Hello to you and goodbye to my beer gut

B

Bizzle

New member
Hi,

I'm new here, and here's my intro:

I am a 26 year old middle school teacher, 175 pounds, 5'8". Some life changes (a break-up, gaining 5 pounds since just before the holidays, etc.) have caused me to want to make some positive changes in my life. I feel SO motivated to do this!

I've only just started yesterday. I've got a food diary and will write down everything I eat or drink. I am eating no more than 1600 calories a day. I walk my dog about 45 minutes a day. I've lost weight before doing tae-bo but gave my tapes to a friend trying to lose baby weight, and I love doing pilates, though I know it doesn't burn many calories, so I've bought that piladio (pilates + cardio) DVD and can't wait to get it! In the meantime, I'll do pilates to give myself energy and put myself back into a routine.

I'd like to start jogging but it's so cold right now! I live a block from a large park; of course I pick the coldest week so far this year to want to use it. Doh.

I don't really want to join a gym, either.... I'm more comfy at home or in my neighborhood.

But I'm taking small steps, and I think limiting my calorie intake is a good place to start. I don't eat a lot of junk anyway. I don't drink soda or eat fast food ever. I eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies; I eat cottage cheese and carrots every single day. I guess my problem lies in portions, so I'm being very careful.

Beer is a huge problem too... man I love beer, especially IPAs and ambers.. those which have enormous amounts of calories in just one glass. I'm worried about this a lot; I go out with my friends at least once a week and probably consume a days worth of calories just in beer. SOOOO this needs to stop! Not only does it make me fat, but it's just unhealthy. I can try to drink in moderation or workout more during the day when I have plans to go out that evening, I suppose. I don't want to lose my social life and though my friends do support me, I can't imagine staying home all weekend.

My first goal is to lose 15 pounds by spring break. That gives me 9 weeks. That's very possible!

Soooo sorry for the long introduction. I'm long-winded. :) Any advice or suggestions or just motivation are very welcome! I'm very excited to do this and am looking forward to being a part of this forum.
 
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great intro :D nice to have you here..

Feel free to fire yourself up a diary -it's a great place to get support and record your challenges and successes... :D

Look forward to reading more from you ...

welcome and much success on your journey
 
Its not the nicest time of the year to start is it - but on the other hand, if you have that motivation thing burning in you, then theres no time like the present, grab it! Dog-walking is great - my fitness partner is a 14 month old siberian husky . I let him drag me around to death five times per week - but on two days per week, It can take a liitle time to develop a running/jogging practice - I started last summer, and now I'm used to it, I don't mind going running with Wolfy on a dark frosty evening - woolly gloves and all :) I belong to a gym, but I use that mainly for weights - I find gym cardio utterly boring compared with running with the dog out in the fresh air.

But take those small steps. and start setting small goals at first. I started by taking a puppy for walks, then gradually worked up to the running over the months as I became fitter.

The healthy eating - I personally feel to be very important. I know that its an old overworked statement, but you are what you eat. Its about developing tastes that will last long after your weight loss, and will keep you fitter and healthier for a long time. People who just change to low cal processed meals and foods while they lose weight are in more danger of regaining it once their 'diet' finishes.

Beer! You and me both! I still like a bottle of wine now and then, and I sometimes pop down to my local pub, and have er.... one or two too many ;) but I have learned to drink less. In the old days, I was the big man who leaned up against the bar, knocking down the pints of beer. I drink less now, and when I do go out, I buy it in inky bottles rather than pint mugs. I still manage to get drunk though ;) but much less often - makes it more of a treat :)

Just ration the beer and include it in the calorie count. Remember, alcohols are nutritionally 'empty' calories. They cost you calories without giving you much in the way of nutritional value.

Good luck with your first goal, one or two pounds per week is totally realistic and healthy. Look forward to hearing more from you. :)
 
Howdy Bizzle, welcome to the club!!!

I am a prospective teacher myself :p , so I love meeting those who are, or are going to be :cool: . I am close to the halfway mark; I got a late start, but now I know there is nothing I would rather be.

A dog is a GREAT workout companion! I want to get one but my 6 day a week school/work schedule takes me away from the house for about 12 hours; that is probably not very fair to the pup who would be kennel bound much of that time.

Yeah, beer sucks for dieting purposes :*( . A lot of empty calories; but if you had a diet like mine and only eat about 1300 calories a day, then you probably could get in a couple beers that one day a week.

I have a restaurant with a complete bar, so I do have a lot of that knowledge at arms reach. There is a beer out by Michelob called Amber Bock Ultra; Low carb/calorie beer. I have never really been an Amber Bock drinker myself; so I don’t really have an opinion on the taste.

Good journey to you, Bizzle!!!
 
Thanks all! I feel so loved.

TF - my dog's a jerk and won't let me run with him. Believe me, I've tried! He wants to sniff every last thing and/or pull me down. If I start jogging, it'll sadly have to be alone. I'm not a fan of processed foods either. I like to prepare my own meals, however simple they might be. Cottage cheese with sliced banana for breakfast is a comfort food to me. :)

Lollipopkid - good luck with your degree! Teaching is really tough at first. It's my 4th year and I'll be starting grad school in the fall. I'd like to be more healthy/weigh less before that happens since I'll have a much busier schedule and more stress!
 
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