Gizmo's Journal: Remember! Don't feed him after midnight!

Gizmo1

New member
Hello Everyone,

Like many of you, I was ecstatic to find this forum. A place made up of like minded individuals that had a common goal in life. People who do not look down at someone that may have a weight issue. Being White, Black, Asian, Middle Eastern, or whatever has no impact on the support that I have seen people giving others.

I have spent several days perusing the threads looking at many different posts that contained similar questions that I have had and still have. In my time here I have learned a lot, and seen (Before & After ... and In-Between) many fantastic transformations. I have been touched by some of the weight loss diaries I have read. All in all, it seems like this is the right place for me. It’s time to start my own journey. What better way to do that than to start my own weight loss journal (or diary).

To start off my journal, I am going to use the questions that where at the top of the Weight Loss Diary Forum.

-- How much weight do you want to lose?

Currently I weigh 360lbs (for the portion of the world using the metric system that would be 163.29kg). This is down from a high of 382lbs (173.27kg).

Little Question: What area of the world uses stone as a measure of weight?
If my conversion figures are right 1 stone = 14lbs. I have seen this used by several people here on the forum.

I would love to be down to the weight of 190lbs (86.18kg). However, I am not sure of my exact goal weigh. I posted a thread on the On Topic board about this particular question and received some great advice. So now I am setting myself minor goals. These goals are: 300lbs(136.08kg), 250lbs(113.4kg), 225lbs(102.06kg), 200lbs(90.72kg), and finally 190lbs(86.18kg) if I see that I would be healthy and happy at that weight. If I reach my final goal, I would have lost 192lbs (87.09kg). That would make me less than half the man I used to be. WOW I would loose half a Gizmo. Hate to say it, but good riddance. LOL BTW the reason for using both system of measurement is because I am an Engineering Technician, and we just love numbers LOL.

-- What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight?

I do not believe I have an actual timeframe for reaching my goal. Setting a timeframe sounds like there will be a finish line. This has to be a life change. The path before me is one which will have many ups and downs. It is my hope to maintain a steady weight loss. Two pounds a week would be nice. However that does not seem realistic. Some week’s life’s stresses will get to me and I will be tempted to and probably will cheat. If I let setbacks get to me I will fail. This was just a long way of saying that I will get there when the time is right. :cool:

-- How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)?

I hope the plan that I have set out for me works well. About three years ago I went to Weight Watchers. This was right before they came out with the no counting plan. Well I found the points plan worked really well for me. The first week I was on the plan I lost 14lbs (6.35kg). That was probably the most weight I lost in one week in my life. Things went well until I became ill and was required to take antibiotics for a month. From a combination of the drugs and not being able to work out, I gained back the weight I lost. At the time I let it affect me and goodbye Weight Watchers. Now with my new attitude I plane to use the same plan now along with a few guidelines from my doctor. So this will entail calorie counting, watching my carbs (2000cal daily, 70carbs per meal (3), and 20carbs per snack (2-3). Doctors input on the carbs because I am a diabetic), and exercise. Anyone have any recommendations on ways that I can improve my plan?

-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal?

Most of my support will come from my wife I hope. She is the one that can usually get me to do things when I need to. It will also be her that I will have to count on to get me through any cravings I have.

There are not a lot of other sources for human support in my weight loss journey. I count my wife as my only friend. I don’t want to blame it totally on my size, but I have had very few friends. While I have been liked by my piers, I have never had a close friend. That is something I hope changes as I loose weight. Maybe I will get better self esteem and make a few friends.

One source of support is going to come from the funniest of places. About 2 years ago I decided it would be a good idea to go back to college. Crazy me! As if having a wife and a full(sometimes more than full) time job wasn’t enough, lets add being a 2/3 time student (8-9 credit hours a semester). One of the requirements of the college I am attending is 3 credit hours of physical education. Each P.E. class you take is 1 credit hour. It will take me three semesters to complete this requirement. This is perfect for my goals. August 27th I start a Weight lifting class. It will meet three times a week. Forced exercise! This will be great. I will be able to get into shape, or I will die trying. Either way I should loose weight. LOL

-- How realistic is your goal?

I believe my goal is realistic. Does anyone disagree? I know it will not be an overnight change. This will take a lot of hard work. However, it will be worth it in the end.

-- When will you start?

No time like the present. My weight lifting class does not start until the 27th, but I have some equipment at home to start my exercise program. There is a lot more to exercise than weight lifting. I plan to start riding a stationary bike, some form of taibo or kick boxing, and jump rope (when I get to that level of fitness). I will take my time at these because I am starting at a really bad fitness level.

So that’s it everyone. If you read through my rant hopefully you learned a few things about me. As time goes by I would love to correspond with as many of you that would like to get to know me better.

Until next we meet
Gizmo
 
Bright Light Bright Light

August 11, 2007

Howdy all,

Hope everyone is having a great Saturday. Around here it has been hot! The last I checked the temp. was 102 Fahrenheit (38.89 Celsius). Guess what I was doing in this heat? I was cooking bar-b-q. Besides nearly having a heat stroke, I am really proud of myself. I didn’t overeat. Everything in moderation. At least now I have plenty of grilled meats to go for the next week or so LOL. I cooked a whole turkey, 2 whole chickens, 1 lean beef loin, and lots of boneless skinless chicken breast. Do you think I have my protein taken care of?

The only problem I am having is soda. As long as I pay attention to what I am doing I am fine. The problem is when I am not paying attention to what I am doing. Last night we went to a local wing joint that has electronic trivia. Without thinking I ordered a cola and was half way through it when I realized what I was doing. I got to stop that.

Well I might post again later. Hope to hear from someone.

Until next we meet…
Gizmo
:jump:
 
Yeah Gizmo I've got a problem with the Coke too.

Its actually harder for me to give up than the over amount of food I've eaten to get this size if you can believe that lol.

Anyway man you're an inspiration to me as we are both fighting the same battle.

Glad you got your journal up finally.
 
Hey Gizmo, Welcome to WLF!

Countries that use stone as a weight measurement are the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. They also use kilos and sometimes pounds.

Do you drink regular or diet soda? I used to drink tons of diet soda, but I now limit myself to one can per day. I often don't drink that much. Just keep a water bottle handy.

I tried to lose weight for years, but my attempts were half-assed. One day I woke up and realized that enough was enough. You just have to stay focused and don't let yourself make excuses for cheating or not exercising. I'm glad your wife will be supportive--it will make it easier for you.

We are a supportive and funny lot (as you might already know if you've been reading a lot of posts), and we're here for you. Best wishes in your weight loss. Looks like you've already made a great start!:)
 
Hey Gizmo,

I love your screenname it rules!!!
Welcome to WLF! It looks like you have a great plan. I'm impressed by how you sat down and thought your plan out... its a great strategy for a great start.

I yo-yo'd dieted for a very long time. One day I woke up and said enough... I have to do this now and since then i've been going strong. It seems for many there was a shocking moment that made them say this is the time:)

I look forward to seeing you around and watching your journey and transformation.
Have fun while your hear... you'll notice a lot of us are quite a riot.

Good Luck and I'll see ya around
~Jenna
 
Don't get him wet!

Hey thanks for posting CrunkChipmunk.

I know what you mean about food and coke. I never crave food. My body craves Coke. I am hooked.

Keep up the fight. We will both get there.

Till Next Time..

Gizmo

P.S. Just a little nuget about me. There is a twofold reason for the name Gizmo. First, I have a skin condition I could never spell that makes my skin lose its pigment. I am dark complected but have many patches of pale white skin. Makes me look like Gizmo from Gremlins. The second reason is that I love gadgets of all kinds.
 
Hey Gizmo,

Sounds like you're ready to do this. Congratulations!

I would make Coke your target right now until you kick it to the curb. I used to crave Coke as well, but I haven't had any kind of soda in years. Everytime you get a craving for a Coke, drink a glass of water. Carry a bottle or two of water around with you everywhere you go and take a swig every now and then. This is especially important when you're in the heat. When you go to a restaurant that has glasses of water there for you when you sit down, drink some as you look over the menu. Get that Coke out of your life and don't let it back in. Make this one of your biggest priorities over the next few weeks and I have no doubt you will make it a successful lifestyle change. There you go, you now have another small goal. And it's one that will make a big difference.


Matt
 
Wow!!

Hello Everyone

First let me say thank you to bikinibound for the information on the use of the measurement of stone. I was not aware that it was used so many places. Guess you know you’re a geek when measurements get you excited, but I can't help it. I love to learn new things.

As for soda, I used to drink the full sugar version. This past week I made it a goal to stop drinking them all together. Up until the night I mentioned, I had not had a single can all week. It was more of a reflex action. Something I got so used to doing that it came as second nature. That is what I got to break. When I realized what I was doing I got a glass of water, but the deed had been done.

Mattymar, it's funny you mentioned carrying water around with you. That was one of the first things I did. I go nowhere without my water bottle. The town I work in has the worst public water system I have ever seen. Lucky for me the company I work for supplies water coolers with purified drinking water. Many times throughout the day I fill my bottles up. Besides water, we are also supplied with iced tea. That is my morning break drink of choice (no sugar in my tea).

Boam46, Thank you for the welcome. I posted earlier the reason behind my name. It was given to me by my wife, so it is special to me. As for the shocking moment, I had several. My only problem is that they never seemed to stick. I always thought I could put it off. What finally got me was when I went back to college. The first time I had to put my big body into one of the little desks in the classroom, I knew I had to do something.

Thanks again to everyone that posted replies.:hug2:

Until next time…
Gizmo
 
As for soda, I used to drink the full sugar version. This past week I made it a goal to stop drinking them all together. Up until the night I mentioned, I had not had a single can all week. It was more of a reflex action. Something I got so used to doing that it came as second nature. That is what I got to break. When I realized what I was doing I got a glass of water, but the deed had been done.

Its great that eventhough it had been done already you went and got that water. You didn't say well I already had some...tonight is ruined. You corrected it... that's the perfect mindset/attitude:)

That was one of the first things I did. I go nowhere without my water bottle.

I have tons of water bottles... they're in my trunk, in my backpack, all over my apartment. It's so easy to grab one and fill it up wherever I am... it really removes temptation for everything else:)

Boam46, Thank you for the welcome. I posted earlier the reason behind my name. It was given to me by my wife, so it is special to me. As for the shocking moment, I had several. My only problem is that they never seemed to stick. I always thought I could put it off. What finally got me was when I went back to college. The first time I had to put my big body into one of the little desks in the classroom, I knew I had to do something.

As a college student (well for 19 more days LOL) I totally know what you mean about those seats. The newer classrooms we have regular chairs and such... but the old lecture halls... OMG!! Even the small people are crunched!!

I hope you're having a great night:hug2:

~Jenna
 
Gizmo...

Coke is good. The night before I started my lifestyle change, I drank a 20 ounce bottle. It was like nectar from the gods.

Good that you have a strong support system, everyone needs one. This forum is already proving to be one for me and I have been here two days. Keep us posted.
 
Good morning

Hi all,

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Jenna, I was proud of myself when I sent the coke back. That was a first for me. It felt like a milestone in my life.

I took the summer off from college. Classes start again on August 27th. Not sure if thisis a good thing or not. This will be the hardest semester yet. Working full time, I have to work my class schedule around my job. Usualy I go to class three nights a week from 6-9pm. I work from 8am-5pm. This was nice. It gave me a hour to get to my class and even have a break. Well this semester I have a class (Weight Lifting) that meets from 6:40am-7:40am. Thank goodness for a great boss that is working with me on this. Any time I miss can be made up. On top of that class, I have classes four nights a week from 6-9. What was I thinking LOL. I am going to die!:jump: :eek:

Well it's time to get this day started.
Till next we meet...
Gizmo
 
I took the summer off from college. Classes start again on August 27th. Not sure if thisis a good thing or not. This will be the hardest semester yet. Working full time, I have to work my class schedule around my job. Usualy I go to class three nights a week from 6-9pm. I work from 8am-5pm. This was nice. It gave me a hour to get to my class and even have a break. Well this semester I have a class (Weight Lifting) that meets from 6:40am-7:40am. Thank goodness for a great boss that is working with me on this. Any time I miss can be made up. On top of that class, I have classes four nights a week from 6-9. What was I thinking LOL. I am going to die!:jump: :eek:

:eek2: :confused: :eek2:

I can't even comprehend how much work that is going to be!!!

What are you studying in school this time around... I'm sorry if you've said already and I've missed it!

I hope your having an awesome weekend
~Jenna
 
Hi Gizmo,
Welcome to the forum. You've made a good choice signing up here. What a wealth of information and support this place is. Keep your positive attitude and just take it one day at a time.
 
College

:eek2: :confused: :eek2:

I can't even comprehend how much work that is going to be!!!

What are you studying in school this time around... I'm sorry if you've said already and I've missed it!

I hope your having an awesome weekend
~Jenna

This semester is Intro to Chemistry, Physical Geology, and weight lifting. 9 credit hours all together. Lord help me.

Gizmo
 
Monday!!

Goodmorning Everyone.

Hope everyone's weekend went well. I had one personal milestone. We went to a movie yesterday (Hairspray, John Trovalta as a woman very funny). As far back as I can remember I have never been to a movie where I did not have a soda. Well yesterday I did. Just a bottle of water. Go Me LOL

Till next we meet...
Gizmo
 
Tuesdays are as bad as Monday

Ugg. It's just to early LOL. I am trying to get used to wakeing up early before classes start. The only good thing I can say about wakeing up at 5:30 is at least it's not hot. The temp today is supposed to reach 102 farenheit (38.9 celsius). Another great reason to loose weight. Who wants to carry around all this exta bagagge in temps like these.

Yesterday after work, I actually worked out. Strength trained for 45 mins. Can't do much with the limited weghits I have, but got out there and did it. I don't have a stationary bike or similar equipment, so I had to improvise. Using a box I built, I did steps. Going up and down for half an hour. With all this weigh, that has to be good for something. I know it wore me out. My last bit of my routine came from beating on my heavy bag for 15 mins. I hope to extend my times on all of these in the days to come.

Food wise I could be doing better, but I think I am doing ok. At the moment I am counting calories and watching portions. I am from the Great State of Texas in the USA. Here we love our beef and potatoes. Because of this, I grew up not eating many vegies. I am trying to change, but change is slow. My diet is consisting mostly of grilled lean meats (chicken, turkey, lean red beef) and a salad mixture of lettuce, carrots, and purple cabbage. So far I have stayed at 2000 calories a day. Last night I did treat myself to 3 oreo cookies, but I stayed in my calories.

Well I guess I better get this day started.

Till next we meet...
Gizmo
 
8-15-07

Hi all,

Today has been lousy for the diet. Didn’t get to exercise this morning, and won’t get to tonight either. There is a good reason. Today is my wife’s and I nine year anniversary. Glad she has been able to put up with me for so long.

I planned to do my normal exercise routine in the morning so I could spend time with my wife tonight, but I just couldn’t drag myself out of bed at 4:30. We have to be up anyway by 5:30 to get to our jobs. Tonight I have planned on making dinner for my wife instead of going out. We decided going out could wait till the weekend.

Well that’s all I got time for today. Got to get back to work.

Till next we meet…
Gizmo
 
Hi all,

Today has been lousy for the diet. Didn’t get to exercise this morning, and won’t get to tonight either. There is a good reason. Today is my wife’s and I nine year anniversary. Glad she has been able to put up with me for so long.

Sounds like you've put up with her, too!:)

I planned to do my normal exercise routine in the morning so I could spend time with my wife tonight, but I just couldn’t drag myself out of bed at 4:30. We have to be up anyway by 5:30 to get to our jobs. Tonight I have planned on making dinner for my wife instead of going out. We decided going out could wait till the weekend.

Well that’s all I got time for today. Got to get back to work.

Till next we meet…
Gizmo


Happy Anniversary! I think it's very sweet of you go cook dinner for your wife.:)
 
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