Finally shedding the student lifestyle and adapting to the real world.

OneDayCloser

New member
Hello Everyone!

I am a 27 year old attorney who needs to get out from behind a desk.

Starting Weight: 179 Lbs.
Current Weight: 173 Lbs.
Goal Weight: 134 Lbs.

I have always been a little overweight, but very active. I usually hovered around 152 lbs, which is a lot for a 5'2" frame, but I didn't mind much because I was very muscular and didn't think it was really a problem. Then I graduated...

After starting a job that required me sit behind a desk all week and travel on the weekends, I started gaining. Between the fast food and driving for 20 hours on the weekends and inactivity during the week, I went up to around 165. Then I realized I had health insurance for the first time in years from my new job so I thought why not get back on a birth control pill since I couldn't afford it before. I knew that would cause some weight gain so I started watching what I was eating, but still gained about another 15-20 lbs in less than two months.

I am done with gaining pounds, "outgrowing" clothes and feeling terrible.
I also quit smoking recently, which I am sure did not help the weight gain, but it was the first positive step to a healthy lifestyle. I proved to myself that I had the willpower to get rid of cigarettes cold turkey. If I could do that, I could get rid of the extra weight and then some. I am determined.

I have looked around the site and seeing others stick to their diet and exercise is motivation for me. I have found that I can't rely on friends and family for support because they tend to sabotage my efforts with fatty foods, binge drinking, and inactive evenings with them instead of working out.

Two weeks ago I cleaned out my fridge and replaced everything with veggies, fruits, whole grains and lean meat. I actually enjoy this food so I just need to find the time to make meals. I also started doing a Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred workout in the morning and about 45-60 mins of various cardio in the evening.

The plan is to workout 5 days a week and watch the diet while home and away.

If anyone has any suggestions for me, I could use the advice. Wish me luck! :p
 
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hey! welcome to the forum, i'm new too. i've got about the same amount of weight to lose as you do. i'm 5'7, and i'm currently in the 180s. i work out 4x a week, burning at least 700 calories during each work out. my diet is pretty strict, but it's something i can really stick to. most of it is actually the same, tons of veggies, whole grains, but i hardly eat any meat, i'm not much of a meat person, but i do like chicken. what kind of diet are you on or is it set by the jillian michaels program?
 
Hey! I am on my own diet. It is basically just a combination of things that I have read in various health, fitness, and food books. Basically hormone balancing foods and correct portion sizes. I am trying to stay away from anything processed. I don't eat much meat either, though I do love it, I am trying to stick to things like chicken and fish.

What kind of diet are you on?
 
Hey Welcome. I am semi-new too. I am so glad you came here. I love reading peoples posts and getting information on long term success. I do jillian micheals 30 day shred, in between some other workouts and i love it. Its short, but its a good kick to your day :)
 
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well, im taking lipo-6 black hers, and i definitely love it. it is for sure working for me! my diet consists of something whole grains for breakfast, usually 2 pieces of sara lee's 45 calorie delightful whole grain toast, with some stawberry preserves with no sugar as a topping. for lunch, i usually eat a salad with light northern italian dressing (only 1 carb its so delicious too), and then for dinner i get a footlong veggie delight on the new 9 grain whole wheat omega bread from subway, only 400 calories! i'm addicted to subway. i also drink about 130 ounces a day, i hate drinking water so i just drink the great value wal mart brand equivalent of crystal light, fruit punch, so delicious! every once in a while though i'll sub the lunch salad for a chicken sandwich (150 cals, just the sara lee bread and packaged chicken breast deli-style) lettuce and mustard. or i'll have a tuna sandwhich or wrap. i also found this great flat bread at wal mart, it's called flat out or something but it's whole wheat, and it's a decent size for only 90 calories. it's really good for making thin crust pizza!!
 
One of my biggest problems recently is that my medication is messing with my hormone levels, which I think slowed my metabolism. I am tailoring my diet to foods that are supposed to naturally regulate hormones. This means that I eat foods that my be a bit higher in calories than some of the diet foods on the market. I am hoping that long term I will be better off because I am getting rid of the chemicals and additives in those foods, which seem to be working against my weight loss. Most of my meals consist of organic fruits, veggies, eggs, chicken, whole wheat bread, oatmeal and a few other items. I like to cook so I have been trying out as many different recipes and spices as I can. I also tend to get bored quickly so if I don't change up the meals regularly I will end up going to the bar for a burger and a beer.

Some of my favs: Tomato, basil, and feta omelet; spinich salad with a hard boiled egg, peppers, onions, carrots, other veggies and a vinegarette; Chicken breast with onions, granny smith apple slices, and a tiny bit of blue cheese (the cheese, not the dressing); Grilled kabobs with spiced chicken, onions, zucchini, any other veggie I have around.

I really like your idea for flatbread pizza. I am definitely going to have to try that one out. :)
 
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