakfast- fruit
Lunch- salad, cooked vegetable, fruit
Dinner- salad, cooked vegetable, fruit
What type of snacks do you eat?
If I get hungry between meals I snack on fruit or chew gum.
In terms of exercise, what, if anything, are you currently doing?
30 to 45 minutes on the elliptical 4 times/week; lift a few weights 2-3/week; might throw in a Turbo Jam workout every now and then
Where do you go for exercise? A local public gym? School/work gym? Home?
School gym. When I'm in my hometown, I go to the YMCA.
What, if anything, are your three favorite types of exercise?
I prefer to exercise by myself and I prefer stationary equipment, so anything that incorporates those. I really like the elliptical machine.
What is your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly motivation to move towards your goals?
I have my list of twenty reasons why I want to lose weight. I'll probably add on as time goes by.
Do you have rewards for certain goals?
I don't have any set up yet.
First, just some basic info about me. I'm nineteen years old, a sophomore Biology major, oldest of three daughters, and you can call me Buena! In case anyone is wondering, no I don't live on a Buenaventura Avenue or anything but I chose this screen name simply because it sounds like a nice street to live on lol.
Now, to the nitty gritty. For now, I'll use the default questions.
How much weight do you want to lose?
About 80 pounds
What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight?
12 months. I had to force myself to give such a modest timeframe. I tend to dream big and really I want to accomplish this before my next birthday on June 23 which is 8 months from now. But I chose 12 months to be realistic.
How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)?
Go vegan and exercise
Who or what can support you in reaching your goal?
hmm...hopefully all of you will be able to support me! My family tries to be supportive but they enable my bad habits sometimes.
How realistic is your goal?
I think 80 pounds in 12 months is very realistic.
When will you start?
Funny you should ask. My New Year's Resolution 2008 was to go vegan so I could lose weight. I tried to just quit animal products, sugar, and processed grains cold turkey and I failed over and over. I've been putting it off and starting over all year long but as of October 10th I'm doing very well with it. So technically, I started on October 10.
What is your current height and weight?
5'8", 211 pounds
If you were at an ideal weight now, what would that weight be?
140 pounds
At what weight would you like to be at four months from now?
I'd like to be 160 pounds. I don't expect that to happen but you asked what I would like!
Why do you want to lose weight?
The number one reason I want to lose weight is vanity. I'm young and I want to look good. The second reason is my health. I want to live to be 100years old but if I continue with the life style choices I make, I'll check out around 40. I actually have a list of twenty reasons why I want to do this that I'll post later.
Do you want to lose weight for a specific life event such as wedding or reunion? If so, when is that event?
Not really. But if I could do this before my birthday, eight months from now, it would make this victory that much sweeter.
What obstacles could get between you and your weight loss goals?
My family means well but they could slow me down (in fact, they have before), what with their delicious and unhealthy meals. My own laziness could hinder me.
Why do you think that you now have a weight problem?
I have a weight problem because of the unhealthy diet I eat and the mainly sedentary life I live.
What lifestyle changes do you think would help you lose weight?
My weight loss plan is made completely of lifestyle changes. I'm giving up meat, dairy, processed grains, refined sugar, salt, and other foods that I enjoy. I also am becoming more physically active and I hope to continue that for the rest of my life.
Have you lost weight in the past? If so, what has worked in the past to help you lose weight?
When I lost weight in the past, it was not really under my control. I didn't change any habits or routines I had and the pounds and inches were melting off for no apparant reason.
Why do you believe that you did not lose weight or you gained the weight back?
Like I said, I never changed anything about the way I ate, so whatever was causing me to lose the weight just quit.
What, if anything, has not worked for you in the past in helping you to lose weight? Why do you think it did not work?
In the past, I would exercise but not change my diet. Or I would diet, but not exercise regularly. I now know that I need both to see results.
Would you try writing down all food and drink consumed for a given period of time?
I've tried, but have never been able to stick with it for more than a day or two. I don't really find it that helpful.
Do you cook at home often? If so, what do you cook?
Yes, everyday. I wash salads and I steam vegetables. I make beans in the crock pot and fruit smoothies in the blender.
How often do you go out to eat? Where do you go?
When I was binging (notice how I use past tense. I'm trying to put that behind me.) anywhere from once to four times a day.
What are your three favorite foods?
bread, pastries, chocolate
What are your three favorite restaurants?
This burger joint in a city where I used to live where they make HUGE burgers; an Italian restaurant in the town where my college is; Back Yard Burger
What are three things you can do differently when it comes to food?
Keep my fridge stocked with healthy food all the time; cook in advance; try different recipes
If you woke up tomorrow and your body was exactly the way you want it, what would be different?
I probably would be a little bit more open to people and I mightn't be as uptight and serious.
Do you eat when you are not hungry?
No.
Do you binge eat (large amounts at a time)?
I have. That's a habit I picked up this year while trying to go vegan, cold turkey. After a few days, I would feel deprived or that I deserved a hamburger, a slice of pizza, or a chocolate bar. But as time went on one hamburger because 3, a slice became a whole pizza, and a bar became a whole bag of chocolates.
Do you hide your food or eat in secret?
Most definitely. When I went on a burger rampage this is what I would do: Go to one Burger King and order a meal. Drive around town while eating it. Go to the other Burger King on the other side of town, order a meal there, and eat it while on the way to the next town, 20 miles away. Order again in the other town and eat it on the way back. Same thing applies for a Wendy's or Back Yard Burger. I did this because I didn't want the people in the restaurants to see me order three meals at a time. This was kind of useless though because I'm sure they recognized me as the girl who came several times a week and always ordered the same thing. I always ate in my car because I didn't want my roomates to see me eating that much and I didn't want everyone to see my walking in the dorm with food all the time. I'm pretty sure they knew though. My clothes had to smell like food when I came back.
Do you eat when you are sad, nervous, or depressed?
I don't eat as a means to deal with temporary emotion. My binging got worse when I was generally feeling stressed and anxious over the course of months. I would start eating because I was genuinely hungry but I didn't stop when I got full. But I didn't and don't crave food right when I'm feeling sad or angry.
Do you eat as a reward?
I do. That led to my binging habit. One burger because I ate well all week turned into binging breakfast, lunch, and dinner all week.
Do you eat while watching TV or using the computer?
Yes.
What do you normally eat for a meal?
Breakfast- fruit
Lunch- salad, cooked vegetable, fruit
Dinner- salad, cooked vegetable, fruit
What type of snacks do you eat?
If I get hungry between meals I snack on fruit or chew gum.
In terms of exercise, what, if anything, are you currently doing?
30 to 45 minutes on the elliptical 4 times/week; lift a few weights 2-3/week; might throw in a Turbo Jam workout every now and then
Where do you go for exercise? A local public gym? School/work gym? Home?
School gym. When I'm in my hometown, I go to the YMCA.
What, if anything, are your three favorite types of exercise?
I prefer to exercise by myself and I prefer stationary equipment, so anything that incorporates those. I really like the elliptical machine.
What is your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly motivation to move towards your goals?
I have my list of twenty reasons why I want to lose weight. I'll probably add on as time goes by.
Do you have rewards for certain goals?
I don't have any set up yet.
